New York State has created MLTCs to manage all Medicaid home care services. The purpose was to privatize the management of long term home care services and create a partial to total capitated system of payment. Ideally this would make things more efficient and cut down on waste – such as services provided which are not really needed.
The concept is great. However they now have the MLTC plans using an assessment tool which calculates needed services to the minute. This means people who need help around the clock – with toileting, walking or transferring (ie: getting in and out of a chair or bed) will not have someone there when they need help. If their need to move about or go to the bathroom is not within the minutes allotted, they are out of luck.
A more efficient means of assessing and delivering home care services is great. However, using a tool which does take into consideration the reality of being dependent on others throughout the day and night is not a viable tool.
This will force these people to consider nursing home placement when home care is less costly and more desirable.
