Long-Term Services and Supports:
Overview of Health Reform Provisions
Health reform does even more than ensure that all Americans will have access to affordable medical care. It also includes provisions to improve access to affordable long-term care. That’s a critical issue that will become even more pressing as the baby-boom generation ages and the number of Americans over the age of 65 increases dramatically. In the area of long-term care, health reform includes provisions to expand access to home- and community-based care (HCBS) in Medicaid and establishes a new, voluntary long-term care insurance program.
This section of our website outlines our best understanding of key provisions in the new law that affect long-term services. Some of this information may change as program regulations and guidelines are developed. We'll update these pages as new information becomes available. PDF version of these provisions is also available.
Community First Choice Option - A new state plan option to provide home- and community-based services that includes an increase in federal matching funds for program costs
The State Balancing Incentives Payment Program - A temporary program that provides qualifying states with an increase in their federal match for Medicaid Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) costs
Changes to Medicaid’s 1915(i) Option for Home- and Community-Based Care - Improvements to Medicaid’s existing state plan option for providing Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS), 1915(i)
The Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Program - A national voluntary program to help people insure against the cost of long-term services
Expanded Spousal Impoverishment Protection in Medicaid - Requires states to extend the same spousal impoverishment protections that apply to institutional care to home- and community-based care
Extending Money Follows the Person Demonstration Project - Helps Medicaid-eligible individuals transition from institutions back to the community
Additional Funding for Aging and Disability Resource Centers - Funding for aging and disability resource centers
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