|
SPECIAL EDITION:
The DDA Connection
6/12/23
| |
|
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved the Developmental Disabilities Administration’s (DDA) Waiver Renewals for the Family Supports, Community Supports and Community Pathways programs. The renewal changes go into effect on July 1, 2023.
This newsletter provides information related to upcoming changes that will affect person-centered planning efforts for services. These service updates should be considered when developing and reviewing Person-Centered Plans for participants with services.
Note: This newsletter is a summary of important information. There are more information and requirements in the Medicaid Waiver Program applications, laws, regulations, guidance and policies.
Resources:
| |
|
Assistive Technology and Services
Service Update:
- The threshold for requiring an Assistive Technology (AT) Assessment is increased from $1,000 to $2,500.
Resources:
| |
|
Behavioral Support Services
Service Update:
- Assessment includes communication skills and challenges.
- Behavior Support Plan goals to be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, time-based, and use a person-centered approach.
- Consultation includes ongoing review in all appropriate environments.
Provider Qualifications:
- Provider of behavioral assessment/consultation services must have training and experience in:
- Analysis of different styles of communication and communication challenges related to behavior.
- Ethical considerations related to behavioral and psychological services.
- Positive behavioral supports and trauma-informed care.
Resources:
| |
|
Community Development Services
Service Update:
- Dedicated 1:1 or 2:1 supports are now based on a person having:
- A Behavior Support Plan noting specific behavior needs unless otherwise authorized by the DDA.
- A Nursing Care Plan noting specific health and safety needs unless otherwise authorized by the DDA.
- Self-Directed Services staff reimbursement updates.
Provider Qualifications:
- Removed the requirement for staff to have a High School (HS) diploma or pass a General Educational Development (GED) test.
Resources:
| |
|
Community Living - Enhanced Supports
Service Update:
- Dedicated 1:1 or 2:1 supports are now based on a person having:
- A Behavior Support Plan noting specific behavior needs unless otherwise authorized by the DDA.
- A Nursing Care Plan noting specific health and safety needs unless otherwise authorized by the DDA.
Resources:
| |
|
Community Living - Group Home
Service Update:
- Dedicated 1:1 or 2:1 supports are now based on a person having:
- A Behavior Support Plan noting specific behavior needs unless otherwise authorized by the DDA.
- A Nursing Care Plan noting specific health and safety needs unless otherwise authorized by the DDA.
Provider Qualifications:
- Removed the requirement for staff to have a High School (HS) diploma or pass a General Educational Development (GED) test.
Resources:
| |
|
Day Habilitation
Service Update:
- Dedicated 1:1 or 2:1 supports are now based on a person having:
- A Behavior Support Plan noting specific behavior needs unless otherwise authorized by the DDA.
- A Nursing Care Plan noting specific health and safety needs unless otherwise authorized by the DDA.
Service Limits:
- Service can be provided any day/time of the week.
Resources:
| |
|
Employment Discovery and Customization
Service Limits:
- Services may not exceed a maximum of 40 hours per week, including in combination with any of the following other waiver program services in a single day: Supported Employment, Career Exploration, Community Development Services and Day Habilitation services.
Resources:
| |
|
Employment Services
Service Update:
- Job development and ongoing job supports billing in 15-minute increments.
Service Limits:
- The limit of 10 hours per day with Employment Services - Ongoing Job Supports is removed.
Provider Qualifications:
- DDA required credentials, licenses, and certifications required.
- Removed the requirement for staff to have a High School (HS) diploma or pass a General Educational Development (GED) test.
Who can provide:
- A relative, legally responsible person and/or legal guardians can provide this service.*
Resources:
*See approved waivers and DDA’s policies for additional requirements.
| |
|
Environmental Modifications
Service Limits:
The maximum amount of Environmental Modifications is increased from $15,000 to $50,000 every three years.
Resources:
| |
|
Housing Support Services
Service Update:
- Expanded service to include assistance with bill paying services (e.g., assistance with setting up and monitoring systems to pay rent, mortgage, utilities and other related housing expenses).
Provider Qualifications:
- Training related to creating personal budgets with people with developmental disabilities.
Resources:
| |
|
Individual and Family Directed Goods and Services (IFDGS)
Service Update:
- Updates based on the Self-Directed Services Act of 2022.
- Expanded scope of service to include:
- New items/activities covered under this service.
- Not covered under this service.
- Clarify requirements and criteria for allowable goods/services/activities.
- IFDGS are purchased from the participant-directed annual budget allocation and must be documented in the participant’s record.
Service Limits:
- The $5,000 limit for IFDGS is removed. However, goods or services in excess of $5,000 require preauthorization by the DDA.
Resources:
| |
|
Live-In Caregiver Services
Who can provide:
- Siblings may provide service.
