Page posted: 3/30/17

Page reviewed: 6/23/26

Page updated: 6/23/26

Legal authority

Federally approved Elderly Waiver (EW) plan, federally approved Alternative Care (AC) 1115 demonstration, Minn. Stat. §256B.0913, Minn. Stat. §256S.13, 42 C.F.R. §441.725(b)(9)

Definitions

Individual community living supports (ICLS): Bundled service that includes six service components. ICLS services offer assistance and support for older adults who need scheduled reminders, cues, intermittent/moderate supervision or physical assistance provided in person or through remote service delivery to remain in their own homes.

ICLS planning form: Required communication and planning tool for the person, lead agency and ICLS provider. Access the form here: ICLS Planning Form, DHS-3751.

Remote service delivery: Provision of a covered service by a staff member or caregiver who is at a remote location and is engaged with the person through enabling technology that uses live, two-way communication.

Enabling technology: Technology that makes on-demand remote supervision and support possible.

Live, two-way communication: Real-time transfer of information between a person receiving services and an actively involved caregiver. This communication can happen through the exchange of speech, visuals, signals or writing, but it must flow both ways and be in actual time.

Covered services

ICLS covers scheduled assistance and support for eligible people age 65 and older enrolled in AC or EW. It includes the following service components:

The case manager/care coordinator must complete ICLS Planning Form, DHS-3751 to provide guidance and instruction to the ICLS provider about the assistance and/or support the person requires in a minimum of two of the six ICLS service components. The case manager/care coordinator indicates on the form if the person will receive the authorized service component in person or through remote service delivery.

Active cognitive support

This component of ICLS includes supports to help the person with cognitive challenges and issues that are important to them. For more information, refer to the service amount section on this page.

Examples

Under this component, an ICLS provider can:

Adaptive support service

This component of ICLS includes scheduled supports to help the person adopt ways to meet their needs. The supports encourage self-sufficiency and reduce reliance on human assistance.

Examples

Under this component, an ICLS provider can:

ADLs

This component of ICLS includes scheduled supports to help the person with ADLs.

Examples

Under this component, an ICLS provider can:

Note: ICLS is not an appropriate service to meet a person’s need for constant supervision or physical assistance with ADLs throughout the task, except for bathing. Personal care assistance (PCA)/Community First Services and Supports (CFSS) meets this level of need for ADL assistance. For additional information, refer to the CFSS Policy Manual.

Household management

This component of ICLS includes scheduled supports to help the person manage their home.

Examples

Under this component, an ICLS provider can:

Health, safety and wellness

This component of ICLS includes supports to help the person maintain their overall well-being.

Examples

Under this component, an ICLS provider can:

Community engagement

This component of ICLS includes scheduled supports to help the person have meaningful integration and participation in their community.

Examples

Under this component, an ICLS provider can:

Non-covered services

Not covered within the service

ICLS does not cover:

Services that cannot be authorized with ICLS

A person cannot receive ICLS if they receive any of the following services:

Process

The case manager/care coordinator works with the person to complete ICLS Planning Form, DHS-3751 to communicate to the ICLS provider about the specific assistance and/or support the person needs in a minimum of two service components.

On the form, the case manager/care coordinator must:

The person, their legal representative (if applicable) and the case manager/care coordinator must sign the completed form. Then, the case manager/care coordinator must give a copy of the completed form to the person and provider. The ICLS provider may use the form to develop the support plan addendum, as required by Minn. Stat. §245D.07, subd. 2. The case manager/care coordinator is responsible to review and update the form with the person at least annually.

If the person is currently receiving ICLS services, the case manager/care coordinator must review the need for ICLS services at the next scheduled review to ensure the person’s needs meet the requirement of at least two ICLS components. If the person does not meet the minimum requirement, the case manager/care coordinator cannot reauthorize ICLS. Instead, they must authorize the service that meets the person’s identified need.

Both the lead agency and provider must keep a copy of the completed form. For more information, refer to CBSM – Support planning for long-term services and supports (LTSS).

Service amount

To meet assessed needs, the person:

Remote support

ICLS can be delivered through remote service delivery. Services delivered through remote service delivery must meet all the requirements listed on CBSM – Remote support.

Settings

ICLS must be delivered in either of the following:

In a rental scenario, the person or their family must maintain control over the individual unit.

Examples

A friend or family member that owns the home/apartment where the person resides and receives ICLS services:

Transportation

An ICLS provider may enroll with Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP) as a waiver/AC transportation provider.

An ICLS provider who is also an MHCP-enrolled waiver/AC transportation provider can bill for both ICLS and transportation when they provide the services to the person on the same day. However, the provider may not bill for ICLS and transportation services at the same time.

For the current waiver transportation rates, refer to LTSS Service Rate Limits, DHS-3945 (PDF).

Secondary information

Services under all waiver/AC programs must meet the requirements listed in the services section of CBSM – Waiver/AC programs overview.

Provider standards and qualifications

ICLS is a DHS enrollment-required service. For more information, refer to CBSM – Waiver/AC service provider overview.

ICLS providers must have the capability to deliver all components of the service necessary to meet the needs of the people they serve. The direct support worker providing the ICLS service must be trained and competent to provide all components of the ICLS service included in the person’s ICLS plan.

License requirements

An ICLS provider must meet one of the following requirements:

Requirements for non-agency providers

Individuals who do not meet the definition of an agency have three options to provide ICLS services:

An individual provider can be a relative (but not a spouse) or a non-professional legal guardian/conservator of the person receiving ICLS services if the individual meets certain criteria. For more information, refer to CBSM – Paying relatives and legally responsible individuals.

Background study

To provide ICLS, providers must have a background study. For more information, refer to CBSM – Waiver/AC service provider overview – Required DHS background studies for direct-contact services.

Limitations

An ICLS provider cannot:

Authorization, rates and billing

The lead agency authorizes ICLS at the state-established rates, using separate codes to authorize in-person and remote delivery of ICLS. For more information, including current rates and codes, refer to LTSS Service Rate Limits, DHS-3945 (PDF).