Action Alert: Send Comments to CMS on Changes to HCBS Waiver

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August 18, 2009

Action Alert: Send Comments to CMS
on Changes to HCBS Waiver

Comments to CMS Due Friday, August 21, 2009

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Advocacy_for_Change

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CMS issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) in the June 22nd Federal Register announcing the intention of the agency to publish proposed amendments to Medicaid’s 1915(c) home and community-based services waivers regulations. See article from ANCOR’s July/August LINKS for more details.

Keep in mind, that using the public comments received, CMS will publish a set of proposed rules at a later time that will also include a comment period prior to issuing a final rule.

The agency’s announcement solicited comments by August 21, 2009 on its intention to propose rules to change the 1915(c) HCBS waiver regulations in two areas:

  1. Intention to allow states the flexibility to combine-at the state’s option-any of the three target groups (aged or disabled, or both; mentally retarded or developmentally disabled, or both; and mentally ill). This change would not mandate any change in state criteria for targeting HCBS waivers; would still require institutional level of care; and not affect the cost-neutrality requirements under the 1915(c) waivers. Service plans must be (1) based upon the needs of each individual, not on condition or diagnosis and (2) must be person-centered. In general, ANCOR supports this change.

  1. Intention to propose regulations describing the expectations with regard to waiver participants being served in the “home and community.” It is CMS’ intention to propose regulations that will trigger application of additional state-defined criteria and CMS approved standards for home and community when an individual resides in a home or apartment owned, leased or controlled by a provider or support services. ANCOR has significant issues with CMS’ intention to propose regulations regarding home and community-based characteristics.

ANCOR is providing comments eveloped in conjunction with an ANCOR Medicaid work group, this week on the two issues and has prepared a copy for your use as a template for you to send electronically (no faxes are permitted) to CMS by Friday, August 21, 2009.

We are urging ANCOR members and their constituencies to weigh in with comments. It is helpful to have as many comments as possible.

Instructions for Sending Electronically: Submit your comments (which must refer to file code CMS-2296-ANPRM) through the government regulation web site on this page: Medicaid Program; Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers (Document ID CMS-2009-0071-0001). In the first step, under “Enter Information,” identify yourself and select your choice for each category. In the second step, under “Type Comment & Upload File,” type “ATTENTION: CMS-2296-ANPRM.” You can paste your comments in that area, if you wish, but it is limited to 2000 characters. Or, click on “browse” to attach a saved file, click on “open,” then “attach,” and finally, complete sending your comments by clicking on “submit.”

· Feel free to submit your comments using your own organization/name using ANCOR’s comments as a template. Feel free to modify as you like.

· Submit your comments stating that you concur with the comments submitted by the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) and identify the four general comments on HCBS characteristics from ANCOR’s submission.

Categories: New, Oklahoma Care Providers Information.

Cognitive Disability in an Age of Uncertainty

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August 12, 2009
ANCOR header
SAVE THE DATE!

to participate in

The Coleman Institute for Cognitive Disabilities
Ninth Annual Conference
Cognitive Disability in an Age of Uncertainty
November 5, 2009
and

The ANCOR Technology Leadership Summit
Shaping a Strategic Vision for the Implementation of Technology In Service Delivery
November 6, 2009

Hosted by the Coleman Institute for Cognitive Disabilities

ANCORColeman Logo

ANCOR
and
The Coleman Institute for Cognitive Disabilities
at the University of Colorado are collaborating for two very special events:

The Coleman Institute’s 2009 Annual Conference, “Cognitive Disability and Technology in an Age of Uncertainty,”

and

ANCOR’s first Technology Leadership Summit,
hosted by the Coleman Institute.

Exchange Ideas With Leaders In the Field

Noted American economist, James K. Galbraith, PhD, former Director of the Joint Economic Committee of the U.S. Congress, and an expert on inequality in America is the distinguished keynote speaker at the Coleman Institute conference. He holds an endowed chair in Government/Business Relations at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, University of Texas at Austin. Plenary speakers include:  Jay Lundell, PhD, Digital Health Group, Intel Corporation, an expert on new models of care using technology; Tamar Heller, PhD,Professor of Human Development and Public Health; University of Illinois at Chicago; and Ann Turnbull, EdD, and Rud Turnbull JD, LLM,  bothDistinguished Professors at the Beach Center on Disability at the University of Kansas.

