12318.
The Director of Social Services and the Director Health Care Services shall convene a stakeholder group to design a plan for the integration of long-term services and supports programs. Prior to development of the plan, a process for receiving and including consumer input shall be established. The plan shall, at least, do all of the following:(a) Build incentives into the health care delivery system so that home- and community-based services become the first option for long-term care. The plan shall specify that the purpose of these incentives is to ensure that a person who is able to receive long-term care at home shall receive it.
(b) Adopt coordinated care models that integrate the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program and other long-term services and supports, including skilled nursing care, to ensure that consumer needs are met across the entire spectrum of care. The plan shall specify that the overall intent of this integration is to improve consumer health and well-being, and to maximize the cost-effectiveness of health care delivery to consumers.
(c) Maintain the key social model components of the IHSS program and refocus the health care delivery system to include the social model as a primary component of coordinated care delivery. The plan shall maintain a consumer’s right to hire, fire, and supervise his or her home care provider or providers to the extent the consumer is able. Consumers who elect to be a part of an integrated care plan shall be authorized to participate on their own health care teams, and shall be able to allow their home care providers to also be a part of their health care teams.
(d) Ensure that home care providers have the tools they need to help consumers manage chronic conditions and prevent additional health care needs. This shall include access to adequate training based on the wants and needs of the consumer.
(e) Specify that county social workers shall continue to assess and reassess consumers to determine their care needs and the number of care hours they shall receive.