DSD eList announcement

Date: Aug. 2, 2023
To: Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention (EIDBI) providers, people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or related conditions who receive EIDBI services and other interested parties
From: DHS Disability Services Division
Purpose: To announce a 30-day public comment period on proposed changes to the EIDBI benefit
Comment period begins: 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023
Comment period ends: 4 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023
Contact: DSD.PublicComments@state.mn.us

DHS seeks public comments for proposed EIDBI changes

DHS is hosting a 30-day public comment period about proposed policy and procedure changes to the EIDBI benefit. We would like to receive input about the changes from:

· People who receive EIDBI services

· Family members of people who receive EIDBI services

· Service providers

· Any other interested parties.

Legislative changes

DHS will enact legislative changes that passed in the 2023 session, which include:

· Rate increases of 14.99% for EIDBI services (effective Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, or upon federal approval, whichever is later)

· Provider qualification changes to ensure Native American providers can enroll as level II providers.

To review the complete legislation, refer to Minn. Laws 2023, Ch. 61.

Proposed variance changes

DHS proposes to add two provider variances to continue to address the direct care workforce shortage. For more information on the workforce shortage, refer to DHS – The direct care workforce shortage in Minnesota and DHS – Building EIDBI provider capacity.

Proposed level I variance

DHS proposes the following level I variance to help account for experience within EIDBI provider agencies. This variance recognizes the value of clinical experience and accounts for the barriers to advanced education, such as cost, time and other commitments.

To qualify for the variance, the level I provider must meet all the following requirements:

· Be employed by an EIDBI provider agency.

· Have at least 6,000 hours of clinical experience providing early intervention services in the treatment modality the EIDBI provider agency uses (refer to EIDBI – Treatment modalities).

· Have a bachelor’s degree in a related field.

· Complete the required training for level III providers on EIDBI – Individual provider trainings.

For existing policy information about level I providers, refer to EIDBI – Level I provider qualifications, roles and responsibilities.

Proposed level II variance

DHS proposes the following level II variance to help expand the workforce of EIDBI providers to meet the growing need.

To qualify for the variance, the level II provider must meet all the following requirements:

· Be employed by an EIDBI provider agency.

· Be age 18 or older.

· Complete initial certification in the treatment modality the EIDBI provider agency uses (refer to EIDBI – Treatment modalities).

· Complete the required training for level III providers on EIDBI – Individual provider trainings.

· Receive observation and direction from an advanced certification provider at least once per week until meeting 1,000 hours of supervised clinical experience.

For existing policy information about level II providers, refer to EIDBI – Level II provider qualifications, roles and responsibilities.

DHS submitted these variance proposals to the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in accordance with Minn. Stat. §256B.0949 subd.17.

Additional information

The drafted state plan amendment for review includes the legislative changes and the proposed variance changes. For more information, refer to 23-17 draft (PDF) on DHS – Minnesota’s Medicaid (Title XIX) and CHIP (Title XXI) state plans.

Process to submit comments

Email comments to DSD.PublicComments@state.mn.us no later than 4 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023.

Additional input

In addition to the public comment period, DHS will consult with the EIDBI advisory group, providers, parents/guardians and other interested parties before making these proposed changes.

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