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12/12/2019

Home- and Community-based Services Rates Released, Fall Short of State Budget Numbers

Home- and Community-based Services Rates Released,
Fall Short of State Budget Numbers

On Tuesday of this week, the Ohio Department of Medicaid released proposed revisions to rules governing the reimbursement policy for the Ohio PASSPORT and Assisted Living waivers. Increases were proposed for personal care services under the PASSPORT waiver, as well as for enhanced community living services, and the assisted living service in the Assisted Living Waiver.

“While we are encouraged to see increased rates for these critical programs, our members are concerned that the increases are significantly less than the legislature intended,” said Kathryn Brod, President/CEO of LeadingAge Ohio. “We look forward to continuing our work with the Administration and the Ohio General Assembly on policy that ensures that these important increases reach meaningful levels to support the needs of the long-term care workforce.”

The rate increases were the result of changes included in House Bill 166, the state operating budget. Governor DeWine vetoed the original appropriation line items included by the Ohio General Assembly in House Bill 166, preferring to allow his Administration the discretion in rate setting.

In October, Ohio Director of Aging Ursel McElroy and Director of Medicaid Maureen Corcoran announced their intent to increase rates for Ohio’s Assisted Living Waiver (ALW) and PASSPORT personal care services rates by 3.25%. The proposed increase fell short of the 5.1% increase that was appropriated by the Ohio General Assembly in the budget bill, and then vetoed by Governor DeWine.

Tuesday’s rule changes provide for a 3.25% increase to Assisted Living Waiver and PASSPORT personal care services rates. Once filed, the rules will take effect no fewer than 80 days following the original file date. 

LeadingAge Ohio will continue to monitor these changes and advocate for a rates that match the legislature’s intent. For questions on this rule change and the state budget, please contact Susan Wallace at swallace@leadingageohio.org.

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