Outreach for NFT programMFP (Money Follows the Person)

Outreach Reminders & Ideas

MFP (Money Follows the Person)

CMS has awarded MFP demonstration grants to assist states in: Making services available in a manner that permits

funding to “follow the person” to the most appropriate and preferred long-term care setting

Offering services to support individuals transitioning to community-based settings

Assessing the effects of the MFP program on Medicaid program participants

Medicaid program participants currently living in institutions want to live in the community

Caring for program participants in the community is less costly than caring for them in institutions

Transitioning program participants from institutions to communities will preserve their independence and ties to their community

MFP Program Goals

The benchmark for MFP Transitions for this calendar year is 450

From 1/1/14 to 5/22/14 there have only been 79 If MI doesn’t meet 90% of the CMS benchmark a

corrective action plan will be placed This means increased reporting for waiver

agencies, and housing and outreach specialists to demonstrate steps taken to increase enrollment in the MFP program

MFP (Money Follows the Person)

How can Outreach Specialists help MI meet the statewide benchmark?

MFP (Money Follows the Person)

Seniors (age 65+) and other adults with disabilities

Been in an institution (hospital or NF) for at least 90 days (not counting Medicare rehab days)

Medicaid beneficiary Move into qualified housing (house,

apartment or group home with less than 4 unrelated individuals)

Enroll in MI Choice on day of transition

MFP Criteria

Outreach Reminders

Work with NF residents that have barriers to leaving the NF, not those that would leave otherwise

Have they been given a 30 day notice? Call the LTC Ombudsman with person’s

permission if they are not ready to leave The 30 day notice includes information on

person’s right to appeal the notice within 10 days. Help them appeal.

Is there a plan in place? Even at the end of 30 days the plan must be

approved by the Administrative Tribunal if person requested a hearing

A referral is received for a NF resident that needs to leave yesterday.

What do you do?

Place an advertisement for the NFT program in senior magazines or directories

Place an advertisement on restaurant placemats

Meet with clergy that visit NF residents Give presentations at Resident and Family

Council meetings Meet with Admission staff at NFs Do a radio interview Share success stories

Outreach Ideas

A Little Program Made a Big Difference

Marcia is an 81 year old that was admitted to the nursing facility (NF) following a hospitalization for pneumonia. After slow progress, her family ultimately gave up her apartment and got rid of most of her belongings because they thought Marcia would live in the NF long term. When I first met with Marcia I learned she wanted to move out of the NF and into an apartment, but she was very set on only applying to specific complexes. Due to her limited income and needing subsidized housing, options were limited. Finally, after months of waiting for her desired apartment complex, a subsidized apartment became available for her and she moved into it after being in the NF for almost two years. The Nursing Facility Transition (NFT) program paid for her first month's rent, security deposit, basic furnishings and other household items to get her started again in her own apartment. I assisted her with completing a food assistance application, a benefit she never had before. An initial supply of groceries was also purchased for her. I connected her with Home Help services for bathing, grooming, housekeeping and grocery shopping assistance. She has a friend that assists her with bill paying. I provided her with six months of follow up services post transition. I made certain she was connected with the community resources she needed to be independent. I also called or visited with her regularly to ensure she was successful with independent living. Marcia is so pleased that she is now living independently in the community again and has thanked the NFT program several times for this. Though a small program, the Nursing Facility Transition program is growing statewide every year and continues to make a huge difference in the lives we touch.

An example of a success story