HCBS - Home and Community Based Services - In-home care services that allow nursing home eligible Pennsylvanians remain in their homes.

OLTL - Office of Long Term Living - The state office of DPW that oversees the administration of HCBS funded by Medicaid Waivers.

Medicaid Waivers - Federally matched funding sources for the HCBS.  When a citizen becomes nursing home eligible, they can elect to "waive" their nursing home benefits and direct those benefits to HCBS.  Depending on their diagnosis, they can draw from a number of waivers; Attendant Care, Independence, OBRA, CommCare, and PDA (Pennsylvania Department of Aging).

Consumer Model Services - This Medicaid benefit allows eligible consumers to employ their own attendants and self direct their personal in-home care; allowing for ultimate independence, choice, and control over their services.

FMS Administrative Services - Medicaid providers relieve the consumer of the administrative burden of being their own employer by providing these services.  They include capturing the attendants hours worked, generating paychecks, filing appropriate forms for federal, state, and local taxes, issuing W-2's, procuring workers compensation for their employees, and many other tasks outlined in the FMS standards.

Agency Model Services - Eligible consumers may choose to have a licensed Medicaid Agency provide their in home care.  These attendants are employed by the agency and are specially trained according to state regulations, Medicaid waiver requirements and additional standards of the individual agency.

Service Coordination - Medicaid Providers have trained, competent Social Workers to design a care plan according to the eligible consumer's needs.  These care plans are designed to create a holistic approach to care and allow the consumer to live safely in their home.

Rebalancing - DPW initiative to transition people in nursing homes to Home and Community Based Services.  It is a known fact that annual average costs for nursing home care for an individual is over $80,000; compared to HCBS which is $30,000.  Rebalancing allows states additional incentives from the Federal government that result in further savings.