365-F - Consumer directed personal assistance program.
§ 365-f. Consumer directed personal assistance program. 1. Purpose and intent. The consumer directed personal assistance program is intended to permit chronically ill and/or physically disabled individuals receiving home care services under the medical assistance program greater flexibility and freedom of choice in obtaining such services. The department shall regularly monitor district participation in the program by reviewing the implementation plans submitted pursuant to this section. The department shall provide guidance to the districts to improve compliance with implementation plans and promote consistency among counties regarding approved service levels based on the assessments required by this section. In addition, the department shall provide technical assistance and such other assistance as may be necessary to assist such districts in assuring access to the program for eligible individuals. 2. Eligibility. All eligible individuals receiving home care shall be provided notice of the availability of the program, and no less frequently than annually thereafter, and shall have the opportunity to apply for participation in the program. Each social services district shall file an implementation plan with the commissioner of the department of health, which shall be updated annually. Such updates shall be submitted no later than November thirtieth of each year. Beginning on June thirtieth, two thousand nine, the plans and updates submitted by districts shall require the approval of the department. Implementation plans shall include district enrollment targets, describe methods for the provision of notice and assistance to interested individuals eligible for enrollment in the program, and shall contain such other information as shall be required by the department. An "eligible individual", for purposes of this section is a person who: (a) is eligible for long term care and services provided by a certified home health agency, long term home health care program or AIDS home care program authorized pursuant to article thirty-six of the public health law, or is eligible for personal care services provided pursuant to this article; (b) is eligible for medical assistance; (c) has been determined by the social services district, pursuant to an assessment of the person's appropriateness for the program, conducted with an appropriate long term home health care program, a certified home health agency, or an AIDS home care program or pursuant to the personal care program, as being in need of home care services or private duty nursing and is able and willing or has a legal guardian able and willing to make informed choices, or has designated a relative or other adult who is able and willing to assist in making informed choices, as to the type and quality of services, including but not limited to such services as nursing care, personal care, transportation and respite services; and (d) meets such other criteria, as may be established by the commissioner, which are necessary to effectively implement the objectives of this section. 3. Division of responsibilities. Eligible individuals who elect to participate in the program assume the responsibility for services under such program as mutually agreed to by the eligible individual and provider and as documented in the eligible individual's record. Such individuals shall be assisted as appropriate with service coverage, supervision, advocacy and management. Providers shall not be liable for fulfillment of responsibilities agreed to be undertaken by the eligible individual. This subdivision, however, shall not diminish the participating provider's liability for failure to exercise reasonable care in properly carrying out its responsibilities under this program, which shall include monitoring such individual's continuing ability tofulfill those responsibilities documented in his or her records. Failure of the individual to carry out his or her agreed to responsibilities may be considered in determining such individual's continued appropriateness for the program. 4. Participating providers. All agencies or individuals who meet the qualifications to provide home health, personal care or nursing services and who elect to provide such services to persons receiving medical assistance may participate in the program. Any agency or individuals providing services under a patient managed home care program authorized under the former section thirty-six hundred twenty-two of the public health law or the former sections three hundred sixty-five-f of this chapter may continue to provide such services under this section. 5. Waivers, regulation and effectiveness. (a) The commissioner may, subject to the approval of the director of the budget, file for such federal waivers as may be needed for the implementation of the program. (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the commissioner is authorized to waive any provision of section three hundred sixty-seven-b of this title related to payment and may promulgate regulations necessary to carry out the objectives of the program, and which describe the responsibilities of the eligible individuals in arranging and paying for services and the protections assured such individuals if they are unable or no longer desire to continue in the program. 6. This section shall be effective if, to the extent that, and as long as, federal financial participation is available for expenditures incurred under this section.