OASIS Rollout Suspension and the Transition to Uniform Rates
To: Consumers, providers and stakeholders who support individuals with disabilities
From: Peter Bisbecos, Director, Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services
Re: OASIS Rollout Suspension and the Transition to Uniform Rates
Date: May 29, 2009
On Friday, March 13, 2009 the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) of Indiana and the Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS) suspended the rollout of the Objective Assessment System for Individual Supports (OASIS). This bulletin is a continuation of our ongoing communication plan to provide answers to the most immediate operational questions, including: uniform rates, policies and definitions, and consumers with plans in transition.
The release of allocations under OASIS remains under temporary suspension until further notice. The State's current focus is to review allocations to ensure that they will support the health and welfare of every consumer. Information will be released as needed to keep all stakeholders fully informed.
This bulletin contains details and information regarding the following:
Page 2 Uniform Rates
Page 2 Supporting Consumers under Uniform Rates (BMR Process)
Page 2 Planning for Services under Uniform Rates in 2009
Page 3 Implementation of Uniform Rates (Chart)
Page 4 Service Planning for November 2009 Forward
UNIFORM RATES
As stated in the bulletin on March 18, 2009, the use of the OASIS allocation is temporarily suspended. However, DDRS must continue to implement uniform rates. On January 1, 2009, individuals began moving to uniform rates at the time of their annual renewal dates. This process will continue until every consumer is using the uniform rates. Specific details are outlined below.
SUPPORTING CONSUMERS UNDER UNIFORM RATES
To further support consumers as we move toward Uniform Rates and assess the potential impact of OASIS, DDRS has created the Budget Modification Review (BMR) process. The purpose of the BMR is to provide short-term, immediate funding to supplement a consumer’s annual budget amount when specific conditions apply. Each initial event may be approved up to ninety (90) days. If short-term supports are still required, additional BMRs may be submitted monthly, not to exceed 180 days from the initial event.
DDRS recognizes that the POC/CCB budgets under uniform rates may result in fewer services than under the Annual Plan for some consumers. Should this impact the consumer’s health and welfare, support teams must meet to discuss all possible ways to maintain appropriate services within the budget. If, after exhausting all possible options, the team still feels they are unable to provide services within the budget, they may request that the case manager submit a BMR. For more information about the BMR process you may go online to http://www.in.gov/fssa/files/BMR__Review_Process_200903.pdf.
DEFINITIONS:
In Process: A request for more information has been sent to Indiana Professional Management Group (IPMG) or is under review at the state level.
Approved: A BMR has been requested and approved by the state.
Denied: A BMR has been requested and denied by the state.
PLANNING FOR SERVICES UNDER UNIFORM RATES IN 2009
All Annual Plan renewals will continue to be built using the currently approved Plan of Care/Cost Comparison Budget (POC/CCB) amounts. Uniform rates will be used to plan and purchase services within the currently approved annualized budget.
IMPLEMENTATION OF UNIFORM RATES
Month of Consumer’s Annual Renewal Date:
Consumer on the Developmental Disabilities (DD), Autism (AU), or Support Services (SSW) Waiver will experience the following at their annual renewal. Note: The SSW waiver individual cap remains at $13,500 per year.
January to March 2009
Uniform rates were applied on the date of the person’s annual renewal date. Consumers used their current approved annualized POC/CCB budget amount to plan and purchase services for the following year of services.
If services do not meet your health and welfare needs you may contact your case manager to request a plan update. Plan updates during this period follow Annual Plan guidelines.
April to June 2009
Uniform rates were applied, or will be applied, on the date of the person’s annual renewal date. Consumers have, or will have used, their current approved annualized POC/CCB budget amount to plan and purchase services for the following year of services.
Consumers who received an OASIS allocation letter with a transition plan for 3, 6, or 9 months, who currently have an approved plan for those time frames, DDRS will auto extend these plans for a full year. A consumer’s team may submit a plan update to redistribute any services across the entire plan year to capture distinct needs not captured by the auto extension (i.e. different service mix in the summer, different respite needs month to month, etc.) as long as the update maintains an annual cost at or below the current approved annualized POC/CCB budget amount.
Consumers that received a 12 month OASIS allocation letter simply need to develop their annual plan using uniform rates within the approved POC/CCB budget amount.
Consumers who received an OASIS allocation are to disregard that allocation amount at this time.
July 2009
Uniform rates will apply on the date of the person’s annual renewal date.
Previously, it was announced that the July consumers would have a six month plan developed using a budget derived from their current POC/CCB budget prorated for six months of service. THIS HAS CHANGED. As with January through June consumers, July consumers will use their currently approved POC/CCB budget annualized to plan and purchase services for the following year.
August to October 2009
Uniform rates will apply on the date of the person’s annual renewal date. Like consumers with January through July annual renewals, these consumers will use the full POC/CCB budget annualized to plan and purchase services for the following year.
SERVICE PLANNING FOR NOVEMBER 2009 FORWARD
Further details and instruction for annual renewals November 2009 and thereafter will be forthcoming as DDRS analyzes information regarding the implementation of OASIS.
If you have questions or concerns about uniform rates or OASIS the following resources are available to assist you:
General questions or concerns regarding the OASIS initiative or the use of uniform rates:
OASIS-ICAP Help Lines: (317) 234-5222 or 1-888-527-0008 Email: OASIS-ICAPHelp@fssa.in.gov DDRS Website: www.ddrs.IN.gov OASIS Bulletin Archive: http://www.in.gov/fssa/ddrs/3350.htm
Consumer specific questions or concerns regarding your annual renewal process, contact your case manager or the IPMG Help Line:
IPMG Toll Free Phone: 1-866-672-4764, extension 261 Website: www.gotoipmg.com
Thank you.
