Kansas: State agency requests $200 million to shorten wait for Medicaid disability services (2017)

“The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services on Wednesday requested $90 million from the state general fund to shorten wait times for Medicaid recipients who need services for physical or intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Overall, the agency requested a boost of $150 million in state general fund money over the next two budget years with most of that falling in the fiscal year running from July 2018 through June 2019. It also requested another $110 million in non-general funds to reduce wait lists…

The funding request would take aim at long wait times endured by Medicaid recipients who need home and community-based support services for their physical, intellectual or developmental disabilities…

KDADS’ total funding from the state general fund amounts to $744.4 million and $898.8 million in the next two fiscal years, according to their budget proposal. The request would boost that funding in the second year by 10 percent.”

Links:

Kansas: State agency requests $200 million to shorten wait for Medicaid disability services

Alaska DOH Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Unit

“What we do
The Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Unit in Alaska oversees services for people with IDD provided through the programs above. This includes making eligibility determinations, reviewing and approving application documents, managing the DD Registry, reviewing and approving service requests, and managing programs. IDD Unit staff also provide technical assistance and targeted training to IDD service providers as needed. Additionally, the team supports the Developmental Disabilities Resource Connection centers (linked, below) to guide people through the application process and make sure they receive the services they need.”

Links:

Alaska DOH Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Unit

DC Notice of Emergency and Proposed Rulemaking: ID/DD Waiver (2017)

“The Department of Disability Services (DDS), Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA), operates the Medicaid Home and Community–Based Services (HCBS) Waiver for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (ID/DD Waiver) under the supervision of DHCF. The ID/DD Waiver was approved by the Council of the District of Columbia (Council) and renewed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for a five year period beginning November 20, 2012 and ending November 19, 2017. An amendment to renew the ID/DD Waiver for another five-year period beginning November 20, 2017 and ending November 19, 2022, was approved by the Council through the Medicaid Assistance Program Emergency Amendment Act of 2017, effective July 20, 2017 (D.C. Act 22-0104, D.C. Official Code § 1-307.02(a)(11)(D)(2017 Supp.)), and subsequently was sent by DHCF to CMS for its approval. DHCF anticipates that CMS will approve the renewal amendment effective November 20, 2017.”

Links:

DC Notice of Emergency and Proposed Rulemaking: ID/DD Waiver (PDF)

Arkansas Workers with Disabilities

“The Workers with Disabilities Medicaid program provides full Medicaid coverage to individuals with disabilities who are employed. The primary goal is to support disabled individuals in maintaining employment while ensuring they have access to necessary healthcare.”

Links:

Workers with Disabilities: Medicaid - Healthcare You Can Take to Work

Home and Community-Based Alternatives (HCBA) Waiver Solicitation for Application (SFA)

~~“The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has released the Solicitation for Application (SFA) included below, to invite eligible organizations to apply to become HCBA Waiver ‘“Waiver Agencies.’” Applicants selected to become Contracted Waiver Agencies will receive funding to perform waiver administrative functions within a defined service area and to provide Comprehensive Care Management services to Waiver participants.”

Links:

Home and Community-Based Alternatives (HCBA) Waiver Solicitation for Application (SFA)
Q & A

Connecticut Long-Term Care Rebalancing Initiatives

“Issue: Provide a brief overview of Connecticut’s major long-term care rebalancing initiatives, specifically the Connecticut Homecare Program for Elders, Money Follows the Person, and Community First Choice. Also provide information on Connecticut’s long-term care rebalancing ratio (i.e., how much the state spends on Medicaid long-term care in institutions vs. the community) and how Connecticut compares to other states.”

Links:

Connecticut Long-Term Care Rebalancing Initiatives (PDF)

Georgia Medicaid New Options Waiver Program (NOW) Renewal Announcement

“The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved renewal of the New Options (NOW) Waiver through September 30, 2022. The renewal reflects collaborative work by the Georgia Departments of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) and Community Health (DCH) to align service rates with the Comprehensive Supports (COMP) Waiver Program and enhance supports to families and individuals through changes to respite services, community living support, therapy services and expand options to encourage the use of supported employment. The frequently asked questions and answers below are designed to assist providers and family members, in understanding specific elements of the NOW Waiver renewal and invite them to participate in implementation plan meetings. Provider/family forums will be scheduled to begin in January 2018 to answer questions and provide additional information about the implementation schedule…. Provides greater flexibility and assistance to individuals who wish to pursue supported employment in community settings. “

Links:

Georgia Medicaid NOW Waiver Program Renewal Announcement

Hawaii Medicaid IDD Waiver Application Approval

“The State of Hawaii requests approval of an amendment to the following Medicaid home and community based services waiver approved under authority of 1915© of the Social Security Act. Program Title: HCB Services for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD Waiver). Waiver Name: HI.0013. Amendment Number:
Proposed Effective Date 06/01/18. Approved Effective Date of Waiver being amended: 07/01/16.

Purpose(s) of the Amendment: This is a technical amendment to address items that were enot included in the waiver renewal approved effective July 1, 2016 and the amendment approved effective June 1, 2017. The amendment will add services mixes and supports budgets to enable participants to have choice, flexibility and control over their services. The amendment also adds a new service, phases-out one service and clarifies language in several services.”

Links:

Hawaii Medicaid IDD Waiver Application Approval (PDF)

Arizona Medicaid Demonstration Fact Sheet

~~“Date Extension Application Submitted: September 30, 2015
Date Extension Application Approved: September 30, 2016
Date Implemented: October 1, 2016
Date Expires: September 30, 2021

In addition, outside this demonstration, the state aims to encourage employment through referrals to a new state-only work search and job training program called AHCCCS Works. This program, which will help connect beneficiaries to employment supports, is available for AHCCCS CARE beneficiaries who choose to participate. Health coverage provided by the Medicaid program and this demonstration will not be affected by this state initiative.”

Links:

Arizona Medicaid Demonstration Fact Sheet (PDF)

New Hampshire Health Insurance Premium Program (HIPP)

“The Health Insurance Premium Payment (HIPP) Program is a program to help individuals and families afford employer insurance when at least one person in the family is enrolled in New Hampshire Medicaid.

NH Medicaid members who are employed or have a family member who is employed may be eligible for health insurance premium assistance through NH Medicaid.

To qualify, your employer-sponsored health insurance plan must be cost effective. This means that it is less costly for the NH Medicaid program to pay your portion of your employer-sponsored health insurance premium then to directly pay for medical services. DHHS will do the cost effective calculation based on the information in your application. The costs that are used for the cost effective measurement are the average total annual Medicaid cost of the applicant (which equates to the monthly Medicaid managed care rate, premium and average deductible amounts, as well as administrative costs).”

Links:

New Hampshire Health Insurance Premium Program (HIPP)