HHS Plans Medicaid Demonstration in Vermont

Washington

HHS has announced a new Medicaid program in Vermont that the government says will give elderly and disabled residents more options to remain in their homes and communities.

The Vermont Long Term Care Plan will establish a triage assessment system for beneficiaries at risk of institutionalization. Those in the highest tier would be offered a traditional nursing facility or whatever expanded services needed to keep them in their homes. Second-tier patients, who need fewer services, could still receive nursing home or home-based care, but would be served in order of the greatest need.

“This innovative new program furthers President Bush’s goal in the New Freedom Initiative, which is to give people ‘new freedom’ to decide where and how they receive the care they need,” said HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt.

The demonstration will include 4,500 Medicaid recipients 65 and older and adults with physical disabilities.

“This program will provide important evidence on how to end the institutional bias in Medicaid, to allow people with a disability to live in the community when they prefer to do so, without increasing Medicaid costs,” said CMS Administrator Mark McClellan.