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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 25, 2008

Department of Aging Expands Eligibility for Assisted Living Program
More Medicaid-eligible Ohioans Given a Choice in Care Settings

COLUMBUS - The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has approved amendments to the Ohio Department of Aging's Assisted Living Medicaid Waiver Program that, among other provisions, allow the department to open the program to current assisted living facility residents who have qualified for Medicaid, but otherwise would have been required to move to a nursing home for care under the old guidelines.

The Assisted Living Waiver Program, launched in July 2006, was initially open to eligible individuals currently residing in a nursing facility or enrolled in a home- and community-based waiver program, such as PASSPORT, Choices or Home Care. The approved amendments expand eligibility to include individuals who have been current residents of Ohio assisted living facilities for at least six months.

"Older Ohioans have never been more diverse than they are today, and that diversity includes a range of preferences about how and where they wish to receive the care they need as they age," said Barbara E. Riley, director of the department. "Ensuring continued access to assisted living services to those who are already benefitting from them is a crucial step to providing real choice in long-term care."

Assisted living promotes aging in place by supporting consumer desire for independence, choice and privacy. The services help preserve the independence of the individual, as well as maintain ties to family and friends.

In addition to the guidelines above, interested participants must also be age 21 or older; need hands-on assistance with certain tasks such as dressing, bathing, toileting, grooming, eating or mobility; meet the financial criteria for Medicaid eligibility (as determined by the county Department of Job and Family Services); be able to pay room and board costs established by the state and reside in a licensed residential care facility certified by the Department of Aging to provide assisted living services.

Facilities interested in accepting waiver participants must be licensed as residential care facilities by the Ohio Department of Health and certified by the Ohio Department of Aging as an Assisted Living Provider. Consumers can find participating facilities in their area by visiting the Long-term Care Consumer Guide Web site (www.ltcohio.org) and using the keyword: "waiver."

For information about consumer enrollment or provider certification, contact your local PASSPORT administrative agency or call toll-free 1-866-243-5678 to be connected to the area agency on aging serving your community.

About ODA

The Ohio Department of Aging provides leadership for the delivery of services and supports that improve and promote quality of life and personal choice for older Ohioans, adults with disabilities, their families and their caregivers. Working with 12 area agencies on aging and other community partners, the department offers home- and community-based Medicaid waiver programs such as PASSPORT, the long-term care ombudsman program, the Golden Buckeye Card and more. Visit www.goldenbuckeye.com.