Georgia to Launch Pilot Internet Application Program for Long Term Care Services
Georgia Department of Community Health Commissioner Russ Toal announced yesterday that the department will soon launch a pilot program offering online applications to nursing home and community care patients, the Florida Times-Union reports. Patients will use the online applications to supply income information to the state, which will provide "preliminary" indications of their eligibility for Medicaid, as well as other long term care services. The state's Division of Family and Children Services will make all final eligibility determinations. Fred Watson, executive director of the Georgia Nursing Home Association, said that the "quicker" assistance in eligibility determinations would better serve patients and improve homes' "bottom lines." In May, the department launched a successful Internet application process for PeachCare, the state's CHIP program. Since that application's inception, more than 2,000 eligible families have signed up for PeachCare coverage. Explaining the state's decision to offer online applications for long term care, Toal noted, "PeachCare taught us the possibility of the Internet and how we could really be taking advantage of technology to help people." The long term care application pilot will involve eight nursing homes in five Georgia counties; if successful, the program will expand statewide (Williams, Florida Times-Union, 7/12).
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