The below email was originally sent on 12/23/2015, however it has come to our attention that some people may not have received it. We will offer webinars in January to help explain the Waiver Renewal updates for anyone interested in participating.

From: opwdd.sm.commissioners.correspondence.unit
Sent: Wednesday, December 23, 2015 4:55 PM
Subject: HCBS Waiver Renewal Public Comment Period Announced

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

The Office for People With Developmental Disabilities is pleased to announce the opportunity for public comment on the 1915 (c) Comprehensive Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver Renewal. The public comment period will be open from December 23, 2015 through January 25, 2016.  Based upon its review of public comment, New York State will then submit the Renewal Application to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for approval.  Further information regarding the public comment process is available on the OPWDD website at http://www.opwdd.ny.gov/node/6345.
 
The Waiver Renewal is retroactive to October 1, 2014 and will span over the course of a five year period through September 30, 2019.  This five year agreement will fund Home and Community-Based Services for over 80,000 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  The Renewal continues the previous financial reforms implemented in prior agreements.

The Renewal includes updated information about the HCBS Settings Transition Plan and identifies that, beginning in 2016, some people enrolled in the OPWDD Comprehensive HCBS Waiver may choose to enroll in a voluntary Managed Care program called the FIDA-IDD (Fully Integrated Duals Advantage for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities).

Other changes in the Renewal include a request that CMS approve a new way to fund people who are new to Residential and Day Habilitation Services and who need extra support from staff until the provider agency’s costs can be included in the agency’s existing funding.  The Renewal also requests a multi-year phase-in to a new Respite fee methodology.  During the comment period, OPWDD and the NYS Department of Health (NYSDOH) will continue to work with stakeholders regarding the implementation of the new Respite methodology.

We welcome and request your comments and thank you for your continued advocacy for New Yorkers with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Sincerely,

Kerry A. Delaney
Acting Commissioner