LINCOLN — Nebraska regained Medicaid certification — and funding — for the third of five units at the Beatrice State Developmental Center, state officials announced Thursday.
Jodi Fenner, developmental disabilities director for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, said the Sheridan Cottages unit now meets all eight conditions of participation for Medicaid.
Federal funding resumed as of July 28 for the 26 people who live in the three cottages that make up the unit.
The Beatrice center is on its way back from losing Medicaid funding in September 2009 because of repeated failure to meet federal care standards.
Losing federal Medicaid support meant that Nebraska had to increase state support for the facility by $40 million for the two-year budget period that ended June 30.
State officials divided the center into five affiliated units last year to improve care and regain certification.
Staff members are assigned to work in specific units, which allows them to be more familiar with residents and their needs. The units operate under a single administrative umbrella and share professional, vocational and recreational services.
Fenner said federal inspectors have made a first visit to the fourth unit. The unit must pass a second inspection to be recertified. State officials plan to ask for an inspection of the fifth unit soon.
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