Federal law authorizes a state to apply for a waiver that allows the state to receive financial contributions from the Federal Government toward the cost of providing certain home and community-based services for recipients of Medicaid who are elderly or disabled. (42 U.S.C. § 1396n(c)) Existing law requires the Department of Health and Human Services to apply for such a waiver covering certain home and community-based services for recipients of Medicaid with physical disabilities. (NRS 422.396) Section 1 of this bill requires the Department to apply to the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services for a home and community-based services waiver to include structured family caregiving for recipients of Medicaid suffering from dementia. Section 1 requires that the Department include in its application for the waiver: (1) an authorization for an applicant for or a recipient of Medicaid to choose his or her caregiver and the residence where the recipient will receive the structured family caregiving; and (2) a requirement that the caregiver be or become an employee of an agency to provide personal care services in the home or an intermediary service organization and receive a daily stipend through that employer. Section 1 also requires a caregiver to receive certain training. Section 2 of this bill makes a conforming change to indicate that section 1 will be administered in the same manner as other provisions of existing law governing Medicaid. Section 2.3 of this bill makes appropriations to, and authorizes expenditures by, the Division of Health Care Financing and Policy of the Department for costs relating to including such structured family caregiving as medical assistance under Medicaid. Section 2.6 of this bill makes appropriations to, and authorizes expenditures by, the Division of Welfare and Supportive Services of the Department for costs relating to system modifications to implement this bill.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 232.320
Reprint 1: 232.320
Reprint 2: 232.320
As Enrolled: 232.320
BDR: 232.320