The Governor's Office of Health Transformation (OHT) provides a structure to support cross-agency collaboration and innovation to achieve common goals among the health and human services departments of Job and Family Services (including the Office of Ohio Health Plans), Developmental Disabilities, Mental Health, Aging and Health, as well as the Rehabilitation Services Commission. Under the direction of OHT, the Unified Long-term Care Systems (ULTCS) Advisory Workgroup is working to enable seniors and people with disabilities to live with dignity in the settings they prefer, especially their own homes and communities.
Amended Substitute H.B. 153 Section 209.40 reauthorized the ULTCS Advisory Workgroup for State Fiscal Years 2012 and 2013. The workgroup advises the state partners on the implementation of a unified system of long-term care services in order to offer a cost-effective, continuum of long-term care service and supports (LTSS) options that allow for consumer choice.
H.B. 153 created four subcommittees. A fifth subcommittee was formed following the March 8, 2012, workgroup meeting.
- Nursing Facility Capacity Subcommittee
Charge: To study the current and future capacity of nursing facilities in this state, the configuration of that capacity, and strategies for addressing nursing facility capacity, including the ability of nursing facility operators to determine the number of beds to certify for participation in the Medicaid programs.
Report submitted to the legislature Sept. 1, 2011
- Nursing Facility Quality Measurement Subcommittee
Charge: To study the quality incentive payments to be paid to nursing facilities under the Medicaid program for fiscal year 2013, including accountability measures to be used in awarding points for the quality incentive payments and the methodology for calculating the quality incentive payments.
Report submitted to the legislature Sept. 1, 2011.
- Nursing Facility Eligibility Subcommittee
Charge: To study the process of making Medicaid eligibility determinations for individuals seeking nursing facility services.
Report submitted to the legislature Dec. 31, 2011.
- Medicaid Reimbursement Subcommittee
Charge: To study Medicaid reimbursement for nursing facility services, including issues related to the composition of peer groups, methodologies used to calculate reimbursement for capital costs, and the proportion of the total nursing facility reimbursement rate that should be based on the quality of care nursing facilities provide.
Report due to the legislature Dec. 31, 2012
- BENHA (Board of Examiners of Nursing Home Administrators) Subcommittee
Charge: To seek stakeholder input regarding proposals for changes to the structure and affiliation of the Board of Examiners of Nursing Home Administrators, as well as potential expansion of the Board's authority and scope of practice to allow the Board to develop standards and a more inclusive curriculum appropriate for administrators of additional long-term care services and supports that places an emphasis on person-centered care.
This subcommittee is to make recommendations to the ULTCS Advisory Workgroup by Sept. 1, 2012.
