Money Follows The Person (MFP)

Money Follows the Person (MFP) is a rebalancing initiative that was made possible by an eleven-year grant to states from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This grant is designed to help individuals who are institutionalized in nursing facilities and intermediate care facilities (ICF) for people with developmental disabilities return to their homes and communities.

The Georgia Department of Community Health implemented Money Follows the Person on September 1, 2008. Through partnerships with the Department of Human Services, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, the Department of Community Affairs, and other state and local agencies and organizations, DCH seeks to transition 1558 individuals from institutional setting to the community.

If you have any questions about MFP, you can contact:

DCH, MFP Project Staff at gamfp@dch.ga.gov or by calling 404-657-9323 or 404-651-6889, or
The Department of Human Services Aging and Disability Resource Connections at 866-55-AGING (800-552-4464), or
The Office of the Long Term Care Ombudsman at (888) 454-LTCO (5826)

MFP Webinars

» MFP Fiscal Intermediary Training

» How to Administer the Quality of Life Survey - 6/28/2011 (1 hour 28 minutes)

Trainers/Facilitators: R.L. Grubbs (Specialist)
Natalie Towns and Kristi Fuller (GHPC, Statewide Evaluation Consultants)

» Checklist for Transition to the Community - 6/23/2011
Understand the flow of activities in the transition process using the Checklist for Transition to the Community - a step by step review of the transition process with corresponding documents. (1 hour 35 minutes)

Trainers/Facilitators: R.L. Grubbs (Specialist)
Training Material(s): MFP Overview Presentation

MFP Information for Consumers

What is MFP?

Money Follows the Person (MFP) allows people in nursing homes or other long-term care institutions who are elderly or have physical or developmental disabilities to move out and receive services and supports to live in their own homes and communities. Money follows the individual by allowing the state to pay for long-term care in a home and community-based setting rather than an institutional setting by providing in-home services and supports.

Who can benefit from MFP?

Georgia plans to help 1558 people transition from institutions through June 30, 2016. In order to be eligible for MFP, you must:

Live in a nursing home or other institution (nursing home or hospital) for at least 90 consecutive days, excluding rehabilitative days
Be a Medicaid beneficiary for at least one day prior to transition
Meet institutional level of care

What can I expect from MFP?

If you wish to participate in MFP (or refer a friend or family member to the program), contact the state MFP office at gamfp@dch.ga.gov or call 404-657-9323. An Options Counselor or Transition Coordinator will contact you to arrange a screening to determine your eligibility for MFP and to find out what you may need in order to resettle in the community. The Options Counselor or Transition Coordinator will then assist you in arranging home and community-based services through one of Georgia’s Medicaid waiver program or other Medicaid services. The Transition Coordinator and you, the participant, along with your family, friends, and representatives, will then begin planning together for what you want your life in the community to be like. When you are ready to leave the facility, the MFP program can provide you with assistance such as security and utility deposits, furnishings and basic household items, moving costs, environmental modifications to make your home or apartment accessible, connections with peer supporters and other community resources, and other additional services.