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AASD eList announcement

Date: May 26, 2026
To: Lead agencies, home and community-based services (HCBS) providers and other interested parties
From: DHS Aging and Adult Services Division
Purpose: To announce a 30-day public comment period about HCBS evidentiary packages
Comment period begins: 8 a.m., Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Comment period ends: 4 p.m., Friday, June 26, 2026
Contact: dhs.aasd.hcbs@state.mn.us

DHS requests public comments on HCBS evidentiary packages

DHS requests public comments on HCBS evidentiary packages for ongoing monitoring of HCBS compliance.

Evidentiary packages

To review the evidentiary packages, refer to:

· DHS HCBS Final Rule Evidentiary Package – Harmony Gardens (PDF).

· DHS HCBS Final Rule Evidentiary Package – Ostrander Assisted Living (PDF).

If you are unable to access these documents electronically, we will provide you with a copy. To request a copy, you can:

· Email dhs.aasd.hcbs@state.mn.us.

· Call DHS at 651-431-2600.

· Send a written request to:
ATTN: AASD, HCBS Unit
Minnesota Department of Human Services
Aging and Adult Services Division
P.O. Box 64976
St. Paul, MN 55164-0976

Process to submit comments

Email comments to dhs.aasd.hcbs@state.mn.us with the email subject “EP Public Comment Harmony Gardens” or “EP Public Comment Ostrander Assisted Living” by 4 p.m., Friday, June 26, 2026.

We also will accept comments by mail. Mail written comments to:

ATTN: AASD, HCBS Unit
Minnesota Department of Human Services
Aging and Adult Services Division
P.O. Box 64976
St. Paul, MN 55164-0976

Background information

As part of its responsibilities under the HCBS settings rule, DHS must assess adult day service, adult foster care and customized living providers who provide services in settings in or adjacent to an institution (e.g., hospital, nursing facility, intermediate care facility for persons with developmental disabilities [ICF/DD], institution for mental disease [IMD]) to determine compliance with all HCBS standards through the heightened-scrutiny process. This applies to:

· New settings that enroll or have pending enrollment with DHS on or after March 18, 2023.

· Settings that were not previously identified in the HCBS Rule Statewide Transition Plan as meeting heightened scrutiny criteria.

DHS compiles the assessment results into an “evidentiary package” and invites the public to submit feedback on the evidentiary package during the comment period.

Following the public comment period, DHS will:

· Add a summary of the comments to the evidentiary package.

· Notify the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that the setting has successfully completed DHS’ heightened scrutiny process and is compliant with HCBS Final Rule requirements.

For more information, refer to DHS – Requirements for new HCBS settings.

Previous eList announcements

AASD LEAD AGENCY ARCHIVE

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