How Ann Found More Independence with the “Money Follows the Person” Program

Key Takeaways

• The Money Follows the Person (MFP) program helps people with disabilities transition from nursing homes or other long-term care facilities back into the community.

• Ann, a 78-year-old, spent nearly a year "stuck" in a nursing home before Ability Montana Independent Living Specialist, Allison McClure, stepped in and helped coordinate her move to an assisted living facility within three weeks.

• The MFP grant can help fund moving expenses, initial deposits, and essential furnishings/modifications needed to establish a home in the community.

• Ability Montana provides vital support — from paperwork assistance to hands-on help — to make the transition to independent living as smooth and empowering as possible.

Ann is a spirited, active 78-year-old who found herself in a challenging situation. After being admitted to a rehabilitation center, she had intended to move on to an assisted living facility with a lower level of care. But instead, she was moved to the nursing home within the same facility and got stuck, waiting for a spot to open up in an assisted living facility. She spent almost a year there.

"I don't know what you're doing here. You don't belong here," rehab staff would often tell her, and Ann agreed. "I don't need to be here,” she thought, “but I don't know how to get out."

Ann felt isolated and depressed, even contemplating just calling a cab, packing a suitcase, and leaving — not knowing where she'd go. Luckily, Medicaid personnel referred her to an Ability Montana Independent Living Specialist, Allison McClure.

Allison's intervention was a game-changer. "Within three weeks I’d moved out of the nursing home and into an assisted living facility," Ann recalls. Allison was able to "take the bull by the horns" and advocate on Ann's behalf, checking in with the assisted living facilities.

Having Allison on her side made all the difference. Allison not only helped her pack and move, but also took Ann shopping, and helped her set up her new apartment before the move. Serenity Perry, another Ability Montana staff member, devoted a couple of afternoons to assembling Ann's new furniture and helping organize her room.

The Power of the Money Follows the Person Program

Ann's transition was made possible through the Money Follows the Person (MFP) program. MFP is the longest-running demonstration project in the history of Medicaid and has resulted in the transition of thousands out of institutions back into the community nationwide (and 48 people in Montana in 2024). The program's core goal is to shift Medicaid Long-Term Care from its emphasis on institutional care to Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS).

The vision of MFP is to create a sustainable system that supports community options as a first choice for individuals needing long-term care services. This is vital because studies show that MFP participants are happier and healthier when they reside in the community.

MFP Funding Usage

The MFP grant money follows the person (hence the program name), not the institution.

This funding can be used for a wide variety of essential transition services that remove financial and logistical barriers, such as:

• Provision of the first month’s rent and security deposit.

• Moving expenses and transportation for on-site visits to housing.

• Household goods, including limited basic household furnishings and pantry stocking.

• Environmental or vehicle modifications to increase independence.

The amount of funding is not the same for everyone; it's based entirely on an individual's needs.

Allison assisted Ann with all the paperwork for the grant, making a potentially difficult process smooth and simple. "It wasn't actually difficult at all because Allison helped me with all the paperwork and everything," Ann shared.

MFP Eligibility

Ann's situation perfectly matched the core eligibility requirements for the MFP program:

• You must have resided in a long-term care facility for at least 60 consecutive days.

• Your care must have been covered by Medicaid for at least one of those 60 days.

• You must be eligible for one of the Montana Waiver Partner Programs (like the Big Sky Waiver).

• You must choose to live in a qualified residence in the community, such as an apartment with an individual lease or a home.

A New Home and New Independence

Ann is now living at an assisted living facility that provides a much lower level of care than the nursing home. Because of this, "Ann has a lot more freedom in her life now," Allison explained.

For Ann, this move was empowering. She now has a whole apartment (shared with a roommate) where she has her own room and much more space and privacy than the nursing home's small shared space.

"What they've done for me is just wonderful. I look forward to things," Ann says with excitement. "I'm so looking forward to Christmas and getting a tree up and decorating it." She's already laid claim to putting the lights on the tree, a task she's admittedly very particular about.

"People aren't ready to just keel over in a nursing home... they still want to live," noted Allison.

Ann's story is the perfect example of how, with the right support and resources, people can regain their independence and look forward to what's next.

Think Money Follows the Person is a Good Fit For You? Please Reach Out!

If you’re interested in the MFP program, or any other resources, call Ability Montana and ask for a referral to the program. You can also reach out to the Montana MFP team directly at (406) 444-4077 for more information.