#125 Beckett Waiver Changes, NOW-COMP Proposed Rate Changes, D-Day, and More

[Guest guest]

Dearest Advocates:

Happy New Year to everyone. There is a lot going on in the world of disabilities and the legislatives session starting back up in Georgia. I’ve tried to make this newsletter as short and informational as possible but it’s been awhile since the last one!

I also wanted you to know I plan on starting up a blog site later this year to help families going through disability and cancer issues and how to navigate the systems with positive results and outcomes, as well as, give practical advice! The last 12 years raising has been a roller coaster ride and I want to make sure others know what we have learned along the way to make this journey we follow a little easier for everyone. Keep you posted on my progress.

This year, I was once again asked to be on the Olmstead Planning Committee representing families of children and adults with disabilities. For those that don’t know, the Olmstead Planning Committee is responsible for recommending the Olmstead Plan and how Georgia will organize and make available Federal, State and Local resources to ensure that qualified persons with mental illness, developmental disabilities, addictive disease, physical disability and/or brain injury receive services in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs in full compliance with the spirit, intent, and letter of ADA and Section 504. I take this volunteer position very seriously in making sure Georgia is in compliance and families are receiving necessary services.

After years of advocating for change regarding the Beckett/Deeming Waiver, it is here… The State has started the process of centralizing the intake application process. For now, renewals will still be handled at the local DFCS County level but this is a very exciting change. Dept of Community Health (DCH) will be making a formal announcement regarding these changes in February. See below for more details.

As the legislative session has begun in Georgia, we once again are reminded by the number of families in need of services (waivers). Here are the latest numbers given to me at the Olmstead Planning committee by DCH:

New Options Waiver (NOW) Active as of 11/30/11: 4,989

Comprehensive Supports Waiver (COMP) Active as of 11/30/11: 6,150

Waiting List for NOW/COMP: Short Term: 2,879; Long Term: 3,208 TOTAL: 6,087

What does this tell you? We have a lot more education and advocacy needed in this state to help families. To keep up with Unlock the Waiting Lists and what they are doing, please go to: http://www.unlockthewaitinglists.com/ In addition, I’ve attached below the last numbers being advocated during this legislative session.

The DCH has now published the proposed new NOW-COMP Waiver rates and are out for public comment. Those rates can be found at: www.dch.georgia.gov/nowcompnotice. I have looked at those rates and DCH is looking to reduce group Community Access and change slightly some of the other rates. Please take time to review how this might impact your family. Information regarding public comment meeting and where to send your comments can be found below.

ANOTHER POSSIBLE CHANGE TO MONITOR: I have been told that DCH is once again looking to put the Medicaid Age Blind and Disabled (ABD) into a Care Managed Organization (CMO) – like other Medicaid services in Georgia. This is a huge deal. They tried to do that a few years ago and we advocated against it due to the lack of understanding of the needs and services of our disability population. Based on a Medicaid meeting I attended two months ago, families that are currently under the CMO system are STILL HAVING ISSUES (and these are families that don’t have medically fragile children and just need basic medical care). More advocacy and education will need to be done during this legislative issue in the coming months. Keep you posted.

Disability Day information is also posted below!!

Happy reading and advocating…

United- We Will Make a Difference!

Heidi J.

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New Centralized Beckett Medicaid Waiver Team Information

Effective January 1, 2012 -- NEW APPLICATIONS for Beckett Medicaid Waivers will be processed by a centralized team. The following address will be the main point of contact for all INITIAL applications STATEWIDE:

Right from the Start Medicaid Project

Centralized Beckett Medicaid Team

5815 Live Oak Parkway

Suite D-2

Norcross, GA 30093

(phone)

(fax)

The forms have not changed -- only the address where they are to be sent. You can pick up the necessary forms from your local DFCS Office OR call the number above and have them mailed, faxed, or emailed to you.

Note that Annual Renewals of the Beckett Medicaid Waiver are currently still being handled by the local DFCS offices -- the new centralized team is processing Initial applications only.

