DEPARTMENT OF
HUMAN SERVICESAvailability of the Renewal of the Bureau of Autism Services' Adult Autism Waiver [45 Pa.B. 6936]
[Saturday, December 5, 2015]The Department of Human Services (Department) is making available for public review and comment the Department's request for a renewal of the Adult Autism Waiver.
Background
Home and Community-Based Waivers permitted under section 1915(c) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.A. § 1396n(c)) are approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for a 5-year renewal period. The current Adult Autism Waiver expires on June 30, 2016; therefore, the proposed waiver renewal is to be submitted to CMS no later than March 15, 2016.
In the request for a renewal of the Adult Autism Waiver, the Department proposes to revise the Adult Autism Waiver as follows:
• Update terminology used throughout the Adult Autism Waiver.
• Revise several quality measures and reporting requirements.
• Increase the limitation on the number of participants served at any point in time from 518 to 568 and increase the number of unduplicated participants from 544 to 597.
• Add reserved capacity for ten individuals discharged from a State hospital and for three individuals transferring from the Adult Community Autism Program.
• Allow use of an interim service plan when an individual is enrolled in the Adult Autism Waiver using reserved capacity and has a protective services plan that specifies a need for long-term support.
• Revise the intake process for individuals 18 years of age or older but under 21 years of age.
• Revise provider qualifications.
• Remove occupational therapy as a service.
• Combine several services into new services.
• Revise the risk assessment and mitigation section.
Fiscal Impact
The Department will incur State costs of $1.244 million in the first year of implementation in Fiscal Year 2016-2017.
Public Comment
The Department has made the proposed Adult Autism Waiver renewal available at http://www.dhs.state.pa.us/learnaboutdhs/waiverinformation/adultautismwaiver/index.htm.
Copies of this notice and the proposed waiver renewal are also available by contacting the Bureau of Autism Services as provided as follows.
Interested persons are invited to submit written comments regarding this notice and the proposed renewal to the Adult Autism Waiver. Comments should be addressed to Lea Sheffield, Department of Human Services, Bureau of Autism Services, Office of Developmental Programs, 625 Forster Street, Room 605, Harrisburg, PA 17120. Comments may also be submitted to the Department at RA-odpautismwaiver@pa.gov. Comments must be submitted by January 11, 2016.
Persons with a disability who require an auxiliary aid or service may submit comments using the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service at (800) 654-5984 (TTD users) or (800) 654-5988 (voice users).
THEODORE DALLAS,
SecretaryFiscal Note: 14-NOT-983. (1) General Fund; (2) Implementing Year 2015-16 is $0; (3) 1st Succeeding Year 2016-17 is $1,244,000; 2nd Succeeding Year 2017-18 through 5th Succeeding Year 2020-21 are $0; (4) 2014-15 Program—$19,169,000; 2013-14 Program—$16,487,000; 2012-13 Program—$13,000,000; (7) Autism Intervention and Services; (8) recommends adoption. Funds have been included in the budget to cover this increase.
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 15-2146. Filed for public inspection December 4, 2015, 9:00 a.m.]
