Self Direction Assistance Guidelines UPDATED 12.28.22

Self-Direction Assistance (SDA)

Because the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requires conflict free case management, a provider agency is not allowed to develop the Personal Plan. The Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) utilizes Independent Service Coordination (ISC) Agencies to conduct the conflict free case management function. Self-Direction Assistance (SDA) is a service the DDD developed to allow an individual to receive support to self-direct their own services; self-direction is their right. SDA is available only to those individuals in the Home-Based Supports and Services (HBS) Program and should not duplicate the services provided by the ISC. SDA is an optional service, meaning individuals/families are not required to purchase this service. The acronym SDA is used to describe the service (Self-Direction Assistance) as well as the provider agency staff (Self-Direction Assistant). Provider agency staff fulfilling the role of the SDA are required to be Qualified Intellectual Disability Professionals (QIDPs).

Services

The SDA assists the individual (or the individual's family, representative or guardian, as appropriate) in arranging for, directing, and managing services. It also offers practical skills training to enable individuals and families to independently direct and manage Waiver services. SDA includes providing information to ensure that individuals understand the responsibilities involved with directing their services.

SDAs do not have a mandated set of services they are required to provide. Each service provided must be at the request of the individual, family and/or guardian, as applicable. With this in mind, the activities below (as indicated by "Allowed" on the grid) are billable services that can be provided by an SDA. All billable services must be agreed upon by the individual, family and/or guardian, as applicable, as well as the SDA.

If an individual/family desires or needs the support of a SDA, the services requested must be documented in the Personal Plan, including the amount and frequency of those services. In addition, the SDA provider agency must complete a Provider Signature Page of the Personal Plan. On the Provider Signature Page, the agency must list Self-Direction Assistance as a service, indicate any outcomes from the Plan the agency will address and sign the page. Provider agencies have 10 calendar days to return the completed Provider Signature Page to the ISC. Provider agencies are not required to develop an Implementation Strategy for SDA services. If an individual/family purchases SDA services, the details of what will be provided should be included in the Employer of Record Implementation Strategy. As requested, the SDA can assist the HBS Employer of Record with developing the Employer of Record Implementation Strategy form.

The activities/services provided under SDA must not duplicate ISC activities/services.

Billing and Audit Trail

The details of what SDAs provide to an individual/family must be based on the desired outcomes as well as the needs of the individual reflected in the Personal Plan. Services provided and billed must be within the description outlined by the DDD. The cost of SDA services comes from the individual's monthly HBS allotment and must be reflected through a HBS Service Agreement. There is no monthly minimum for SDA. The maximum billable amount for an individual must remain within the monthly allotment. Providers may negotiate additional hours if necessary. SDA must be billed through the Reporting of Community Services (ROCS) using the bill code 55A. The most current rate can be found on the DHS website at IDHS: DD Rate Tables (state.il.us).

Monthly notes, often referred to as Q or QIDP Notes, are not required when providing SDA. SDA provider agencies must maintain a detailed chronological log of all activities performed for audit purposes and to verify their billing. This documentation must be maintained in the individual's record.