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Disability Day Information

14th Annual Disability Day at the Capitol

My Life is For Real!

Celebrate Community, Advocacy, and Friendship

Thursday, February 16, 2012

9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

9:00 a.m. T-shirt distribution, activities and exhibits at the Georgia Freight Depot

First come, first served

11:00 a.m. Rally Program on the Capitol Steps

12:00 p.m. Unity March to the Georgia Freight Depot

Exhibits at the Georgia Freight Depot

Box Lunches -- first come, first served

More Information go to: http://www.gcdd.org/disability-day-2012/

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Unlock the Waiting Lists Proposed Budget (currently being negotiated/advocated)!

UNLOCK ASK in addition to supporting above:

750 Waivers for youth exiting high school: state match portion, 6 months $3,255,937

40 COMP waivers for youth aging out of $590,410

DFCS needing adult services, 6 months

280 COMP waivers for most in need in the community, 6 months $4,132,870

70 NOW waivers for most in need in the community, 6 months $303,887

3 Behavioral Specialists allocated to each region, and two additional for Region 3 @ $55,000.00 per Specialist for a total of 20 = $1,100,000 @ 50% Medicaid match. Total state cost is $550,000

Housing: 10 Housing subsidies to enable person to live or stay in own home or family home with support @4800.00 per person per year. $48,000

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Public Notice for NOW-COMP Waiver Rates

GEORGIA, BIBB COUNTY PUBLIC NOTICE -Pursuant to 42 C.F.R. ¤ 447.205, the Georgia Department of Community Health is required to give public notice of any significant proposed change in its methods and standards for setting payment rates for services. DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES WAIVER PROGRAMS -The two waiver programs for people with developmental disabilities, the New Options Waiver Program (NOW) and the Comprehensive Supports Waiver Program (COMP), began operations on November 1, 2008 under a configuration of new services and rates created by unbundling services that had been delivered previously on a per diem or monthly basis. In its waiver application to CMS, the Department of Community Health stated that an independent cost study would be performed by the third year of waiver operation to confirm rates originally developed using historical waiver expenditures. -The purpose of this notice is to publish the proposed rates for the NOW and COMP Waiver Programs developed through that independent cost study. If approved, the rates will become effective as of 10/1/12. Proposed rates for the NOW and COMP Waiver Programs can be accessed via internet at http://dch.georgia.gov/nowcompnotice . -This public notice is available for review at each county Department of Family and Children Services office.

An opportunity for public comment will be held on January 26, 2012, 1:00P.M., at the Department of Community Health, 2 Peachtree Street, N.W., Atlanta, Georgia 30303, in the Fifth Floor Board Room. Individuals who are disabled and need assistance to participate during this meeting should call .

Citizens wishing to comment in writing on any of the proposed changes should do so on or before February 2, 2012, to the Board of Community Health, Post Office Box 1966, Atlanta, Georgia 30303. -Comments submitted will be available for review by the public at the Department of Community Health, Monday - Friday, 9:00A.M. to 4:30P.M., in Room 4053, 2 Peachtree Street, N.W., Atlanta, Georgia 30303. -Comments from written and public testimony will be summarized and provided to the Board of Community Health prior to the February 9, 2012 Board meeting at 10:30 a.m. at the Department of Community Health, 2 Peachtree Street, N.W., Atlanta, Georgia 30303, in the Fifth Floor Board Room. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THIS 12 DAY OF JANUARY, 2012 A. Cook, Commissioner #2894451: 1/21 Read more: Georgia Press Association Public Notice Website - GEORGIA BIBB COUNTY PUBLIC NOTICE

Heidi J. (Proud Mother to - 12 years old with Down syndrome & Leukemia and - 10 years old with amazing spirit & love for his brother)If you would like to receive 's updates or post a prayers, please go to: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/prayforjacobmoore or www.teamjacob.org. To watch 's Cancer Journey video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GjPfmIZ76g. For disability information and previous newsletters, please go to www.heidijmoore.com . "Help The Children Now, So They Can Help Themselves Later!"