Share Your Innovations and Unique Perspective

In addition to the hearing from national experts, ANCOR members will have the opportunity to present posters highlighting their innovations in service delivery at the research and demonstration sessions; learn about faculty research; visit vendor exhibits; participate in focused roundtables; network with faculty, parents, policy leaders and others; and discuss topics of common concern, including the impact of the economy on the member’s short-term and long-term strategies.

The Coleman Institute’s Conference will be held on Thursday, November 5, 2009 at the Westin Westminster Hotel in Westminster, Colorado.

Creating a Vision for the Future

On the following day, ANCOR will convene its first ever Technology Leadership Summit to take advantage of the opportunity to explore technology as it relates to opportunities for enhancing supports and services delivery.  Technology is a key to assisting individuals with disabilities to be more independent; addressing the direct support workforce crisis, and increasing provider efficiency.  The Coleman Institute conference will introduce issues, provide an opportunity for discussion and a framework for current research initiatives and technology trends. On day two, providers will contribute, in a summit format, to the creation of a strategic visionfor how ANCOR members can leverage technology to create individualized, community based supports. Participants will walk away with a better understanding of key trends in technology and will contribute, in a summit format, to the creation of a strategic vision for how ANCOR members can leverage technology to create individualized, community based supports.

The ANCOR Technology Leadership Summit is open to the first 50 registrants who are also attending the Coleman Institute conference.  The Summit will be held at the Stadium Club on the beautiful campus of the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Who Should Attend? ANCOR CEOs/Executive Directors, COOs and their Technology Coordinators.

Participants will have an opportunity to:

  • hear about the latest innovations in technology from companies such as Intel
  • share leading practice information on how providers are applying technology to advantage in their daily work
  • participate in table discussions with other providers
  • tour the SmartHome built by ANCOR member, Imagine!
  • help ANCOR identify the priorities it should pursue, vis-à-vis technology and public policy, to positively shape supports for many years to come
  • use Twitter to provide real-time feedback and updates on how the event is evolving

Discussion topics among the provider community will include:

  • Articulating the value of investing in technology
  • Obtaining reimbursement in your waiver for technological supports
  • Creation of a universal platform

Question?  Contact Kari Amidon at (703)535-7850 ext. 115 orkamidon@ancor.org.

About the Coleman Institute

The Coleman Institute for Cognitive Disabilities leverages ideas, opportunities and funding through faculty on the four campuses of the University of Colorado with the goal of improving the quality of life for people with cognitive disabilities.  It is a catalyst to drive innovation and creativity through fostering partnerships with researchers, practitioners, policy makers, local, state and federal agencies, commercial businesses, and foundations. The Institute’s principal activities include:  1) Research and development support and the promotion of commercialization of derivative intellectual property 2) The Coleman Institute Fellowship Program for faculty and graduate/postdoctoral students 3)  The Annual Coleman Institute Conference on Cognitive Disability and Technology as well as funding support for related conferences, and 4) Public Policy Advocacy and Outreach about issues such as accessibility on the web and emerging smart-home technologies.

About ANCOR

The American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) is the national association representing more than 800 private providers of community living and employment supports and services to more than 400,000 individuals with disabilities.  ANCOR represents the interests of providers before Congress and federal agencies, provides technical assistance and professional development, promotes industry leading practices and offers other benefits.  For more information about ANCOR, visit www.ancor.org.

Registration

Registration for the Coleman Institute Conference and the conference agenda can be found at:  www.colemaninstitute.org/ There is no registration fee.

Information on registration for the ANCOR Technology Leadership Summit will be available in the near future.

Hotel Information

Westin Hotel
Westminster, Colorado
Room rates: $149/night.  Please ask for the Coleman Institute room rate.

An Additional Opportunity:

A pre-conference workshop will be held by the Coleman Institute in partnership with Raising the Floor, an international coalition of individuals and organizations working to ensure that the Internet is accessible to people experiencing accessibility of literacy problems.  Members of ANCOR who are attending the Coleman Institute conference are also invited to participate. The workshop will be held on Wednesday, November 4, 2009 on the University of Colorado Boulder.  For more information, contact Clayton Lewis, PhD., Coleman Institute Scientist in Residence at clayton.lewis@colorado.edu.  There is no fee to participate.

Categories: New.