Department of Health and Social Services

Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance

FINAL

ORDER

Diamond State Health Plan Plus

Various Related Policies in the Division of Social Services Manual

NATURE OF THE PROCEEDINGS:

Delaware Health and Social Services (“Department”) / Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance (DMMA) initiated proceedings to amend existing rules in the Division of Social Services Manual (DSSM) regarding various polices related to the implementation of Diamond State Health Plan Plus. The Department’s proceedings to amend its regulations were initiated pursuant to 29 Delaware Code Section 10114 and its authority as prescribed by 31 Delaware Code Section 512.

The Department published its notice of proposed regulation changes pursuant to 29 Delaware Code Section 10115 in the April 1, 2012 Delaware Register of Regulations, requiring written materials and suggestions from the public concerning the proposed regulations to be produced by April 30, 2012 at which time the Department would receive information, factual evidence and public comment to the said proposed changes to the regulations.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSAL

The proposal described below amends policies in the Division of Social Services Manual (DSSM) related to the implementation of Diamond State Health Plan Plus.

Statutory Authority

Background

Section 1115 of the Social Security Act provides the Secretary of Health and Human Services broad authority to authorize experimental, pilot, or demonstration projects likely to assist in promoting the objectives of the Medicaid statute. Flexibility under Section 1115 is sufficiently broad to allow states to test substantially new ideas of policy merit. These projects are intended to demonstrate and evaluate a policy or approach has not been demonstrated on a widespread basis. Some states expand eligibility to individuals not otherwise eligible under the Medicaid program, provide services that are not typically covered, or use innovative service delivery systems.

Under a waiver authority of Section 1115(a) of the Social Security Act, the Diamond State Health Plan (DSHP) implemented a mandatory Medicaid managed care demonstration program statewide on January 1, 1996. Using savings achieved under managed care, Delaware expanded Medicaid health coverage to additional low-income adults in the State with incomes less than 100% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).

Effective April 1, 2012, the Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance (DMMA) implements its 1115 Demonstration Waiver to integrate primary, acute and long-term care (LTC) services for the elderly and persons with physical disabilities into the Diamond State Health Plan (DSHP) statewide program under the name “Diamond State Health Plan Plus.”

Summary of Proposal

DMMA is leveraging the existing DSHP 1115 demonstration waiver by expanding it to include full-benefit dual eligibles, individuals receiving institutional LTC (excluding the developmentally disabled population), and individuals enrolled in DMMA’s Elderly and Disabled and AIDS section 1915(c) waivers.

The purpose of this regulatory action is to inform the public of policy revisions and additions to the Division of Social Services Manual (DSSM) to reflect the expansion of the Managed Care program to include full-benefit dual eligibles and Long Term Care Medicaid.

The proposed changes affect the following policy sections:

DSSM 14920, Enrollment in Managed Care

DSSM 14920.1, Retroactive Coverage Limitations

DSSM 17913, Premium Requirements

DSSM 20100, Long Term Care Introduction

ADDED: DSSM 20110, Managed Care Enrollment Requirements

ADDED: DSSM 25110, Managed Care Enrollment Requirements.

Fiscal Impact Statement

The proposed regulation imposes no increase in cost on the General Fund.

SUMMARY OF COMMENTS RECEIVED WITH AGENCY RESPONSE

The Governor’s Advisory Council for Exceptional Citizens (GACEC) and the State Council for Persons with Disabilities (SCPD) offered the following similar observations summarized below. The Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance (DMMA) has considered the comment and responds as follows.

The GACEC and the SCPD have reviewed the Department of Health and Social Services/Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance’s (DMMAs) proposal to adopt some discrete regulatory changes to conform to the implementation of the Diamond State Health Plan Plus initiative. The proposed regulation was published as 15 DE Reg. 1408 in the April 1, 2012 issue of the Register of Regulations.

The amendments appear to be “housekeeping” measures. GACEC and SCPD endorse the proposed regulation.

Agency Response: DMMA thanks the Councils for their endorsement.

FINDINGS OF FACT:

The Department finds that the proposed changes as set forth in the April 2012 Register of Regulations should be adopted.

THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED, that the proposed regulation to amend the Division of Social Services Manual (DSSM) regarding various polices related to the implementation of Diamond State Health Plan Plus is adopted and shall be final effective June 10, 2012.

Rita M. Landgraf, Secretary, DHSS

DMMA FINAL ORDER REGULATION #12-20

REVISIONS:

On May 17, 1995, Delaware received approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for a Section 1115 Demonstration Waiver that is known as the Diamond State Health Plan. The basic idea behind this initiative is to use managed care principles and a strong quality assurance program to revamp the way health care is delivered to Delaware's most vulnerable populations. The Diamond State Health Plan is designed to provide a basic set of health care benefits to current Medicaid beneficiaries as well as uninsured individuals in Delaware who have income at or below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). The demonstration waiver will mainstream certain Medicaid recipients into managed care to increase and improve access to medical services while improving cost effectiveness and slowing the rate of growth in health care costs.