Are SDAs allowed to provide and bill this service? Allowed/Not Allowed Notes:
1 Developing the Personal Plan and updating it at least annually Not allowed This is an ISC/case management responsibility.
2 Meeting with ISC for Discovery and/or Personal Plan Allowed N/A
3 Providing case management type services (i.e. locating other Waiver providers) Not allowed This is an ISC/case management responsibility.
4 Conducting monitoring visits to ensure implementation of the Personal Plan; to ensure the health, welfare and safety of participant Not allowed This is an ISC/case management responsibility. SDA does not conduct monitoring visits but can visit the individual/family home to provide services. The location in which the SDAs provide their services should be mutually agreed upon between the individual/family and SDA provider. SDAs are encouraged to report any concerns they have about the health, welfare, and safety of the participant to their ISC for follow up.
5 Notifying individual/family of their Waiver rights and right to appeal on forms 1201 and 1202 Not Allowed This is an ISC/case management responsibility. SDAs are welcome to discuss rights and services with participants, but they cannot bill for it.
6 Assisting with the Medicaid Spenddown forms (HFS-2653) and submitting to the DHS Family Community Resource Center Allowed N/A
7 Developing the SDA provider's Implementation Strategy Not Allowed SDAs are not required to develop an Implementation Strategy.
8 Documenting notes to support billing on the SDA services provided Allowed SDAs must maintain an adequate audit trail.
9 Assisting Employer of Record to complete their Implementation Strategy form. Allowed As desired by the individual/family, the SDA can assist with obtaining the form, explain how to complete the form, provide skills training to enable families to complete the form and assist with providing a copy of the form to the ISC. The SDA can also complete the form on behalf of the individual/family if requested.
10 Providing information on and assistance in recruiting, hiring, managing PSWs; PSW qualifications, passing background checks, definition of Personal Support, role of fiscal/employer agent (ACES$) when the individual/family is considering hiring PSWs directly Allowed N/A
11 Reviewing Personal Support Workers (hired directly by individual/family) notes to complete a monthly implementation strategy Not Allowed Reviewing PSW notes is not required.
12 Assisting or training on billing for the PSWs each month Allowed The SDA can train or assist an individual/family on billing for PSWs who are hired directly by the individual/family. ACES$ will process time sheets for all PSWs hired directly by the individual/family.
13 Act as the Employer of Record Not Allowed The Employer of Record responsibility falls on the individual who is self-directing their services. If the individual is unable to complete this responsibility with or without the support of an SDA, they should consider purchasing PSW services from a PSW Agency.
14 Providing training and assistance to individuals and families regarding timekeeping and other employer related tasks for PSWs hired directly by the individual/family Allowed N/A
15 Providing training and assistance to individuals/families regarding timekeeping and other employer related tasks for agency based PSWs Not allowed The SDA should not bill the code 55A when tasks are associated with agency based PSWs. It is the DDD's expectation that the supervisory role/cost for agency based PSWs will be covered by the negotiated PSW rate and not be billed through SDA.
16 Assisting with completing Service Agreements for all waiver services Allowed This includes Service Agreements beyond SDA and PSW.
17 Updating Service Agreements when changes occur Allowed N/A
18 Assisting with managing the monthly budget Allowed N/A
19 Sending Service Authorizations and PSW timesheets to ACES$ Allowed N/A
20 Working with providers and ACES$ as necessary to adjust bills that are incorrect Allowed N/A
21 Reviewing agency based PSW notes in response to the implementation strategy Not allowed The SDA should not bill the code 55A when tasks are associated with agency based PSWs. It is the DDD's expectation that the supervisory role/cost for agency based PSWs will be covered by the negotiated PSW rate and not be billed through SDA.
22 Assisting with communication and problem-solving strategies for PSWs hired directly by the individual/family Allowed N/A
23 Assisting with communication and problem-solving strategies for agency based PSWs Not allowed The SDA should not bill the code 55A when tasks are associated with agency based PSWs. It is the DDD's expectation that the supervisory role/cost for agency based PSWs will be covered by the negotiated PSW rate and not be billed through SDA.
24 Providing training to individual, family, or PSW to increase individual's skill-acquisition Allowed May include development and training of individual's routine-based schedules, task analysis for life skills, and social skills training to then be implemented by the family or PSW.
25 Providing training to individual, family, or PSW on individual's behavior reduction Not allowed If assistance is needed or desired, the individual, family or guardian can purchase behavioral supports.
26 Reviewing behavior strategies Not allowed ISC should review.
27 Assisting with prior approval request (i.e. Adaptive Equipment, Assistive Technology, Home and Vehicle Modifications, Temporary Assistance, Therapies) Allowed The SDA can assist with gathering the necessary information to support the request and making the ISC aware of the need. The ISC must complete the request form, ensure all required documents are present, submit the form to the DDD and ensure the service is reflected in the Plan.
28 Acting as the Representative Payee for Social Security Benefits. Assisting the individual/family to maintain financial accounts, statements and records; pay all bills and monitor for extraneous charges that should not be paid by client; Representative Payee reports; assist the individual/family, as desired, with finances (bill paying, monthly budget, credit, savings and spending, etc.); ensure adequate savings for needs and emergencies; assist with prioritizing "wants" vs. "needs", payroll assistance e.g. cashing checks, tax filing Allowed Ideally, the individual, family, guardian, as applicable, or Representative Payee should oversee these tasks.
29 Advocating (professional level staff), communicating and facilitating effectively; maintain positive working relationships with collaborating service providers, medical providers, housing providers, bank staff, pharmacies, attorneys, etc. Allowed N/A
30 Providing medical advocacy - consistent staff who knows medical history to help schedule, attend, and advocate at appointments and during medical emergencies Allowed Medical emergencies should be directed to call 911 as needed. PSWs can also assist with this function.
31 Being available or responding to after hours or emergency situations, medical or otherwise Allowed Medical emergencies should be directed to call 911 as needed.
32 Assisting with refilling medication and/or linkage to pharmacy services Allowed The individual/family can also purchase Nursing services (55N) to assist with this service.
33 Assisting individual/family in acquiring needed medical supplies through insurance or other measures Allowed PSW can also help obtain these supplies.
34 Assisting with housing/landlord, advocacy - applications, furniture acquisition, eviction appeals, packing/moving assistance, pest control (including assistance with bed bug infestation control and treatment measures), apartment clean-out when moving to different level of care Allowed The ISC can assist with waitlist applications for housing.
35 Assisting with utilities, phone, cell phone, cable, internet acquisition and use, troubleshooting Allowed PSW can assist also.
36 Assisting with benefit and charity applications, energy assistance, childcare subsidy applications, Lifeline, Christmas programs, Meals on Wheels - type programs Allowed PSW can provide day to day supports.
37 Assisting with employment/educational supports, Division of Rehabilitation Services appointments, acquiring uniforms, non-skid shoes, etc.; school applications, scheduling, consultation with teachers and counselors as needed, Financial Aid applications Allowed The ISC is responsible for the referral to DRS. SDA, natural support or PSW can assist with obtaining necessary items (i.e. uniforms, non-skid shoes, etc.) and completing paperwork (school application/registration, schedules). Non-Medical Transportation (55T) can be used for transportation to DRS office. This should not replace duties a Job Coach is responsible for through Supported Employment.
38 Assisting with interaction with law enforcement and courts Allowed In addition, the ISC should become involved as directed by the DDD guidelines. A referral to Equip for Equality should be made when necessary.
39 Acquiring food, clothing and household needs when finances are low or absent Allowed PSWs can assist with day-to-day task. The ISC must be notified if situation rises to a crisis.
40 Planning and transporting to recreational activities, group or individual (e.g. baseball games, Theater productions, holiday parties, consumer meetings, special shopping trips, movies, zoo, science center, etc.) Not allowed The individual/family should oversee these activities. Can also include other natural supports or PSW.
41 Assisting with self-advocacy and training - annual trips to Speak Up/Speak Out Summit, other statewide and local self-advocacy activities Not allowed The individual/family should oversee these activities. Can also include other natural supports or PSW.
42 Providing emotional support and companionship Not allowed Natural supports or PSW can assist.
43 Assisting with acquiring pets, pet care training and vet appointments Not allowed The need for a service animal should be identified in the Personal Plan. The individual/family should oversee these activities. Can also include other natural supports or PSW.
44 Computer/tablet acquisition and lessons to use technology safely Allowed The ISC is responsible for making a formal request to the DDD for Assistive Technology when warranted; this need must also be identified in the Plan. The SDA can assist with gathering the necessary information to support the request and making the ISC aware of the need.
Note: The waiver does not fund tablets, computers or smart phones. Request for communication software and devices can be submitted for review through the prior approval process.
45 Acquiring free bus passes, gym memberships, tickets to and signing up for events, etc. Allowed PSW can also assist with these tasks.
46 Providing IEP Advocacy Allowed N/A
47 Providing relationship support - assist with developing relationships with others through social activities, planning dates, transportation, sex education, assistance with acquiring birth control. Not allowed These tasks should be accomplished by using natural supports or a PSW.
48 Providing parenting skills training and assistance Not allowed This task should be accomplished by using natural supports or a PSW
49 Assisting with end-of-life planning/care, pre-planning and arrangements for clients and/or loss of their family members Allowed Can also use natural supports; if not available then the FCRC/local office and ISC can assist.
50 Providing Non-medical transportation - many people live outside of bus routes and rely on staff for transportation. Not allowed Individuals enrolled in HBS Waiver can purchase Non-Medical Transportation (55T) where available.

UPDATED 12.28.22