Wyo. Code R. 048-0037-46
Medicaid
Chapter 46: Medicaid Supports and Comprehensive Waivers
Effective Date: 04/30/2019 to 08/27/2019
Rule Type: Expired Emergency Rules & Regulations
Reference Number: 048.0037.46.04302019
Section 1. Authority. This Chapter is promulgated by the Department of Health pursuant to Wyoming Statute § 9-2-102 and the Wyoming Medical Assistance and Services Act at Wyoming Statutes §§ 42-4-104 through 121.
(a) This Chapter shall apply to and govern Medicaid services provided under the Wyoming Medicaid Supports and Comprehensive Waivers.
(b) This Chapter, in addition to Chapters 44 and 45 of the Department of Health's Medicaid Rules, shall govern services and provider requirements of the Supports and Comprehensive Waivers.
(c) The Behavioral Health Division, hereinafter referred to as the 'Division,' may issue manuals and bulletins to providers or other affected parties to interpret the provisions of this Chapter. Such manuals and bulletins shall be consistent with and reflect the policies contained in this Chapter. The provisions contained in manuals and bulletins shall be subordinate to the provisions of this Chapter.
(i) Wyoming's currently approved Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Comprehensive and Supports Waiver Applications and the Comprehensive and Supports Waiver Index apply to this Chapter.
(d) The requirements of Title XIX of the Social Security Act, 42 C.F.R Part 441, Subpart G and the Medicaid State Plan apply to this Chapter.
(a) Terminology. Except as otherwise specified in Chapter 1 of the Department of Health's Medicaid Rules, or as defined in this Section, the terminology used in this Chapter is standard terminology and has the standard meaning used in accounting, health care, Medicaid, and Medicare.
(b) Definitions.
(i) 'Case Manager' means an individual who provides case management services as defined in Chapter 45, Section 9.
(ii) 'Level of Service score' means a participant's support needs for various parts of their everyday routine and their level of independence, which are tied to a Level of Service score ranging from 1(least level of support) to 6 (highest level of support). The Level of Service scores are based on comprehensive assessments that determine an individual’s level of functioning related to behavioral and health factors, and identify essential staffing and support requirements.
“Relative” means a participant’s biological or adoptive parent(s) or stepparent(s).
(c) This Chapter establishes a person-centered approach to determining the support needs of participants in the individualized plan of care and to assign the individual budget amount. Developing community connections, increasing independence, natural supports, self-direction, and employment opportunities are essential components of the Supports and Comprehensive Waivers.
(d) The Supports Waiver provides eligible participants supportive services so the person may remain in the place he or she currently lives, as funding is available.
(e) Objectives. In conjunction with the methodology listed in this Section, the Supports and Comprehensive Waivers shall meet the following objectives:
(i) Provide an array of services, including a continuum of support and employment offerings, to serve participants in the least restrictive and most appropriate environment;
(ii) Provide participants increased opportunities for community involvement;
(iii) Allow the opportunity to self-direct services;
(iv) Set and achieve targeted outcomes for each participant served; and
(v) Monitor and enhance continuous improvement strategies to improve service delivery for participants.
(a) All persons possess inalienable rights under the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Wyoming. Persons with developmental disabilities also possess the rights outlined in the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000, 42 U.S.C. §15001.
(b) It is the philosophy of the Division to develop reasonable and enforceable rules for the provision of services to individuals with developmental disabilities, acquired brain injury, and related conditions in community settings in lieu of unnecessary institutionalization. This philosophy is mandated in the Supreme Court ruling on Olmstead v. L.C. ex rel. Zimring, 527 U.S. 581 (1999).
(c) This Chapter is designed not only to support the philosophy of home and community-based services, but also to protect the health, welfare, and safety of waiver participants.
