The Louisiana Department of Health announced the state is among 10 states chosen as recipients of grants from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The grant will allow LDH to further develop new payment methodologies for companies that provide home and community-based services.
These Medicaid Innovation Accelerator grants were established to improve the health and health care of Medicaid beneficiaries and to reduce costs by supporting payment strategies that incentivize better service delivery to people with developmental disabilities. The grant provides consulting that will aid LDH’s Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities in the development and potential implementation of a CMS-approved Value-Based Payment model.
“This grant is good news for Healthy Louisiana enrollees receiving services from the Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities,” said Julie Foster Hagan, assistant secretary. “These funds will help us improve the quality of health care provided by home and community-based services, potentially increasing the Office’s ability to offer additional resources to people not currently receiving services.”
The Office applied for the grant in March, citing its preliminary work in the design of a Value-Based Payment model and the anticipated benefits to the Office and those it serves. Under such a model, the Office would set predetermined benchmarks for service providers who would receive supplemental payments based on high-quality performance.
Meetings have been scheduled to highlight the Office’s work around Value-Based Payments for providers and community stakeholders. Hagan and staff will visit the following regions:
- November 30: Regions 2 and 9, 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Bienville Building, 628 N. Fourth St., Baton Rouge
- December 6: Region 3, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Terrebonne Parish Library North Branch, 4130 W. Park Ave., Gray
- December 12: Region 6, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Kees Park Community Center, 2450 La. 28, Pineville
- December 13: Regions 7 and 8, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Shreveport Memorial Library Main Branch, 424 Texas St., Shreveport
- December 17: Regions 1 and 10, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Jefferson Parish East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie
December 19: Regions 4 and 5, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Clifton Chenier Center Auditorium, 220 W. Willow St., Lafayette
Community stakeholders interested in these meetings may email ocddinfo@la.gov for information.
The Innovation Accelerator Program offers technical support in four program areas: reducing substance use disorders; improving care for Medicaid beneficiaries with complex care needs and high costs; promoting community integration through long-term services and supports; and supporting physical and mental health integration.