Revisions to dozens of rules for state home- and community-based waivers, including the assisted living waiver, are earning support from Ohio’s senior living advocates.
Earlier this month, the Ohio Department of Medicaid released draft revisions to state HCBS waiver programs, including the assisted living waiver, PASSPORT (preadmission screening system providing options and resources today), the Ohio Home Care Waiver, private duty nursing and Medicaid home health.
The draft rules reflect the rate increases approved in Ohio’s biennial budget, which are set to take effect Jan. 1.
LeadingAge Ohio submitted comments supporting the “significant and historic investments.”
“The revisions are momentous for older Ohioans and the providers that serve them, and will undoubtedly strengthen access to home- and community-based services,” LeadingAge Ohio President and CEO Susan Wallace wrote to Ohio Medicaid Director Maureen Corcoran.
Ohio’s assisted living waiver provides alternative placement to nursing facilities for individuals who need skilled nursing care.
The proposed amendment to the assisted living waiver includes an increase to the maximum reimbursement for services included in the state’s annual budget. In addition, the state is proposing to combine its top two assisted living service tiers into a base assisted living service at $130 maximum per day, as well as adding a memory care assisted living service tier at $155 per day.
