FISCAL NOTE



FUND(S):

0403 - Div of Human Services General Administrative Fund, 8722 - Cons Federal Funds Div Human Services Gen Admn Fd

Sources of Revenue:

General Fund,Other Fund Federal

Legislation creates:

A New Program



Fiscal Note Summary


Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.


The purpose of this bill is to require the Department of Health and Human Resources and Medicaid, if applicable and eligible, to provide financial assistance to persons in assisted living facilities. As written, the Department of Health and Human Resources (Department) is unable to determine the fiscal impact.



Fiscal Note Detail


Effect of Proposal Fiscal Year
2009
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
2010
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation)
1. Estmated Total Cost 0 0 0
Personal Services 0 0 0
Current Expenses 0 0 0
Repairs and Alterations 0 0 0
Assets 0 0 0
Other 0 0 0
2. Estimated Total Revenues 0 0 0


Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):






Memorandum


The proposed bill could significantly increase costs to the Department, however they cannot be quantified at this time. Administrative costs will be incurred because of the requirement to promulgate rules related to the legislation. Due to the many variables involved in promulgating such a rule, an estimate cannot be determined at this time. The following issues would also impact the fiscal effects to the Department: 1. Medicaid does not cover room and board to residents of assisted living facilities. The Department's Bureau for Children and Families covers room and board for some individuals in assisted living facilities with 100% state general revenue funds. The current rate is approximately $13,500/year per individual. 2. Certain services, such as homemaker services are currently covered in an assisted living facility if the individual is Medicaid eligible. It is assumed that the legislation refers to Medicaid covering only those residents who are deemed Medicaid eligible under current eligibility requirements. 3. To cover Medicaid eligible individuals, possible changes to nursing home reimbursement methodologies would be needed if individuals were to move from nursing homes to assisted living facilities. Additionally, changes to the Medicaid waiver would also be required. 4. The proposed bill does not specify what constitutes financially able or how much the Department or Medicaid, or both will be responsible. Without this information, the Department cannot provide an estimate of the financial implications of this bill.



    Person submitting Fiscal Note: Martha Yeager Walker
    Email Address: dhhrbudgetoffice@wv.gov