LeadingAge New York Participates in Fourth ALP Hospice Workgroup
On Aug. 9th, LeadingAge NY participated in the fourth of several work group meetings developed as a result of legislation we worked to pass that would enable Medicaid-eligible assisted living program (ALP) residents to access hospice care. The work group, which is required in the legislation, is being convened to make recommendations on the coordination and division of services, responsibilities, and reimbursement. LeadingAge NY was selected to serve on the group. Click here for more background.
During last week's meeting, the group continued to discuss how to modify the Medicaid State Plan for hospice services to identify the ALP as a setting in which services could be provided. The workgroup is working to articulate the roles of each provider and subsequent responsibilities. A guiding principle is that the hospice provider is providing services related to the individual’s terminal diagnosis. The Department did not opine on whether the ALP and hospice provider should have a contract with one another similar to the contract that nursing homes have with hospice providers. All agree that it is important to have clarity regarding which entity is responsible for which services.
LeadingAge NY welcomes member input to identify the best way to delineate and clarify responsibilities and ensure no duplication or gap in services. If any ALP or hospice member is interested in assisting us as we think through specific examples, please let us know.
We are pleased that all parties are working together to try and resolve this longstanding access issue.
Contact: Diane Darbyshire, ddarbyshire@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8828