(a) Eligibility under this Chapter is limited to persons who complete the application process and who meet the following requirements for clinical and financial eligibility. In order to be eligible for the Wyoming Medicaid Supports Waiver or Wyoming Medicaid Comprehensive Waiver, an individual shall meet all of the following criteria:
(i) All citizenship, residency, and financial eligibility requirements established in Chapter 18 of the Department of Health's Medicaid Rules;
(ii) Institutional level of care:
(A) For an individual with a developmental or intellectual disability diagnosis, an intermediate care facility for individuals with an intellectual or developmental disability (ICF/IID) level of care, as measured by the LT-104; or
(B) For an individual with an acquired brain injury diagnosis, a nursing facility level of care, as measured by the LT-101, and
(iii) One of the following clinical eligibility diagnoses:
(A) A diagnosis of an intellectual disability, as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM 5), which is incorporated by reference. The diagnosis shall:
(I) Be determined by a Medicaid enrolled clinical psychologist who is independent from the provider of waiver services and currently licensed in Wyoming,
(II) Be verified in a written and signed psychological evaluation,
(III) Reflect adaptive behavior scores as determined through standard measurement of adaptive behavior using a validated test of adaptive functioning such as the most current forms of the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales or Adaptive Behavior Assessment System, and
(IV) For a child applicant who is old enough to take an Intelligence Quotient test, shall meet a qualifying clinical diagnosis like an adult. A child too young to complete an Intelligence Quotient test may meet the criteria of a developmental disability as described in subsection (B) through medical records of a related condition using a standardized test of development, such as the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development or other similar instrument.
(B) A developmental disability or a related condition determined by a physician or independent psychologist currently licensed in Wyoming with verification in medical records or a written psychological evaluation which includes assessment scores. The evaluation or records shall identify a severe, chronic disability, which:
(I) Manifested before the person turned age twenty-two;
(II) Reflects the need for a combination and sequence of special services which are lifelong or of extended duration;
(III) Is attributable to a mental or physical impairment, other than mental illness;
(IV) Is likely to continue indefinitely;
(V) Results in substantial functional limitations in three (3) or more of the following major life activity areas: self-care, receptive and expressive language, learning, mobility, self-direction, capacity for independent living, and economic self-sufficiency; and
(VI) For those with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, a current autism evaluation and severity rating shall be completed.
(C) An Acquired Brain Injury (ABI), as defined by Chapter 1 of the Wyoming Medicaid Rules and meets the following criteria:
(I) Is between the ages of twenty-one (21) and sixty-four (64), and
(II) Meets at least one of the following evaluations to confirm the diagnosis:
(1.) A score of 42 or more on the Mayo Portland Adaptability Inventory (MPAI),
(2.) A score of 40 or less on the most current version of the California Verbal Learning Test Trials 1-5 T, or
(3.) A score of 4 or more on the Supervision Rating Scale.
(iv) If clinical eligibility is met, qualify on the Inventory for Client and Agency Planning (ICAP) assessment, as administered by the Division’s designee, with one of the following:
(A) If age twenty-one (21) or older,
(I) A service score of 70 or less; or
(II) At least three (3) significant functional limitations listed in the following sections of the ICAP: Personal Living domain, Social/Communication domain, Community Living domain, a diagnosis of an intellectual disability, or is non-ambulatory without assistance.
(B) If age two (2) through twenty (20) with an ICAP service score between 30 and 70, respectively depending on age.
(C) If age twenty (20) or below, the age adjusted ICAP service score shall be higher than the ICAP service score for his or her actual age and meet eligibility based on their Adaptive Behavior Quotient (ABQ):
(I) For ages zero (0) through five (5), an adaptive behavior quotient of .50 or below; and
(II) For individuals age six (6) through twenty (20), an adaptive behavior quotient of .70 or below.
(b) Diagnoses and assessments used to meet initial clinical eligibility shall be accurate and shall be completed within the past five (5) years. Any assessment or reassessment for eligibility is subject to review by the Division before acceptance, and may require additional evidence or verification.
(c) Case managers shall complete all eligibility paperwork within thirty (30) calendar days of being selected. Submitted paperwork shall be reviewed by the Division within thirty (30) calendar days of receipt.
