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Authors Posts by Carol Ferenz

Carol Ferenz

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ODP Announcement 21-087 is to inform all interested parties of CMS’ approval of amendments to the Consolidated, Community Living, and Person/Family Directed Support (P/FDS) waivers (hereafter referred to as the Intellectual Disability and Autism [ID/A] waivers). The ID/A waiver amendments became effective on November 22, 2021, and are available on the Department of Human Services’ website.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) developed a Record of Change document that contains all of the substantive changes in the approved ID/A amendments. Each full waiver application approved by CMS and the Record of Change document are available as follows:

ODP is also holding a webinar to provide an overview of all substantive changes in the approved ID/A amendments. The date, time, and link for registration to attend the webinar are as follows:

ODP is developing two additional communications regarding the provision of remote supports in residential settings and non-residential settings, including information about webinars that will be held regarding the provision of remote supports.

CONTACT: Questions about this communication should be directed to the appropriate Office of Developmental Programs Regional Office.

ODP Announcement 21-085 serves to communicate that registration for the January–June 2022 sessions of the CI Initial Certification Course are now open on MyODP. Due to continued concerns regarding COVID-19, all January–June 2022 Initial CI Certification sessions (or cohorts) of the course will be provided virtually rather than in person. To register, use the registration link on the Certified Investigator Initial Certification Course Information page. You must be logged into MyODP to access the registration page.

For assistance with registration, contact Sarah Naughton. For questions regarding the course or its topics, contact Amanda Black.

American Rescue Plan Act: One-Time Supplemental Payment to Address Recruitment, Retention, and COVID-19 Related Staff Expenses

ODP Announcement 21-086 is to provide guidance about the process to request one-time payments to cover COVID-19 related expenses for high staff vacancy. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) provides a temporary 10% increase to the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for certain Medicaid expenditures for home and community-based services (HCBS). The funding is to be used to enhance, expand, or strengthen HCBS beyond what is available under the Medicaid program as of April 1, 2021, and through March 31, 2024.

As part of the Office of Developmental Programs’ (ODP) ARPA spending plan to strengthen HCBS, providers can receive a one-time supplemental payment to address recruitment, retention, and COVID-19 related staffing expenses for direct support professionals or supports coordinators to include funding for hazard pay, costs of recruitment efforts, sign-on bonuses, retention bonuses, and other incentive payments. Providers will be required to complete and submit the attached Provider Attestation Form for One-Time Supplemental Payment and submit it to ODP for consideration.

Providers will be subject to recoupment of funds if it is identified in a state or federal audit or any other authorized third-party review that the provider has inappropriately billed for services or received duplicative payments for services provided or if expenses were reimbursed by duplicative funding streams. No portion of the supplemental payment can be utilized to increase executive compensation.

Providers will be required to continue providing services from December 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022, obtaining written consent from ODP for any discontinuation of a service line or closure of a service setting. Additionally, providers will comply with all reporting requirements related to the use of the supplemental payment.

Requests submitted by December 17, 2021, will be processed for payment prior to the end of December. Requests for supplemental payments may be submitted through January 31, 2022.