Aged and Disabled Waiver - Updated information
Family Voices Indiana, has been working hard to receive and share with you updated official information about changes to the A&D Waiver. We encourage our impacted members to contact their case mangers as soon as possible. Please review that following that was received on July 10th, 2008:
The Division of Aging was pleased to announce on June 10, 2008 that the renewal of the Aged and Disabled Waiver was approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The purpose of the Aged and Disabled waiver is to provide wrap-around services to clients in order to ensure their ability to live in their homes or community-based settings along with other essential services provided through traditional Medicaid. The changes to the Aged and Disabled waiver were available through INSite on June 10, 2008.
Through careful evaluation of the submission of cost comparison budgets and plans of care, several problems were identified For example, there are several clients identified as receiving homemaker services in excess of forty (40) hours per week. Per definition, homemaker services are meant to allow for grocery shopping, laundry, light cleaning, meal preparation, etc. This is not a service that provides hands-on-care.
In a series of meetings conducted throughout the state, the Division of Aging met with case managers and discussed the changes to the Aged and Disabled waiver and how to proceed in a series of meetings around the state. However, judging by the communications the Division of Aging has been receiving, it is apparent that additional communication and clarification is needed. The Division of Aging has become aware that clients have been told that their services are being cut and that they will no longer be able to receive assistance through the Aged and Disabled waiver by the end of July. This is obviously not the intent of the Division of Aging.
Approximately 5% of our waiver clients will be affected by this change and a listing of those clients has been sent to the his/her case manager. As agents of the state and fiscal stewards, case managers need to coordinate with providers enrolled in Medicaid fee-for-service (Medicaid) who provide prior authorization home health services first before requesting Aged and Disabled waiver services. This collaboration effort is to ensure that not only the proper funding source is used for services but to ensure adequate services are being provided. This should be a seamless process for the client and not one that causes panic or puts someone’s care in jeopardy. If you are having issues with a particular case, please contact the Division of Aging and we will be glad to review individual case scenarios.
Due to the confusion that has arisen in regards to the changes made to the Aged and Disabled waiver renewal, the Division of Aging will be suspending the automatic conversion of care plans at the end of the month. This will give case managers time to develop new care plans that will be in line with the waiver renewal.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Becky Koors at Rebecca.Koors@fssa.in.gov or (317) 232-4355.
The Division of Aging was pleased to announce on June 10, 2008 that the renewal of the Aged and Disabled Waiver was approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The purpose of the Aged and Disabled waiver is to provide wrap-around services to clients in order to ensure their ability to live in their homes or community-based settings along with other essential services provided through traditional Medicaid. The changes to the Aged and Disabled waiver were available through INSite on June 10, 2008.
Through careful evaluation of the submission of cost comparison budgets and plans of care, several problems were identified For example, there are several clients identified as receiving homemaker services in excess of forty (40) hours per week. Per definition, homemaker services are meant to allow for grocery shopping, laundry, light cleaning, meal preparation, etc. This is not a service that provides hands-on-care.
In a series of meetings conducted throughout the state, the Division of Aging met with case managers and discussed the changes to the Aged and Disabled waiver and how to proceed in a series of meetings around the state. However, judging by the communications the Division of Aging has been receiving, it is apparent that additional communication and clarification is needed. The Division of Aging has become aware that clients have been told that their services are being cut and that they will no longer be able to receive assistance through the Aged and Disabled waiver by the end of July. This is obviously not the intent of the Division of Aging.
Approximately 5% of our waiver clients will be affected by this change and a listing of those clients has been sent to the his/her case manager. As agents of the state and fiscal stewards, case managers need to coordinate with providers enrolled in Medicaid fee-for-service (Medicaid) who provide prior authorization home health services first before requesting Aged and Disabled waiver services. This collaboration effort is to ensure that not only the proper funding source is used for services but to ensure adequate services are being provided. This should be a seamless process for the client and not one that causes panic or puts someone’s care in jeopardy. If you are having issues with a particular case, please contact the Division of Aging and we will be glad to review individual case scenarios.
Due to the confusion that has arisen in regards to the changes made to the Aged and Disabled waiver renewal, the Division of Aging will be suspending the automatic conversion of care plans at the end of the month. This will give case managers time to develop new care plans that will be in line with the waiver renewal.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Becky Koors at Rebecca.Koors@fssa.in.gov or (317) 232-4355.
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