Logo for Center for Personal Assistance Services New Browser Window, University of California, San Francisco  
Jump over main navigation bar to the sub navigation barHome (press control H in some browsers)Formal and Informal PAS (press control F in some browsers)Home and Community PAS (press control C in some browsers)PAS Workforce (press control W in some browsers)Workplace PAS (press control O in some browsers)PAS Users (press control U in some browsers)  
Jump over the sub navigation bar to the main body content

State Information

State of the Science Conference

Institutional Services

All Center Information by Audience

Center Publications
       - by audience

Library
       - by audience

Center Presentations
       - by audience

Links
       - by audience

Center Newsletter

PAS Events Calendar

Center News Items

About the Center

Direct Care Clearinghouse

Job Accommodation Network

  Jump over the main body content to the main navigation bar 		 

Printer-friendly page

Home and Community-Based PAS > Project Abstract

Project Abstract

About the Home and Community PAS Project Kitchener, M., Grossman, B., Ng, T., Willmott, M., Harrington, C. (2005) The New Mexico Medicaid State Plan Personal Care Services Program. Center for Personal Assistance Services, University of California, San Francisco, CA.

Abstract

This case study of the New Mexico Medicaid Personal Care Services (PCS) program highlights five features. First, the initiation of the PCS program in 2000 has helped state efforts to shift its long term care programs away from institutional care towards HCBS. Through the PCS program and waivers, New Mexico ranks number two in the nation for expenditures per capita for HCBS and ranking 3rd in its personal care state plan spending per capita. Second, the New Mexico (NM) PCS program operates a single entry point for all aged and disabled individuals, and plans are being made to move to a more integrated LTC program for the waiver programs. Third, NM has made a strong commitment to developing HCBS and has an active strategic planning effort underway. This planning effort appears to involve the many stakeholder groups and is continuing to evolve, offering PC as one of its central LTC services.

Fourth, NM offers a consumer directed care option within the PCS program. As the state has changed to an independent assessment structure and care planning process, this gives consumers greater choice in PC providers. Moreover, the state is developing a new waiver that is specifically for consumer directed care for all target groups which should allow for an expansion of this option. Fifth, the state has refined its assessment procedures and criteria for PCS to ensure greater accountability and equity in access for applicants. Although PCO program costs were significantly higher than expected, the state has taken a number of steps to improve the program management and control program costs.

Overall, the development and management of NM’s PCS program represents an interesting example of some of the start-up problems of a new program that other states may want to consider in planning new PCS programs.

View the full document in: