West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice and the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Service announced Sept. 9 that the state's Medicaid program will designate additional federal funds to increase payment rates for home and community-based service providers, according to a news release.
Mr. Justice said the investment addresses the critical need for home healthcare workers to aid the state's most vulnerable residents.
"These providers have stepped up to make sure West Virginia's senior citizens and individuals with disabilities have the care that they need. We appreciate all the work they do, and especially during this pandemic. In total, this is an investment of approximately $240 million," Mr. Justice said.
The increase in funding will aid the recruitment and retention of the state's healthcare workforce. Home and community-based services will increase aid through programs including the Aged and Disabled Waiver, the Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities Waiver, and the Children with Serious Emotional Disorders Waiver.
"DHHR is directing that a minimum of 85 percent of the increased funds be used for increased wages and benefits for direct-care workers serving our vulnerable populations,” said Bill Crouch, secretary of the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources Cabinet.
The Bureau for Medical Services will seek approval from HHS and expects the funds to be available in October 2022.