DHHS OADS: Proposed HCBS Lifespan Waiver: Family/Guardian/Youth Stakeholder Info & Listening Session9/27/2023
Proposed HCBS Lifespan Waiver: Announcing a Family/Guardian/Youth Stakeholder Informational and Listening Session
Please join the Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) and Maine Parent Federation (MPF) as we receive questions and comments in a listening session. The session is oriented toward families and youth (14-22 years old) who are currently managing or anticipating a transition to adult services. We would like to hear about the challenges this group faces and also hear input to how the proposed Lifespan waiver could offer resources to improve this experience. This Zoom session will also allow youth and their families to learn more about the proposed waiver concept. We will include a brief high-level review of the Lifespan design and updates based on feedback from the Concept Paper comment period. Please use the link below to register for the Zoom session. Dates/Times:
https://mainestate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0ud-2rqT4oGt1NdfO2nj5KoLeouCv1pFcp State-Wide Tour OADS also is offering a series of in-person events across the state with Providers, Waiver Members, and their Family Members. Providers will be asked to attend the provider-specific sessions to promote active interaction. The meeting spaces have a person limit, and we want to house the meeting adequately, so we need to know how many people to expect. Meeting locations may change depending on the size of the response to the sessions. If that happens, we will notify registrants. Registration Form for In-Person Events: https://forms.office.com/g/g6wrMSxJAr There will also be online video sessions: Please use the link below to register for the Zoom sessions. We are hosting two sessions with Waiver Members and their Families. Zoom Session Schedule:
If you need accommodation, such as real-time transcription and captioning (CART), American Sign Language (ASL), or other language interpretation, please get in touch with Miranda Whalen at miranda.whalen@maine.gov. Maine Department of Health and Human Services Administrative Bldg. Friday, September 22nd 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Providers 10:45 AM - 12:15 PM: Families and Members 109 Capitol Street Augusta Conference Rooms Maine A and B – to the right as you enter the building Caribou District Office Monday, September 25th 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Providers 10:45 AM - 12:15 PM: Families and Members 30 Skyway Drive, Unit 100 Caribou Conference Rooms A and B Bangor District Office Tuesday, September 26th 9:00 AM -10:30 AM: Providers 10:45 AM - 12:15 PM: Families and Members 19 Maine Avenue Bangor Room CR 2 Lewiston District Office Wednesday, September 27th 9:00 AM - 10:30AM: Providers 10:45 AM - 12:15 PM: Families and Members 200 Main Street Lewiston Conference Rooms A and B Portland District Office Thursday, September 28th 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Providers 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Families and Members 151 Jetport Boulevard South Portland Rooms CR 139 A and B Rate Determination Initiation and Rate Study Kickoff Meeting Notice for Home and Community Based Supports for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities or Autism, Sections 21 and 29, and Proposed Lifespan Waiver
This bulletin provides notice that the Department has initiated a Rate Determination Process* for Home and Community Based Supports for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities or Autism, Sections 21 and 29, and a new proposed Lifespan waiver service. New rates are being determined pursuant to Public Law 2023, Chapter 412, Part LLLLL, which authorizes the new Lifespan program and directs the Department to facilitate federal approval of the new program and adopt rules implementing it. Because many Lifespan services will be similar to current Section 21 and Section 29 services, development of Lifespan rates requires existing Section 21 and 29 rates to be reviewed. Burns & Associates is conducting this rate determination for the Department. Please register in advance for the Providers of Sections 21 and 29, Rate Study Kickoff Meeting. On September 15, 2023, the Department and its vendor will host a virtual “kick off” meeting with Sections 21 and 29 providers and other interested members of the public. At this meeting, we will explain the rate determination process and walk providers through a cost survey that they will then have four (4) weeks to fill out and return. Following this, we will hold another virtual meeting to walk providers through the cost data we receive through the surveys (note: the data will be aggregated, so no individual provider’s data will be shared), so that we can ask for input regarding any anomalies, and so that stakeholders can provide any other feedback. Lastly, we will hold another virtual meeting, to walk stakeholders through the draft rates that were developed based on the cost survey data and other information, and to take questions and comments. Stakeholders will then have four (4) weeks to provide written comments, after which the Department will respond in writing to comments with an explanation of whether and how feedback was incorporated into the final rates that are expected to become effective with Lifespan implementation in 2025. As providers and interested stakeholders, your feedback is important. We encourage you to participate in these meetings as we work toward new Lifespan rates and update existing rates and rate methods for Sections 21 and 29. Please contact Peter Kraut, MaineCare’s Rate Setting Manager, with any questions related to this rate study process. MEETING DATE/TIMEProviders of Sections 21 and 29, Rate Study Kickoff Meeting Date/Time: Friday, September 15, 2023, 12:30PM – 2:00PM ZOOM: https://mainestate.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ndLQ5TXDQM6vMoaXNM0TtA Lifespan Concept Paper Public Comment Summary and Updated FAQs; Lifespan Regional and Online Stakeholder Meetings