(d) To be eligible for participation in the Comprehensive Waiver, an individual shall:
(i) Meet the clinical eligibility specified in this section and have a qualifying ICAP assessment;
(ii) Have assessed service needs in excess of the established cost limit on the Supports Waiver; and
(iii) Meet one of the following:
(A) The emergency criteria as approved by the Extraordinary Care Committee (ECC); or
(B) The criteria for reserved capacity as specified in Section 11(f) or (g) of this Chapter.
(e) Reassessments.
(i) A participant shall be reassessed for clinical eligibility at least annually or more frequently should a change in circumstances occur which requires a participant to receive a higher level of services or support to ensure the participant’s health, safety, and welfare.
(A) A subsequent psychological evaluation shall be prior authorized and be necessary due to the participant’s change in condition or as determined by the Division.
(B) Psychological reassessments shall be conducted by an entity without a conflict of interest to the providers chosen by the participant or legally authorized representative.
(ii) The ICAP assessment shall be completed every five (5) years, or more frequently at the option of the Division, to provide continued verification that the participant meets waiver clinical eligibility.
(iii) The Division may require other assessments to determine budget amounts or service authorization.
(f) Loss of eligibility.
(i) A participant shall be determined to have lost eligibility when the participant:
(A) Does not meet clinical eligibility when re-assessed;
(B) Does not meet financial eligibility; or
(C) Changes residence to another state.
(ii) The Division may terminate a participant’s eligibility when the participant:
(A) Voluntarily does not receive any waiver services for three (3) consecutive months;
(B) Is in a nursing home, hospital, residential treatment facility, in-patient hospice, institution, or ICF/ID for thirty (30) or more calendar days;
(C) Is in an out-of-state placement or residence for six (6) consecutive months or resides out of state for six (6) consecutive months; or
(D) Chooses another waiver outside of the Comprehensive or Supports waiver.
(iii) If the participant is determined not to be eligible for services due to one of the criteria in subsection (ii) of this Section, the participant or the participant’s legally authorized representative shall be notified in writing within fifteen (15) calendar days.
(iv) Notice of Ineligibility or Loss of Eligibility
(A) The Division shall notify an applicant or participant, or legally authorized representative, in writing, of the determination of clinical ineligibility or termination of clinical eligibility within fifteen (15) calendar days of the determination or termination.
(I) Upon written notification of ineligibility in the case of an applicant, or the loss of clinical eligibility in the case of a participant, the applicant, participant, or legally authorized representative may submit, in writing, a request for reconsideration within thirty (30) calendar days of the notice of ineligibility or loss of eligibility, which shall include the reasons why the participant should still be considered eligible for the services.
(II) If the participant requests reconsideration, the Division Administrator or Designee shall review this written request and make a final determination in writing within thirty (30) calendar days of the request. A participant who is aggrieved or adversely affected by a reconsideration decision may also request a hearing within thirty (30) calendar days following the adverse reconsideration decision.
(III) Requests for an administrative will be administered pursuant to Chapter 4 of the Department of Health’s Medicaid Rules.
(IV) Services to a participant determined not to meet clinical eligibility requirements shall be terminated no more than forty-five (45) calendar days after the determination is made.
(B) Upon notification from Wyoming Medicaid, the Division shall notify the applicant, participant, or legally authorized representative, in writing, of termination of financial eligibility within fifteen (15) calendar days.
(v) An applicant who is determined ineligible, or a participant whose eligibility is terminated under this Section, may reapply at any time.
Section 6. Statewide Data Registry. All individuals who have been determined eligible for waiver services shall be included in the statewide data registry used by the Division for planning, monitoring, and analysis for the waiver system. Information in the registry is considered confidential and will not be released without proper authorization, or otherwise as required by law. Providers shall provide data on programs, participant outcomes, costs, and other information as required by the Division.
(a) All waiver services specified in the individualized plan of care shall be based on the participant’s assessed needs; meet the service definition(s); be considered medically or functionally necessary; align with the participant’s preferences for services, supports, and providers; and be prioritized based on the availability of funding in the participant’s budget.
(b) Services shall have prior authorization before provided to a participant.
(c) Waiver services shall assist the participant in acquiring, retaining, and improving the skills necessary so the individual can function with as much independence as possible, exercise choice and self-management, and participate in the rights and responsibilities of community membership.
