department of health and social services
Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance
PUBLIC NOTICE
proposed
Chronic Renal Disease Program
In compliance with the State's Administrative Procedures Act (APA - Title 29, Chapter 101 of the Delaware Code) and under the authority of Title 31 of the Delaware Code, Chapter 5, Section 512, Delaware Health and Social Services (DHSS) / Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance (DMMA) / is proposing to amend rules in the Division of Social Services Manual (DSSM) used to determine eligibility for the Chronic Renal Disease Program. Any person who wishes to make written suggestions, compilations of data, testimony, briefs or other written materials concerning the proposed new regulations must submit same to Sharon L. Summers, Policy and Program Development Unit, Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance, 1901 North DuPont Highway, P.O. Box 906, New Castle, Delaware 19720-0906 by December 31, 2005.
The action concerning the determination of whether to adopt the proposed regulation will be based upon the results of Department and Division staff analysis and the consideration of the comments and written materials filed by other interested persons.
Summary of Proposed Changes
Statutory Authority
Title 29, Chapter 79, Subchapter II, Sections 7932 – 7935, The Chronic Renal Diseases Program
Background
The Delaware Legislature established the Chronic Renal Disease Program (CRDP) effective 1970 by enacting Title 29, Chapter 79, Subchapter 11, Sections 7932-7935. The purpose of this program is to provide assistance to state residents diagnosed with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). The CRDP is not federally funded. CRDP is 100% State funded. Since there are limited funds available, the CRDP should only be utilized as a program of last resort. All third party resources (Medicare, Medicaid, Veteran's Benefits, and Private Insurance) must be considered before CRDP funds are utilized.
The mission of the CRDP is to “improve the quality of life for Delawareans with ESRD by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting a vulnerable population.”
The Chronic Renal Disease Advisory Board is composed of 11 members who are appointed by the Secretary of Delaware Health and Social Services. The role of this Advisory Board is to consult with the Secretary in the administration of the Chronic Renal Disease Program, as needed. Board members represent hospitals and medical centers, which establish dialysis centers, voluntary agencies interested in kidney diseases, related public agencies, physicians licensed to practice medicine and the general public.
Summary of Proposed Changes
DSSM 50100.3, 50400, 50700 and 50700.2: The proposal updates the transportation provider information; clarifies the application process; clarifies eligibility standards; and, eliminates the resource test.
DMMA PROPOSED REGULATION #05-75
REVISIONS:
50100.3 Transportation
The CRDP may reimburse for transportation to and from the dialysis unit, transplant hospital, or in exceptional cases, related medical appointments. Once determined eligible, all types of reimbursable transportation will be explored for cost effectiveness.
The types of transportation that my be funded by CRDP are: mileage reimbursement, DART tickets, and private transportation.
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50400 Application Process
Applicants must be medically and financially eligible to receive coverage. The client or his representative must complete and sign a CRDP an application form in person or via the telephone. and mail or fax to the DMMA office. The date the application is received in the DMMA office is the first possible date that benefits may start. The individual must also provide the requested verifications necessary to determine eligibility.
CRPD will consider applications without regard to race, color, age, sex, disability, religion, national origin, or political belief, as per Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Filing an application gives the applicant the right to receive a written determination of eligibility and the right to appeal the written determination.
At time of application and/or redetermination, each individual must be informed that they are responsible for notifying the CRDP worker of all changes in their circumstances, which could potentially affect their eligibility for the CRDP.
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50700 Financial Eligibility
CRDP staff determines financial eligibility. The amount of assistance received from the CRDP is dependent upon the applicant's financial situation. Applicant's/client's income and resources need to must be below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Applicants with a legally married spouse will be considered a household of two. Applicants/clients with income and resources above 300% of the FPL may be eligible for an annual medication cost deduction from the applicant's/client's annual income and resources. If, after this deduction, income and resources are below 300% of the FPL, the individual may be eligible.
Additional factors that may be considered for eligibility include, but are not limited to:
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50700.2 Resources
Resources are items that can be converted to cash to be used for food, clothing or shelter. Some examples of resources include, but are not limited to the following: bank accounts, stocks, bonds, certificates of deposit, money market funds, retirement funds, etc.
If the individual has the right, authority or power to liquidate his or her share of the property, it is a resource. In addition, the individual must have:
There is no resource test.
