Developmental Disabilities (DD) Waiver
In response to the COVID-19 peacetime emergency, DHS has updated policy/procedures and issued related instructional bulletins to ensure continuity of care for people in Minnesota who access services. These changes:
· Allow LTSS assessments and reassessments to be conducted remotely (March 23, 2020, eList) · Allow case management visits to be conducted remotely (April 6, 2020, eList)· Prevent eligibility in LTSS programs from being terminated (June 22, 2020, eList).
Page posted: 11/29/04 | Page reviewed: 6/13/23 | Page updated: 6/13/23 |
Legal authority | Federally approved DD Waiver Plan, Minn. Stat. §252.27, Minn. Stat. §256B.092, Minn. R. 9525.0004 to 9525.0036, 42 CFR 483.440 |
Definition | Developmental Disabilities (DD) Waiver: Program that provides home and community-based services to children and adults with a diagnosis of a developmental disability or a related condition who require the level of care provided in an intermediate care facility for persons with developmental disabilities (ICF/DD). These services are an alternative to institutionalization. The services help a person live as independently as possible in community settings and promote optimal health, independence, safety and community integration. |
Eligibility | To be eligible for the DD Waiver, a person must choose to live in the community and meet all of the following criteria: · Be eligible for Medical Assistance (MA) based on a disability or other eligibility status (refer to the MMIS codes for HCBS waiver/AC program eligibility section on CBSM – Waiver/AC programs overview).· Be certified disabled by Social Security or the State Medical Review Team (SMRT) process.· Have a developmental disability or a related condition as defined in Minn. R. 9525.0016, subp. 2.· Be assessed using MnCHOICES or a DD screening and be determined to need the level of care provided in an ICF/DD.· Require daily interventions, daily service needs and a 24-hour plan of care that is specified in the support plan.· Have an assessed need for habilitation, which must be included in the support plan.· Have an assessed need for supports and services beyond those available through the MA state plan. |
Covered services | Services under all waiver/AC programs must meet the requirements listed in the services section of CBSM – Waiver and Alternative Care programs overview. The following services are covered under the DD Waiver. For a service-specific policy page, select a service from the list: · 24-hour emergency assistance (includes personal emergency response systems [PERS])· Adult day services (includes family adult day services)· Adult day services bath· Assistive technology· Caregiver living expenses· Case management· Case management aide· Chore services· Community residential services· Consumer directed community supports (CDCS)· Crisis respite· Day support services· Employment development services· Employment exploration services· Employment support services· Environmental accessibility adaptations· Extended personal care assistance· Family residential services · Family training and counseling · Home-delivered meals · Homemaker (cleaning, home management and assistance with activities of daily living)· Independent living skills (ILS) therapies· Individualized home supports (without training, with training and with family training) · Integrated community supports (ICS)· Night supervision services· Positive support services (formerly behavioral support)· Prevocational services· Respite· Specialist services · Transitional services · Transportation. |
Secondary information | Minn. R. 9525.008, subp. 3 requires services and supports be designed and delivered consistent with Rule 185 case management goals. DHS does not reimburse short-term admission to an ICF/DD from the DD Waiver as respite care. For additional information about Rule 185 case management, refer to CBSM – Rule 185 case management. |
State and lead agency responsibilities | Refer to the state and lead agency responsibilities section on CBSM – Waiver/AC programs overview. |
Waiver forms | For a list of forms applicable across and/or specific to waiver programs, refer to CBSM – Forms for LTSS assessment, eligibility and support planning. |
Process and procedures | Refer to CBSM – Waiver, AC and ECS general processes and procedures for specific information about: · Access· Assessments and reassessments· Support planning· Authorization· Changing waiver programs· 65 years of age· Person’s own home requirements· Out-of-state services· Local trade area – using providers from a bordering state· Termination. |
Additional resources | Developmental Disabilities (DD) Waiver Program Brochure, DHS-4849 (PDF)
Case Manager’s Guide to Determining ICF/DD Level of Care for ICF/DD and DD Waiver Services, DHS-4147A (PDF)
CBSM – Assessment applicability and timelines
CBSM – DD Waiver waiting list guide
CBSM – Financial management overview
CBSM – MnCHOICES
CBSM – Rule 185 case management
CBSM – Waiver, AC and ECS general processes and procedures
CBSM – Waiver/AC programs overview
CBSM – Waiver/AC service provider overview
DD Screening Document Codebook
TrainLink – Self-paced online course: Rule 185 Foundations |
| | | |