Sec. Becerra: ‘Everyone deserves opportunity to live at home’ 

WASHINGTON – CMS will offer more than $110 million to expand access to home and community-based services (HCBS) through Medicaid’s Money Follows the Person (MPF) program. 

The new Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) makes individual awards of up to $5 million available for more than 20 states and territories not currently participating in the MPF program. The funds will support initial planning and implementation to get new programs off the ground to ensure more people with Medicaid can receive high-quality, cost-effective, person-centered services in a setting they choose. 

“Everyone deserves the opportunity to live at home, in their communities and with their loved ones,” said Xavier Becerra, secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “This funding will bring dignity and peace of mind to even more seniors and people with disabilities across the country. We will continue expanding these programs to ensure all Americans have equitable access to the high-quality health care they deserve – no matter where they live.” 

These awards will help states/territories:  

• Establish partnerships with community stakeholders, including those representing diverse and underserved populations, Tribal entities and governments, key state and local agencies (such as state and local public housing authorities), and community-based organizations;  
• Conduct system assessments to better understand how HCBS support local residents;  
• Develop programs for the types of community transitions MFP supports;  
• Establish or enhancing Medicaid HCBS quality improvement programs;  
• Recruit HCBS providers as well as expert providers for transition coordination and technical assistance; and  
• Conduct a range of planning activities deemed necessary by the award recipients and approved by CMS.  

State Medicaid agencies not currently participating in the MFP program may apply through the NOFO no later than May 31, 2022. 

For states already participating in the MFP program, CMS is also increasing the reimbursement rate for MFP “supplemental services.” These services will now be 100% federally funded with no state share. Further, CMS is expanding the definition of supplemental services to include additional services that can support an individual’s transition from an institution to the community, including short-term housing and food assistance.