Medicaid Buy-In

The Ohio MIG grantees hosted a Pathways to Employment Conference in 2006. Find a brochure with information and registration information as an example of the education opportunities promoting community employment, services and programs.

Maryland's vocational rehabilitation and mental health agencies jointly promote supported employment evidence-based practices (EBP) for people with mental illness. The state provides a payment for EBP services and monitors fidelity to EBP. Training, technical assistance, and small, time-limited grants have assisted providers transitioning to EBP. More than two-thirds of Maryland’s supported employment providers either have adopted EBP or are implementing these practices.

Presented by the Kolb Foundation for Disability Education, this series of forums was designed to serve as a resource for people with disabilities throughout Nebraska to learn about opportunities to work without jeopardizing their health care coverage and to promote self-sufficiency. Included are press releases, a flyer and an employer letter about the events.

CMS was soliciting proposals to develop the infrastructure to support competitive employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Funding is intended to facilitate enhancements to state Medicaid programs and services, to promote linkages between Medicaid and other employment-related service agencies, and to develop a comprehensive system of employment supports. The demonstration period runs Jan–Dec 2007. This prior solicitation acts as a resource for terms, conditions and guidance.

Advances in medicine and technology plus changes in social attitudes have improved employment opportunities for working-age adults with disabilities. Despite progress there are still barriers to employment. The Medicaid Buy-In program is an important component of the federal effort to make it easier for people with disabilities to work without losing health benefits. This report, the third in a series offers a profile of the 28 states with both Buy-In programs and Medicaid Infrastructure Grants.

This Special Edition of NCHSD’s monthly eNews summarizes promising practices, information sharing, and strategic thinking from the November 2005 National MIG Technical Assistance Conference. Topics include: Work and Recovery, Strategies to reach full eligibility, Outcomes tracking requirements, Strategic planning, Attitudinal barriers to employment, The future of Medicaid, Research efforts and challenges and Advocates as key stakeholders. Presentation materials are available on CD or on-line.

The Maine CHOICES CEO (Comprehensive Employment Opportunities) project seeks to develop and implement a comprehensive statewide plan to support more people with disabilities who work, or would like to work. The project will also improve information about, and access to, some key work incentives for Maine people with disabilities. The website features materials & resources, links to other work incentives resources and a description of the planning process.

The Hawaii Medicaid Infrastructure Grant, called Hire Abilities–Hawaii, is brand new this year but a dynamic website has already been unveiled. The site offers information about the project’s goals and strategies, advisory board and staff, and work incentive programs. It also serves as an important communication tool through the use of a public discussion board and on-line calendar. As an added feature, the site contains administrative tools to help the project team manage grant activities.

CMS was soliciting proposals from states to develop the infrastructure to support competitive employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Funding for this program is intended to facilitate enhancements to state Medicaid programs and services, to promote linkages between Medicaid and other employment-related service agencies and to develop a comprehensive system of employment supports for people with disabilities. Applications due 07/07/05. Funding Opportunity: HHS-2005-CMS-MIG-0006

NCHSD held its 4th Annual National Fall Technical Assistance Conference for Medicaid Infrastructure Grantees. This year’s meeting featured pre-conference regional gatherings, a day-long session on building public-private partnerships with employers, updates from our CMS partners, and a series of state expert panel presentations. Attached are the Fall 2004 Conference Edition eNews with highlights and promising practices plus the conference materials and presentations from every session.