The Department would like to thank everyone who provided feedback and comments on the Lifespan Waiver Concept Paper. It was released on June 28th and the Department received comments through July 28th. During the comment period, the Department held two virtual meetings. Our goal at these meetings was to present the highlights of the Concept Paper and take comments and questions. There were 226 participants in these two meetings, held on July 6th and July 20th. Comments were also submitted through a web form and email. In total, the Department received comments or questions from 207 unique individuals and organizations. Lifespan Information Updates The Department is pleased to provide updated Lifespan information in response to the comments received. For updates to the proposed Lifespan program, please see:
Lifespan Regional and Online Meetings The Department is pleased to offer additional in-person and online opportunities to learn about Lifespan and provide feedback. Regional and online sessions will be held between 9/22/2023 and 9/28/2023. Visit the Lifespan webpage for additional information and to register. For any questions or comment, please email: OADS.LifespanProject@maine.gov Update: Proposed HCBS Lifespan Waiver Statewide Stakeholder Informational Tour – Additional Zoom Sessions Added for Waiver Members and Their Families
Please join the Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) as we offer two additional question-and-answer Zoom sessions on the proposed Lifespan Waiver. These Zoom sessions will allow waiver members and their families to learn more about the proposed waiver concept. We will begin each session with a brief high-level review of the Lifespan design and updates based on feedback from the Concept Paper comment period. Please use the link below to register for the Zoom sessions. We are hosting two sessions with Waiver Members and their Families. Dates/Times:
https://mainestate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMkf-upqTktHtVCEte2iWbmPYs3ikMtwujw OADS also offers a series of in-person events across the state with Providers, Waiver Members, and their Family Members. Providers will be asked to attend the provider-specific sessions to promote active interaction. The meeting spaces have a person limit, and we want to house the meeting adequately, so we need to know how many people to expect. Meeting locations may change depending on the size of the response to the sessions. If that happens, we will notify registrants. Registration Form for In-Person Events: https://forms.office.com/g/g6wrMSxJAr Maine Department of Health and Human Services Administrative Bldg. Friday, September 22nd 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Providers 10:45 AM - 12:15 PM: Families and Members 109 Capitol Street Augusta Conference Rooms Maine A and B – to the right as you enter the building Caribou District Office Monday, September 25th 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Providers 10:45 AM - 12:15 PM: Families and Members 30 Skyway Drive, Unit 100 Caribou Conference Rooms A and B Bangor District Office Tuesday, September 26th 9:00 AM -10:30 AM: Providers 10:45 AM - 12:15 PM: Families and Members 19 Maine Avenue Bangor Room CR 2 Lewiston District Office Wednesday, September 27th 9:00 AM - 10:30AM: Providers 10:45 AM - 12:15 PM: Families and Members 200 Main Street Lewiston Conference Rooms A and B Portland District Office Thursday, September 28th 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Providers 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Families and Members 151 Jetport Boulevard South Portland Rooms CR 139 A and B If you need accommodation, such as real-time transcription and captioning (CART), American Sign Language (ASL), or other language interpretation, please get in touch with Miranda Whalen at miranda.whalen@maine.gov by September 13th. CORRECTION: Attention Residential Service Providers for Youth, Residential Providers for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism, and Stakeholders:
In the recent legislative session, Representative Graham sponsored and the Health and Human Services Committee unanimously passed LD 1003, ”An Act to Increase Access to Behavioral Health Services for Children and Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism”. The Governor signed this bill into law as Resolves 2023, Ch. 60, which directs the Department to establish a stakeholder group in order to develop a “so-called No Eject, No Reject” proposal for residential services for youth and individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism. In accordance with this Resolve, stakeholders have been identified to participate in the stakeholder group charged with informing the development of the No Eject, No Reject proposal. Following the development of the proposal, the Department will report the recommendations, including the proposal and any steps necessary to implement the proposal, to the Health and Human Services Committee in January 2024. Under the Resolves, the stakeholder group is working to help the Department achieve the goal of the Resolve, including developing a plan for a No Eject, No Reject proposal that requires residential providers of behavioral health services for youth and individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism to receive written approval from the Department for the following:
