CMS invests in Money Follows the Person, supporting Medicaid HCBS initiatives
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has once again renewed its commitment to keeping aging and disabled populations at home and in their communities.
The CMS announced a $110 million influx to Money Follows the Person (MFP), a Medicaid home- and community-based services (HCBS) program, earlier this month. This funding will allow more seniors and people with disabilities the opportunity to afford the care and services they need to live comfortably at home, and transition out of an institutional setting.
“Everyone deserves the opportunity to live at home, in their communities, and with their loved ones,” U.S. Health & Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a press release in March. “This funding will bring dignity and peace of mind to even more seniors and people with disabilities across the country. We will continue expanding these programs to ensure all Americans have equitable access to the high-quality health care they deserve—no matter where they live.”
Bringing People Home
Approximately $4 billion has already been invested in MFP since the program was established in 2005. The new funding allows for expansion into more than 20 states and territories not currently participating in the program, according to the CMS. The funds can be used to:
- Recruit providers for Medicaid HCBS
- Establish partnerships between community stakeholders and the state Medicaid office
- Conduct system assessments
- Host planning activities approved by the CMS
At its core, MFP allows aging and disabled populations the opportunity to choose the services and supports that best serve their needs at home. This can even mean hiring a relative or adult child to provide care. Other benefits include personal care assistance, home health care, home modifications for safety and accessibility, adult day care and personal emergency response systems, though what is available varies by state.
The CMS and a state’s Medicaid agency work together to administer the program, with many states adopting their own names, i.e. California Community Connections or My Place Louisiana. Eligibility for the program is determined at the state level. However, all participants must require institutional care, but be able to get the types of services they need at home or in their communities.
For those states and territories already participating in the program, the CMS announced the federal government is now offering 100 percent funding for MFP “supplemental services,” which may now include short-term housing and food assistance for MFP participants.
Experienced IT Partners Simplify Program Tracking
Tracking state Medicaid programs and resource allocation has been an ongoing challenge for decades. As more waivers are adopted, or HCBS funding programs established, following the money only gets trickier.
FEI Systems has been modernizing and simplifying the administration and tracking of health and human services programs for two decades. Since MFP was established, FEI has assisted state departments in the administration of these Medicaid HCBS programs, to help more beneficiaries live and thrive in their homes and communities.
Blue Compass, FEI’s comprehensive suite of solutions includes two premier case management platforms and a host of modules designed to meet common requirements. Blue Compass can be tailored to fit the unique needs of the partners we serve.
Blue Compass solutions provide an easy way to enroll, track and report on MFP participant activities. Through automated submission processes, support coordinators can enroll participants in a state MFP program. Once all signed waiver documents are received, Blue Compass person records include an identifier in the attribute section, so our partners can easily see who is in the MFP program. All MFP data can be tracked, and reports submitted to respective departments right from the platform. This includes any waiver offers, linkages, eligibility determinations, required reporting at the required intervals for the 365-day tracking report, and discharges from the program. FEI works with partners to confirm all MFP requirements are met.
