DSD eList announcement
Date: Oct. 15, 2024
To: Lead agency staff, assessors, case managers, supervisors and other interested parties
From: DHS Disability Services Division
Purpose: To inform lead agencies of new requirements because the temporary policy that allowed them to use the State Medical Review Team (SMRT) referral date as the MnCHOICES assessment date in the SMRT Integrated Service Delivery System (ISDS) has ended
Temporary policy expiration: June 30, 2024
New policy start: Oct. 1, 2024
Contact: SMRT.System.Requests.DHS@state.mn.us
New requirements after the end of temporary SMRT MnCHOICES policy
Effective Oct. 1, 2024, all SMRT referrals must include a MnCHOICES intake date. This date can either be the intake date or the actual MnCHOICES assessment date.
SMRT will verify this date for each waiver referral in the MnCHOICES system (MNA) under MnCHOICES Revised (MnCHOICES 2.0) > Forms > Category: Assessments > Form Type: MnCHOICES Assessment > Initiate Assessment.
If the lead agency has not completed the “Initiate Assessment” section at the time of the SMRT referral, SMRT will do all of the following:
Data gathered by SMRT suggests that requiring the MnCHOICES assessment date on referrals has significantly improved outcomes for people who receive services. This requirement ensures timely assessments, which has reduced delays, improved coordination between lead agencies and SMRT and increased the likelihood of people accessing programs that require SMRT certification, such as home and community-based services (HCBS). This streamlined process leads to faster service delivery and helps people receive the support they need more efficiently.
Expedited review process for waiver services
This policy change does not apply to expedited reviews. As of June 26, 2023, lead agencies must complete a MnCHOICES assessment within 15 business days for expedited SMRT waiver service reviews.
Previous temporary policy
The temporary policy that allowed lead agencies to use the SMRT referral date as the MnCHOICES assessment date in the SMRT ISDS ended on June 30, 2024. Previously, lead agencies were not required to complete a MnCHOICES assessment within 150 days before the SMRT referral date or schedule one within 60 days of the referral date.
DHS introduced this policy to address the increase in SMRT applications for HCBS and delays in MnCHOICES assessments. The June 30, 2024, expiration date aligns with the end of the first year of COVID-19 unwind renewals.
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