Healthcare is an integral part of a HOPWA participant’s housing and services plan, and an important part of long-term stability.
However, in general, health care services should be obtained through coordination with other funding sources, such as Medicaid,
health insurance coverage obtained through the Affordable Care Act (or ACA), Ryan White services, or other patient assistance programs.
When all other options have been explored and no other funding sources for health services can be obtained, HOPWA funds may be used,
but grantees and project sponsors should be aware of the strong limitations for this supportive service. Given the implementation of the ACA
and the expansion of Medicaid in many states, HOPWA-funded health care expenses should be very rare. In addition to pursuing all other possible funding sources,
it is important to note that any health services paid by HOPWA must be directly approved by HUD, and that health services can only be provided
to persons living with HIV or AIDS (not other household members). During remote monitoring, grantees should watch for any indications that HOPWA funds are used for healthcare purposes
without prior approval by HUD. If a project sponsor has obtained HUD approval to use HOPWA funds for otherwise uncompensated health care costs,
the grantee should review participant files and financial records during onsite monitoring to verify
that funds were used as approved, and that all reasonable efforts to qualify beneficiaries for other assistance programs have been documented.