Department of Developmental Services (DDS) has three new federal home and community based waivers approved; will mean changes in federal waivers

The federal government has approved three new waivers for the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) which were effective on July 1, 2010. These new waivers replace the present home and community based waiver which was significantly updated in the 1990s.

Over the past 30 years, Massachusetts and other states have increasingly relied on federal revenue to fund services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In the 1980s, much of community services had 100% state funding. States have moved more and more of their services either to home and community based waivers or Medicaid state plan services to ensure partial federal subsidy of these services (in Massachusetts the subsidy is typically 50%).

Although this information is relevant year-round, the month of July 2010 will be important for those of you who are on the waiver as you will receive your new waiver assignment (if you or your family member have signed a plan of care/POC, you are on the waiver).  A little over 12,000 individuals are funded through the present home and community based waiver. All individuals on this waiver will receive a letter notifying them of a change and many will be assigned either to the "adult supports" waiver: or the "community living" waiver. A third waiver, "adult residential", continues to provide up to 24 hours per day, 7 days a week services.

Please note that DDS officials have stated that present services should NOT be affected by this change in waivers.  However you may want to consider an appeal for one of two reasons.
1. You believe that your present service level cannot be replicated through the community living or adults supports waivers which we noted above. This is unlikely since DDS does not plan to alter anyone's services through the change in waivers.
2. You believe that you need more hours of service than you presently have or a more intensive service model; for example, you have 20 service hours per week and believe that you need more staff support than you presently have. Or you or your family member may require more assistance than they originally required when they first received these services. If that is the case, this is the best time to make DDS aware of this fact before you are assigned to the new waiver. The need for these services must be agreed to by DDS. You may need to arrange a formal assessment within the timeline for appeal.
We will provide a fuller report on the waivers in the next few weeks. For most people in residential or day services, the shift in waivers will be seamless. For those receiving family support services, there may be a number of changes due to implementation of new federal requirements.

We have posted a number of DDS documents for your assistance.  Look to the right window of this page for the link:

1.  DDS notfication of change in waiver

2.  DDS notification of appeal rights

3.  DDS brochure for current waiver recipients

  

For those receiving family support services, there may be a number of changes due to implementation of new federal requirements.

Questions on the home and community based waivers at Dept. of Developmental Services?

Use DDS' new web mail box at www.adultwaiver.questions@state.ma.us or call them toll-free at 1 (888-367-4435) where you can leave a message. DDS will respond to all inquiries.

We also encourage you to call the area office through which your services are funded.

You can learn more about waivers by visiting the DDS website. There is a section on "HCBS" - look at right for topics. 

The main page for the DDS site is here. You can search for other information. Topics are listed at the right hand side.