Arkansas is the first state to offer clients the
final say in their personal care. IndependentChoices gives adult Medicaid recipients
control over the money used to purchase their personal care. The Department of Human
Services has just enrolled the first 900 participants.
DHS Director Kurt Knickrehm said, "This is a great example of a
program that gives people a stronger voice in how their care is managed. We are most
supportive of programs that allow people to remain at home, and maintain their dignity, by
making decisions about their care."
Arkansas is the first state approved by the federal government to allow
Medicaid clients a cash allowance to purchase services tailored to their exact needs. In
the past, clients had to depend on personal care agencies to help with personal care they
could not do for themselves. The new program allows more flexibility to meet specific
needs. IndependentChoices clients receive Medicaid funds to pay for the services they feel
they need. Clients choose and hire their own personal care aides and arrange services to
suit their own schedules.
This project is being managed by the DHS Division of Aging and Adult
Services through a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the US Department of
Health and Human Services. The University of Maryland, Center on Aging provides technical
assistance. Arkansas Aging and Adult Services Director Herb Sanderson said, "We are
very excited about taking part in a program that puts Arkansas on the leading edge of a
national trend. The people who need these services are facing some very real challenges,
and we want to do everything possible to make the process easier."
IndependentChoices is part of the national research project on the
effectiveness of client management of personal care. Half of the people in the program
will receive the cash allowance, the other half will continue to receive services through
an agency. At the end of the study period, information from the two groups will be
compared and recommendations made about the advisability of making this a nationwide
program.
IndependentChoices plans to have 3,500 participants by July 2000. To
find out more about IndependentChoices call 1-888-682-0044 toll-free.
