CMS ISSUES PROPOSED RULE TO EMPOWER MEDICAID BENEFICIARIES
TO DIRECT PERSONAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES

A proposed rule that would allow more Medicaid beneficiaries to be in
charge of their own personal assistance services, including personal
care services, instead of having those services delivered by an
agency, was announced today by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services (CMS).

Through the rule on display today at the Federal Register, CMS
requests public comment on how states could allow Medicaid
beneficiaries who need help with the activities of daily living to
hire, direct, train or fire their own personal care workers rather
than working with personnel employed by an agency. Beneficiaries could
even hire qualified family members who may already be familiar with
the individual's needs to perform personal assistance (not medical)
services.

The NPRM will be published in the Federal Register on Friday, January
18, 2008.  Comments will be accepted through the close of business on
Tuesday, February 19, 2008.

To view the entire Press Release:
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/apps/media/press_releases.asp

Direct Link to Regulation:
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicaidGenInfo/Downloads/CMS2229P.PDF



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