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NC Department of Health and Human Services
NC Division of
Medical Assistance
 
 

Money Follows the Person

Money Follows the Person is a state demonstration project that assists Medicaid-eligible North Carolinians who live in inpatient facilities to move into their own homes and communities with supports.

We are excited and thankful to be a part of such a wonderful program.  It has certainly changed Elli’s life and ours. - Martha C., parent of MFP participant.

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Contact Us

DMA Clinical Policy and Programs
Toll Free Phone Number 1-855-761-9030
Fax 919-715-4159
Email: mfpinfo@dhhs.nc.gov

Trish Farnham, Project Director
Christy Blevins, Assistant Director
Natarsa Patillo, Data Coordinator
 Diane Upshaw, Administrative Coordinator

Our Project's Purpose

  • MFP is a state demonstration project that assists people who live in inpatient facilities to move into their own communities with supports.
  • The Project’s intent is to support North Carolinians to have greater choice about where they receive their long-term supports.
  • The Project also helps identify and address barriers to receiving quality, community-based, long-term care and supports.
  • The Project is funded by Medicaid dollars through a partnership between North Carolina’s Division of Medical Assistance and the federal agency, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
  • Our four objectives are to:
    • Increase the use of home and community based services (HCBS) and reduce the use of institutionally based services;
    • Eliminate barriers and mechanisms in state law, state Medicaid plans, or state budgets that prevent or restrict the flexible use of Medicaid funds to enable Medicaid-eligible individuals to receive long-term care in the settings of their choice;
    • strengthen the ability of Medicaid programs to assure continued provision of HCBS to those individuals who choose to transition from institutions; and,
    • ensure that procedures are in place to provide quality assurance and continuous quality improvement of HCBS.
  • DMA Memorandum of Continued Commitment (PDF, 43 KB)
  • Notice of project extension from CMS (PDF, 153 KB)

Our Project's History

DMA received notice of the grant award in a letter from CMS dated May 3, 2007. DMA formally accepted the grant award in a letter to CMS dated May 21, 2007. CMS formally approved the Operation Protocol in an award letter dated June 30, 2008.

 

The Benefits of Participating in MFP

  • Community-Based Funding for Supports
    MFP participants receive personal supports and other services through Medicaid’s Community Alternatives Program (CAP) or the PACE Program.  
  • Transition “Start Up” Funding
    Each participant may be eligible for up to $3,000 in order to secure items and services needed to transition.  These include: security deposits, utility start up expenses, furniture, accessibility modifications or other one-time items and services that may be required to transition.
  • More Options in Long-Term Support
    Participation in this Project is completely voluntary.  The Project simply provides eligible residents of inpatient facilities an option to receive supports and services in their communities.

Information about Participant Eligibility

In order for a person to qualify for the Project, the person must:

  • Have lived in a hospital, skilled nursing facility or an intermediate care facility for people with developmental disabilities for at least three months (PDF, 71 KB); and
  • Meet the CAP or the PACE Program eligibility requirements; and
  • Be receiving Medicaid services before the transition; and
  • Choose to move to a “qualified residence.”  A “qualified residence” is:
    • a person’s own home
    • a person’s family’s home
    • a person’s own apartment
    • a group home with  four or fewer people*.
      *in North Carolina this option is only available under CAP MR/DD
  • The Project is not active in every part of the state and certain restrictions apply to the three month timeframe and what constitutes a “qualified residence.”

General Information About the Application and Transition Process

Currently, anyone can submit an application to the Project. The completed Application and the Informed Consent Form may be faxed to 919-715-4159. If you have questions about the application, please contact Diane Upshaw, Administrative Coordinator at 919-855-4267 or by e-mail at diane.up shaw@dhhs.nc.gov.

Money Follows the Person Application Form:

Money Follows the Person Basic Information:

Transition Coordination Materials

 

 

Our Project's Guidelines

The MFP Operational Protocol (PDF, 2.3 MB) serves as the Project’s guide for development and implementation.  With stakeholder involvement, the Protocols are revised regularly to better meet the needs of MFP participants and the Project’s objectives.

Table of Changes to Original Operational Protocol (PDF, 59 KB)

Getting Involved with MFP: The MFP Roundtable

The “MFP Roundtable” is open to anyone interested in Money Follows the Person and expanding community based support options in North Carolina.  The Roundtable meets quarterly to advise on the Project's direction. Meetings are scheduled at various locations across the state and also meet periodically by conference call. The Roundtable includes the members of the Project's original Stakeholders Advisory Group (PDF, 15 KB).

To become a part of the MFP Roundtable, to receive e-mail updates, and for information on upcoming meetings, please contact Diane Upshaw at 919-855-4267 or 1-855-761-9030 or by e-mail at diane.up shaw@dhhs.nc.gov.

Save the Date!
Next Roundtable Meeting:
Friday, August 10, 2012
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
TBA, Statesville

Notes from Recent Roundtable Meetings

 

Want to Help?

MFP relies on stakeholders - participants, their families, providers, advocates, and other community members - to build this project. If you are interested in supporting MFP, please complete and submit the How Can I Help Form or contact Diane Upshaw, Administrative Coordinator at 919-855-4267 or by e-mail at diane.up shaw@dhhs.nc.gov.

How Can I Help Form:


MFP Transition Learning Series Webinars

Webinars take place on the second Monday of each month from 2-4 pm.  Contact Diane Upshaw diane.up shaw@dhhs.nc.gov to be added to the email list or for more information.

May 7, 2012 Telesupports:

April 9, 2012 Guardianship:

March 12, 2012, Assistive Technologies:

February 13, 2012 Americans with Disabilities Act:

January 9, 2012 Roadmap:

November 14, 2011 Employment Options:

October 10, 2011 Peer Supports:

September 12, 2011 Caregiver Supports:

August 8, 2011:

July 11, 2011 - CRC and LCAs:

June 13, 2011:

May 9, 2011:

April 11, 2011:

 

MFP Rebalancing Fund

Recent Reports about MFP

MDS 3.0, Section Q - Community Initiative Contact Information

On October 1, 2010, nursing facilities across the country will begin using a new iteration of the Minimum Data Set, called MDS 3.0.  The new version includes a revised Section Q designed to identify people residing in nursing facilities who may be interested in talking to someone about moving back into the community.

As is required under MDS 3.0, facilities will submit an application when a person residing in a nursing facility indicates under Section Q an interest in speaking with someone about the possibility of returning to the community.

Effective October 1, 2010, nursing facilities can call 1-866-271-4894 (9:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday) to submit Section Q referrals to trained call-center staff.

CMS MFP Presentations