Resources:
| |
|
Nursing Support Services
Service Changes:
- Self-Directed Services employee training, benefits, and reimbursements added.
Service Limits:
- Consultation up to a 4-hour period within a 3-month period.
- Health Case Management up to a 4-hour period within a 3-month period.
- Delegation every 45 days or more frequently based on the nurse’s judgment.
Provider Qualifications:
- Nurses must attend all DDA-provided nurse meetings.
- Note: If a training is a requirement, it will be noted on the training announcement.
Resources:
Reference: Community Pathways Waiver - pages 208 - 216
| |
|
Participant Education, Training and Advocacy Supports
Who can provide:
- A relative, legally responsible person and/or legal guardians can provide this service.*
Resources:
*See approved waivers and DDA’s policies for additional requirements.
| |
|
Personal Supports
Service Changes:
- Personal supports include overnight supports.
- Enhanced rate, dedicated 2:1 supports, and overnight supports are now based on a person having:
- A Behavior Support Plan noting specific behavior needs unless otherwise authorized by the DDA.
- A Nursing Care Plan noting specific health and safety needs unless otherwise authorized by the DDA.
Service Limits:
- Personal Support services are limited to 82 hours per week under the traditional model unless otherwise authorized by the DDA.
Provider Qualifications:
- Removed the requirement for staff to have a High School (HS) diploma or pass a General Educational Development (GED) test.
Resources:
| |
|
Remote Support Services
Service Changes:
- Remote Support Services does not include electronic audio-visual conferencing software applications reliant on the participant to maintain the connection.
Resources:
| |
|
Respite Care Services
Service Changes:
- Respite may be used as an emergency backup plan for unpaid caregivers.
- Services are billed in 15-minute increments, daily rate and camp fees.
Provider Qualifications:
- Organized Health Care Delivery System Providers can now apply to provide this service.
Who can provide:
- A relative, legally responsible person and/or legal guardians can provide this service.*
Resources:
*See approved waivers and DDA’s policies for additional requirements.
| |
|
Shared Living
Service Changes:
- “Level 2” - The person may participate in meaningful day services or have a job.
- “Level 3” - Various reasons a person may have this level of support and that not all conditions need to be present.
- Self-directed services budget authority option.
Provider Qualifications:
- Removed the requirement for staff to have a High School (HS) diploma or pass a General Educational Development (GED) test.
Who can provide:
- Siblings may provide this service.
Resources:
| |
|
Support Broker Services
Service Changes:
- Expanded the role of Support Broker.
- Service is now required if a relative, legally responsible individual, representative payee, and guardian serve as paid staff.
- Up to 30 additional hours, as needed, can be purchased within the person’s total approved annual budget with unallocated funds.
Service Limits:
- Funding authorization is for:
- Initial orientation and assistance up to 15 hours.
- Support Broker Services up to 4 hours per month.
Provider Qualifications:
- Removed the requirement for staff to have a High School (HS) diploma or pass a General Educational Development (GED) test.
Who can provide:
- A relative, legally responsible person and/or legal guardians can provide this service.*
Resources:
*See approved waivers and DDA’s policies for additional requirements.
| |
|
Supported Employment
Provider Qualifications:
- Removed the requirement for staff to have a High School (HS) diploma or pass a General Educational Development (GED) test.
Resources:
| |
|
Supported Living
Service Changes:
- Dedicated 1:1 or 2:1 supports are now based on a person having:
- A Behavior Support Plan noting specific behavior needs unless otherwise authorized by the DDA.
- A Nursing Care Plan noting specific health and safety needs unless otherwise authorized by the DDA.
Provider Qualifications:
- Removed the requirement for staff to have a High School (HS) diploma or pass a General Educational Development (GED) test.
Resources:
| |
|
Transportation Services
Service Limits:
- Transportation is limited to $7,500 per year per participant.
Provider Qualifications:
- Commercial providers like Uber and Lyft may provide this service and are not required to complete pre/in-service training.
- Removed the requirement for staff to have a High School (HS) diploma or pass a General Educational Development (GED) test.
Who can provide:
- A relative, legally responsible Person and/or legal guardians can provide this service.*
*See approved waivers and DDA’s policies for additional requirements.
Resources:
| |
|
Process, Tools and Guidance Updates
Resources:
| |
|
DDA Vision
People with developmental disabilities will have full lives in the communities of their choice where they are included, participate and are active citizens.
DDA Mission
Create a flexible, person-centered, family-oriented system of support so people can have full lives.
DDA Headquarters
201 W. Preston Street, 4th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: (410)767-5600
Fax: (410)767-5850
Toll Free: 1(844)253-8694
Have feedback about our communication? Take our survey!
| | | | |
