Long Term Care in Maryland

Genworth’s recently-conducted survey revealed most residents in Maryland turn to services of nursing homes when it comes to long term care. Data collected also showed about 68.98% more women turn to nursing home facilities than men.



Other statistics presents state’s residents aged 85 and above had the greatest average length of stay in nursing homes, compared with other age groups within the senior population. It was found that the average age for nursing home residents in 2004 was 82 years old. Most nursing home residents are discharged to their homes. That is why studies on home health agency services are equally important in determining trends and data costs in LTC industry.



According to AARP, compared to the US average, the state allocates almost 89 percent of its Medicaid long term care spending for older people and adults with physical disabilities to nursing homes, even though most people prefer to remain to their homes and communities.



The organization stated that although the state still has an unbalanced LTC system for older people and adults with physical disabilities, but there are recent Medicaid trends which indicate progress has started. There has been an increase with the number of Medicaid participants receive nursing home services than of home and community-based services.



To help its residents with the impending concern with regards to LTC, the state of Maryland has put efforts into informing nursing home residents of their options for living in the community, and providing assistance to those residents who opt to move. To guarantee nursing home residents know their options and were able to seek assistance to return to their community once decided, the state’s legislature passed two laws.



House Bill 478, Money Follows the Individual Act, was enacted in 2003 which guarantees nursing home residents an opportunity to transition to community-based waivers, regardless of any budgetary caps on waiver enrolments. And, in 2004, Senate Bill 620, Money Follows the Individual Accountability Act, was enacted which requires the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) to identify residents who plan to move to the community and provide them with information and assistance.



Moreover, the state has also been developing a Medicaid capitated managed LTC program; CommunityChoice managed Long Term Care, which started 2005, to be piloted in two regions of the state. However, it was only abrupt due to a few concerns raised but state officials want to re-evaluate LTC reform efforts.



Three years ago, Maryland was awarded with a federal grant under the Money Follows the Person demonstration program which will provide "peer mentors" to support institutional residents who want to move out, and plans to create a State-wide Transition Centre to help individuals with education, the application process, and housing and other transition services.



Know how to set your own long term care plan and decide which long term care policy fits you perfectly. Plus, read more of what Maryland long term care partnership is all about.