Money Follows The Person

  • MFP is a demonstration program. This program helps Montana shift its long term care system by reducing the use of institutionally based services and increasing the use of home and community based services (HCBS). MFP is focused on helping individuals transition from in-patient facilities to the community.
  • Vision - create a sustainable system that supports community options as a first choice for individuals needing long term care services.

Montana's Money Follows the Person FACT SHEET

Overview 

The Money Follows the Person (MFP) Project began as a five-year grant award to shift Medicaid Long-Term Care from its emphasis on institutional care to home and community-based services. MFP is the longest running demonstration project in the history of Medicaid and has resulted in the transition of thousands out of institutions back in to the community.  Studies show that MFP participants are happier, and healthier when they reside in the community.   

Montana’s MFP Project 

Montana was granted 9.3 million dollars in 2014 and partners with three waiver programs (SDMI, DD, and Big Sky) in its goal of transitioning individual Medicaid recipients back to the community from an institutional setting.   

Montana MFP Goals 

  • Increase the use of home and community-based services.
  • Increase expenditures in the home and community-based services programs.
  • Decrease the use of institutional long-term care services.
  • Increase the utilization of Self-directed services in home and community-based programs.
  • Increase the availability of affordable, accessible housing.
  • Demonstrate the effectiveness of transition/demonstration services.

Eligibility 

  • Eligible participants include those who have resided in a long-term care facility for not less than 60 consecutive days and whose care has been covered by Medicaid for at least one of those 60 days.
  • Eligible participants must participate in one of the Montana Waiver Partner Programs. 
  • Participants must meet the institutional level of care and be determined appropriate for one of the waiver partner programs.
  • Participants must continue to meet institutional levels of care criteria after transitioning to the community.
  • Target populations include older adults, adults and children with physical and/or developmental  disabilities or a serious mental illness.
  • After transitioning to the community, participants meet regularly with their case managers throughout their 365-day period of participation.

Demonstration Services 

MFP assists participants with their transition from an institutional setting through the provision of demonstration and transition services as outlined below: 

  • When necessary, provision of the first month rent and deposit.
  • Assistance with past due rent and utility bills/deposits.
  • Household goods and services to include (limited) basic household furnishing, bedding, kitchenware, etc.
  • Environmental and vehicle modifications
  • Peer Support
  • Information Technology
  • Overnight supports
  • Medication Management Technology

Referrals

Referrals are generally made by discharge planners, nursing staff, social workers, case managers, ombudsmen.  Individuals may self-refer to this program.   Referrals can be made online

Residency Requirements:

  • Must have lived 60 consecutive days in a qualifying facility
  • Transition work may begin in advance of the 60th day

Medicaid Eligibility:

  • Must be Medicaid eligible for at least one day prior to transition
  • Transition work can begin without Medicaid eligibility

Program Eligibility:

  • Must be eligible for one of the following waivers:
    • Big Sky Waiver (Elderly and Physically Disabled)
    • SDMI Waiver (Serious Disabling Mental Illness)

Housing Criteria:

  • Home owned or leased by a participant or family member
  • Apartment with individual lease, secure access, as well as living, sleeping, bathing & cooking areas where a participant or family has control
  • Community-based residential setting such as a group home with a maximum of 4 unrelated people (excluding caregivers and personal attendants)

Please click the link below to submit an MFP referral.

Submit an online secured form

Michelle Christensen

Program Manager
406-270-4211
mchristensen@mt.gov