Nursing Home Diversion
 









 

   If you are interested in learning more about this Boone County pilot program for yourself or a loved
  one, please contact our case manager, Dorothy Holtslander,  in our Regional Service Center at
  870-741-1144 or toll free 800-432-9721.

  NURSING HOME DIVERSION

  • Support State’s long term care rebalancing efforts.
  • Complement CMS “Money Follows the Person” initiative by reaching older adults before they enter a nursing home and spend down to Medicaid.
  • To ensure that the program reaches it’s intended target population by using flexible service dollars that follow the needs of individuals and their family caregivers.

*A fully flexible consumer-responsive program which is not tied to any particular service, nor to any particular type
  of providers.

      * Utilizing fiscal management techniques to help support the delivery of flexible service models and consumer
         directed approaches.

      * The nursing home diversion program targets high risk individuals at risk of nursing home placement.

The nursing home diversion program will allow consumers the option to use a consumer directed model. Consumers and their families will be given the maximum degree of control possible over decisions affecting the types of services and supports they receive. The Consumers and their families will have the ability to choose the manner in which the services and supports are provided.

 

FLEXIBLE SERVICE DOLLARS

Long range vision is to have nursing home diversion programs ensure that the program reaches its intended target population by utilizing flexible service dollars that follow the needs of the individual and their family caregivers.

  

 DIVERSION STRATEGY

      1.  There are 2 different diversion strategies.

       1.  Target early admissions to nursing homes; prevent short post-acute stays from becoming long stays.

       2.  Target community situations where the current caregiver situation is breaking down, disrupted or caregivers have
            already begun exploring nursing home placement.

              

    TARGETING HIGH RISK

     The nursing home diversion program uses multiple risk factors in targeting individuals at high risk of nursing home
     placement to ensure that the program has a high likelihood of reaching individuals who are, in fact, at high risk, of
     institutionalization. The assessment of high risk must include the following: 

          1.      Functional Status
                Information concerning the ability to independently perform daily living tasks.

2.      Health Status
Information concerning all diagnoses, limitations, medications, and care needs.

3.      Cognitive/Emotional Status
Information concerning all diagnoses, limitations, medications, and care needs.

4.      Informal Support Status
Information concerning the existing caregiver system.

 

       FOCUS ON SELF DIRECTION

1.      Person Centered Planning
Participants assume responsibility for meeting health care needs.

2.      Individual Budget
Budget accurately reflects needs of consumer and provides opportunity to set aside resources for both planned and unplanned expenses.

3.      Self-Directed Supports
Education and counseling support to participants for self direction (manage own care needs).

 

ELIGIBILITY

  • Must meet monthly income guidelines
     

  • Must be 60 years of age or older
     

  • Can not be eligible for Medicaid assistance
     

  • Assets not exceeding $48,000 for individuals & $68,000 for couples

 

        RESOURCES - Visit these websites for more information

           Cash  & Counseling National Program Office - www.cashandcounseling.org

           The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation - www.rwjf.org

           Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) - http://aspe.hhs.gov

           Administration on Aging (AOA) - http://www.aoa.gov/