Enhanced Outpatient Services Workforce

Supporting and building the HCBS workforce is a cornerstone of Rhode Island’s COVID-19 pandemic recovery strategy. The support that direct care workers and licensed health professionals provide to Medicaid enrollees who have physical or behavioral support needs helps to promote individual wellness and self-determination, allowing enrollees the choice to remain in their homes and communities and avoid unnecessary acute care or facility-based care. At the same time, the pandemic has caused workforce shortages that continue to exacerbate challenges in meeting consumer demand for HCBS services.

Rhode Island EOHHS will invest in recruitment and retention for enhanced outpatient services through the following mechanism:

1. State directed payment for service codes H0036, paid as a temporary rate enhancement flowing through managed care organizations (MCOs) to EOS Provider Agencies. 

2. EOS Provider Agencies will have through September 30, 2023 to expend the funds.