Department of Human Services Budget Summary

Department of Humans Services Budget Hearing to Joint Committee on Appropriations

Shawnee Rechtenbaugh, Interim Secretary, Denice Houlette, Director Budget & Finance, Darryl Millner, Director Development Disabilities and Yvette Thomas, Director of Long-Term Care Services and Supports, presented to the JCA on February 7^th. The department’s funding comprises of 40% general funds and 58% federal funds with the last 2% being other funds.

**It is important to note these budget briefing books represent Governor Daugaard’s budget.**

The Division of Development Disabilities, Daryl Millner, mentioned under the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved the CHOICES program for another five years.  The CHOICES Medicaid Waiver Services are provided through 20 community support providers and four case management providers while the Family Support Medicaid Waiver Services are self-directed and coordinated by community support and the services do not include room and board or residential services. The participant’s family must provide the residential support needed.

The Division of Long-Term Services and Supports Director, Yvette Thomas, presented on Dakota at Home. It is estimated in 2019 that 13,500 individuals will utilize the service, which is up from 10,563 in 2017.  The department provided the impact of rebalancing the Medicaid expenditures between nursing facilities and HCBS waiver. 

In 2016, nursing facilities total expenditure was 82% compared to 18.1% HCBS waiver, DHS projects in 2020 a rebalance of 72% nursing facilities and 28% HCBS waiver expenditures.

The department went through SB147, Assisted Living rate Methodology Workgroup and the findings along with the results of the cost reports submitted. 

** SDAHO Staff is unable to recalculate the $156.37 or the $159.56 Cost per day without taking out the case mix.

In addition, SB 173, the special appropriation for $5M Nursing Home Innovation grants was discussed. This would provide funding for community nursing homes to develop and implement new and innovative approaches to nursing facility care and provide nursing facility administrators with the opportunity to implement ideas they have but are unable to support with existing funds.

To view the slide presentation and supporting documents.​