Medicaid Personal Choice Program

Regulation Authority:

RIGL 40-8; Title XIX of the Social Security Act

Purpose and Reason:

The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) has proposed this Regulation to set forth the specific rules applicable for the Personal Choice Program. The Personal Choice Program is a participant (service recipient) directed program designed to provide in-home services and supports to adults with disabilites and elders utilizing a Cash and Counseling Model. The Cash portion of the model refers to the cash allowance each participant is offered to purchase and manage his/her personal assistance services. Counseling refers to services provided to participants to enable them to make informed decisions that work best for them, are consistent with their needs and reflect their individual circumstances. The Cash and Counseling Model allows people with disabilities and elders, the option and opportunity to manage a flexible budget and determine how that budget will be spent to best meet their personal care needs. The budget can be used exclusively for personal care needs or in combination with other goods and services that will assist an individual in living independently in the community. The Personal Choice Program Regulation will now contain the formula and the methodology and calculations utiliized to determine the participant's budget.