567 Availability of amendments to the Office of Long-Term Living's home and community-based independence waiver

Availability of Amendments to the Office of Long-Term Living's Home and Community-Based Independence Waiver

[46 Pa.B. 1707]
[Saturday, April 2, 2016]

 The Department of Human Services (Department) is making available for public review and comment the Office of Long-Term Living's proposed Independence waiver amendments and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) final rule transition plan. The Department proposes the following substantive changes to the Independence waiver effective September 1, 2016:

 • A new entity to perform clinical eligibility determinations and redeterminations.

 • Five new employment-related service definitions are replacing one existing employment service definition.

 • Expanding the eligible population to individuals with acquired brain injury.

 • Addition of Residential Habilitation and Structured Day service definitions.

 • The transition of individuals from the Independence waiver into a managed care delivery system.

 • The implementation of a home modifications broker.

 • Revised language to reflect the current practice under the new child abuse clearance laws.

Background

 To continue receiving Federal matching funds for Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver services, CMS requires that existing HCBS waivers be amended when significant changes are made. The Independence waiver was last amended by CMS effective July 1, 2015, the proposed waiver amendments are to be submitted to CMS no later than May 16, 2016.

 The proposed Independence waiver amendments and a summary of all revisions are available for review at http://www.dhs.pa.gov/learnaboutdhs/dhsorganization/officeoflongtermliving/oltlwaiverinfo/index.htm or by contacting the Department's Office of Long-Term Living at [phone].

Fiscal Impact

 The amendments of the Independence waiver are anticipated to have minimal fiscal impact.

Public Comment

 Interested persons are invited to submit written comments regarding the proposed waiver amendments to the Department of Human Services, Office of Long-Term Living, Bureau of Policy and Regulatory Management, Attention: Independence Amendments, P. O. Box 8025, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8025. Comments may also be submitted to the Department at [e-mail]. Use ''Independence Amendments'' as the subject line. Comments received within 30 days will be reviewed and considered for revisions to the proposed waiver amendment and the CMS final rule transition plan.

 In addition, the Department will hold two webinars to receive comments on the proposed Independence waiver amendments. Dates and times of the webinars, including dial-in information, are available at http://www.dhs.pa.gov/learnaboutdhs/dhsorganization/officeoflongtermliving/oltlwaiverinfo/index.htm or by contacting the Department's Office of Long-Term Living at [phone].

 Persons with a disability who require an auxiliary aid or service may submit comments using the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service at [phone] (TDD users) or [phone] (voice users).

THEODORE DALLAS, 
Secretary

 Fiscal Note: 14-NOT-1009. No fiscal impact; (8) recommends adoption.

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 16-567. Filed for public inspection April 1, 2016, 9:00 a.m.]