1. A. The self-direction initiative is a voluntary, self-determination option which allows the beneficiary to coordinate the delivery of NOW services, as designated by OCDD, through an individual direct support professional rather than through a licensed, enrolled provider agency. Selection of this option requires that the beneficiary utilize a payment mechanism approved by the department to manage the required fiscal functions that are usually handled by a provider agency.

2. B. Beneficiary Responsibilities. Waiver beneficiaries choosing the self-directed service delivery option must understand the rights, risks and responsibilities of managing his/her own care and individual budget. If the beneficiary is unable to make decisions independently, he/she must have an authorized representative who understands the rights, risks and responsibilities of managing his/her care and supports within his/her individual budget. Responsibilities of the beneficiary or authorized representative include:

   1. 1. completion of mandatory trainings, including the rights and responsibilities of managing his/her own services and supports and individual budget;
   2. 2. participation in the self-direction service delivery option without a lapse in or decline in quality of care or an increased risk to health and welfare; and

   3. 3. participation in the development and management of the approved personal purchasing plan:

      1. a. this annual budget is determined by the recommended service hours listed in the beneficiary’s CPOC to meet his/her needs;
      2. b. the beneficiary’s individual budget includes a potential amount of dollars within which the beneficiary or his/her authorized representative exercises decision-making responsibility concerning the selection of services and service providers.

3. C. Termination of the Self-Direction Service Delivery Option. Termination of participation in the self-direction service delivery option requires a revision of the CPOC, the elimination of the fiscal agent and the selection of the Medicaid-enrolled waiver service provider(s) of choice.

   1. 1. Voluntary Termination. The waiver beneficiary may choose at any time to withdraw from the self-direction service delivery option and return to the traditional provider agency management of services.

   2. 2. Involuntary Termination. The department may terminate the self-direction service delivery option for a beneficiary and require him/her to receive provider-managed services under the following circumstances:

      1. a. the health or welfare of the beneficiary is compromised by continued participation in the self-direction service delivery option;
      2. b. the beneficiary is no longer able to direct his/her own care and there is no responsible representative to direct the care;
      3. c. there is misuse of public funds by the beneficiary or the authorized representative; or

      4. d. over three consecutive payment cycles, the beneficiary or authorized representative:

         1. i. places barriers to the payment of the salaries and related state and federal payroll taxes of direct support staff;
         2. ii. fails to follow the Personal Purchasing Plan;
         3. iii. fails to provide required documentation of expenditures and related items; or
         4. iv. fails to cooperate with the fiscal agent or support coordinator in preparing any additional documentation of expenditures.
4. D. All services rendered shall be prior approved and in accordance with the comprehensive plan of care.
5. E. All services must be documented in service notes, which describes the services rendered and progress towards the beneficiary’s personal outcomes and his/her comprehensive plan of care.

6. F. Service Limits

   1. 1. Authorized representatives, legally responsible individuals, and legal guardians may be the employers in the self-directed option but may not also be the employees.
   2. 2. Legally responsible individuals may only be paid for services when the care is extraordinary care in comparison to that of a beneficiary of the same age without a disability and the care is in the best interest of the beneficiary.
   3. 3. Family members who are employed in the self-directed option must meet the same standards as direct support staff that are not related to the beneficiary.
   4. 4. Family members who live in the home with the beneficiary cannot exceed a total of 40 hours per week when employed in the self-directed option.

Authority Note

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 36:254 and Title XIX of the Social Security Act.

Historical Note

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of the Secretary, Bureau of Community Supports and Services, LR 30:1209 (June 2004), amended by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of the Secretary, Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities, LR 33:1651 (August 2007), amended by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Bureau of Health Services Financing and the Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities, LR 40:79 (January 2014), amended by the Department of Health, Bureau of Health Services Financing and the Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities, LR 44:58 (January 2018), LR 48:1557 (June 2022).