PASC E-News, Issue #31topJanuary 2011
 
IHSS Hours to be Reduced February 1st

A new state law passed in October as part of the 2010-2011 state budget agreement will temporarily reduce authorized hours for IHSS consumers by 3.6% beginning February 1, 2011. This reduction, which is set to expire in June 2012, will impact each consumer differently depending on his or her needs and current authorized hours. If you are an approved IHSS consumer who receives the average number of service hours (80-85 per month), you will see a reduction of 2.8-3.1 hours per month. However, if you are receiving the maximum number of hours allowed by IHSS (283 per month), you will see a reduction of approximately 10.2 hours per month.

 

You should have already received a new Notice of Action (NOA) informing you of the amount of your reduction. The notice does not specify which services are being reduced, but only states your new total assessed hours. You will be able to decide yourself how to apply the 3.6% reduction to your services. As the IHSS employer, it is your responsibility to discuss the reduction with your provider once you receive the notice and let them know which services you decide to reduce.

 

This new policy will impact all IHSS consumers. Although you retain the right to appeal your assessment, any appeals based solely on the 3.6% reduction in service hours will be denied by the state. You also have the right to request a reassessment of hours any time your needs change, or you feel you are not receiving the hours of care that you need. It is important that you are prepared to present evidence to the county when requesting a reassessment. Any additional hours awarded during the reassessment process will automatically be reduced by 3.6% in accordance with the new law.

 

A reduction in consumer hours will also mean a reduction in paid hours for IHSS providers and could impact their eligibility for benefits. It is estimated that approximately 3,300 homecare workers in L.A. County will lose their eligibility for health benefits, because a 3.6% reduction will drop their authorized hours below 80 per month. If you believe that your homecare worker will lose his or her benefits because of the reduction in your hours, encourage them to call PASC at 877-565-4477 to discuss their options.

 

 

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Governor Proposes Additional Cuts to IHSS and Medi-Cal

CA FlagOn January 10th, Governor Jerry Brown released a state budget proposal that promises to fix an estimated $25.4 billion budget shortfall, in part by cutting services to low-income seniors and persons with disabilities. Below is a list of the proposed reductions that could have a severe impact on IHSS consumers. At this time, these are only proposals. Before any cuts are enacted, they must be passed by both the state senate and assembly, and must be signed into law by the governor. The governor has asked the legislature to act on these proposals by March.

 

A more detailed description of these proposals can be found on PASC's website at www.pascla.org.  If you would like to share with PASC information on how you believe these proposed cuts would affect you, please email us at e-news@pascla.org.

 

Reduction of IHSS Service Hours by 8.4% - would make permanent the 3.6% reduction in services hours that begins February 1st and would reduce hours by an additional 8.4% beginning July 1, 2011.

 

Elimination of IHSS Hours for Domestic and Related Services - would  eliminate hours for domestic and related services (i.e., laundry, meal preparation, grocery shopping, etc.) when a consumer lives with their caregiver, is in any other type of shared-living situation, or is under the age of 18. 

 

Establishment of New IHSS Eligibility Certification Requirement - would change the IHSS eligibility process by requiring all IHSS consumers to obtain a physician's written certification stating that he or she needs personal care services to remain safely at home. 

 

Elimination of Funding for IHSS Advisory Committees - would eliminate the mandatory requirement for counties to establish IHSS Advisory Committees and would eliminate all state funding for them. 

 

Realignment of IHSS - would shift IHSS administration and funding responsibilities from the counties to the state. IHSS would be solely funded by state and federal tax dollars. 

 

Reductions and Changes to Medi-Cal - would implement many changes and reductions to the Medi-Cal Program that could have severe impacts on IHSS consumers. Specifically, the proposed changes would:

  • Limit doctor visits to 10 per year
  • Limit prescriptions to 6 per month (except for life-saving drugs)
  • Establish a $5 co-pay for doctor and dental visits
  • Establish a $3 co-pay for certain prescriptions
  • Establish a $50 co-pay for emergency room visits
  • Establish a $100 per day co-pay for hospital stays (up to $200 max.)
  • Eliminate Medi-Cal funding for Adult Day Health Care programs
  • Reduce reimbursement payments to doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and clinics  

Reduction of SSI/SSP Payments for Individuals - would lower the maximum amount for SSI/SSP payments for nearly 1 million individuals to $830 per month. 

 

Elimination of the MSSP Program - would eliminate funding for the Multipurpose Senior Services Program, which provides case management services to nearly 12,000 seniors per month who are eligible for nursing home placement, but wish to remain living at home. 

 

Do you have questions about PASC and the IHSS Program? Do you have suggestions for topics to be covered in the PASC E-News? Send your questions and suggestions to e-news@pascla.org. PASC E-News is designed for you to get the information you need!
 
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Using the PASC Homecare Registry Part I: Signing Up for Registry Services

Caregiver cleaningThe PASC Homecare Registry provides a free and voluntary service to match IHSS consumers and providers. Referrals are made based upon pre-estabished criteria such as the consumer's needs, location of residence, and scheduling requirments. Signing up with the registry is a simple process that consists of three basic steps: 

Step 1 - Enroll with IHSS: You must be approved for IHSS or be in the process of getting approved (i.e., have already been assessed by a social worker) before you can sign up with the PASC Homecare Registry.  If you have not applied with IHSS, you will need to call the IHSS Application Hotline at 888-944-4477.

Step 2 - Complete Registry Enrollment Forms: Once the forms have been filled out and signed, you can deliver them to our office in person, mail them back or fax them to us at 818-206-8000.  To receive the forms by mail or fax, call our office at 877-565-4477, or you can print them directly from our website at www.pascla.org. 

Step 3 - Enrollment Verification: Once the forms have been received, PASC will verify your IHSS eligibility with the county and review the forms to make sure that they have been signed and completed properly. Once the enrollment forms have been verified for approval, we will call you and let you know that you may use our registry services.

In the next edition of PASC E-News, Part II of this article will focus on the referral process and what you need to do once you have selected a new provider from the Registry. If you have additional questions on using the Registry, please give us a call at 877-565-4477.

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Upcoming Trainings and Events 
Click on event for more information
Accessing Legal Help (Sherman Oaks) - January 25th: Attend this free seminar and learn about free legal services provided by Bet Tzedek, including assistance with debt counseling, foreclosure issues, Social Security overpayments, IHSS assessments and appeals, conservatorships and more.
 
PASC/IHSS Mobile Help Desk (Lancaster) - January 28th: A PASC representative will be available to answer your questions and listen to your concerns regarding the IHSS Program.

PASC Board Meeting (L.A.) - February 7th: This meeting is open to the public and provides a forum for IHSS consumers to have their voices heard.


Legislation Watch
Click on bill for more information
Members of the Senate and Assembly have until February 18th to introduce bills for the 2011-2012 legislative session. Additional information on proposed bills that could impact IHSS consumers and providers will be forthcoming. 

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In This Issue
IHSS Hours to be Reduced
Governor Proposes Additional Cuts to IHSS and Medi-Cal
Signing Up for Registry Services
Upcoming PASC Trainings/Events
Legislation Watch

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