(d) The approved individualized plan of care shall reflect the services and actual units that providers agree to provide over the plan year. The approved individualized plan of care shall also include details regarding the specific support, the settings, times of day, and the specific activities requiring more support than others.
(e) Providers shall not serve children under age 18 and adults at the same time unless prior authorized in writing by the Division.
(f) Waiver services shall not be used to duplicate the same service or a similar service that is available to the participant through one of the following programs:
(i) Section 110 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973;
(ii) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973;
(iii) Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (20 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.);
(iv) Medicaid State Plan; or
(v) Local communities or school districts.
(g) Participants may request an exemption from subsection (f) by submitting a third party liability form as part of the participant's annual individualized plan of care. This form shall document that the service is not available through another program or agency to meet the individual participant's assessed needs. Exemptions may be granted at the direction of the Division.
(h) Routine transportation for activities provided during the service is included in the reimbursement rate for the service regardless of the number of trips. The provider shall not charge a participant separately for transportation during these waiver activities unless the special activity is outside of the participant's community or normal routine.
(i) Participants receiving residential habilitation services may receive up to an average of thirty-five (35) hours of day services per week which include: Adult Day, Community Integration, Companion, and Prevocational services.
(j) Waiver services are outlined in the Comprehensive and Supports Waiver Service Index, which is incorporated by reference.
(a) The allocation of Medicaid waiver funds that may be available to a participant to purchase services shall be based on his or her assessed needs.
(b) Eligible individuals shall be assigned a Level of Service score.
(c) The Supports Waiver.
(i) The purpose of the Supports Waiver is to assist individuals and their families in obtaining person-centered services and utilizing both natural supports and paid providers to support individuals in the home they own, lease, or share with family. This waiver allows for more flexibility for waiver participants to develop and change their service plans, provides resources and training to assist participants in learning the services system, offers new service options, gives participants an opportunity to self-direct services and hire and fire staff, and provides ongoing resources and training.
(ii) Participants enrolled in the Supports Waiver shall be assigned an individual budget amount based on:
(A) The participant’s age group, whether or not the participant has reached the age of 21;
(B) An average cost for the assessed service needs for individuals in the participant’s age group;
(C) The participant’s access to services available through programs funded under Section 110 or 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 or the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.);
(D) An amount for annual case management services;
(iii) The Level of Service score shall be used in order to determine eligibility and priority order for Comprehensive Waiver funding.
(iv) Transition to the Comprehensive Waiver shall only occur as funding and a slot on the Comprehensive Waiver becomes available.
(d) The Comprehensive Waiver.
(i) Participants shall meet criteria outlined in Section 5(d) to be considered for Comprehensive Waiver Services.
(ii) Participants enrolled on the Comprehensive Waiver shall be assigned an individual budget amount based on the following factors:
(A) Functional and medical assessments, including the ICAP assessment, and past approved individualized plans of care;
(B) The participant’s age group, whether or not the participant has reached the age of 21;
(C) The participant’s living situation;
(D) The participant’s need for a higher level of services;
(E) An amount for annual case management services; and
(F) Any temporary or permanent increase or decrease as determined by the ECC.
(iii) The factors in subsection (d)(ii) determine the participant's Level of Service score in order to plan for appropriate services and supports.
(iv) Supports to the participant through waiver services shall align with the Level of Service scoring rubric associated with the person's Level of Service score. The scoring rubric is outlined in the Comprehensive and Supports Waiver Service Index, which is incorporated by reference.
(v) A participant's individual budget amount on the Comprehensive Waiver shall not exceed the current annual average cost of a resident at the Wyoming Life Resource Center. A participant who needs services in excess of this amount shall have the individualized plan of care and budget approved by the ECC, who shall work with the participant's providers and plan of care team to evaluate the provision of services, monitor service delivery and participant outcomes, improve services and supports, and make plans to improve outcomes for the participant.
(a) The services that may be self-directed are outlined in the Comprehensive and Supports Waiver Service Index, which is incorporated by reference.
