What is Money Follows the Person (MFP)?

Money Follows the Person is a public policy concept similar to the public school voucher program. The MFP program would allow people with disabilities living in institutional settings to move into less restrictive settings and for the government funding to follow them.

 

For example, an individual being served in a state funded developmental center may be given the option to move into a less restrictive setting. The funding dedicated to serving that person in the developmental center would no longer be provided to the developmental center, but used to support that person in their new setting.

 

Why Does Ohio Need MFP?

Money Follows the Person would change the way the state of Ohio funds services for people with disabilities. Today, funding streams are established to pay for a bed rather than to support a person. This “take it or leave it” approach creates no incentive for providers to improve the services and supports for their clientele.

 

A move to MFP would further empower individuals with disabilities to make choices about how they live their lives.

 

Who Would Be Eligible?

Elderly individuals, individuals with mental retardation or a developmental disability, people with physical disabilities and people with mental illness who have lived in a hospital, nursing facility or Intermediate Care Facility for the Mental Retarded (ICF/MR) for at least six months.

 

Ohio’s demonstration project proposes to transition the following individuals (after five years):

Elderly   =                        1,428

MR/DD =                          584

Physical Disability =          158

Mental Illness =                   61

 

In 2013, Ohio will stop receiving enhanced match for MFP.

For more information, contact:

8 E. Long St., Suite 1200

Columbus, OH 43215

(800) 766-7426

(614) 466-5205

(614) 644-5530 tty

www.ddc.ohio.gov

 

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Action to Date

 

Ohio is one of 17 states awarded a federal demonstration grant to rebalance their service delivery system to reflect a money follows the person approach.

 

The state is coordinating six working groups to help facilitate the design and implementation of the demonstration project.

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By the Numbers

 

In 2004, Ohio’s nursing facility occupancy rate was 87% and the Medicaid utilization rate was just under 67% leaving about 13,000 empty nursing facility beds.

 

Ohio has a ratio of 64 beds per 1,000 older people, compared to 52 beds per 1,000 for the nation as a whole.