Where: OCFS Central Office, 2 Anthony Ave, Augusta When: September 7th 3:00-4:30 pm To Support the intent of the Resolves, the following stakeholders have been invited to participate: Residential Providers:
Thank you, -Dean Dean Bugaj, MBA Associate Director of Children’s Behavioral Health Office of Child and Family Services From Maine Parent Federation:
Hello, The Fall 2023 edition of the Maine Parent Federation newsletter, Parent Connection, is now available on our website at: https://www.mpf.org/newsletters/ Please feel free to distribute this newsletter to others who may be interested. If you would like a printed copy of the newsletter or to be added to our email list, E-mail dnewcombe@mpf.org. We hope you enjoy a colorful Maine fall! The MPF Staff Carrie, Allison, Anne, Deb, Dylan, Oleta, & Robin Virtual Public Listening Session
Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) Service Provider Licensing The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) and Division of Licensing and Certification (DLC) are hosting a virtual listening session to gather input on licensing of service providers for individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) receiving services under Sections 18, 20, 21 and 29. As part of Maine’s Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Final Transition to Compliance Plan (TCP), the state has committed to reviewing licensing requirements to resolve any conflict with HCBS settings standards. Stakeholders can attend this listening session to provide input on proposed changes. Also, a Department proposal to license IDD providers by agency rather than by service location, was approved by the Legislature and rules will be adopted in the coming months for a proposed implementation date of July 1, 2024. See PL 2023, c. 89. This listening session will be held via Zoom on Monday, September 18th, from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM Please register at this link to attend: https://mainestate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIpcu-qrT4sHNKaqrT1jzdubsXGUNTDU-wW If you require accommodation, such as real-time transcription and captioning (CART) American Sign Language (ASL), or other language interpretation, please contact Miranda Whalen at miranda.whalen@maine.gov by Friday, September 8, 2023. “A PATH FOR ME” SIS-A UPDATES AND QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSIONS Assessments for Sections 21 and 299/5/2023
“A PATH FOR ME” SIS-A UPDATES AND QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSIONS
Assessments for Sections 21 and 29 Please join the Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) and Maximus, our “A Path for ME” assessment vendor. The session will offer updates and question and answer time. The sessions will focus on the Supports Intensity Scale for Adults 2nd Edition (SIS-A) needs assessments. These needs assessments will be for Sections 21 and 29 members and those on the waitlists. They will be required for participation in the developing ‘Lifespan Waiver’. We invite you to attend these sessions to learn about the SIS-A in Maine. There will also be time for attendees to ask questions. There is an upcoming session scheduled for September 14th from 4-5PM. All attendees are required to register for each session using the links below. A link to join the Zoom session will be sent to your email after you have registered. September 14th from 4 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Registration Link: https://mainestate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMkdO2hpzgqHNw2gVOmm8_xLHWsAJa0F76y If you need an accommodation, such as real time transcription and captioning (CART) or American Sign Language (ASL) or other language interpretation, please contact Miranda Whalen at miranda.whalen@maine.gov. Proposed HCBS Lifespan Waiver Statewide
Stakeholder Informational Tour Please join the Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) as we offer a series of question-and-answer sessions on the proposed Lifespan Waiver. These sessions will allow stakeholders to learn more about the proposed waiver concept. We will begin each session with a brief high-level review of the Lifespan design and updates based on feedback from the Concept Paper comment period. Please prepare for the session by reviewing the Lifespan Concept paper document before the meeting. The plain language Executive Summary of the Concept Paper is also available for review. Please use the link below to register for the events. The meeting spaces have a person limit, and we want to house the meeting adequately, so we need to know how many people to expect. Meeting locations may change depending on the size of the response to the sessions. If that happens, we will notify registrants. We are hosting sessions with Providers, Waiver Members, and their Family Members. To promote active interaction, providers will be asked only to attend the provider-specific sessions. Maine Department of Health and Human Services Administrative Bldg. Friday, September 22nd 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Providers 10:45 AM - 12:15 PM: Families and Members 109 Capitol Street Augusta Conference Rooms Maine A and B – to the right as you enter the building