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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 16, 2007

PASSPORT Program Found to Be Cost-Effective, Consumer-Responsive
Scripps Gerontology Releases Final Report of Independent Evaluation

COLUMBUS - The Scripps Gerontology Center at Miami University this week published the final report of its evaluation of PASSPORT, Ohio's Medicaid home-care program for older Ohioans. Researchers concluded that PASSPORT is "cost-effective, appropriately targeted, quality-oriented, thoroughly monitored and consumer-responsive."

"PASSPORT is such an important part of Ohio's Medicaid system, serving approximately 26,000 older adults each day," said Barbara E. Riley, Director of the Department of Aging. "This evaluation validates that we are on the right track to provide our citizens with quality options for long-term care. The results also give us a framework we can use to continue to develop a robust system of long-term services and supports."

In the last biennial budget (2005-2007), the Ohio General Assembly called for an independent evaluation of PASSPORT. The Ohio Department of Aging (which administers the program pursuant to an agreement with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services) and an advisory council for the project specified the scope of the evaluation and selected Scripps through a competitive bid process to conduct the review.

Among Scripps' findings:

• People getting services through PASSPORT need them. Most consumers had been identified as unable to perform at least two activities of daily living on their own. The average monthly income of consumers was just $719, and 31 percent had no assets.
• Consumers typically seek only the care they need. Most consumers do not ask for excessive services and balance PASSPORT care with that provided by friends and family.
• Consumer needs are appropriately assessed and managed. PASSPORT case management is highly effective and was widely praised by consumers and caregivers.
• Quality assurances safeguard the health and welfare of consumers. Numerous processes, including annual structural compliance reviews at all levels of administration, incident reporting and satisfaction surveys, focus on the consumer.
• The average PASSPORT provider has been with the program for nine years. Current providers rank the likelihood of continuing with the program at 8.7 out of 10.
• PASSPORT costs are less than half those of similar care in a nursing home. The average yearly Medicaid expenditure for a nursing home resident was $55,751, compared to $23,702 for a PASSPORT client.

Click here for the complete PASSPORT Evaluation Final Report from Scripps Gerontology Center.

About PASSPORT

PASSPORT provides in-home services to Medicaid consumers who would otherwise qualify for placement in a nursing home. Services include personal care, medical transportation, home-delivered meals, emergency response, independent living assistance and more. It is administered at the local level by 13 PASSPORT Administrative Agencies. For more information, visit www.goldenbuckeye.com/families/passport.html or call toll-free 1-866-243-5678.

About ODA

The Ohio Department of Aging serves and represents two million Ohioans age 60 and older. The Department advocates for the needs of all older citizens, with an emphasis on improving the quality of life for older Ohioans, helping them live active, healthy and independent lives, and promoting positive attitudes toward aging and older people. The Department provides services to older Ohioans through 12 area agencies on aging, home- and community-based Medicaid waiver programs such as PASSPORT, the long-term care ombudsman and the Golden Buckeye Card. For more information, visit www.goldenbuckeye.com.