(b) At least once a year, each participant's case manager shall provide the participant or legally authorized representative information regarding the option to self-direct waiver services. Information shall include requirements of the employer of record, not limited to:
(c) Self-Directed services are available to a participant who:
or
(ii) Resides in other living arrangements where services, regardless of funding source, are furnished to three (3) or fewer persons unrelated to the proprietor.
(d) To self-direct waiver services, the participant or legally authorized representative or other designee shall act as the Employer of Record and use a Financial Management Service on contract with the Division.
(e) A participant shall only self-direct services if the Financial Management Service contractor has open slots for new people to enroll, based upon the contracted capacity.
(f) The Financial Management Service shall assist the participant in being the Employer of Record.
(g) The Division shall provide the recommended wage ranges for all self-directed services.
(h) The Employer of Record shall be responsible to recruit, hire, schedule, evaluate, and supervise self-directed employees. The Employer of Record shall have the budgetary authority to negotiate and set wages and payment terms for all services received.
(i) The Employer of Record shall hire employees to provide waiver services and work with the Financial Management Service to determine that the potential employee meets the general and specific provider standards for the service being provided.
(j) Consistent with the service definitions as outlined in the Comprehensive and Supports Waiver Service Index, which is incorporated by reference, the Employer of Record shall work with the employee hired through self-direction to determine the specific tasks to be completed during the provision of services, the employee's schedule, and how to document services and report documentation and timesheets to the Employer and Financial Management Service. The Employer of Record shall ensure documentation is available to the case manager by the tenth (10th) business day of the month following the month in which services were provided.
(k) When the Employer of Record and the employee have reached agreement on the services, schedule, and rate, the Financial Management Service shall track the rate and services authorized and ensure the employee wages are paid in accordance with state and federal laws.
(l) Employees hired through self-direction shall document services provided in accordance with Chapter 45 and the agreed upon manner between the Financial Management Service and the Employer of Record. The Employer of Record shall maintain documentation in accordance with the Wyoming Medicaid Rules.
(m) The Employer of Record, with assistance from the case manager as needed, shall review employee documentation of the services provided and the employee timesheets to ensure accuracy with the type, scope, amount, frequency, and duration of services agreed upon in the individualized plan of care.
(n) A participant may choose to voluntarily terminate self-direction at any time during the plan year and shall work with the case manager to transition to other services or providers. The case manager shall disenroll the participant from the Financial Management Service within thirty (30) calendar days of notification that the participant chooses to terminate self-direction services.
(o) A participant shall be involuntarily terminated from the use of self-direction if:
(i) The participant or Employer of Record is found to misuse waiver funds;
(ii) The participant's health and welfare needs are not adequately being met;
(iii) The participant exceeds the budget amount for self-directed services identified in the individualized plan of care;
(iv) The Division, the Division of Healthcare Financing, or the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit identifies situations involving the commission of fraudulent or criminal activity associated with the self-direction of services; or
(v) The participant chooses not to receive self-directed services for ninety (90) calendar days after active enrollment begins.
(p) A participant who is involuntarily terminated from this service under subsection (o) shall receive written notice from the Division and may request an administrative hearing as provided in Chapter 4 of the Department of Health’s Medicaid Rules.
(a) The Division shall maintain a wait list for waiver services to add additional participants as funding is appropriated and as approved by CMS.
(b) The Division shall prioritize eligible individuals on the wait lists on a first come, first serve basis. Funding opportunities shall be given to the person who spent the longest time waiting for services starting from the date that the individual was determined eligible.
(c) Before being added to a waiver wait list, the individual shall be determined eligible as specified in Section 5 of this Chapter.
(d) For people with the same date of eligibility on the wait list, the Division shall use the date that the “Selection of Case Manager” form was received by the Division to determine which individual shall receive the next funding opportunity.
(e) The Level of Service score and individual budget amount shall be determined for each individual on the wait list. An eligible individual who needs services in excess of the Supports Waiver and has a Level of Service score of four (4) or higher may request placement on the Comprehensive Waiver and may also be placed on the Comprehensive Waiver wait list, if funding or slots are not available.
