CMS Approves Amendments to IO & Level 1

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Dear Friend of ASO:

An update from the ARC of Ohio regarding waivers. FYI - please share.

Sincerely,

Barbara C. YavorcikPresidentAutism Society of Ohio701 S. Main St.Akron, OH 44311(330) 376-0211fax: (330) 376-1226email: askASO@...home: byavorcik@...web: www.autismohio.org2005 ASO Bi-Annual Conference"Reaching Beyond the Horizon - Challenging the Autism Spectrum"Friday and Saturday, October 14-15, 2005 Kingsgate Marriott in Cincinnati, Ohio Please note: This is provided for information purposes only. The ASO does not endorse or recommend any providers, methodologies or services. Providing this information should not be construed as an endorsement by the ASO, either explicit or impiled.

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Ohio Receives CMS Approval of Waiver AmendmentsThe federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) have granted approval of Ohio’s amendments for the Individual Options (IO) and Level I waivers operated by ODMR/DD. The amendments are effective July 1, 2005. This approval allows Ohio to move forward with major elements of the Medicaid Redesign as initiated in HB94/405 and contained in the Visions document submitted to CMS in December. Approval of these amendments affects both services to individuals and MR/DD systems redesign.

MR/DD system achievements contained through this approval include:

· Implementation of Ohio statute requiring the creation of a statewide waiver reimbursement system. The reimbursement methodology is outlined in 5123:2-9-06 of the Ohio Administrative Code. The rule includes a two-year transition timeline to fully implement statewide provider rates and movement of individuals to funding levels through a statewide assessment.

· A conceptual framework for redistribution of funds for waiver services at the state level. This will assist ODMR/DD and County Boards of MR/DD to implement the waiver reimbursement rule while supporting services to current and future individuals enrolled on the waivers.

· A document (known as the ‘Firewalls’ document) that defines the distinct roles and responsibilities of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) as Ohio’s single state Medicaid agency for oversight, ODMR/DD as the day-to-day operator of the IO and Level I waivers, and County Boards of MR/DD for local operations of waiver services.

· A conceptual framework for access to waiver services. This will have future affect on the allocation and distribution of waiver slots to County Boards of MR/DD.

Achievements that affect services through this approval include:

· Revisions to the definition and provider qualifications for homemaker/personal care services under the IO and Level I waivers. These are contained in the Ohio Administrative code at 5123:2-13-04 for IO and 5123:2-8-10 for Level I.· A new waiver service for both IO and the Level I waivers known as Day Habilitation. In most cases, this waiver service will replace the former CAFS service known as Skills Development and Supports (SDS). The rules for day habilitation are found in the Ohio Administrative Code at 5123:2-9-10 and 5123: 2-9-12.

· Approval of Supported Employment as a waiver service component of the Level I waiver. A new supported employment rule for the IO and Level I waivers is found in the Ohio Administrative Code at 5123:2-9-13.

Approval of these amendments is critical in allowing Ohio to effectively serve people with Medicaid waiver services. ODJFS and ODMR/DD engaged in a joint, collaborative effort working with the CMS regional and central offices in obtaining approval of these important amendments. To review the rules that implement these changes, please visit the ODMRDD website at http://odmrdd.state.oh.us/ ODMR/DD Rules - http://odmrdd.state.oh.us/Includes/AdminRules/Legislation_and_Rules.htm