Georgia Chapter Successfully Advocates for 4 Percent Medicaid HCBS Rate Increase

​The advocacy efforts of HCAOA Georgia Chapter on behalf of members achieved a significant milestone recently when the Georgia General Assembly passed the SFY 2024 budget (H.B. 19), which includes a 4 percent rate increase for all Medicaid Elderly & Disabled Waiver Program (EDWP) providers of home and community-based services (HCBS).

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​In early April, the Appropriations Conference Committee comprised of the leaders of both the House and Senate met to finalize their respective chamber’s differences in the SFY 2024 budget. Both the House and Senate budget versions had agreed previously to a 2 percent rate increase for HCBS. In their Conference Committee work of the past few days, both the House and Senate conferees agreed to increasing the 2 percent rate increase to 4 percent.
 
In these advocacy efforts, HCAOA Georgia Chapter has not been alone. This year, efforts were strengthened with a larger collation that included the Alzheimer’s Association, Georgia Chapter, Georgia Association of Community Care Providers (GACCP), and Leading Age Georgia.
 
In addition to this coalition, Georgia Chapter providers across the state joined in to reach their local legislators through the HCAOA Legislative Action Network. Your messages were heard and your efforts have boosted the entire HCBS provider industry and the elderly and disabled Georgians for which we provide care.
 
HCAOA and the Georgia Chapter thank members for their participation in this reimbursement rate increase process!