A d? ?5 with Cognitive and Department of Health and Human Services
Adults with Cognitive and Physical Disabilities Services

Pl'inICOl Disabilities Sen/ices 32 Blossom Lane, Marquardt Building, 2rld Floor

 

 

 

An Office of the 11 State House Station

Department of Health and Human Services Augusta, Maine 043330011

Tel: (207) 287-4242; Fax: (207) 287-9915

John Baldocci, Governor Brenda M. Harvey, Commissioner TTY: 1?800-606-0215

 

Waiver memo #4
November 5, 2008

To Interested Stakeholders:

After reviewing all the current paid claims data, the Home and Community Based waiver program (Section 21)
continues to be signi?cantly over budget. Immediate steps must be taken to resolve the FY ?09 de?cit:

I. The rates of reimbursement to Home Supports (T2016) will be reduced by 10%. This will be done through
emergency rule making effective December 7, 2008.

2. The rate for medical add-on will be reduced by 10%. This will be done through emergency rule making
effective December 7, 2008.

3. Reimbursement for behavioral add-ans will be eliminated. This will be done through emergency rule making
effective December 7, 2008

4. Home support (T2017) that are billed in 15 minute increments will be eliminated for all individuals who are

receiving per diem home support (T20 I 6). This does not require any changes to current rules. A letter will be

sent to each individual receiving this service notifying them of this change. An alternative option that will

allow for staffing in very speci?c cases is in development and will be included in the emergency rules

effective December 7, 2008

The Waiver will remain closed to all new admissions.

6. For those individuals who are currently receiving Section 21 or 29 services, no increases in current
authorization levels will be approved without a written sign-off by the Team Leader in the local region.

LII

My of?ce continues to work with the Maine Association for Community Services Providers (MACSP) to share
and update data. Together we will continue to monitor all paid claims reports to determine if this plan meets the required
outcome of budget neutrality.

In addition to the steps outlined above, we will continue to collaborate with MACSP to ?nalize the protocols that
standardize medians for staf?ng levels in agency operated homes.

Our collective focus remains to provide services that ensure the health and safety of the individuals served. The
citizens of the State of Maine have supported funding for a very comprehensive service system. We now need to work
together to achieve staf?ng ef?ciencies while maintaining the integrity of this community system.

The Department continues to review suggestions for ways to reduce administrative burdens. If you are a MACSP
member and have additional suggestions, please send them to Mary Lou Dyer. If you are not a MACSP member, please
e-maii your suggestions to HS dmaineem

I will continue to update you as we move through these challenging times. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Jane Gallivan
Director

 

Caring. Responsive. Well-Managed. We are DHHS.