In a Dear Administrator Letter dated June 21, 2021, Home and Community Services (HCS) is resuming in-person client visits for long term care Medicaid assessment and care planning beginning July 12, 2021. The process will be a hybrid using onsite and remote methods to reduce the time spent in person to what is necessary to support these core functions.
If you have electronic medical records or the ability to securely email records, please continue to provide HCS staff remote access to these records upon notification that an assessment has started. You should also prepare a room or other adequate space for HCS staff to use during the assessment appointment.
HCS staff are screened by self-attestation prior to conducting an in-person case management appointment. You may ask the COVID screening questions that you normally ask employees and others who enter your facility or home. HCS staff will contact you before arriving to verify if there is any suspected or known COVID in the setting. If COVID is positive or suspected, HCS will reschedule the in-person assessment for a later date or work with you and the client to complete remotely if delaying will negatively impact client access to Medicaid services. HCS staff will wear all appropriate PPE, follow facility safety requirements and all CDC guidance for infection prevention. The HCS case manager will work with you on ways to minimize contact and limit exposure as much as possible during the appointment. When HCS staff arrive at your facility or home, you must allow them entrance as they are considered essential workers (November 18, 2020 Provider Letter). As essential workers, HCS staff are not considered visitors and do not sign a visitor attestation, nor are they included in the calculation of maximum capacity.
HCS will be offering two Provider Q&A webinars to discuss any questions you may have regarding in-person assessments. To register for a webinar, please click on one of the links below that best fits your schedule.