(f) The Comprehensive Waiver shall reserve capacity each year for individuals who have resided in a Wyoming institution, such as an ICF/ID, nursing home, Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility, BOCES, prison, jail, or an inpatient psychiatric hospital and who have been:
(i) In residence at the institution for at least two (2) years;
(ii) On a Division wait list for at least two (2) years; or
(iii) Previously on a Division waiver a minimum of two (2) years prior to being institutionalized.
(iv) Other individuals transitioning out of institutional services may request access to reserve capacity slots based on availability.
(g) The Comprehensive and Supports Waivers shall reserve capacity each year for qualifying dependents of active military service members who have been assigned to serve in Wyoming, or who are retiring or separating from active duty military service and intend to reside in Wyoming within eighteen (18) months.
(a) An emergency case involves an eligible person who calls for immediate action or an urgent need for waiver services, including placement in the least restrictive and most appropriate environment necessary to maintain the person's vital functions because of one of the following criteria:
(i) An immediate threat, or a high probability of immediate danger to the life, health, property, or environment of the eligible person or another individual because of the eligible person's medical, mental health, or behavioral condition.
(ii) A loss of the person's primary caregiver due to death, incapacitation, critical medical condition, or inability to provide continuous care. A caregiver is defined as any person, agency, or other entity responsible for the care, both physical and supervisory, of a person because of:
(iii) Homelessness, which means a situation where, for a period of thirty (30) days, a person lacks access to an adequate residence with appropriate resources to meet his or her support and supervision needs, and without such support, there is evidence of serious harm to the person's life or health.
(iv) A case involving a person removed from the home due to abuse, neglect, abandonment, exploitation, or self-neglect substantiated by the Department of Family Services (DFS), Protection & Advocacy System, Inc., or law enforcement.
(v) A residential service request for a waiver participant or a person on the wait list not receiving 24-hour residential services, whose health or safety is at significant risk due to extraordinary needs that cannot be met in the current living arrangement because of one of following criteria:
(A) A substantial threat to a person’s life or health that is either corroborated by the Department of Family Services, Protection & Advocacy System, Inc., or law enforcement;
(B) A situation where the person’s health condition or significant and frequently occurring behavioral challenges poses a substantial threat to the person’s own life or health, or to others in the home;
(C) A situation where the person’s critical medical condition requires ongoing twenty-four (24) hour support and supervision to maintain the person’s health and safety that cannot be met in the current living situation; or
(D) The loss of the eligible person’s primary caregiver due to death, incapacitation, critical medical condition, or inability to provide continuous care.
(b) Any person who requests that the Division consider an emergency case shall be directed to work with the person’s chosen case manager, the Division, and other community resources to review options for emergency services. The case manager shall submit the request for emergency services on behalf of the person.
(c) Emergency cases shall be referred to the ECC pursuant to Section 13 of this chapter.
(d) An individual who has not been deemed eligible for waiver services may complete the eligibility process and request emergency services. No emergency services may be provided to ineligible persons.
(e) Emergency placement in waiver services shall not be made as an alternative to incarceration or jail.
(a) The ECC shall be composed of a Division waiver manager, a Medicaid manager, the Participant Support Specialist presenting the case, and a representative from the Department’s fiscal unit. When appropriate, the ECC may also include the Division’s licensed Psychiatrist, the Medicaid Medical Director, Division’s Registered Nurse, or a behavioral specialist. Members may also consult other specialists in the field as appropriate.
(b) The ECC may only approve additional funds for participant cases if funding is available in the Division’s waiver budget appropriation.
(c) The ECC shall review:
(i) Emergency cases as defined by Section 12 of this Chapter; and (ii) Extraordinary cases that include a significant change in service need due to the onset of a behavioral or medical condition or injury including:
(A) A temporary change in circumstances which requires a higher level of service or support to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the participant;
(B) Temporary funding increases under Section 8(c) and 8(d);
(C) Concerns about a Level of Service score; or
(D) Requests requiring ECC approval under these Rules.
