subject: Long Term Care Partnership in West Virginia [print this page] Long Term Care Partnership in West Virginia
West Virginia is one amongst the US states which also faces greater risk chronic illnesses and need for long term care. Recent studies show the numbers of people aged 85 and up are expected to increase by 43 percent by 2030 which in return ranks the state 45th with its rising rate of 85 and above population.
And, to help its residents to easily acquire eligibility for LTC, West Virginia has developed a plan with specific timelines to assess and determine state-wide service options. This court-ordered plan caters to specific groups of people which include: older adults; children; people with mental retardation/developmental disabilities; people with physical disabilities; people with mental illness; and people with traumatic brain injuries.
For residents to better understand this new LTC development, the following guidelines were designed by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources in aid to this growing issue concerning LTC health needs.
First, a person who is the beneficiary of the program in West Virginia partnership and long-term care eligibility requirements are eligible for state medical assistance program. Secondly, if the long-term care partnership program is discontinued, an individual who purchased a West Virginia long-term care partnership program policy before the date the program was discontinued shall be eligible to receive asset disregard if allowed.
Thirdly, the program is administered by the Office of Medical Services. The Office should establish a partnership program of long-term care in West Virginia, to provide funds for long-term care through a combination of private insurance and Medicaid, in accordance with federal and state partnerships described long term care insurance.
And, the Bureau of Medical Services shall seek reciprocal agreements with other Member States to extend the activity to leave West Virginia residents who have purchased long-term care partnership policies in other states, which are in accordance with the above provisions.
In addition to this, West Virginia has developed two initiatives to implement balancing indicators namely, the West Virginia Olmstead Plan and an independent consultant study specifically for balancing its long term support system.
The states' Olmstead Plan is comprised of 10 key goals with corresponding objectives specifically addressing the following: informed choice, identification, transition, diversion, reasonable pace, eliminating institutional bias, self-direction, rights protection, quality assurance or quality improvement, and community-based services, supports, and activities. This plan was formulated as a solution for balancing the long term support system to accommodate the growing need for home and community-based services.
In conclusion, West Virginia must overcome many challenges and exploit the many successes to ensure people with disabilities and seniors have profitable long-term support in situations that are most appropriate and preferred. A balanced system that offers choices and opportunities for people to be as independent as possible while changing social needs and health is crucial for the stability of the system.
