Feedback Requested for Iowa Medicaid's American Rescue Plan Act Funds
On March 11, 2021, U.S. President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of which provides qualifying states with a temporary increase in federal funding for certain Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) from April 1, 2021 through March 31, 2022. Under ARPA, states can implement a variety of activities using this funding, including enhancements to HCBS services, eligibility, infrastructure, and reimbursement methodologies, to enhance, expand, or strengthen Medicaid HCBS.
The time-period allowed to expend funds attributable to the increased federal funding will provide Iowa with sufficient time to design and implement short-term and sustainable activities to strengthen the HCBS program in the state.
Due to the specific needs of the Iowa program, the Department is soliciting ideas from the public for strategies to improve the quality and access to Medicaid HCBS utilizing the following three levers:
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Increased Training and Support HCBS providers work diligently to provider comprehensive training to their staff, however there may be spaces in which training is needed to provide more specialized care and expand services to individuals with more complex needs. Training can be challenging to find and expensive for provider agencies to seek out individually. Investment in a statewide training system may provide consistent, innovative, and more efficient training opportunities to staff in all areas of the state and across provider types.
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Expanded Access Provider and service access across the state can be a barrier for a number of reasons. Providers may be willing to expand services geographically or enhance services for those individuals with complex or specialized needs but lack the up-front investments and resources needed to do so. Utilizing this funding to invest in sustainable provider expansion is critical at a time where need is increasing.
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Workforce Support While workforce is a substantial concern for a number of sectors, this is an area of particular concern for HCBS providers across the state that has only been made worse by the pandemic. Investing in meaningful and sustainable solutions to attracting and retaining individuals to the important work of HCBS is critical.
The Department is requesting feedback from the public for strategies to improve the quality and access to Medicaid HCBS utilizing the three levers listed above.
Please provide feedback by Wednesday, July 7, 2021, to IMECOVID19@dhs.state.ia.us.
Additionally, the Department will hold a virtual town hall on Thursday, July 8, 2021, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. to discuss strategies to improve HCBS. Those interested in attending the meeting can register online. Meeting details will be emailed to registered guests the day of the meeting.
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