Developmental Disabilities Administration
Transformation Update
December 2019
|
|
UPDATE: Provider Transition of LTSS Advisory Group
|
|
The Maryland Long-Term Services and Supports (
LTSSMaryland
) is an information technology (IT) platform designed to support the implementation of the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)'s approved Medicaid home- and community-based waiver services. Key
LTSSMaryland
system modules for the DDA include eligibility, person-centered planning, service authorization, billing and provider payment.
LTSSMaryland
is already in use throughout the state as the case management, enrollment, clinical assessment, service authorization, critical event reporting, claims submission and electronic visit verification (EVV) system for the majority of Medicaid's fee-for-service home- and community-based services.
Transitioning to
LTSSMaryland
requires DDA service providers to learn and adapt to the new system. To support a successful roll-out, the DDA created the Provider Transition of LTSS Advisory Group to share recommendations for the phased implementation of the system.
On Mon., Dec. 16, the Provider Transition of LTSS Advisory Group met for a day-long work session to learn more about
LTSSMaryland
and discuss implementation strategies. The morning session focused on sharing information that included:
- Discussion of a journey process map of the transition from PCIS2 to LTSSMaryland from person-centered planning through service implementation
- Live demonstration of the LTSSMaryland Provider Portal
- Providers in the pilot sharing their experience and insight about LTSSMaryland
In the afternoon, participants discussed ideas for a phased-in transition to
LTSSMaryland
, scheduled to to begin on July 1, 2020. They focused on three main options: (1) an expanded pilot in which every provider participates; (2) phasing in the transition starting with any provider that is ready; and (3) phasing in implementation by transitioning each person in service to
LTSSMaryland
based on the date of their person-centered plan. The afternoon included a World Café discussion of these three ideas, aimed at understanding training, operational needs and implementation strategies for each.
The DDA appreciates each working group member who volunteered to participate in the transition effort. Shared experience and insight is key in developing the path forward together. The DDA will continue to report on the outcomes of Advisory Group meetings in this newsletter.
|
|
RECAP: 2019 Maryland Leadership Institute
|
|
Graduates of the 2019 Maryland Leadership Institute
|
|
The DDA and The National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities at the University of Delaware hosted the Maryland Leadership Institute at the Maritime Institute Baltimore in November. A group of leaders from DDA provider agencies attended the weeklong training to gain the skills and values needed to shift from congregate services to individualized, person-directed support services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The Maryland Leadership Institute emphasizes positive individual, team, organizational and systems-level transformation so that leaders leave better prepared to effect positive change within their organizations and for the ultimate benefit of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
“The Maryland Leadership Institute is always an amazing week. Participants often arrive unsure and even a bit skeptical. Without exception, they leave a week later with renewed energy and excited to put into practice the innovative ideas they’ve embraced,” said Nancy Weiss, Director of the National Leadership Consortium. “They go back to their organizations with a network of colleagues who often become a lifelong circle of support as each participant begins the tough and exhilarating work needed to create stronger organizations, meaningful change, and better lives for the people they support.”
This is the fifth institute the DDA has hosted with The National Leadership Consortium. Since the first Maryland Leadership Institute held in 2017, 200 disability professionals have completed the training. The DDA is the only state in the country that provides full financial support for people to attend the institute.
|
|
OVERVIEW: Family Supports Waiver Overview
|
|
The
DDA Family Supports Waiver (FSW)
is a Maryland Medicaid Waiver program the DDA administers on behalf of Medicaid. To support families, the DDA sought input from stakeholders on support needs to help children and youth (birth to 21 years old) and their families during times when they are not in school. As of December 8, 2019, there are 188 enrolled participants. The DDA has approval to support up to 400 participants and continues to offer opportunities for individuals on the DDA Wait List to apply based on their priority category. Over 540 families over the past several months have been offered this opportunity.
