November 12, 2022 DDD Communication

DDD COMMUNICATION

November 22, 2022

DIRECTOR'S NOTE

With the Thanksgiving holiday quickly approaching, I wanted to take a quick moment to express my gratitude to all. This year, I am thankful for the individuals, families, provider agencies, ISC Agencies, trade and advocacy associations, DDD staff and stakeholders who make up our system. It has been quite the year, but I am proud of all the work that has been done and continues to be done to provide the best services and supports to the individuals we are here to serve. Thank you for doing the hard work each and every day and for working with us to make the system better.

Above all, we here at the DDD are especially thankful for the thousands of direct care and other support staff working in community agencies, our State-Operated Developmental Centers (SODCs) and as Personal Support Workers (PSWs). You have the hardest jobs of all of us and if it wasn't for your continued dedication and commitment, the intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD) system wouldn't be meeting the needs of the over 24,000 individuals with I/DD across Illinois. We appreciate the people who are making the lives of the individuals we serve better every day. These staff members have stood fast during the most challenging times over the last several years. For that, we are truly grateful and thankful for your service.

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday!

Sarah Myerscough-Mueller

QUICK NOTES

Bureau of Program and Policy Coordination|
Division of Medical Programs
Healthcare and Family Services
201 South Grand Avenue East
Springfield, IL 62763-0001
Email: HFS.BPPC@illinois.gov

* As a reminder, the HFS and Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) are hosting a webinar next Tuesday, November 29, 2022, to discuss the plan for enrollment of youth receiving services through the DDD's two (2) children's waivers into Managed Care. Webinar information is below:

Date: Tuesday, November 29, 2022
Time: 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Registration link:

CHILDREN'S SUPPORT WAIVER APPROVED BY FEDERAL CMS

The HFS was notified this week that the Children's Support Waiver Amendment has been approved by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The changes made to this Waiver, effective January 1, 2023, include the following:

* Two (2) percent Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) increase for the Self-Direction Assistance service.

As a reminder, the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) and HFS are still awaiting approval by federal CMS on the Children's Residential Waiver and the Adults with Developmental Disabilities Waiver.

DRAFT DDD RATE TABLE POSTED

The DDD has published the Draft DDD Rate Table here: IDHS: DDD Current Rate Table - Effective January 1, 2023 (state.il.us). This Rate Table and the rates in it are scheduled to be effective January 1, 2023, pending federal CMS approval (via Waiver Amendment or State Plan Amendment). Please note, the sections on Training Reimbursement and ICF/IDD Wages will be updated in the near future; the DDD will communicate when those updates are completed as well as when the Rate Table has been finalized following all federal CMS approvals.

As a reminder, the DDD released this final Information Bulletin on November 3, 2022: IDHS: Increases in the Home-Based Support Services Program (HBS) (state.il.us). Home-Based Support Services (HBS) Program participants can utilize the Draft DDD Rate Table to create new Service Authorizations ahead of January 1, 2023. ACES$ is requesting Service Authorizations be submitted as soon as possible to ensure all Personal Support services are reimbursed at the correct rate.

The information contained herein should not be considered a substitute for the appropriate official statutes, rules, regulations, or the advice of legal counsel.

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