DSD eList announcement
Date: Feb. 10, 2020
To: County/tribal nation staff, MnCHOICES certified assessors, case managers
From: DHS Disability Services Division
Purpose: To share information about nursing facility level of care changes for people younger than 21 years old
Effective: Feb. 1, 2020
Contact: For policy questions: dsd.responsecenter@state.mn.us; for MMIS questions: dhs.resourcecenter@state.mn.us
Changes to nursing facility level of care for people younger than 21 years old
DHS is transitioning to one nursing facility level of care (NF LOC) criteria for the following programs:
Previously, the NF LOC differed for people younger than 21 years old and people 21 years or older. As part of this transition to one NF LOC for people of all ages, DHS:
DHS is in the process of updating the MnCHOICES Assessment so it will no longer run NF LOC eligibility differently for people younger than 21 years old.
What do counties/tribal nations need to do?
Counties/tribal nations should be aware of these changes. DHS will send an additional communication to MnCHOICES mentors with the effective implementation dates and further instructions.
What will change?
Effective immediately, counties/tribal nations will assess all people receiving BI-NF and CADI waiver services using a single NF LOC. Counties/tribal nations will no longer use different NF LOC criteria to determine eligibility for people younger than 21 years old. Assessors must use the same NF LOC for all initial assessments and reassessments for people of all ages.
Previously, people younger than 21 years old must have had or needed one or more of the following:
Effective immediately, people of all ages must meet one of the following five categories of need to be determined eligible for NF LOC:
1. Does/would live alone or be homeless without current housing type and meets one of the following:
2. Has a dependency in four or more activities of daily living (ADLs)
3. Has significant difficulty with memory, using information, daily decision-making or behavioral needs that require intervention
4. Needs the assistance of another person or constant supervision to complete toileting, transferring or positioning, and this assistance cannot be scheduled
5. Needs formal clinical monitoring at least once a day.
For additional information, see:
Who is affected by this change?
This change does not affect every person younger than 21 years old currently receiving waiver services through the BI and CADI waivers. Most people younger than 21 years old who receive BI or CADI waiver services will continue to meet NF LOC criteria.
DHS has identified people younger than 21 years old who currently receive services and will no longer meet LOC due to the change in criteria. DHS will work directly with counties/tribal nations to coordinate service planning for those people. All people affected by this change must transition to a new plan of care by Oct. 31, 2020.
Timeline
1. In the beginning of February 2020, DHS communicated with counties/tribal nations to coordinate service planning for people younger than 21 years old who do not meet NF LOC criteria.
2. In the beginning of February 2020, DHS will send MnCHOICES mentors further instructions.
3. In mid-2020, DHS will complete revisions to the MnCHOICES Assessment.
4. By Oct. 31, 2020, all people affected by this change must transition to other supports and services.
Questions?
If you have questions, email dsd.responsecenter@state.mn.us.
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