Audit details how La. uses and pays for facilities for people with developmental disabilities

BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) - A new report from the Louisiana Legislative Auditor highlights how care facilities for individuals with developmental disabilities are used and paid for in the state.

It shows a positive outlook for Louisiana, which is ranked No. 6 in the nation for usage and No. 12 for overall quality of care. The Department of Health and Hospitals-licensed facilities that were the focus of the report provide residential care for a group of people who need 24 hours a day of active treatment.

The report shows there are 524 such facilities in Louisiana and 60 percent of them are full. The facilities are paid for by federal Medicaid funds and designated rate payments from DHH. Those rates haven't changed for a while, but in November, voters will decide on a constitutional amendment that would lock DHH's rates where they are currently, which is the lowest in six years.

The report was done as the state continues to plan Medicaid managed care for people with long term care services.

Click here for the full report

Copyright 2014 WAFB. All rights reserved.