Families have until Jan. Allowing parents and caregivers who are CNAs to become paid caregivers is an important step in strengthening support for families of individuals who need in-home shift nursing. It also requires the creation of a new state plan amendment. Both approvals must be in place to allow for this change. The public comment period for the new state plan amendment is now open until Jan.
HFS is accepting public input on the proposed state plan amendment through Jan. This waiver amendment is currently under federal review for approval. There is currently no set timeline for the state plan amendment and the MFTD waiver amendment to be approved. The storm produced about 15 tornadoes in the Chicagoland area and caused widespread power outages. Many people were without power for multiple days. After the storm, parent advocate Susan Agrawal compiled feedback from Home Care Program families about how the power loss affected their children and loved ones with complex medical needs.
The Home Care Program serves individuals who need in-home nursing to safely live at home. These individuals often have tracheostomies, ventilators, gastrostomy tubes and other medical technology that depends on electricity. The feedback Agrawal shared showed that many Home Care families wanted the ability to use MFTD waiver funds to pay for power generators for their homes. A recent episode of the MCH Bridges podcast tells the story of how this new waiver benefit became available for families.
The episode highlights the importance of preparedness, especially in the face of natural disasters or power outages that can severely affect the care of children who are medically fragile and technology dependent. Thank you to AMCHP for highlighting our efforts and partnerships to ensure children with complex medical needs have the life-saving technology they need in emergency situations!
HFS invites families to participate in listening sessions to share feedback on HealthChoice Illinois managed care. The agency is holding in-person and virtual listening sessions to gather feedback from HealthChoice Illinois customers, providers, advocates and other stakeholders.
