Virginia House Bill HB1294

Virginia 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/20/22
• Refer: 1/20/22

Caption

Personal care services; requirements for managed care organizations.

Impact

The bill influences the operations of managed care organizations by limiting the frequency of reauthorizations for personal care service hours, which could lead to improved continuity of care for beneficiaries. By mandating that managed care organizations only remove service providers for justified reasons and with prior notification, the bill reinforces the rights of service providers and helps ensure that individuals receiving care have access to their chosen service professionals. This may enhance provider retention and satisfaction among both clients and providers.

Summary

House Bill 1294 addresses the requirements for managed care organizations in relation to personal care services in Virginia. It aims to ensure that individuals receiving services through the Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus waiver have their service hours authorized or reauthorized no more often than once a year, unless there is a substantial change in their medical needs. This provision is expected to provide more stability for individuals relying on home care services and mitigate frequent changes in service availability.

Contention

While the bill is generally anticipated to yield positive outcomes for consumers and providers in the personal care services space, discussions may arise regarding the implications of defining 'substantial change' in medical needs. There may be concerns from managed care organizations about the administrative burden of adhering to the new requirements. Additionally, the bill necessitates seeking federal approval to amend the Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus waiver, which may introduce uncertainties or delays in its implementation and could be a point of contention among stakeholders.