[4alabama] Medicaid Optional Services - 1915 (i) Home and Community Based Services

[Judy R. Roy]

On April 4, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services published
proposed rules in the Federal Register to implement the Home and
Community-Based State Plan Services. The new Section 1915(i) HCBS services
are now available as an option to states for their Medicaid state plans as a
result of enactment of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 in February 2006.
The optional services, which are in addition to similar services provided
under the Home and Community-Based Services waiver (Section 1915(c)), are
simultaneously more limited than and more expansive than services available
under the waiver program. For example, states may not use the option to
provide the full range of services available under the waiver, yet the
states may serve people under the new option
who do not meet the level of need required for the waiver (otherwise
eligible for institutional services). The public comment period will close
at 5:00 pm on June 3. The DPC will work with other advocates to analyze the
proposed regulations and send information to affiliates and chapters in
advance of the closing date for comments. The proposed regulations can be
found at: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/08-1084.pdf.

Judy R. Roy
Independent Living Resources of Greater Birmingham
206  13th Street S.
Birmingham, AL  35233-1317
Phone  205.251.2223  ext 102
Email  bhamilc1 at bellsouth.net
There are only four kinds of people in the world: those who have been
caregivers; those who are currently caregivers; those who will be
caregivers; those who will need caregivers. - Rosalynn Carter

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On April 4, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services published proposed
rules in the Federal Register to implement the Home and Community-Based State Plan Services. The new Section 1915(i) HCBS services are now available as an option to states for their Medicaid state plans as a result of enactment of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 in February 2006. The optional services, which are in addition to similar services provided under the Home and Community-Based Services waiver (Section 1915(c)), are simultaneously more limited than and more expansive than services available under the waiver program. For example, states may not use the option to provide the full range of services available under the waiver, yet the states may serve people under the new option
who do not meet the level of need required for the waiver (otherwise eligible for institutional services). The public comment period will close at 5:00 pm on June 3. The DPC will work with other advocates to analyze the proposed regulations and send information to affiliates and chapters in advance of the closing date for comments. The proposed regulations can be found at:
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/08-1084.pdf
.
Judy R. Roy
Independent Living Resources of Greater Birmingham
206  13th Street S.
Birmingham, AL  35233-1317
Phone  205.251.2223  ext 102
Email  bhamilc1 at bellsouth.net
There are only four kinds of people in the world: those who have been caregivers; those who are currently caregivers; those who will be caregivers; those who will need caregivers. - Rosalynn Carter