After some families with medically complex children had their home care hours reduced — or in certain cases, eliminated altogether — the state intervened last week to get the hours temporarily reinstated.
The Home Care for Children With Severe Disabilities Program, also known as the Katie Beckett Program, allows children to receive medical care while living with their families rather than at an institution. It’s funded by the state’s three Managed Care Organizations: AmeriHealth Caritas New Hampshire, NH Healthy Families and WellSense Health Plan.
Now, the Department of Health and Human Services is mandating that MCOs submit a formal written notice of intent for any modifications made to home care plans.
“DHHS has met with all three MCOs, the impacted families and the home health providers serving those families to ensure their children’s care needs are met,” said Jake Leon, a spokesperson for DHHS. “We encourage anyone participating in the Medicaid program to contact us if they are concerned their care plan has changed.”
Families are also supposed to receive 30 business days of advance notice before any reductions go into effect, according to regulations set by DHHS.
The written notice policy applies to not only people on the Katie Beckett program but anyone under age 21 receiving home care services.
“They cannot freely implement. The state of New Hampshire would have the final say,” said District 3 Executive Councilor Janet Stevens, who has been working with DHHS and the affected families.
The department met with all three MCOs and reviewed the different families’ cases. It will continue to examine cases and ensure that care needs are addressed as they arise.
Sarah Husband, a Belmont mother whose four-year-old son receives Katie Beckett services, helped form a coalition of parents called NH Families for Home Nursing last month. The families have been advocating for the home care services they argue are “life-sustaining” for their children.
Even with the recent developments, Husband said that some of the families in the coalition still are waiting for permanent reinstatement of their hours.
“We’re so proud of the work we’ve accomplished as a group, and we’re so happy that the kids have what they need and deserve. We’re still working hard to make sure that all MCOs are held to the same policies,” she said.
Stevens said she continues to receive inquiries and requests for help from families of the 160 program recipients. The executive councilor said she wants to continue serving as a resource and helping advocate for them.
“We’re not off this yet,” she said.
