U.S. Territories: HHS Expands Home and Community-Based Services in Five New States and Territories for Older Adults and People with Disabilities

“More than 40 states and territories will now participate in Medicaid’s Money Follows the Person demonstration program, which has provided billions to help seniors and people with disabilities safely transition from institutional care to their homes and communities
Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), awarded approximately $25 million in planning grants to five new states and territories to expand access to home and community-based services (HCBS) through Medicaid’s Money Follows the Person (MFP) demonstration program. With these awards, 41 states and territories across the country will now participate in MFP…
Awards of up to $5 million are being announced for Illinois, Kansas, and New Hampshire, as well as for American Samoa and Puerto Rico – the first time MFP grants have been made available to territories. These awards will support the early planning phase for their MFP programs. This includes:
• Establishing partnerships with community stakeholders, including those representing diverse and underserved populations, Tribal entities and governments, key state and local agencies (such as state and local public housing authorities), and community-based organizations;
• Conducting system assessments to better understand how HCBS support local residents;
• Developing community transition programs;
• Establishing or enhancing Medicaid HCBS quality improvement programs; and
• Recruiting HCBS providers as well as expert providers for transition coordination and technical assistance.”