It’s easier for Georgians to get a bed in a nursing home than less-expensive home and community-based services, costing the government big money, according to a follow-up state audit released Friday.
Auditors found that fewer elderly and disabled received the home and community-based services in 2013 than in 2011. The review by the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts found that nursing home stays cost Medicaid almost four times as much a year as having the elderly and disabled in home and community-based programs.
While the audit said state agencies have taken steps to make potential clients more aware of the programs, nursing home personnel who conduct pre-admission screenings of potential clients have little incentive to discuss the alternatives. It said one-third of nursing homes made no referrals to programs designed to discuss patient options during a six-month period studied in 2014.
It also said the state’s community care services program has a waiting list that averages about 1,500 people.
“Those in need of immediate long-term support services can generally receive them more quickly from a nursing home,” the audit said.
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