CMS Releases Proposed Rule For The Medicaid Home And Community-Based State Plan Option.

On March 31, CMS released a notice of proposed rulemaking for State Plan Option Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS). The rule implements section 1915i of the Social Security Act, which was created by the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. Under this new option, states can provide HCBS to individuals who do not qualify for institutional-level care. Previously, through 1915c waivers, individuals needed to meet institutional level of care requirements in order to receive HCBS. One of the main aspects of the proposed rule focuses on a person-centered planning process to develop each plan of care. Currently, Iowa is the only state with an approved 1915i state plan amendment. Comments on the rule are due by June 3, 2008. The text can be found online at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicaidGenInfo/Downloads/CMS2249P.pdf