HCBS bill provides ‘sorely needed’ solutions to care choice, workforce issues
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Mar 10, 2023
A new bill seeking to expand and permanently fund home- and community-based service programs — including those provided in assisted living — is “exactly what’s needed” to begin to solve the...
Worker shortages, waiting list inaccuracies complicate HCBS programs
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Nov 30, 2022
The COVID-19 pandemic put a spotlight on fundamental, long-term challenges for state Medicaid home- and community-based services programs, but it also provided opportunities for change, according to a...
CMS throws down ultimatum on HCBS settings final rule compliance
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Nov 29, 2022
The federal government is giving states and providers an ultimatum to make progress on meeting the requirements of the home- and community-based services settings final rule that goes into effect in the...
HCBS providers face more serious challenges ahead than institutional providers: report
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Sep 21, 2022
Expanding the availability and quality of long-term services and supports will continue to be a focus for policymakers as individual preferences and state requirements shift from institutional settings...
Report outlines ways to get more HCBS support
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Sep 20, 2022
Assisted living providers can glean best practices from a report outlining state efforts to support home- and community-based service workers using federal COVID-19 relief dollars, according to one of...
$25 million expansion adds 5 states and territories to Money Follows the Person program for HCBS
By
Lois A. Bowers
Aug 22, 2022
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, will award up to $5 million each to Illinois, Kansas and New Hampshire, as well as for American Samoa...
Provider groups decry ‘chronic underfunding’ as CMS introduces HCBS quality measures
By
Lois A. Bowers
Jul 22, 2022
The federal government’s introduction Thursday of quality measures for the home- and community-based services offered by assisted living and other providers comes in the midst of “longstanding, chronic...
Federal toolkit offers guidance on long-term care transitions to HCBS, including assisted living
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Jul 12, 2022
New resources released last week by the federal government are geared toward helping states understand and implement existing policies affecting home- and community-based services, including those offered...
HHS extends timeframe for states to use federal funds to expand HCBS
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Jun 03, 2022
States will have an additional year to use federal American Rescue Plan funds to expand home- and community-based services for Medicaid beneficiaries, the federal government announced Friday.
CMS adjusts HCBS final rule implementation, but industry seeks more time
By
Lois A. Bowers
May 26, 2022
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced some adjustments regarding the implementation of its home- and community-based services final rule this week, but senior living industry association...