department of health and social services

Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance

PROPOSED

PUBLIC NOTICE

Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) §1915(c) Home and Community-Based Services Waiver Application

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, and, in compliance with State Notice procedures as set forth in the Federal Register, September 27, 1994, Delaware Health and Social Services (DHSS) / Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance (DMMA) is submitting an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) §1915(c) Home and Community-Based Services Waiver application to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Any person who wishes to make written suggestions, compilations of data, testimony, briefs or other written materials concerning this waiver must submit same to Sharon L. Summers, Planning and Policy Development Unit, Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance, 1901 North DuPont Highway, P.O. Box 906, New Castle, Delaware 19720-0906 or by fax to (302) 255-4454 by October 31, 2007. A copy of the waiver application is available upon request by contacting Lisa Bond, Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities at (302) 255-9358.

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 PROPOSAL

Statutory Authority

Background

The Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver program is authorized in accordance with §1915(c) of the Social Security Act. The program permits a State to furnish an array of home and community-based services that assist Medicaid beneficiaries to live in the community and avoid institutionalization. The State has broad discretion to design its waiver program to address the needs of the waiver's target population. Waiver services complement and/or supplement the services that are available to participants through the Medicaid State plan and other federal, state and local public programs as well as the supports that families and communities provide.

Summary of Proposal

This waiver will provide services for individuals aged 18 and above who have sustained an acquired brain injury (ABI) and who would otherwise require care in a nursing facility.

The goal of the waiver is to provide services to persons with ABI in a manner which responds to each consumer's abilities, assessed needs, and preferences, and which ensures maximum consumer self-sufficiency, independent functioning, and safety. This goal will be accomplished through the delivery of a range of home and community-based long-term cares services.

Services to be provided through the waiver include:

The waiver will be administered by the Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance (DMMA), the State Medicaid agency, and operated by the Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities (DSAAPD). The waiver period is December 1, 2007 through November 30, 2010.

The provisions of this waiver are subject to approval by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

An authenticated PDF version of the Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) §1915(c) Home and Community-Based Services Waiver Application is available here:

http://regulations.delaware.gov/register/october2007/proposed/waiver.pdf Waiver