DOH Convenes ALP Reform Workgroup

LeadingAge New York participated in the first meeting of the Assisted Living Reform Workgroup on Dec. 15, 2015. We were very pleased as we have long been advocating for this forum. This group was pulled together by the Department of Health (DOH) and involves stakeholders from the assisted living provider community as well as various DOH representatives. The group will be reviewing aspects of the assisted living program (ALP) in preparation for a larger discussion about the transition of the ALP population and program into the managed care and managed long term care benefit.

LeadingAge New York's Senior Policy Analyst, Diane Darbyshire, participated in the meeting, as well as our two member representatives: the Adult Care Facility/Assisted Living Cabinet members Gedalia Klein, COO of Northern Services Group and Rick Mills, Administrator, Bernadine (Loretto). Sean Doolan from Hinman Straub, LeadingAge New York’s lobbyists and counsel, also participated.

The first meeting framed out some of the many questions and issues we hope to work on in this forum and in subsequent discussions with a larger transition group. Among the issues noted was the federal home and community based settings rule, the need to better clarify what durable medical equipment and supplies should be included in the ALP rate; the need to update the ALP Medicaid rate to a more recent base year; the need for capital reimbursement for the ALP, and clarification of roles and responsibilities when an ALP contracts with a plan. During the discussion, there were various technical questions that were raised; it was agreed that we would develop a list of questions and submit them to DOH in advance of the next meeting to be scheduled in February.

LeadingAge New York and the Cabinet will be working on these issues and eliciting feedback from members. Any members that have questions or are interested in participating in the dialogue on these issues, please let us know.

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