WSR 19-09-036
INTERPRETIVE OR POLICY STATEMENT
DEPARTMENT OF
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
[Filed April 11, 2019, 10:33 a.m.]
Notice of Interpretive or Policy Statement
In accordance with RCW 34.05.230(12), following is a list of policy and interpretive statements issued by the department of social and health services.
Aging and Long-Term Support Administration (ALTSA)
Division of Home and Community Services
Document Title: Public Notice.
Subject: New freedom waiver renewal.
Effective Date: January 1, 2020.
Document Description: The health care authority and ALTSA intend to submit an application for renewal of the new freedom waiver, WA.0443. The renewal application, once approved, will allow the state to continue to provide new freedom waiver services to eligible persons. The effective date of the waiver renewal is expected to be January 1, 2020.
New freedom is a budget-based waiver program that provides eligible participants increase[d] choice and control over their services and supports. This waiver program began in 2007 and is currently available only to individuals living at home in Pierce and King counties. Participants must meet financial and functional eligibility requirements. Services include personal assistance services, environmental and vehicle modifications, individual-directed goods, services and supports, training and educational supports, and treatment and health maintenance.
The state proposes the following changes in the new freedom renewal application:
•Reduce the unduplicated participant count to align with actual participant count date in the annual waiver reports (three hundred seventy-two reports) submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid [Services] (CMS).
•Change performance measures in these sections of the application to align with performance measures in the community options program entry system and residential support waivers as approved by CMS on January 1, 2019:
oAppendix A: Administrative Authority.
oAppendix G: Health and Welfare.
oAppendix H: Quality Improvement Strategy.
•Adjust Appendix J estimated projections of service expenditures to more closely align with actual date from the three hundred seventy-two reports.
To receive a copy of the interpretive or policy statements contact Jamie Tong, Home and Community Services, P.O. Box 45600, Olympia, WA 98504-5600, phone 360-725-3293, TDD/TTY 1-877-905-0454, fax 360-438-8633, email Jamie.tong@dshs.wa.gov, web site http://www.dshs.wa.gov/altsa.