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Texas' Money Follows the Person has operated since September,
2003. Here is the data for the past nearly two and a half years.
Since it began in Texas, 10,711 people have opted to leave the
nursing facilities, have the institutional MA funds follow
them, and move into the community. Who are these 10,771 people
and where did they move?
- Who are they?
Nearly 7.5% are over 90 years of age, and 10 were over 100 years old. About 38% were under 65 years old, and 11% were under 44 years. Another 19% were between 65 and 74. 65% were female and 64% were white (not of Hispanic origin).
- What were their living arrangements when they left the nursing facilities?
Nearly all received Medicaid Waiver services. 22% live alone, 47% live with family, and 2% live with other persons who are in a waiver program. - Most of the remaining 29% live primarily in Residential Care or Adult Foster.
It seems quite reasonable to conclude for at least the 69% who
live either alone or with their families that Texas and the
federal government's Medicaid Programs save significant amounts
of money. One estimate is that Texas saves between 20 and 35%
of what it previously spent for these people in nursing facilities.
Texas's Money Follows the Person has never had an enhanced
federal which will now be available with the new federal
Money Follows the Person MA legislation.
Disability Advocates:
- Your States can begin a Money Follows the Person program NOW like Texas did, or
- It is estimated that in late August the federal RFP will be available for the enhanced federal match.
- Either way, there is NO EXCUSE for States NOT to start a Money Follows the Person program.
If your State's MA officials wish to learn more about the Texas
success, they can email Mark Gold (not a relative), Manager,
Promoting Independence Initiative, TX Dept of Aging and
Disability Services,
www.dads.state.tx.us/business/pi/index.html or 512-438-2260.
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Steve Gold, The Disability Odyssey continues
Back issues of other Information Bulletins are available online
at www.stevegoldada.com with a searchable Archive at this site
divided into different subjects. To contact Steve Gold
directly, write to stevegoldada@cs.com
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