Oregon Launches New Medicaid Home-Care Option for Eligible Adults

SALEM, Ore. — Oregon has introduced a new home-care option for adults who qualify for Medicaid-funded in-home services and supports.

The new program, called Agency with Choice, was created through House Bill 4129 and is available to people who qualify for Medicaid long-term services and supports through the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) and Oregon Health Authority (OHA).

Agency with Choice helps individuals manage the recruitment, required training, scheduling and supervision of an in-home care provider. The program also provides assistance with backup care needs.

The option is one of several in-home care choices available to people who receive Home and Community-Based Services through the ODHS Office of Aging and People with Disabilities (APD). OHA also offers the program to eligible individuals receiving Home and Community-Based Services through its Behavioral Health Division.

“Agency with Choice builds on Oregon’s commitment to honoring the preferences of older adults and people with disabilities,” said APD Director Nakeshia Knight, Ph.D. “It joins a broad continuum of long-term care options designed to help people receive the right level of support in the way that works best for them.”

APD eligibility

APD’s Agency with Choice program is available to individuals who:

• Are 60 or older;
• Are 18 or older and have a disability;
• Qualify for Medicaid long-term services and supports through APD; and
• Choose to receive services and supports in their own home.

People who are currently eligible for these services have received letters from APD explaining the new option. The introduction of Agency with Choice does not change the other in-home care options already available.

OHA eligibility

OHA’s Agency with Choice option is available to individuals with mental health conditions who qualify for Medicaid-funded in-home personal care services.

People of any age may enroll if they qualify for personal care services through the State Plan Personal Care program. Individuals 21 and older may also qualify if they receive services through the 1915(i) Home and Community-Based Services program.

To qualify for 1915(i) services, individuals must:

• Be at least 21 years old;
• Have a current diagnosis of a Serious Mental Illness as defined by Oregon administrative rules;
• Need assistance with at least two instrumental activities of daily living; and
• Require one or more 1915(i) services at least monthly.

Contractor selected to provide services

Under House Bill 4129, ODHS and OHA provide Agency with Choice through a contracted provider.

GT Independence was selected through a competitive procurement process managed through OregonBuys to provide Agency with Choice services in Oregon.

Officials say the program gives eligible Oregonians another way to receive care and support while remaining in their own homes.

People seeking more information about the program can contact their local ODHS office serving older adults and people with disabilities or consult Oregon’s resources for long-term care and Home and Community-Based Services.