Senate Bill 604 Summary

• Establishes requirements for the Division of Aging to distribute CHOICE program funds to area agencies on aging in a manner ensuring fund availability when needed and allowing local management based on caseload.

• Prohibits CHOICE program appropriated funds from being used as a match for Medicaid waivers, reversion to the general fund, or any purpose other than home and community based services.

• Requires the state to eliminate waiting lists for home and community based services with eligible individuals receiving services within 29 days of eligibility determination and all individuals on waiting lists as of July 1, 2013 enrolled by July 1, 2014.

• Mandates that eligible individuals receive home and community based services including those available as of January 1, 2013, unless they sign a written affidavit requesting nursing facility or institutional care instead.

• Requires the Division of Aging to establish by July 1, 2014 an independent provider training and certification program, statewide provider registry, fiscal intermediary services for self-directed care, and a self-directed care telephone hotline.