There are additional administration factors that are hard to put a finger on, but on the face, the Independent Caregiver option saves the state approximately 17% cash outlay over the identical hours of service from an agency.  Additionally, the competition introduced by the Independent Caregiver significantly helps keep in check the homecare charges by agencies. Perhaps most importantly, (if the option was groomed with reasonable incentives), more workers could be attracted to help alleviate the caregiver shortage.

Here's a demonstration of how the independent caregiver option could save $1 million.

We know:

· There are more than 5300 folks who are now using Medicaid funded homecare in Nevada.
· The current participants average approximately 2.7 hours of homecare each day.
· Using agency homecare services, whether the ISO or other privately held homecare agencies, these services cost the state $18.50 per hour.
· The identical services, (or what some of us consider better services), using Independent Caregivers at current rates, cost the state $15.50 per hour.

Just suppose:

· Medicaid officials allow a workable, inviting and accessible Independent Caregiver model, (A Maximized Homecare Model).
· Many of the participants, (especially those, whose need for personal assistance is heavier), will prefer the Maximized Homecare Model.... let's just say one out of 10 of the total homecare participants, that is 530, choose this model.

Now, look at the math...
$3 cost difference,  x 2.7 hours daily use,  x 530 participants,  x 365 days, =  $1,566,945

The bottom line is we need people, like you, to learn about, help plan, and support this effort to create a Maximized Homecare Model.