Long-term care options being considered for TennCare
The state must submit in 2006 to Medicaid officials a new TennCare plan ? called a waiver ? including long-term care services. Groups, including the American Association of Retired Persons, are lobbying for it to include long-term care options to nursing home care.
TennCare is the state’s Medicaid program for the poor and disabled.
Stroke victim William Crawford goes to adult day care in Chattanooga every Friday, while his wife Maxine takes care of shopping, visiting friends and family, or just takes a break. He said he is thankful his wife has been able to take care of him at home.
“A nursing home, it just seems like they’re throwing you away,” he said.
The groups support adding coverage for in-home care and adult day care. AARP officials said Tennessee trails other states in covering such options.
TennCare spokeswoman Marilyn Elam said no decision have been made on seeking the changes the groups are advocating.
“Those kinds of decisions (will be) made as the waiver process takes place,” she said.
In addition to coverage of in-home and outside services, such as adult day care, AARP Tennessee spokesman Brian McGuire said the organization wants home health aids and medical care in assisted-living facilities covered.
TennCare sponsors in-home and community-based care services for about 950 people, state officials said.
The state has approval to place 3,420 people in such care and has asked federal permission to hike that number by 475.
About 27,000 TennCare enrollees live in nursing homes.
TennCare has undergone a massive overhaul this year that resulted in 191,000 adults losing coverage, but only after protracted court battles by advocates of TennCare clients to block the cuts. The state also has placed a cap on the number of prescriptions paid for by TennCare.
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Information from: Chattanooga Times Free Press, http://www.timesfreepress.com