The Texas Department of Human Services recently issued a report with data on the fiscal and administrative impact of its Medicaid demonstration program allowing the "money to follow the person". The report can be downloaded on the web at:
http//www.hhsc.state.tx.us/pubs/102502_HB966_InstCareStudy.html
The demonstration was passed during the 77th Session of the Texas Legislature. Known as Rider 37, it allowed the general revenue used to purchase nursing facility services to follow the individual into the community and purchase community services. In 2002 over one thousand individuals received services under the program, and has received high consumer satisfaction.
Rider 37 has garnered national recognition and interest as one of only a handful of “money follows the person” programs in the country. Therefore, the Texas department of Human Services has included some detailed information related to how the agency implements this rider. The report includes information on the following: 1) quantification of appropriated funds spent to care for individuals in institutions operated by the state, as well as current agency performance measures that indicate the average cost per person in an institution; 2) a table of costs that are not included in the average; 3) an analysis by agency of fiscal and programmatic implications; 4) recommendations made by agency staff and stakeholders to the legislature concerning the need for the program; and 5) specifics about the methods of finance and appropriation.