Buncombe County advisory panel warns of tight aging-services funding, urges stronger provider coordination

Summary

At its Sept. 24 meeting, the Buncombe County Home and Community Care Block Grant Advisory Committee reviewed early fiscal-year spending, warned that a delayed or reduced state budget could force provider funding clawbacks, and discussed steps to improve referrals and access — including renewed interest in NC Care 360 and more coordinated provider,

Buncombe County’s Home and Community Care Block Grant (HCCBG) Advisory Committee on Sept. 24 reviewed early fiscal-year spending and year-end program summaries and urged providers to invoice promptly amid a risk that the state budget could be delayed or reduced.

The committee, which advises the county on distribution of HCCBG and supplemental aging funds, heard staff say some providers are already spending above expected rates and were reminded to submit invoices and enter units of service promptly so reimbursements can be processed.

Committee staff summarized the grants report and cautioned that two related numbers on the spreadsheet mean different things. "The grant percent is what is allowable through the ARMS, and the percent of grants served shows the entirety of the grant that they have already put into ARMS," Zach, a program staff member, said. He added later that “we are hoping for a budget passed Oct. 1. I don’t know that that will happen.”

Why it matters: Committee members said a late or reduced state appropriation could force the county to reduce reimbursements or seek repayments from providers. Staff repeatedly urged conservative spending until state budget action is final,…

Buncombe County advisory panel warns of tight aging-services funding, urges stronger provider coordination

Summary

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