New Proposed Rules Could Improve Medicaid Coverage for Community-Based Services

Last Friday, the Federal Register posted proposed new rules by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that could make it easier for people with disabilities to get the community-based services they need through Medicaid.  These new rules align precisely with GCDD’s Real Communities Initiative, and we encourage advocates in Georgia and throughout the country to voice loud support for the proposals.

Right now, individuals receive set services from the state based on the diagnosis of their disability.  If adopted, the new rules would allow states more flexibility in home- and community-based services for people with developmental disabilities.  States could choose from a variety of services – a menu of sorts - depending on which one best fit that person’s need.  The new rules also require that person-centered planning is used so people receiving services have significant input into decisions affecting their lives.

Public comment is open until June 14, 2011 and can be made in four ways, but electronically is perhaps easiest.  Click here to do so   http://www.regulations.gov/#!submitComment;D=VA-2011-VACO-0001-0087 after reading the entire new proposed rules here:  http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2011/04/15/2011-9116/medicaid-program-home-and-community-based-services-hcbs-waivers