CMS Issues Guidance on HCBS Settings Rule and Dementia Care

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has just issued guidance on dementia care in certain settings that are or will be held to the federal home and community based settings (HCBS) rule. This guidance was promised during a webinar provided in the summer on these issues, given the questions that were raised about how best to address exit-seeking behavior and remain in compliance with the rule. LeadingAge NY was particularly concerned about the implications for adult day health care programs and assisted living programs (ALPs) that serve people with dementia, and what tools would be available to ensure their safety under the rule. Click here to view the guidance.

By way of background, the state has until March of 2019 to come into compliance with the rule, which applies to services provided under a Medicaid federal home and community based services waiver and the settings in which the services are provided. Medicaid-eligible individuals enrolled in managed care and managed long term care are receiving services under such waiver.

Contact: Diane Darbyshire, ddarbyshire@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8828