RD418 - Report to Examine Access to Qualified Nurses in the Medicaid Technology Assisted Waiver - November 2014


Executive Summary:
The 2014 General Assembly directed the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) to assess its requirement that nurses providing services for individuals within the Technology Assisted Waiver (Tech Waiver) have six months of work experience. The budget amendment proposed by Delegate Peace (item 301 KKKK), requires DMAS to “examine access to qualified nurses by individuals eligible for waiver services and hiring, turnover and retention of nurses providing private duty nursing services through the waiver.”

DMAS does not collect information on home health agency hiring, turnover and retention of nurses providing private duty nursing services through the waiver. Thus, the report describes the population served by nurses in the waiver, impediments to quality nursing care, the results of the agency’s meeting with stakeholders, and the actions that will be taken to address the concerns underlying the budget amendment.