From: Peter Bisbecos, Director, Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services
Re: OASIS Rollout Suspension and the Transition to Uniform Rates
Date: May 29, 2009
On Friday, March 13, 2009 the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) of Indiana and the Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS) suspended the rollout of the Objective Assessment System for Individual Supports (OASIS). This bulletin is a continuation of our ongoing communication plan to provide answers to the most immediate operational questions, including: uniform rates, policies and definitions, and consumers with plans in transition.
The release of allocations under OASIS remains under temporary suspension until further notice. The State's current focus is to review allocations to ensure that they will support the health and welfare of every consumer. Information will be released as needed to keep all stakeholders fully informed.
This bulletin contains details and information regarding the following:
Page 2 Uniform Rates
Page 2 Supporting Consumers under Uniform Rates (BMR Process)
Page 2 Planning for Services under Uniform Rates in 2009
Page 3 Implementation of Uniform Rates (Chart)
Page 4 Service Planning for November 2009 Forward
UNIFORM RATES
As stated in the bulletin on March 18, 2009, the use of the OASIS allocation is temporarily suspended. However, DDRS must continue to implement uniform rates. On January 1, 2009, individuals began moving to uniform rates at the time of their annual renewal dates. This process will continue until every consumer is using the uniform rates. Specific details are outlined below.
SUPPORTING CONSUMERS UNDER UNIFORM RATES
To further support consumers as we move toward Uniform Rates and assess the potential impact of OASIS, DDRS has created the Budget Modification Review (BMR) process. The purpose of the BMR is to provide short-term, immediate funding to supplement a consumer’s annual budget amount when specific conditions apply. Each initial event may be approved up to ninety (90) days. If short-term supports are still required, additional BMRs may be submitted monthly, not to exceed 180 days from the initial event.
DDRS recognizes that the POC/CCB budgets under uniform rates may result in fewer services than under the Annual Plan for some consumers. Should this impact the consumer’s health and welfare, support teams must meet to discuss all possible ways to maintain appropriate services within the budget. If, after exhausting all possible options, the team still feels they are unable to provide services within the budget, they may request that the case manager submit a BMR. For more information about the BMR process you may go online to http://www.in.gov/fssa/files/BMR__Review_Process_200903.pdf.
DEFINITIONS:
In Process: A request for more information has been sent to Indiana Professional Management Group (IPMG) or is under review at the state level.
Approved: A BMR has been requested and approved by the state.
Denied: A BMR has been requested and denied by the state.
PLANNING FOR SERVICES UNDER UNIFORM RATES IN 2009
All Annual Plan renewals will continue to be built using the currently approved Plan of Care/Cost Comparison Budget (POC/CCB) amounts. Uniform rates will be used to plan and purchase services within the currently approved annualized budget.
IMPLEMENTATION OF UNIFORM RATES
Month of Consumer’s Annual Renewal Date:
Consumer on the Developmental Disabilities (DD), Autism (AU), or Support Services (SSW) Waiver will experience the following at their annual renewal. Note: The SSW waiver individual cap remains at $13,500 per year.
January to March 2009
Uniform rates were applied on the date of the person’s annual renewal date. Consumers used their current approved annualized POC/CCB budget amount to plan and purchase services for the following year of services.
If services do not meet your health and welfare needs you may contact your case manager to request a plan update. Plan updates during this period follow Annual Plan guidelines.
April to June 2009
Uniform rates were applied, or will be applied, on the date of the person’s annual renewal date. Consumers have, or will have used, their current approved annualized POC/CCB budget amount to plan and purchase services for the following year of services.
Consumers who received an OASIS allocation letter with a transition plan for 3, 6, or 9 months, who currently have an approved plan for those time frames, DDRS will auto extend these plans for a full year. A consumer’s team may submit a plan update to redistribute any services across the entire plan year to capture distinct needs not captured by the auto extension (i.e. different service mix in the summer, different respite needs month to month, etc.) as long as the update maintains an annual cost at or below the current approved annualized POC/CCB budget amount.
Consumers that received a 12 month OASIS allocation letter simply need to develop their annual plan using uniform rates within the approved POC/CCB budget amount.
Consumers who received an OASIS allocation are to disregard that allocation amount at this time.
July 2009
Uniform rates will apply on the date of the person’s annual renewal date.
Previously, it was announced that the July consumers would have a six month plan developed using a budget derived from their current POC/CCB budget prorated for six months of service. THIS HAS CHANGED. As with January through June consumers, July consumers will use their currently approved POC/CCB budget annualized to plan and purchase services for the following year.
August to October 2009
Uniform rates will apply on the date of the person’s annual renewal date. Like consumers with January through July annual renewals, these consumers will use the full POC/CCB budget annualized to plan and purchase services for the following year.
SERVICE PLANNING FOR NOVEMBER 2009 FORWARD
Further details and instruction for annual renewals November 2009 and thereafter will be forthcoming as DDRS analyzes information regarding the implementation of OASIS.
If you have questions or concerns about uniform rates or OASIS the following resources are available to assist you:
General questions or concerns regarding the OASIS initiative or the use of uniform rates:
OASIS-ICAP Help Lines: (317) 234-5222 or 1-888-527-0008 Email: OASIS-ICAPHelp@fssa.in.gov DDRS Website: www.ddrs.IN.gov OASIS Bulletin Archive: http://www.in.gov/fssa/ddrs/3350.htm
Consumer specific questions or concerns regarding your annual renewal process, contact your case manager or the IPMG Help Line:
IPMG Toll Free Phone: 1-866-672-4764, extension 261 Website: www.gotoipmg.com
Thank you.
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