Division of Rehabilitation Services, Home Services Program, Spousal Caregiver Pilot Project

Public Act 96-0351 was introduced as House Bill 39 during the 96th General Assembly. This measure, a joint initiative of Representative Donald Moffitt and Senator David Koehler, was introduced after both members became aware of individuals in their communities who were providing extraordinary care for their spouses with disabilities in order to allow them to remain at home. As passed, the bill provides for a spousal caregiver demonstration project under the Home Services Program.

As a requirement of the demonstration project, the spouse with a disability was to be eligible for services through the Home Services Program and to meet the criteria specific to the demonstration project. The demonstration project was to be operated in selected counties and be limited to serving no more than 100 unduplicated persons. The pilot was to operate for the duration of the twelve month period which began on March 1, 2010. The final report regarding the pilot was due to the General Assembly by March 1, 2011.

Specific criteria for participation in the demonstration project have included customer safety assurances concerning abuse, neglect, or exploitation by the spousal caregiver and the delivery of services by the spousal caregiver. Additionally, the demonstration project has included criteria for determining eligibility, developing service plans, monitoring the customer's health and safety, reimbursement for services, and measuring participant experiences.

The pilot has been funded with General Revenue Funds because it is not incorporated in the Home Services Program Medicaid Waivers. The Department plans, however, to administratively file Medicaid claim for monthly nursing visits which have been incorporated in the pilot as part of its quality assurance plan.