(d) Emergency cases can arise for a person who is eligible for covered services but is on the wait list, or for participants currently receiving Comprehensive or Supports waiver services who may be determined to be in an emergency situation pursuant to Section 12 (a) of this Chapter.
(e) The ECC shall have the authority to approve, partially approve, or deny a submitted funding request for any person deemed eligible for a waiver operated by the Division.
(f) An ECC request for emergency services shall contain verification of how the participant’s situation meets emergency criteria. Evidence shall at least include, as applicable:
(i) Written statements or reports from the other state or regional agencies that support the emergency case including specific incidents, notes related to the type of condition or injury, witnesses, follow-up, treatment summaries, and any documented accounts of events by witnesses;
(ii) Documentation of other approaches or supports that have been attempted;
(iii) Written statements from a physician or licensed psychologist explaining the significant change in the participant’s functioning limitations that result in an assessed need for additional supports or services and how the person’s life or health is in jeopardy without such supports and services;
(iv) Evidence that the person does not qualify for funding or services through any other agency that would alleviate the emergency situation; and
(v) For persons requesting services or supports due to homelessness, evidence that:
(A) Either:
(I) Other community resources, such as a victim’s shelter, or other temporary residence are not available or appropriate; or
(II) The temporary shelter is insufficient to meet the person’s immediate health and safety needs and there is evidence of immediate and serious harm to the person’s life or health if temporarily in a temporary shelter; and (B) Due to other conditions of the emergency or the person’s condition, waiver services would be the necessary and appropriate intervention.
(g) A request may be made by the participant’s plan of care team if they can demonstrate that a participant’s Level of Service score does not reflect the participant’s assessed need.
(h) A request shall be submitted on the form provided by the Division, and accompanied by additional information that the participant and the participant’s plan of care team does not see adequately captured in the ICAP or in the information stored electronically by the Division.
(i) The ECC may request additional assessments, including a new ICAP, a Supports Intensity Scale, or another appropriate and standardized assessment targeted for a specific diagnosis or condition.
(i) The additional assessment in these cases may provide more detailed information about the person’s support needs and assist the ECC in evaluating the need for a different level of service or extraordinary service or support.
(ii) Information from the ICAP, along with information from other assessments and information submitted by the participant’s team shall be used to make the final decision on the request for level of service score. The additional assessments and information reviewed by the ECC may result in a level of service score increase, decrease, or no change.
(j) Decisions of the ECC shall be by majority vote and rendered in writing within twenty (20) business days of the ECC review.
(k) In cases of a tie vote among members, the Administrator shall issue the final vote.
(l) The Division Administrator or his/her designee may approve a time limited exception while the ECC is rendering a final decision.
(m) Any eligible individual denied services under this section may request administrative review of that decision pursuant to Chapter 4 of the Department of Health’s Medicaid Rules.
(a) The following services are not eligible for waiver services reimbursement:
(i) The care of individuals residing in a hospital, nursing facility, ICF/ID, or other institutional placement;
(ii) Waiver services provided to a person under guardianship by a spouse of the participant, a guardian of a participant age 18 and over, or an owner or officer of a provider organization serving their ward, shall not directly or indirectly receive reimbursement for providing waiver services;
(iii) Room and board, except when provided as part of respite in a facility, other than a private residence, approved by Medicaid;
(iv) Services currently covered under the Medicaid State Plan;
(v) Services to an individual if it is reasonably expected that the cost of these services would exceed the cost of services provided in an ICF/ID, calculated by using the current annual ICF/ID rate; or
(vi) Service settings reimbursed by another state agency, such as the Department of Family Services or Department of Education.
(b) No direct service that is the responsibility of the school system shall be authorized as a waiver service. The Division shall not authorize waiver services for the hours the child is attending school or in a vocational program. Regular school hours and days apply for a child who receives home schooling or an adjusted school day.
(c) Any individual eligible for funding for specialized services under the Developmental Disabilities Services Act shall apply for and accept any federal Medicaid benefits for which they may be eligible and benefits from other funding sources within the Department; the Department of Education, specifically including the Department of Workforce Services and Division of Vocational Rehabilitation; and other agencies to the maximum extent possible.
