LTSS targets individuals with recurring or ongoing needs. Individuals who are over 65, have physical disabilities, have intellectual disabilities, chronically ill children, and individuals eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare can potentially be eligible services. Services can be received in home and community based settings. There are three eligibility levels that must be met: Medical, Technical, and Financial.
Individuals receiving services have choices regarding their setting, services, and service providers. The rules of LTSS were designed to give individuals receiving services rights of privacy, dignity, and respect by optimizing autonomy and independence in making life choices, and ensuring that participants in home and community based service programs are able to fully participate in their communities to the extent they desire and are able.
Maryland Medicaid has developed a person centered planning approach, which is designed to promote optimal health outcomes, but greater independence and better quality of life. Medicaid is moving away from institutional based care and toward home and community based services.