Sec. 1. (a) Before October 1, 2017, the division shall report to the general assembly in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6 a plan to expand the scope and availability of home and community based services for individuals who are aged and disabled. The report must include the following:

(1) Evaluation of the current system of services to determine which services provide the most appropriate use of resources.

(2) Study of the eligibility assessment process, including the function and financial assessment process, for home and community based services to determine how to streamline the process to allow access to services in a time frame similar to that of institutional care.

(3) Options for individuals to receive services and supports appropriate to meet the individual’s needs in a cost effective and high quality manner that focuses on social and health outcomes.

(4) Evaluation of the adequacy of reimbursement rates to attract and retain a sufficient number of providers, including a plan to regularly and periodically increase reimbursement rates to address increased costs of providing services.

(5) Migration of individuals from the aged and disabled Medicaid waiver to amended Medicaid waivers, new Medicaid waivers, the state Medicaid plan, or other programs that offer home and community based services.

     (b) In preparing the report, the division shall consult with home and community based stakeholders, including:

(1) consumers;

(2) organizations representing consumers; and

(3) experts in the field;

of home and community based services to provide insight concerning the needs of Indiana residents seeking services and supports to allow the individuals to remain at home and in the individuals’ communities.

As added by P.L.224-2017, SEC.2.