DDRS Updates on the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Final Rule – required assessment by day service providers of non-residential service settings

On September 13, 2016, the Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS) announced the initial posting of its Non-Residential Self-Assessment on the Family and Social Services Administration’s Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Final Rule Statewide Transition Plan Web page. 

Providers of the following (non-residential) day services are required to complete an online self assessment: 

 Adult Day Services 

 Community-Based Habilitation (Group/Individual) 

 Facility-Based Habilitation (Group/Individual) 

 Prevocational Services 

Results of the assessment will assist the state in determining areas of compliance and non-compliance within our waiver programs related to requirements in the HCBS Final Rule released March 17, 2014, by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). 

The purpose of these regulations is to ensure that waiver participants receive Medicaid HCBS in settings that are integrated in and support full access to the greater community. This includes opportunities to seek employment and work in competitive and integrated settings, engage in community life, control personal resources and receive services in the community to the same degree as individuals who do not receive HCBS. CMS expects all states to review current HCBS programs and to develop a transition plan providing an assessment, strategies and timelines for compliance with the new rules. 

Please note that the non-residential self-assessment is not specific to individual waiver participants served by these providers, so waiver participants should not be asked to participate in this process. The official online assessment will be open to the day services providers from September 13, through October 13, 2016, and providers are to direct questions or requests for assistance related to the day service self-assessment to inbdds@pcgus.com. 

Additional updates, guidance and resource information related to the Final Rule will be posted on the HCBS Final Rule Statewide Transition Plan Web page, so please check back periodically for ongoing updates.