ON THE HORIZON 2024-2025
Certification for Medical Respite Programs Why is certification needed? And why now? Medical respite care (MRC) fills an important gap in the health services continuum, offering short-term residential programming where people experiencing homelessness can rest, recover, and heal in a safe environment while accessing medical care and other supportive services. The field of medical respite care (MRC) is growing rapidly, and health systems, managed care plans (MCPs), and policymakers at all levels of government are increasingly recognizing the value of MRC programs. At least 14 states are in various stages of exploring and/or implementing Medicaid reimbursement mechanisms for MRC services. As the field continues to evolve, there is an increasing need to clearly define characteristics, quality standards, and oversight of MRC programs. A carefully designed certification process from a trusted national voice can meet these needs and safeguard the dynamic and innovative work done by MRC operators. It can also prevent unintended consequences that may arise if government agencies institute prescriptive licensure processes.
As the preeminent entity dedicated to expanding access to high-quality MRC nationwide, the National Institute for Medical Respite Care (NIMRC) — a special program of the National Health Care for the Homeless Council (NHCHC) — is uniquely equipped and positioned to meet this need through the design and implementation of a voluntary certification process for MRC programs. Building on knowledge and expertise accumulated by NHCHC and the Respite Care Providers’ Network (RCPN) over the past 30-plus years, NIMRC was launched in 2020 to strategically advance and elevate the field of MRC.
Why NIMRC?
In 2022, our team at NIMRC began to carefully consider the implications and explore the feasibility of creating such a certification process by interviewing dozens of key informants representing MRC programs, hospital systems, MCPs, state officials, and more. These interviews provided resounding affirmation that there is appetite for a certification specific to MRC — particularly one that is reliable, inclusive, pragmatic, and does not compromise access to this life-saving intervention. APRIL 2024 • 1
“NIMRC’s certification process is an important next step in furthering support and structure for medical respite programs across the nation. I appreciate the thoughtful way that NIMRC has built the certification process, gathering feedback and data along the way from national partners and providers, which in turn creates a peer-led and supportive learning environment.” SUSANNAH KING, MSW, LICSW Chair of the Respite Care Providers’ Network, Social Services Manager at Hennepin County Health Care for the Homeless