The Department of Health Care Finance (DHCF) announced today that it will exercise its contractual right to terminate six home care agencies from the District’s Medicaid program effective July 15, 2014.
The six providers that will receive termination notices (see below) may appeal this decision by requesting a hearing with the Office of Administrative Hearings within fifteen (15) days of the date of the final notice of termination.
- ABA Home Health Care
- Nursing Enterprises
- Nursing Unlimited
- T&N Reliable Nursing Care
- Global
- Vizion One
“I want to assure District Medicaid residents who are in need of personal care services that we have the capacity to continue to provide them with necessary services,” stated Wayne Turnage, DHCF’s Director. “Over the next seven weeks, we will be working with the affected home care agencies to ensure an orderly transition of all of beneficiaries they currently serve.”
Under the terms of its Medicaid agreement, DHCF may terminate a provider’s participation in Medicaid without cause upon 90 days written notice. The affected agencies provide state plan and EPD Waiver services including, but not limited to, skilled care, personal care aide, case management, and respite services to Medicaid beneficiaries.
In April, DHCF sent a 90-day notice of intent to terminate the Medicaid provider agreement to 13 home care providers under investigation for fraud by the Office of the Inspector General. DHCF reached a settlement with three providers and rescinded the notice of termination. Two providers requested and were granted additional time to respond. Two providers are still under review.
These actions are not expected to have a negative impact on Medicaid beneficiaries’ access to services. In addition to other eligible licensed home care agencies in the District, DHCF has contracted with six (6) additional vendors to provide personal care aide services to beneficiaries who need these services.
Medicaid beneficiaries or their family members who have questions about their services or would like more information about their options are urged to call DHCF’s Hot Line at (202) 442-9533. DHCF staff members are available from 8:30 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday, to assist beneficiaries who need help or have questions.
For more information, contact Yvonne Iscandari, Long Term Care Director at (202) 442-5818 or Chai Williams, Long Term Care Project Manager at (202) 724-8926.