Provider direct support professionals rate increases and the Family Supports waiver cap increase

The Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services and the Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services are pleased to share that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approved the proposed extension and revision of the Appendix K waiver amendments for the Community Integration and Habilitation and Family Supports waivers. The amendment revisions include approval to increase the cap for the FS waiver and to implement the legislated rate increases under both waivers.

Effective July 1, 2021, the following changes are approved under Appendix K:

• FS waiver cap increase - To mitigate any potential negative impact on individuals and families that result from the rate increases, the annual cap for the FS waiver will be increased from $17,300 to $19,614 for individuals utilizing the FS waiver.
• FS/CIH rate increases - As authorized and directed by the Indiana legislature’s 2021 approved budget bill and to address the shortage of qualified direct support professionals/direct care staff, BDDS will provide a 14% rate increase on the currently approved rate for the following services:
• Adult day services – Level 1, 2 and 3
• Prevocational services
• Residential habilitation and support (hourly) (CIH waiver only)
• Residential habilitation and support (daily) (CIH waiver only)
• Respite
• Extended services
• Day habilitation – Individual and Group (Small, Medium, and Large)
• Workplace assistance
• Transportation services – Level 1, 2 and 3
• Participant assistance and care (FS waiver only)
• Facility based support

The CMS-approved extension of the Appendix K waiver amendments is anticipated to end six months after the end of the federal Public Health Emergency.

Per BDDS announcements of June 28, 2021, and July 8, 2021, requirements for providers of these services are found here.  

Reminder - All authorized providers of these specific services shall provide written and electronic notification of their plan to increase wages and benefits to their eligible DSPs, as described in the 2021 budget bill. The provider must share this plan with all DSPs who are employed by the provider to provide the support services listed above and are paid on an hourly basis. The plan must also be submitted to the Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services no later than Sept. 1, 2021, using this link and completing all required fields in the Provider Plan for Implementation of Rate Increase form.

An updated FAQ document will be posted soon to offer additional guidance and clarifications for providers on the rate implementation requirements.

The rate chart incorporating the specified 14% increases is available here for providers to reference in development of their implementation plans.

 

 

The DDRS is a program of the Indiana Family & Social Services Administration. If you have questions about DDRS programs and services, visit us online at www.DDRS.In.gov.