The DDA Coordinator of Community Services (CCS) will inform families when they are selected and will assist the individual and family with the waiver application process. CCSs will first help individuals and families explore integrated life domains including daily life, safety and security, community living, healthy lifestyle, social and spirituality, and citizenship and advocacy.
In consideration of the person’s current support structures and any unmet needs, integrated services can be requested to assist the person and family to work toward individually defined life outcomes, including developing the participant’s ability for self-determination, community living, socialization, and economic self-sufficiency.
There is a cost limit related to the initial waiver enrollment as part of the eligibility criteria. Each applicant for the Family Supports Waiver services must not exceed $12,000. One-time costs like assistive technology, environmental modification, and vehicle modifications are not considered for this requirement. If the person-centered plan waiver services exceed the $12,000 the person will be denied enrollment. However, if needs change after enrollment, a revised plan can be submitted. Based on assessed needs, the DDA can authorize funding more than the $12,000 individual cost limit and the participant can remain enrolled.
|
|
UPDATE: Self-Directed Services
|
|
Fiscal Year 20 Budget and Person-Centered Plan
Marylanders who self-direct their services (Self-Directed Services) are urged to continue working with their Coordinator of Community Services (CCS) and team to complete their Person-Centered Plan (PCP) and the accompanying budget. The DDA is working with people who self-direct, CCSs and other stakeholders to ensure budgets are submitted immediately for payments.
Support Broker Listing
If you are interested in providing Support Broker services to people who self-direct, please register with the DDA to have your information available to participants. A current and valid Support Broker Training Certificate is required to be added to the listing. Register online at
Support Broker Listing Request form
. The registration form authorizes the DDA to display your information on the administration website.
For more information about Self-Directed Services, please contact NaToya Mitchell, DDA Statewide Coordinator for Self-Directed Services at
dda.selfdirection@maryland.gov
.
|
|
OVERVIEW: In-Home Supports Assurance System
|
|
By 2020, federal regulations require all personal supports service providers use a clock-in and clock-out system to record their service times. The purpose is to increase accountability for service provision and to help make sure that people are receiving services as outlined in their person-centered plan.
The DDA is using the
In-Home Supports Assurance System (ISAS)
for personal supports service to comply with the regulation.
What is the In-Home Supports Assurance System?
ISAS is a telephone-based electronic, clock-in and clock-out billing system. It is used to monitor the services people receive, to record service times and to verify that people are receiving services as authorized in their Person-Centered Plans.
What is the ISAS implementation timeline?
Pilot Program:
The ISAS pilot started on Dec. 1, with a group of DDA providers that deliver personal supports services. The group will validate the new system in preparation for the full launch in 2020.
Full Launch:
Based on the
LTSSMaryland
transition timeline, all providers of personal support services will start using ISAS for service billing in 2020.
What does ISAS mean for people receiving DDA services?
It means more accountable for services authorized in the person's PCP and payment for services provided. Please note that t
his change will not impact people's services.
Coordinators of Community Services
are receiving ongoing training and informational tools
to ensure service recipients understand how provider staff will use ISAS.
|
|
REMINDER Provider Survey
- Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
|
|
The DDA and the
Governor's Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
(ODHH) want to support provider agencies as they serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are deaf and hard of hearing. The DDA and ODHH
thank those who took the time to participate in the critical survey that was sent out in August; the insight is appreciated.
The survey response rate is 25% with 51 out of the 200 DDA providers, which is halfway to the desired response rate of 50%. For providers that have not completed the survey, please consider putting aside 5 to 10 minutes to do so because your participation is key to identify service gaps to provide resources.
Click
HERE
to complete the survey
|
|
STAY CONNECTED TO THE DDA THROUGH FACEBOOK
|
|
Maryland Department of Health
201 W. Preston St. | Baltimore MD, 21201
|
|
T
he Maryland Department of Health promotes the health and safety of all Marylanders through disease prevention, access to care, quality management, and community engagement. The state of Maryland pledges to provide constituents, businesses, customers, and stakeholders with quality customer service.
Take our Customer Satisfaction Survey.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
