Georgia Budget Includes Rate Increases for HCBS

HCAOA’s Georgia Chapter is pleased to report that the House has approved the SFY 2025 budget, and now the budget is in the Senate for consideration. The chapter previously met with the House Appropriations Chair and recently met with the Senate Appropriations Chair to answer questions and advocate for passage of the SFY 2025 with this funding fully intact. The Chapter will continue to follow the budget process in the Senate and are prepared to answer any questions on behalf of the budget request.

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​The Georgia SFY 2025 Budget contains funds to fully implement the reimbursement rates recommended in the Independent Care Waiver Program (ICWP) and Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program (EDWP) provider rate studies completed last year. The funding totals for these budgeted items are as follows:

Total Funds $116,470,036
State Funds $39,596,901

Separately, at a meeting of the DCH Board, initial approval of the rate increases was granted for both the ICWP and EDWP rate increases. Rate increases were also approved for NOW and COMP waivers based on their rate studies. With this initial DCH Board approval, a period of public comment will be open. The HCAOA Georgia Chapter will submit a written response in support of the rate increases. This advanced DCH Board approval is unprecedented in our rate increase history and will allow the rates to be effective July 1, 2024.

Updates will be provided as the budget completes the legislative process.