Connecticut, adapting to new state and federal regulations, is taking a close look at the cost and effectiveness of its home-based care programs. In a new report, the state disclosed that its Medicaid home- and community-based services operations fail to follow best practices, despite costing more per person than those in neighboring states.
“Average per person costs [for Connecticut HCBS waiver services] in Connecticut are higher than average per person costs of Northeastern states,” the report said. “Waiver eligibility and service planning are not consistent with waiver best practices. The Department of Social Services (DSS) does not use a standardized evidenced-based assessment tool to aid in eligibility and person-centered planning.”
The investigators also shared several recommendations for DSS. The report said DSS should examine the current array of services provided by Connecticut HCBS, including the service descriptions and the individual utilization rates, to identify policies that drive utilization and best reflect the program’s overall goals. The report also recommended that DSS review HCBS program policies and procedures, then work to align them with a set of best practices…