Steve Smith, director of FSSA’s Division of Aging, today introduced the
State’s new OPTIONS program that will promote and support the full range of
long-term care options for older Hoosiers. In addition to traditional nursing
homes, these options include assisted living, congregate living, adult foster
care, and adult day services.
FSSA has developed this program in consultation with legislators, consumer
advocates, and the long term care industry to ensure that all older Hoosiers
have access to the most appropriate care for their unique circumstances. Smith
emphasized that the program was not designed to save money but rather to focus
on the quality life of older Hoosiers. Acknowledging the vital role of nursing
homes in providing skilled care needed by many older Hoosiers, he thanked the
nursing home industry for its support in developing community-based services.
Mitch Roob, secretary of FSSA, has identified reducing nursing home utilization
as one of the major transformation goals for FSSA. He noted then, “FSSA is a
healthcare financing organization, and funding for an individual should be based
on the level of care and services needed by an individual. The funding must be
connected to people and not institutions. In almost every area we serve, the
enlightened care is a home-based or community-based model and away from the
institutional setting. And this is certainly true for many older Hoosiers.”
The three key components of the OPTIONS program are (1) developing capacity in
areas such as assisted living, adult day services, and adult foster care, (2)
improving access to this new capacity, and (3) raising public awareness of the
full range of long-term care options.
Smith explained that historically the Medicaid financial eligibility criteria
were more favorable for traditional nursing home care and less favorable for
alternative services. To address this disparity, the State is creating uniform
financial eligibility criteria for a broad range of long-term care services. The
new approach will permit families and hospital discharge advisors to choose the
best care model for a Medicaid-eligible senior citizen by creating equal access
to all services.
To ensure that there is an adequate supply of alternative services, program
managers have been established in FSSA’s Division of Aging to promote and
support each of the OPTIONS services. Noting a general lack of alternative
services in the minority community, Smith has also established an outreach
effort focusing on that community. Outreach coordinators are meeting with
minority community and church leaders throughout the State to identify potential
new service providers.
Another part of the agenda is to reduce the over-supply of nursing home beds by
closing existing nursing homes or converting these facilities into one or more
of the alternative long-term care services. Through a quality assessment fee
authorized by the State Legislature, funds are available to assist nursing homes
with closure and/or conversion. There are over 500 nursing homes in Indiana
operating at 83% capacity. By reducing bed inventory and/or making a conversion,
financial stability can be maintained for nursing homes and the changing market
needs of older Hoosiers can be met.
Beginning today, a public awareness program is being launched under the title
“OPTIONS.” Over the next year, the OPTIONS program will be presented to the
general public and targeted audiences. As an example, the OPTIONS program will
be highlighted at Indiana Black Expo and at the Indiana Conference on Aging that
is being held on Seniors Day at the State Fair. Targeted groups for the OPTIONS
initiative are the Area Agencies on Aging, seniors’ advocacy groups, and
healthcare providers.
More information on OPTIONS can be found at the OPTIONS Web site: LTCOPTIONS.in.gov
Source: Family and Social Services Administration