On January 15, 2013 the DC Department of Health Care Finance held its monthly meeting with adult day treatment stakeholders and advocates to discuss the move to end the current Medicaid fee-for-service adult day treatment program. The meeting, led by Claudia Schlosberg, HFCA Director of Health Care Policy, included updates on a number of issues that department is undertaking to make certain clients continue to receive care, including the preparation and the submission of a 1915(i) waiver that will serve frail seniors. The program serves an estimated 1,909 clients with a range of needs. Since last summer the Department has been working with providers and urging them to transfer clients to other programs where possible. In December 2012 the Department issued an emergency notice that prohibited the enrollment of beneficiaries into the Medicaid fee-for-service day treatment program effective January 1, 2013. No new providers have been added since February 2012.

LeadingAge DC members, with the assistance of LeadingAge Home and Community Based Services Director, Peter Notarstefano have worked closely with HFCA staff to understand the needs of the senior population served in adult day treatment and the development of a new assessment tool for clients. The agency relied heavily on a tool currently used in Tennessee to craft the DC criteria and plans to ask providers for additional input as it is finalized. The 1915(i) waiver requires a conflict-free assessment which means that the DC Office on Aging (DCOA) will likely become the point of entry and will use the new tool to direct consumers to the appropriate services. Providers will no longer be able to assess their new clients for services.

The waiver must go to the Council by the end of February so that HFCA can submit it to CMS by the end of March. After that CMS will have 90 days to approve the waiver. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 12 at 11:00 AM. For more information, please contact Alayna Waldrum.