ID/A Waiver Amendments Effective January 1, 2025

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) met with stakeholders today, October 30, 2024, to discuss waiver amendments and to provide an overview of Performance-Based Contracting.

Waiver Amendments included:

Waiver Capacity:

• When an individual is in an acute care hospital and receiving waiver services, ODP will not need to reserve (hold) the individual’s waiver. They will maintain enrollment in the waiver.
• Language was updated for waiver capacity for high school graduates in the P/FDS waiver. AEs can reserve the waiver capacity for 180 days prior to when services are needed. Students can remain in service until their 22nd birthday.

Assistive Technology:

• Updated language to explain when an independent evaluation is required and when it is optional:
  • REQUIRED: A device will cost $750 or more.
  • OPTIONAL: A device will cost less than $750.
• An independent evaluation can be done if the team decides it would be beneficial.
• Evaluations are included in the $10,000 lifetime limit.

Community Participation Support:

• The Community Participation Support provider must complete and update an analysis of the following at least yearly to support individuals to experience meaningful community inclusion:
  • Strongest interests and personal preferences for community activities;
  • Skills, strengths, and other contributions likely to be valuable to employers or the community; and
  • Conditions necessary for successful community inclusion and/or competitive integrated employment.

American Sign Language (ASL) – English Interpreter Service:

• English Interpreter service will be added to ODP’s waivers effective January 1, 2025.

Music, Art, & Equine Assisted Therapy:

• The cumulative maximum limit of any combination of Music Therapy, Art Therapy, or Equine Assisted Therapy has increased from 26 to 52 hours per fiscal year.

STAT Overview:

• The Specialty Telehealth and Assessment Team service was implemented in March 2024. This service may also be delivered to the participant during temporary travel, per ODP’s travel policy.

Waiver Corrections:
Life Sharing:

• The following may not be authorized for participants who receive Life Sharing services: Residential Habilitation; Supported Living; Respite (15-minute or Day) (has been removed).

Supported Living Corrections:

• The following services may not be authorized for participants who receive Supported Living services: Life Sharing; Residential Habilitation; Respite (15-minute or Day); Homemaker/Chore; In-Home and Community Supports; Behavioral Supports; Therapies; Shift Nursing; Consultative Nutritional Services; Communication Specialist and Specialize.

Benefits Counseling:

• New billable indirect activities are added. The limit has increased from 15 hours per fiscal year to 24 hours per fiscal year.

The Performance-Based Contracting Review Included:

• Effective January 1, 2025, Performance-Based Contracting will be implemented for the following services funded through the Consolidated and Community Living Waivers:
  •  Residential Habilitation;
  •  Life Sharing; and
  •  Supported Living.
• Changes to Enrollment of New Providers.
• What are Performance Standards?
• What are Provider Tiers?
• What Do These Changes Mean to Individuals and Families?

All performance-based contracting questions can be sent electronically.

Please see the distributed PowerPoint for additional information.