Caribou District Office Monday, September 25th 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Providers 10:45 AM - 12:15 PM: Families and Members 30 Skyway Drive, Unit 100 Caribou Conference Rooms A and B Bangor District Office Tuesday, September 26th 9:00 AM -10:30 AM: Providers 10:45 AM - 12:15 PM: Families and Members 19 Maine Avenue Bangor Room CR 2 Lewiston District Office Wednesday, September 27th 9:00 AM - 10:30AM: Providers 10:45 AM - 12:15 PM: Families and Members 200 Main Street Lewiston Conference Rooms A and B Portland District Office Thursday, September 28th 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Providers 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Families and Members 151 Jetport Boulevard South Portland Rooms CR 139 A and B Registration Form: https://forms.office.com/g/g6wrMSxJAr If you need accommodation, such as real-time transcription and captioning (CART), American Sign Language (ASL), or other language interpretation, please contact Miranda Whalen at miranda.whalen@maine.gov by September 5th. MaineCare Notice of Agency Rule-making Proposal, MaineCare Benefits Manual, Chapter II, Section 29, Support Services for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism Spectrum Disorder
Aug 23, 2023 Notice of Agency Rule-making Proposal AGENCY: Department of Health and Human Services, MaineCare Services CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: 10-144 C.M.R. Chapter 101, MaineCare Benefits Manual, Chapter II, Section 29, Support Services for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism Spectrum Disorder PROPOSED RULE NUMBER: CONCISE SUMMARY: This Section 29 rule provides home and community-based services (HCBS) that are authorized by a federal Medicaid Section 1915(c) HCBS waiver that meets federal standards. On December 18, 2020, The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved the Department’s request to renew the Support Services for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism Spectrum Disorder waiver for a five-year period, with an effective date of January 1, 2021. On April 13, 2023, the Department gave public notice of proposed amendments to the CMS-approved Section 29 waiver, to add services and enhance service delivery. Following the receipt of public comment on the proposed amended waiver, the Department will seek and anticipates receiving CMS approval of the waiver amendment. Through this rulemaking and in accordance with CMS approval of the renewed waiver, and the Department’s proposed waiver amendment, the Department proposes to: 1) Align similar processes, service descriptions, and similar provisions with MaineCare’s four other Section 1915(c) waivers (primarily the Section 21 waiver); 2) Make permanent certain flexibilities added under Appendix K authority during the Covid-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE), which will expire on November 11, 2023, including the additions of Individual Goods and Services, Self-Directed Services and tiered Community Support Services; 3) Strengthen safeguards for Members by enacting the Plan of Corrective Action and Request for Exceptions processes; 4) Incorporate the Department’s proposed Global HCBS Rule (MBM Ch. I, Sec. 6- Global HCBS Waiver Person-Centered Planning and Settings Rule) by reference; and 5) Add the opportunity for Section 29 Members to receive Increased Level of Support if they receive Shared Living services and have extraordinary need for additional support with behavioral or medical issues. The Department is concurrently undertaking major substantive rulemaking under the APA for MBM Ch. III, Sec. 29, to describe reimbursement procedures for the new and updated services described in this rulemaking, and is proposing retroactive application for rule provisions to November 12, 2023, pursuant to 22 M.R.S. § 42(8), following approval by the Legislature, and final adoption by the Department. The Department proposes the following specific changes to this rule:
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 22 M.R.S. §§ 42, 42(8), 3173, 42 C.F.R. Sec. 441.301(c), 42 U.S.C. § 1396b(l) DATE FILED WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE’S OFFICE: August 15, 2023 PUBLIC HEARING: The Department will hold a combined in-person and remote (via Zoom) public hearing. Date and Time: September 11, 2023, 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Location: State Office Building, Conference Rooms A & B 109 Capitol Street, Augusta, ME Zoom Meeting link: https://mainestate.zoom.us/j/88458657517 Meeting ID: 884 5865 7517 Some devices may require downloading a free app from Zoom prior to joining the public hearing event. The Department requests that any interested party requiring special arrangements to attend the hearing in person contact the agency person listed below before Friday, September 8, 2023. In addition to the public hearing, individuals may submit written comments to DHHS by the date listed in this notice. COMMENT DEADLINE: Comments must be received by 11:59 PM on September 21, 2023. AGENCY CONTACT PERSON: Heather Bingelis, Comprehensive Health Planner II AGENCY NAME: MaineCare Services ADDRESS: 109 Capitol Street, 11 State House Station Augusta, Maine 04333-0011 TELEPHONE: 207-624-6951 FAX: (207) 287-6106 TTY: 711 (Deaf or Hard of Hearing) EMAIL: heather.bingelis@maine.gov IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES (if any): The Department anticipates that this rulemaking will not have any impact on municipalities or counties. |
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