Hello AIMT,
It is with utmost appreciation for our collaborative discussion during the business meeting this past Saturday, that we want to issue an urgent and time sensitive update to what we are now hearing regarding the Medicaid Waiver caps. There continues to be no official communication regarding the amendments involving CMS approval. The original language for the amendments has now been pulled from public facing websites with links that are no longer active. AIMT downloaded and retained a copy of the original documents, and we have attached them here for your reference. We encourage all of you to also download and save these documents. These original documents stated that the amendments would be set to go into effect on December 31, 2025. If you scroll through to page 14 on both attached documents, you can see the implementation plan with text that states as follows:
FSW & CIH:
The state is implementing a new limit on Music Therapy of six (6) hours per month. Individuals with services in excess of this limit in their approved service plan will continue to receive such approved services. The new limit will be applied to new/annual service plans with an effective date on or after 12/31/25.
We are now hearing inconsistencies from case management providers who have been reporting different guidance to their case managers. One case management provider was given guidance from BDS to anticipate and prepare for these changes as if they will be approved with no changes made to the original language. They are also being told to make these changes to all service plans beginning 1/1/26, regardless of the CCB year. This is inconsistent with the original amendment language. A second case management provider has issued guidance to their case managers that all plans must be updated by September 24th, 2025, even for individuals whose annual plan renewals do not occur until well into 2026.
Case management companies are also lacking clarification on whether this will be a month to month cap or an annual cap of 72 hours/year. It was mentioned in the DDRS Advisory Council on 6/18/25 that the intention is that it will be an annual cap, but not clarified in writing to our knowledge.
This new information is distressing to AIMT as an organization, as well as to providers and people who receive music therapy throughout the state and their families. People who do not have 1/1/26 CCB start dates are at risk of prematurely losing access to their funds, and adequate time to prepare for these changes has not been given. We encourage all providers to delegate at least one person to watch the BDS provider webinar on Tuesday 9/30/25 at 3pm (eastern) and to submit questions directly to BDS at this time. You can find the link to this webinar here.
As an organization, AIMT has taken steps to minimize the impact of these confusing directives. We have submitted a formal request for the clarification from state officials. Additionally, we have requested that the state pause implementation until clear, CMS- aligned guidance is issued in a public manner.
We need your help right now. Please share this update with others who may be affected, including providers, families, and advocates. Please document and save any communications you receive from case management agencies or state officials related to this cap, and if you receive information that you have not previously received from us, please contact president@indianamusictherapists.com. We will continue to update you with any developments that we are made aware of.
As always, we need to maintain a collaborative relationship with state officials so that we do not lose sight of our 2027 goal of establishing a strong music therapy presence within the upcoming waiver redesign process. We support fair policy, transparency, and sustainable service models, and we hope that changes can be made now and in the future in a thoughtful manner. Changes should never place unnecessary burdens on people who rely on music therapy for their well-being. Thank you for your continued commitment to the access of quality, person-centered care in our state.
– Kathy Williams, MT-BC, AIMT President
FSW-2025 proposed waiver amendments
CIH-2025 proposed waiver amendments
