Ending 2024, 3i Housing of Maine (“3i HoME”) successfully completed a two-year innovation grant project in partnership with SeniorsPlus, one of the State of Maine’s designated Area Agency on Aging organizations. The grant was awarded by the Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS), part of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.
Under the grant 3i HoME and SeniorsPlus piloted the use of an enhanced care coordination model focused on older adults and adults with physical disabilities. The pilot evaluated the use of an assistive technology (AT) assessment process designed and developed by the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt). In collaboration with experts at Pitt, a SeniorsPlus Occupational Therapist (OT) trained to use the tools and perform the AT assessments and technical training to SeniorsPlus clients who wished to take part in the pilot.
The AT assessment process provided the care coordination team with a detailed understanding of the client’s AT needs, thus allowing the purchase of the right technology the first time followed by support and training. Currently, there are no standard assistive technology assessment tools and no training or support for those using assistive technologies. MaineCare benefits do not currently cover this type of extensive AT assessment, nor do they cover training and support.
Our study found, through research provided by our designated analytic partner, Brandeis University’s Heller School of Social Policy, that Maine has the third lowest assistive technology reimbursement cap in the country for this population. It is unclear why Maine Section 19 members have a $1500 AT cap per year and other Maine waiver programs have higher reimbursement limits.
In our final report, we recommended the State of Maine consider the adoption of this AT assessment process as a standard practice. We further recommended the State change the current reimbursement structure to include reimbursement for the AT assessments and necessary training and increase or eliminate the current reimbursement cap for assistive technologies.
It is our belief that AT can increase independence and quality of life for those with disabilities. Therefore, 3i HoME expects the tools developed, and the learnings resulting from the OADS innovation grant will be applied whenever possible in 3i HoME’s marquis project, Sturgeon Place.
**This two-year innovation grant project was developed by 3i Housing of Maine in partnership with SeniorsPlus through the 2023/2024 “Innovation Pilots – RFP to Stimulate Independence Promoting Innovation” initiative. This project was funded through the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP)/American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) under Section 9817 Home and Community Based Services (HCBS). All products of this initiative are freely available for public use.
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