CMS

CMS has announced the standards effective January 1, 2008. Review the minimum, maximum and monthly maintenance figures.

Looking for current and accurate information regarding CMS policy on HCBS waiver quality oversight? Need technical assistance in developing a quality improvement strategy or evidence package? The new NQC website is the CMS-sponsored location for policy, statutory and technical assistance materials and contacts to guide states’ in their ongoing quality improvement efforts. Website features include discussions and questions, file vault, announcements and Participant Experience Survey Users’ Group.

This letter is one of a series providing guidance on the implementation of section 6087 of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, Public Law Number 109-171. Effective 1/1/07, Section 6087, (Cash & Counseling), adds subsection 1915(j) to the Social Security Act. States have the option to provide self-directed PAS to beneficiaries, without regard to the Medicaid requirements of comparability or statewideness. A State plan amendment (SPA) pre-print is enclosed to assist you in submitting an amendment.

This letter provides guidance to States and discusses policy issues related to peer support and notes that States are increasingly interested in covering peer support providers as a distinct type for the delivery of counseling and other support services. The letter (SMDL #07-011) provides policy guidance on requirements for supervision, care-coordination, and minimum training criteria of peer support providers.

Review the efforts to adopt and improve services and supports to people with disabilities, in conjunction with The Ticket to Work & Work Incentives Improvement Act. This report captures progress in the provision of personal assistance services; the provision of Medicaid type health insurance referred to as a Medicaid Buy-in, and; earnings data for workers with disabling conditions. By 2005, 31 states had Medicaid Buy-In programs compared to eight prior to passage of the Ticket legislation.

This training was designed by Montana RCSC grantees to help individuals with developmental disabilities to acquire information, skills, and tools to support them to exercise increased control over their own lives and create the quality of life they prefer. The training course is intended to be a participant-driven course. The training includes a section for introduction, being empowered, starting to take charge, being on the team, in the driver’s seat, and other issues.

This application offers a total of approximately $13 million in Real Choice Systems Change (RCSC) grants to qualifying States in two grant categories: State Profile Tool (SPT): Assessing a State's Long-Term Care System & Person-Centered Planning Implementation Grant. Persons with mental illnesses are noted as target populations for both grant categories. Applications are due by July 27, 2007.

Thirteen states and the District of Columbia will get more than $547 million in grants over five years to build Medicaid long-term care programs that will help keep people at home and out of institutions. This “Money Follows the Person” initiative was included in the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA), currently being implemented by CMS. The press release lists the states and the amount of money committed over the next five years.

CMS was soliciting proposals to develop the infrastructure to support competitive employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Funding is intended to facilitate enhancements to state Medicaid programs and services, to promote linkages between Medicaid and other employment-related service agencies, and to develop a comprehensive system of employment supports. The demonstration period runs Jan–Dec 2007. This prior solicitation acts as a resource for terms, conditions and guidance.

CMS solicited proposals for this demonstration, created by section 204 of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999. It allows states to provide benefits, equivalent to those provided by Medicaid, to the categorically needy, to workers who have physical or mental impairments that, without medical assistance, will likely result in disability. The Demonstration period runs July 2006-June 2009. This prior solicitation acts as a resource for terms, conditions and guidance.