Page 303

MRG

UPDATED: JANUARY 2012

729

OTHER ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS WAIVERS

LONG TERM HOME HEALTH CARE PROGRAM (LTHHCP)

Description: The Long Term Home Health Care Program (LTHHCP) also known as the “Nursing Home Without Walls” or “Lombardi Program” is a federal 1915 c Home and Community Based Services waiver (HCBS). It is administered by local departments of social services and overseen by the State Department of Health (SDOH).

This Medicaid waiver was first authorized by the federal government in 1979 and became operational in 1983. It is designed to serve seniors and individuals with physical disabilities who: are medically eligible for nursing facility (NF) level of care; chose to remain at home; have assessed service needs that can be met safely in the home and community; and, have a service plan with Medicaid costs for services which fall within the participant’s county of residence expenditure cap for nursing facility level of care. LTHHCP is available in all counties of New York State with the exception of: Chenango, Essex, Hamilton, Lewis, Livingston, Schoharie and Schuyler.

Pursuant to a written authorization from the State Health Commissioner, LTHHCP services may be provided by a certified home health agency (public or voluntary non-profit organization) or a residential health care facility or a hospital currently certified under Article 28 of the Public Health Law.

The AIDS Home Care Program (AHCP) instituted in 1992 to meet the challenge of the high incidence of AIDS in New York State is a subset of the LTHCCP. Certain LTHHCP agencies are approved by the federal government and New York Department of Health to provide the AHC.

LTHHCP services include: nursing, home health aide services, medical supplies and equipment, therapies (e.g. physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy,), and personal care services including homemaker and housekeeper. In addition there are waiver services including: medical social services, respiratory therapy, nutritional counseling, home maintenance tasks, environmental modifications (home improvement services) and vehicular modifications, respite care both at home or in an institution, social day care, transportation to social day care, home delivered or congregate meals, assistive technology that includes Personal Emergency Response System (PERS), home and community support services, community transitional services, moving assistance, home and community support services, community transitional services and assistive technology.