Information on the ICF/MR to Wavier Pilot

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Dear Friend of ASO:

Information on the ICF/MR to Wavier Pilot. FYI - Please share.

Sincerely,

Barbara C. YavorcikPresidentAutism Society of Ohio701 S. Main St.Akron, OH 44311(330) 376-0211fax: (330) 376-1226email: askASO@...home: byavorcik@...web: www.autismohio.org Please note: This is provided for information purposes only. The ASO does not endorse or recommend any providers, methodologies or services. Providing this information should not be construed as an endorsement by the ASO, either explicit or impiled.

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ADVISORY COUNCIL ZEROS IN ON DOWNSIZING ICF/MR PROGRAM THROUGH PILOT WAIVER

Intermediate Care Facilities for the Mentally Retarded (ICF/MR) would be downsized to decrease the number of resident beds under a pilot waiver program discussed Wednesday by the ICF/MR Conversion Advisory Council.

The council, comprised of legislators, state department officials, recipient organizations and providers, opted for the downsizing plan as proposed by a council workgroup. The focus of the 200-person pilot project would be on creating a user-friendly, less complex, more comprehensive service delivery system. Further, selection of the downsizing plan would mean the state has dropped efforts to eliminate the ICF/MR program altogether.

Rejected was a second option that would have allowed a person living in an ICF/MR setting to choose to live in the same facility with the same and needed services that existed prior to any conversion to a waiver program.

The group agreed on yet-to-be-written budget correction language to remove the six-bed per setting limit on facilities that would be able to participate in the waiver pilot. Rules will follow to determine eligibility procedures for the facilities. The action follows the $39.7 billion federal Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 that makes major changes in federal Medicaid policy including amendments having significant impact on future financing of community development disabilities in many states.

Department of MR/DD Director Ritchey presented an update on the federal changes based on a bulletin from the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services. He said the national organization's Executive Director Gettings reported that for the first time, the federal government may offer states financial assistance in de-institutionalizing public and private nursing facilities and ICF/MR residents through a new "money follows the person" demonstration program.

He added the federal government is going to offer strong support for self-directed and family-directed services while continuing to try to slow the growth of entitlement spending. In exchange for tighter federal fiscal controls, states can expect enhanced flexibility in designing cost-effective Medicaid services, Director Ritchey said in outlining the report.

On behalf of Department of Job and Family Services Director Barbara Riley, said the joint vision of ODJFS and MR/DD is to design and implement an ICF/MR waiver program that will meet the service and support needs of up to 200 consumers of ICF/MR services in home- and community-based waiver settings. She said the departments, on behalf of the administration, view the conversion pilot program as a component in the ongoing efforts to develop a continuum of care that empowers individuals with disabilities, and their families, with the ability to receive services and supports in the setting of their choice.

Ms. said the departmental vision is consistent with the goals established in the Governor's Ohio Access 2004 report to include enabling individuals with disabilities to have meaningful choices on where they will receive care, align systems to improve quality and provide better health outcomes for clients and maximizing the value to taxpayers.