Waiver Amendments Approved

For the original publication, please click here. The following is a text version of the original publication. 
--
To: Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services waiver providers and consumers 
From: Nicole Norvell, Director, Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services 
Re: Waiver Amendments Approved 
Date: February 5, 2014 

The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration’s Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS) has received approval of the 3rd Amendment to the Family Supports Waiver (FSW), IN.0387.R02.03, as well as the 5th Amendment to the Community Integration and Habilitation Waiver (CIHW), IN.0378.R02.05, from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

The Family Supports and the Community Integration and Habilitation waiver programs provide Medicaid Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) through 1915(c) Waivers to participants residing in a range of community settings as an alternative to care in an intermediate care facility for persons with intellectual disabilities or related conditions. 

Family Supports Waiver
Amendments to the FSW are approved, with an effective date of January 1, 2014, and include the following changes: 

1. The annual cap has been increased from $16,250 to $16,545.
2. The Quality Improvement System (QIS) and Performance Measures approved by CMS and implemented in 2013 have now been included in the amendment.
3. Legislated accreditation requirements for providers of day services are now reflected within the amendment per the requirements of Indiana Code 12-11-1.1-1(d)(1).

Additional waiver slots have been made available under Waiver Year 5 to reduce the waiting list and provide waiver services to additional consumers under the waiver 

Community Integration and Habilitation Waiver 
Amendments to the CIHW are approved, with an effective date of February 1, 2014, and include the following changes:

1. One Reserved Wavier Capacity priority category was revised, increasing the overall capacity reserved for priority entrance to this waiver
2. Wellness Coordination services were added
3. Previously budgeted but unused funding was shifted to the FSW

Also, both amendments reflect approval from CMS for a two percent rate increases to the specific waiver services for which rates were reduced in 2010.

1. Under the FSW, rate increases are applicable only to Respite, Facility Based Habilitation (Individual) and Community Based Habilitation (Individual). The higher expenditure cap was implemented to ensure that these increased rates do not in any way reduce waiver services for the waiver participants.
2. Under the CIHW, rate increases are applicable only to Residential Habilitation and Support - Level 1 and Residential Habilitation and Support – Level 2, Respite, Community Based Habilitation (Individual) and Community Based Habilitation (Individual).

Both waivers are posted on the Bureau of Developmental Disabilities’ webpage and details of the waiver changes are outlined at the beginning of each amendment under the section titled “Purpose of Amendment.” Relevant changes will soon also be made within the DDRS Waiver Manual and additional questions about the amendments or the wavier program should be directed to BQIS.Help@FSSA.IN.gov.