The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), via the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), has issued new guidance aimed at improving access to home- and community-based services (HCBS). The initiative focuses on establishing and maintaining worker registries, which are platforms designed to help connect direct support workers with individuals eligible for Medicaid-covered HCBS, such as older adults and individuals with disabilities.
HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra emphasized the significance of this move, stating, “American families have struggled for too long to find and afford reliable high-quality care that enables their loved ones to live independently.” The Biden-Harris administration has distributed $37 billion from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) across all 50 states for home- and community-based services. The new guidance also highlights the substantial federal funding available to assist states in building these registries.
According to CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, “Communities need clear links to the qualified professionals best trained to provide that care.” She added that the creation and maintenance of worker registries would enable more people to find and receive high-quality, affordable, and person-centered care at home and within their communities.
Before the COVID-19 public health emergency, shortages of direct support workers often left many individuals with limited care choices, sometimes leading to unnecessary institutional care like nursing homes. The use of worker registries can help Medicaid recipients identify who is qualified to provide HCBS in their state and how to find them.
In addition to outlining the benefits and mechanics of building worker registries, the CMS guidance reiterates that states can access enhanced federal funding, including through the ARP, to develop and publicly post these lists of workers. This approach can aid in recruiting and retaining workers, thus facilitating access to a robust pool of direct support workers. Consequently, more individuals can find qualified professionals for their needs, improving the quality of care and allowing more individuals to remain in the community while strengthening the direct care workforce in states.
CMS also recently released data showcasing how enhanced funding for HCBS provided through the ARP has been used to strengthen access to HCBS across the country.
For further information, visit Medicaid.gov.
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