For the Record, I’m Connie McMullen, representing the Personal Care Association of Nevada, supporting AB338.  The Personal Care Association of Nevada or PCAN consists of personal care agencies throughout the state, some who accept Medicaid State Plan Services, Home and Community Based Waivers, and many just private payments.

PCAN favors AB338 because it moves additional attendant care into the Frail Elderly Waiver.  Currently, the FE Waiver is the only Waiver in the Aging and Disability Services Division that does not provide attendant care.  The FE Waiver was the first waiver Nevada established, but did not include attendant care.  Currently, if a consumer needed more home care to continue living in their home they need to reapply for attendant care services under the Medicaid State Plan in the Division of Health Care, Financing and Policy.

The ADSD Home and Community Based Services Waiver eligibility for people 65 plus is 300 percent of SSI.  To qualify for the Medicaid State Plan, seniors must be receiving Social Security income or SSI, 74% of the FPL.  In many cases, this requires a senior to spend down more assets to qualify for the Medicaid State Plan service.  In June 2024, it was determined that 2680 ADSD consumers were using the FE Waiver, and of that number 1691 were receiving Medicaid attendant care.  Statics show there is a need for the service, however, if attendant care was offered in the FE Wavier at a higher FPL, more people would be able to use it to live in their home independently.

For attendant care to be offered in the ADSD FE Waiver, it must be approved by the State Legislature, signed into law, and sent to the Secretary of Health and Human Services for final approval.  It is a process that many could benefit from should the service be offered in the FE Waiver as it is for people with disabilities.  Today, people with disabilities are living longer, and if needed could be eligible for the FE Waiver and attendant care if they reached age 65.

PCAN additionally supports the development of an internet tool available on the ADSD website listing personal care agencies licensed in Nevada, the services offered, the location of the agency, any disciplinary action given, and the types of insurance accepted.  This would be a great advantage for the consumer seeking personal care services for their loved ones, neighbor or friends but who do not know how to start.  This process is very difficult and currently is offered on the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health, Health Care, Quality and Compliance website under “FindAHealthFacility.nv.gov.”  The HCQC website prompts the user to find a licensed agency in the county they reside, look for agencies and services desired, and list how to contact them, however, the consumer needs to understand what they are looking for because of the number of the many services listed.  There are providers other than Personal Care Agency listed that can perform similar services, such as the Intermediary Service Organization or ISO and the Employment Agency, but the consumer should understand the type of service listed and be knowledgeable of how to utilize that provider.  Providers listed may not accept Medicaid, only Fee for Service, and that is not listed.

Creating this website for caregivers and families looking for services in one location on the ADSD website would be an incredibly helpful benefit, would lessen complication, and enable better access to care.  PCAN favors this concept, has promoted its development, and if needed would offer its assistance.