Last year, Washington became the first state in the U.S. to launch a self-funded, long-term care insurance program. The plan, dubbed WA Cares, is self-funded by worker contributions only while they are working to fund long-term care benefits later in life. The HCAOA Washington Chapter has been advocating to ensure that private pay home care agencies and Medicaid agencies have the same opportunity to provide care under the plan, and the group recently took a closer look at the Fund during its Chapter Conference on May 23. The WA Cares Fund, which is overseen by the LTSS Trust Commission comprised of legislators, heads of administering agencies, and key stakeholder representatives, will be making a decision in the near future about whether to include both private pay home care agencies and Medicaid contracted agencies in the plan.
All members in Washington are encouraged to customize and send the template message below through the WA Cares Fund website: I would like to request that you allow all state licensed home care agencies, not just Medicaid contracted home care agencies, to provide services to qualified participants in the WA Cares Fund. This program is designed for all Washingtonians, not just low-income citizens, and participants should have a choice of which home care agency that they would like to hire in their area. Limiting access to all licensed home care agencies will limit access to home care for the participants. With our rapidly aging population, it’s important that all home care agencies be included, not just limited to a few in our state. The LTSS Trust Commission meets on July 10 to discuss this issue via Zoom. A Provider Payment Maximums Group 3 Stakeholder Open Forum will be held on July 15. HCAOA will continue to provide updates.
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