News: Waiver Redesign

WAIVER REDESIGN
Association for Indiana Music Therapy

The Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS) and the Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services (BDDS) have embarked on redesigning the Indiana Medicaid Waivers.

Why is the waiver being redesigned?
Indiana is required to comply with the settings rule (The deadline for this has been extended to 2022). The settings rule requires institutional modernization, person-centered planning, and inclusive employment with fair wages for the people supported through DDRS services. DDRS also recognizes that the people receiving waiver service’s expectations are not being met and that the waiver hasn’t been updated much in the last couple decades. DDRS hopes to come more into line with the LifeCourse™ principles allowing for self-direction and community integration while sustaining a system that is efficient, equitable, and effective.

How will this redesign process work?
The state has procured a grant called the “Living Well” grant to pay for redesign. They have partnered with people supported through the waivers, their families, and other stakeholders to enhance waiver services. The state will focus on improving data systems and analysis, developing and testing toolkits to support all stakeholders, and supporting innovative approaches. The state has hired Human Services Research Institute (HSRI.org) to help with the redesign. HSRI has experience helping other states with redesign. They also have many subcontractors looking at different perspectives including the organization responsible for creating “LifeCourse™.” The core mission of LifeCourse™ is that “All people have the right to live, love, work, play and pursue their life aspirations in their community.”

When will this all take place?
The state had their kickoff event on April 24, 2019. The planning of this redesign will be a two-year process (at the very least) and there will be many meetings offered for stakeholders, public comment opportunities, and application drafts to be approved through CMS. AIMT will have representatives attending these events and will submit public comments when the opportunities arise. AIMT has already been in contact with the state to send in documents related to the waiver rate for Music Therapy, allowable services under Music Therapy’s description, and will soon be sending data on people’s satisfaction with Music Therapy through their waivers. The state hopes to transition to the new system in the Spring of 2021.

What are the state’s goals for the new redesigned waiver?
The state hopes to increase person-centered planning, improve coordination of care, increase community engagement, enhance member experience, maintain qualified providers, comply with the HCBS rule, and promote efficiency.

What NOW???
AIMT will have representation throughout this process at Stakeholder events, will keep a productive conversation going with DDRS, and will submit public comments when the state presents new drafts for public comment. We are looking for consumer satisfaction surveys for Music Therapy services on the Waiver. If you have access to your company’s survey results and are willing and legally allowed to share, please email them to Lindsey Wright at govrelations@indianamusictherapists.com.