Posted by Ellen Lash
I gave testimony this week at a MassHealth public hearing that was held to give Group Adult Foster Care providers, like JF&CS, an opportunity to respond to a proposed rate cut. So, what is Group Adult Foster Care anyway?
Group Adult Foster Care (GAFC) is a MassHealth-funded long-term care community option that provides elderly and disabled clients with daily personal care assistance. Personal care assistance includes assistance with bathing, dressing, meal preparation, and other activities of daily living. Each client’s care is overseen by a registered nurse and a case manager. The goal of the GAFC program is to allow clients to avoid nursing home placement and stay in their homes safely, and with dignity, for as long as possible. JF&CS has been a Group Adult Foster Care provider since 1999.
It goes without saying that cuts to MassHealth reimbursement rates will have a serious negative impact on the amount of nursing and case manager oversight that we are able to provide. However, while utilization and cost data are certainly important, the issue is about the people in need of important services. For that reason, I would like to tell you about Fanya and Zalman, whose story I shared at the hearing.
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