Consolidated
Appropriations Act of 2021
On December 27,
2020, the President signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 into law.
The Act authorized an extension of the Money Follows the Person (MFP)
Demonstration (known as CCT) and appropriated additional funding for 2021
through 2023. As a result, CCT transitions have been authorized to continue
through at least December 31, 2023, and potentially through 2027 if federal
grant funding remains available.
In addition,
the Act reduces the number of days a person must be in an institution before
they become eligible to enroll in the MFP/CCT Demonstration, from 90 to 60
days. The new eligibility criteria begins on January 26, 2021. Please continue
to use existing program forms while DHCS works to update materials available on
the CCT webpage.
The Act also
extended Spousal Impoverishment protections to beneficiaries with a level of
care that would require institutionalization, when they receive those services
in a community setting instead of in an institution.
Finally, the
Act added new program evaluation and sustainability requirements to states’
obligations under the grant; CMS is currently developing guidance on the new
requirements and will provide more information as it becomes available.
Money Follows the
Person Rebalancing Demonstration Supplemental Funding Opportunity
On September 23, 2020, the Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services (CMS) announced supplemental funding of up to $165 million
for states currently operating Money Follows the Person (MFP) Demonstration
programs*. Each state is eligible to receive up to $5 million in supplemental
funding for planning and capacity building activities to accelerate long-term
care system transformation design and implementation, and to expand Home and
Community-Based Services (HCBS) capacity. To receive the funding award, state
grantees are required to submit a proposal that includes a project narrative by
June 30, 2021.
In response to CMS’ request and to promote collaboration
amongst DHCS and its partners, DHCS hosted a stakeholder input webinar on
December 4, 2020. With the feedback and
recommendations from stakeholders, DHCS further developed the proposal that
will be submitted to CMS to be considered for the supplemental funding award.
DHCS will be hosting a second stakeholder meeting on February 17, 2021 from 11
a.m. to 1 p.m. to present a detailed outline of the proposal and to receive
additional feedback from stakeholders to develop the final proposal. More information on the
Supplemental Funding Opportunity and the Stakeholder Webinar is available on
the MFP Supplemental Funding Opportunity page.
*California’s MFP Program is known as California Community
Transitions (CCT)
California Community Transitions Project
In January 2007, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) was awarded special federal grant number 1LICMS30149 to implement a Money Follows the Person (MFP) Rebalancing Demonstration, known as “California Community Transitions" (CCT). In 2019, the federal government extended the term of the MFP grant and appropriated additional funding for allocation to state grantees.
CCT transition services are currently available through December 31, 2021.
DHCS works with designated CCT Lead Organizations to identify eligible Medi-Cal beneficiaries who have continuously resided in state-licensed health care facilities for a period of 90 consecutive days or longer. *Facility stays for short-term rehabilitation services reimbursed by Medicare are not counted toward the 90-day required period.
CCT Lead Organizations employ or contract with transition coordinators who work directly with willing and eligible individuals, support networks, and providers to facilitate and monitor beneficiaries' transitions from facilities to the community settings of their choice. Eligible individuals of all ages with physical and mental disabilities have an opportunity to participate in CCT. Refer to the following link for information on specific CCT Lead Organizations and their service areas.
Upon transitioning to the community, the transition coordinator follows the participant for 365 days, this is known as the demonstration period. The demonstration period allows participants and transition coordinators to respond to needs that are identified post-transition., CCT participants live in their own homes, apartments, or in approved community care facilities, and receive long-term services and supports included in their individual comprehensive service plans. At the end of the demonstration period, individuals who remain eligible for Medi-Cal continue to receive Medi-Cal and other home and community-based services (HCBS) where they live.
For more information, contact the Integrated Systems of Care Division at (833) 388-4551, or e-mail: California.CommunityTransitions@dhcs.ca.gov
*See Consolidated Appropriations Act information at top of page. The Act reduces the number of days a person must be in an institution before they become eligible to enroll in the MFP/CCT Demonstration, from 90 to 60 days.
COVID-19 CCT Flexibilities to Service Delivery Methods
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, California submitted and received approval of, a request to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for authorization to implement temporary operational flexibilities needed to ensure the health and safety of California Community Transitions (CCT) enrollees, participants, and HCBS providers.
CMS approved California's request for CCT flexibilities on March 26. The temporary modifications to CCT service delivery methods have been extended from June 30, 2020, to February 28, 2021, or the end of the pandemic. Click on the following link to view the request for flexibilities approved by CMS:
CA Request for MFP Flexibilities in Response to COVID-19