Program Expansions

Effective July 1, 2002, a Medicaid only State operated managed care organization, Diamond State Partners, is was implemented. Eligible individuals may enroll in either the Diamond State Health Plan or Diamond State Partners.

Effective April 1, 2012, the Diamond State Health Plan is expanded to include Long Term Care Medicaid and other full-benefit dual eligibles. This Long Term Care Managed Care Program is called Diamond State Health Plan Plus. Long Term Care Medicaid recipients and other full-benefit dual eligibles must enroll in Diamond State Health Plan Plus.

Managed Care Eligibility

The majority of the Medicaid population receiving non institutional Medicaid services will be enrolled into the Diamond State Health Plan, Diamond State Health Plan Plus, or Diamond State Partners. The following individuals cannot enroll in Diamond State Health Plan, Diamond State Health Plan Plus, or Diamond State Partners:

a. Individuals entitled to or eligible to enroll in for a Medicare Savings Program (QMB, SLMB);

b. Individuals residing in an nursing facility or intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded developmentally disabled (ICF/MR);

c. Individuals covered under the home and community based waivers Developmentally Disabled waiver program;

d. Individuals that choose to participate in the Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE);

d. e. non Non lawful and non qualified non citizens (aliens);

e. individuals who have Military Health Insurance For Active Duty, Retired Military, and their dependents

f. Individuals eligible under the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Group;

g. Presumptively eligible pregnant women;

h. Individuals eligible under Medicaid for Workers with Disabilities in need of only the 30-Day Acute Care Hospital program.

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The agency must make eligibility for Medicaid effective no later than the third month before the month of application if the individual:

Effective April 1, 2012, those that may be found eligible for retroactive Medicaid coverage include:

a. Individuals entitled to or eligible for a Medicare Savings Program (excluding QMB);

b. Individuals residing in a nursing facility;

c. Individuals residing in an intermediate care facility for the developmentally disabled (ICF/MR);

d. Individuals in need of only the 30-day Acute Care Hospital Program;

e. Women eligible under the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Group;

f. Individuals eligible under the Medicaid for Worker’s with Disabilities Group.

Effective January 1, 1996, retroactive Medicaid coverage is NOT available to any individual who, in the month of application, is eligible for enrollment under the Diamond State Health Plan or Diamond State Partners.

Individuals who are excluded from the Diamond State Health Plan or Diamond State Partners may be found eligible for retroactive Medicaid coverage. These individuals include:

a. those entitled to or eligible to enroll in Medicare,

b. those receiving long term care services (nursing facility and the home and community based waivers),

c. those living out of state but considered Delaware residents, such as a child placed out of state by DSCYF, and

d. individuals who have coverage under Military Health Insurance For Active Duty, Retired Military, and their dependents

Effective April 1, 2012, retroactive Medicaid coverage is not available to most individuals who, in the month of application, are eligible for enrollment under the Diamond State Health Plan Plus.

See DSSM 14920 for eligibility groups that may be found eligible for retroactive Medicaid coverage.

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Individuals with countable income over 100% FPL are required to pay a monthly premium to receive coverage. Countable income is the same amount that is used to determine eligibility.

When a husband and wife are both MWD eligible, a monthly premium is assessed on each spouse.

The monthly premium will be based on a sliding scale as follows:

Exception to sliding scale: An individual or couple whose adjusted gross annual income (as determined under the IRS statute) exceeds $90,008 must pay the highest premium amount listed on the sliding scale. This adjusted gross annual income amount will increase each year by the COLA.

A premium is assessed the month an individual is added for coverage including any months of retroactive eligibility. Eligibility for a month is contingent upon the payment of the premium.

Payments that are less than one month’s premium will not be accepted.

A monthly premium notice for ongoing coverage will be sent to the individual. The premium is due by the 15th of the month for the next month’s coverage. When the premium is not received by the date due, action will be taken to terminate eligibility under MWD. If the premium is received by the last day of the month, eligibility under MWD will be reinstated.

Coverage will be cancelled when the individual is in arrears for two premium payments. The coverage will end the last day of the month when the second payment is due. If one premium payment is received by the last day of the cancellation month, coverage will be reinstated.

Coverage continues pending a fair hearing decision if the fair hearing request is filed within the timely notice period, even if the individual is not paying premiums that are due.

Individuals who are found eligible must enroll with a managed care organization. The Health Benefits Manager (enrollment broker) will be responsible for the enrollment process.

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There are three major programs Programs under Long Term Care (LTC) Medicaid include:

Common to all three long term care programs is the need requirement to be medically and financially eligible. A description of each program and eligibility criteria follows.

Individuals who are found eligible must enroll with a managed care organization. The Health Benefits Manager (enrollment broker) will be responsible for the enrollment process.

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Individuals who are found eligible must enroll with a managed care organization. The Health Benefits Manager (enrollment broker) will be responsible for the enrollment process.