Why should state Medicaid agencies get involved with DSW initiatives?
Medicaid is the single largest source of funding for long-term services and supports, accounting for 47% of long term care spending in 2002. Medicaid long term care spending doubled between 1987 and 1997, and is expected to continue to increase dramatically along with the number of older Americans. Long term care spending, including both institutional and home and community based services, accounted for an average of 35% of state Medicaid budgets, with some states spending 50-60% of their Medicaid budgets on long term services and supports. Provision of services in the community holds the potential to both increase the quality of life for Medicaid recipients and save Medicaid dollars. Appropriate and timely provision of home and community based services can delay or prevent institutionalization, keeping long term care costs lower.Inadequate or unsuitable home and community based services, or a lack of access to the services, can lead to inappropriate institutionalization, more visits t