(a) The Division may deny or revoke authorization for waiver services for any of the following reasons:
(i) The individual fails to meet waiver eligibility criteria as established in Section 5;
(ii) The eligible individual has not met emergency criteria and no other waiver funding opportunities are available;
(iii) The individual or legally authorized representative has not consented to waiver services;
(iv) The individual or legally authorized representative has chosen to receive ICF/ID services;
(v) The individual, his or her legally authorized representative, or other person on his or her behalf has not supplied needed information;
(vi) The participant’s needs are not being met through waiver services;
(vii) The individualized plan of care has not been implemented;
(viii) The legislature has not appropriated sufficient fiscal resources to fund all services for all persons determined eligible for waiver services;
(ix) Funding for requested waiver services is available as a similar service from other sources, such as a school district or the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation;
(x) The eligible individual or legally authorized representative has failed to apply for, and accept any federal Medicaid benefits for which she or he may be eligible, or benefits from other funding sources within the Department of Health, the Department of Education, Department of Workforce Services, or other agencies to the maximum extent possible.
(xi) The eligible individual or legally authorized representative has not signed documentation required by the Department;
(xii) The eligible individual or legally authorized representative has failed to cooperate with, or refused the services funded by the Division; or
(xiii) The individual, under the age of twenty-two (22), could receive educational services during a normal, regular, or adjusted school day.
(a) The order in which the provisions of this Chapter appear is not to be construed to mean that any one provision is more or less important than any other provision.
(b) The text of this Chapter shall control the titles of its various provisions
This Chapter supersedes all prior rules or policy statements issued by the Division, including Provider Manuals and Provider Bulletins, which are inconsistent with this Chapter.
If any portion of this Chapter is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder shall continue in full force and effect.
(a) For any code, standard, rule, or regulation incorporated by reference in these rules:
(i) The Department has determined that incorporation of the full text in these rules would be cumbersome or inefficient given the length or nature of the rules;
(ii) The incorporation by reference does not include any later amendments or editions of the incorporated matter beyond the applicable date identified in subsection (b) of this section; and
(iii) The incorporated code, standard, rule, or regulation is maintained at the Department and is available for public inspection and copying at cost at the same location.
(b) Each code, rule, or regulation incorporated by reference in these rules is further identified as follows:
(i) Referenced in Section 2 of this Chapter is Title XIX of the Social Security Act, 42 C.F.R. Part 441, Subpart G, incorporated as of the effective date of this Chapter and can be found at http://www.ecfr.gov.
(ii) Referenced in Section 2 of this Chapter is Wyoming Medicaid’s State Plan, incorporated as of the effective date of this Chapter and can be found at http://www.health.wyo.gov/healthcarefin/medicaid/spa.
(iii) Referenced in Section 2 of this Chapter is Wyoming’s Comprehensive and Supports Waiver Applications, incorporated as of the effective date of this Chapter and can be found at https://health.wyo.gov/behavioralhealth/dd/waivers/.
(iv) Referenced in Section 2, 7, and 8 of this Chapter is Wyoming’s Comprehensive and Supports Waiver Service Index, incorporated as of the effective date of this Chapter and can be found at https://www.health.wyo.gov/behavioralhealth/dd/comprehensive-supports-waivers/.
(v) Referenced in Section 5 of this Chapter is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM 5), incorporated as of the effective date of this Chapter and can be found at American Psychiatric Association Publishing, 1000 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1825, Arlington, VA 22209.
(vi) Referenced in Sections 7 and 8 of this Chapter is Section 110 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, incorporated as of the effective date of this Chapter and can be found at https://www.ssa.gov/.
(vii) Referenced in Sections 7 and 8 of this Chapter is Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, incorporated as of the effective date of this Chapter and can be found at https://www.ssa.gov/.
(viii) Referenced in Sections 7 and 8 of this Chapter is the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (20 U.S.C. § 1401 et seq.), incorporated as of the effective date of this Chapter and can be found at https://www.ssa.gov/.