The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking public input on additional policy options the agency can consider to increase access to timely and quality home and community-based services (HCBS).
These long-term services and supports are critical to ensure people can remain in their homes and communities as they receive treatment. Yet, barriers to the provision of HCBS exist, largely related to:
- home care worker recruitment and retention;
- program integrity challenges;
- state fiscal constraints; and
- varying quality measurement and improvement strategies.
CMS asks stakeholders to provide information and data on strategies to address these barriers, while ensuring a proper balance between institutional and home care. Comments are due Jan. 9, 2017.
Contact Director of Policy Erin O’Malley at eomalley@essentialhospitals.org or 202.585.0127 with questions.