The state of Illinois is working on a transition plan for its Medicaid waiver Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) program in order to comply with a federal rule requiring that recipients of these services be integrated into the community as much as possible. The final rule is part of the Affordable Care Act supporting the Department of Health and Human Services’ Community Living Initiative, which was launched in 2009 to develop and implement innovative strategies to increase opportunities for Americans with disabilities and the elderly to enjoy meaningful community living.
The final rule requires state Medicaid programs to support home and community-based settings as an alternative to institutional care, as well as following new person-centered planning requirements. The rule also allows states to combine multiple target populations under one waiver, and streamlines waiver administration.
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says,
“People with disabilities and older adults have a right to live, work and participate in the greater community. HHS, through its Community Living Initiative, has been expanding and improving the community services necessary to make this a reality. Today’s announcement will help ensure that all people participating in Medicaid home and community-based services programs have full access to the benefits of community living.”
The nine HCBS waivers that will be included in the plan are:
*Adults with Developmental Disabilities Waiver
*Children and Young Adults with Developmental Disabilities Residential Waiver
*Children and Young Adults with Developmental Disabilities Support Waiver
*Children that are Technologically Dependent/Medically Fragile Waiver
*Persons with Disabilities Waiver
*Persons with Brain Injury Waiver
*Persons who are Elderly
*Persons with HIV or AIDS
*Supportive Living Facilities
A significant part of the plan will be determining what criteria residential placements and service providers must meet in order to comply with federal standards. The final transition plan will bring Illinois into compliance by March 16, 2019.
Illinois has scheduled Regional Public Listening Forums across the state for citizens to share their input and concerns. Comments should be submitted in writing to guarantee that they are recorded correctly. Comments may also be phoned in to HFS at (217)557-1868,or mailed to Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, Attn: Waiver Management, 201 South Grand Ave. Ease, 2nd FL, Springfield, IL 62763. Here is a list of places and times http://www2.illinois.gov/hfs/MedicalPrograms/HCBS/Transition/Pages/StatewideTransitionPlanWebinarandForums.aspx?tr=y&auid=15131344.
The state is also offering a free webinar where citizens can offer their feedback. The New Medicaid Waiver Rules Draft Statewide Transition Plan Listening Webinar is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015, 9 am – 10 am. Follow this link to register https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6935166657459007233.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services also offers an online guide to help individuals, advocates and caregivers assess potential services and residential placements. These can be found here http://www.medicaid.gov/Medicaid-CHIP-Program-Information/By-Topics/Long-Term-Services-and-Supports/Home-and-Community-Based-Services/Downloads/Exploratory-questions-re-settings-characteristics.pdf and here http://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid-chip-program-information/by-topics/long-term-services-and-supports/home-and-community-based-services/downloads/exploratory-questions-non-residential.pdf.
Information about the final rule can be found here http://www.cms.gov/Newsroom/MediaReleaseDatabase/Fact-Sheets/2014-Fact-sheets-items/2014-01-10-2.html .
For more information about services available under Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services, visit http://www.medicaid.gov/HCBS/,
and for information about the Community Living Initiative, visit http://www.hhs.gov/od/community/index.html .