Waiver Title
Innovations (0423.R03.00)
Description of Emergency
North Carolina is submitting this Appendix K in order to implement flexibilities to prepare for and support waiver participants during COVID-19. There are currently 13,139 Innovations beneficiaries served by the MCOs throughout the State. The State is having calls with the MCOs to offer support, provide information and to get updates on the status of their programs and beneficiaries. The MCOs will be providing updates on the status of waiver beneficiaries. The State will continue to work with the LME-MCOs as ongoing status determinations are made. North Carolina is requesting that these flexibilities be effective statewide. North Carolina operates under a 1915(b)(c) waiver where the LME-MCOs are PIHPs who operationalize the waiver under a contract with the State. The State is in regular communications with the LME-MCOs on the status of waiver operations in their areas.
Start Date
End Date
Description of Transition Plan
Individuals will transition to pre-emergency service status as soon as they are able. Waiver participants who qualify for additional services or waiving of waiver rules and requirements because of COVID-19 will be reassessed at least 30-days before the expiration of this appendix to determine ongoing needs.
Area(s) Affected
Area Affected
All 100 counties
Access and Eligibility
Increase Cost Limits
Waive $135k individual limit on a case-by-case basis for individuals who are currently receiving waiver services. A new waiver limit will not be established.
Modify Targeting Criteria
Waiver participants who do not use waiver services during this amendment will not lose their ability to continue to receive waiver services. This applies to participants who are not receiving services due to complications related to COVID-19.
Services
Modify Scope or Coverage
N/A
Exceed Service Limitations
Allow for an increase in service hours from what is in the person-centered plan without prior authorization for this time period. Respite may be provided when family is out of state due to evacuation/displacement until they return home. Out of home Respite may be provided in excess of 30 days on a case by case basis. If the out of state respite provider is outside of 40 miles from the North Carolina border, then NC Medicaid will need a provider agreement with the out of state provide per Olmstead.
Add Services
N/A
Expand Settings
Direct care services may be provided in a hotel, shelter, church, or alternative facility-based setting or the home of a direct care worker because of COVID-19 related issues. Allow Day Supports, Community Living and Supports, Supported Employment and Community Networking to be provided in the home of the participant, the home of the direct care worker, or the residential setting. Residential setting refers to the setting types listed in the Residential Service definition in the approved NC Innovations Waiver. The State confirms that there will not be duplication of Medicaid services
Provide Service Out of State
Currently, policy does not allow services out of state without prior approval by LME-MCO and does not allow for Respite to be provided out of state. Waive prior approval for individuals who are displaced and allow for Respite to be provided out of state.
Allow Payment for Services by Families
Allow for relatives of adult waiver beneficiaries to provide services to beneficiaries in Supported Living arrangements prior to background checks and training for 90 days. It is recommended that a relative residing in the home of the beneficiary provide no more 40 hours per week of service to the person. This must be reported to the PIHP, but does not require approval by the PIHP. If over 40 hours are needed to be provided by relatives residing in the home of the beneficiary, then the provider must maintain justification on the individuals needs and why there is no other qualified provider. The PIHP provides an increased level of monitoring for services delivered by relatives/legal guardians. Services delivered by relatives/legal guardians are monitored telephonically monthly. Care Coordinators monitor through telephonic monitoring and documentation review to ensure that payment is made only for services rendered and that the services are furnished in the best interest of the individual. This Telephonic assessment / monitoring will be conducted in accordance with HIPAA requirements. The relative of the adult waiver beneficiary will work through a self-directed option or a provider agency to bill for services rendered. The relative of the adult waiver beneficiary will complete the needed service grid documentation as evidence that services were rendered.
Modify Provider Qualifications
Modification of Provider Qualifications
Allow relatives of adult waiver beneficiaries who reside in the home and out of the home to provide services prior to background check and training for 90 days. It is understood that the background check will be completed by the agency as soon as possible after the service begins and training will occur as soon as possible without leaving the beneficiary without necessary care. Once conducted, if the background check demonstrates the individual should not continue working with the participant long-term, that individual will be immediately determined unqualified to render services. Relatives of adult waiver beneficiaries may provide Community Living and Supports, Day Supports, Supported Employment and Supported Living. Allow for existing staff to continue to provide service, for 90 days, when CPR and NCI recertification has lapsed. This applies to Community Living and Supports, Crisis Services, Community Networking, Day Supports, Respite, Residential Supports, Supported Living, and Supported Employment. Allow for additional services to be provided by relatives who live in the home of the adult waiver beneficiary (current waiver only allows for Community Living and Supports) to include Community Networking, Day Supports and Supported Employment for 90 days.
Modify Provider Types
N/A
Modify Licensure/Requirements for Waiver Settings
N/A
Modification LOC Eval and Re-Eval Processes
Annual reassessments of level of care that exceeds the 60-calendar day approval requirement beginning on 3/13/2020, will remain open, and services will continue for three months to allow sufficient time for the care coordinator to complete the annual reassessment paperwork. Additional time may be awarded on a case-by-case basis when conditions from COVID-19 impedes this process. Annual reassessments of level of care may be postponed by 90 calendar days to allow sufficient time to complete the annual reassessment and accompanying paperwork.
Increase Payment Rates
N/A
Modifications of ISP
N/A
Modify Incident Reporting/Med Management Safeguards
N/A
Allow Payment for Services During Acute Care Hospital/Short Term Institutional Stay
Community Living and Supports may be provided in acute care hospital or short-term institutional stay, when the waiver participant is displaced from home because of COVID19 and the waiver participant needs direct assistance with ADLs, behavioral supports, or communication supports on a continuous and ongoing basis and such supports are otherwise not available in these settings. The supplemental services provided in the hospital will not exceed 30 consecutive days; however, there may be more than one 30 consecutive day period. Room and board is excluded.
Inclusion of Retainer Payments
Include retainer payments to direct care workers to address emergency related issues. Retainer payments cannot be provided for more than 30 consecutive days There may be more than on 30 consecutive day period. If nursing facility has a bed hold that is less than 30 days, the retainer payment will not exceed that amount. The State confirms that retainer payments are for direct care providers who normally provide services that include habilitation and personal care, but are currently unable to due to complications experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic because the waiver participant is sick due to COVID-19; or the waiver participant is sequestered and/or quarantined based on local, state, federal and/or medical requirements/orders. The state will implement a distinguishable process to monitor payments to avoid duplication of billing. Retainer payments cannot be made for Respite.
Institute/Expand Opportunities for Self-Direction
N/A
Increase Factor C
N/A
Other Changes Necessary
Allow beneficiaries to receive fewer than one service per month during this amendment without being subject to discharge Waive the face-to-face requirements for monthly and quarterly care coordination/beneficiary meetings for individuals receiving residential supports, new to waiver, or relative as provider during this amendment. Waive the face-toface requirements for quarterly care coordinator/beneficiary meetings. Individuals who do not receive at least one service per monthly will receive monthly monitoring (which can be telephonic) as quarterly meetings are not sufficient for such individuals. Monthly and quarterly monitoring will occur telephonically. This Telephonic assessment / monitoring will be conducted in accordance with HIPAA requirements. Waive Support Intensity Scale Assessments/reassessment during this amendment. Waive requirement for beneficiary to attend the Day Supports provider once per week.
Addendum
HCBS Regulations
Not comply with the HCBS settings requirement at 42 CFR 441.301(c)(4)(vi)(D) that individuals are able to have visitors of their choosing at any time, for settings added after March 17, 2014, to minimize the spread of infection during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Services
Add Electronic Method of Service Delivery
N/A
Add Home Delivered Meals
N/A
Add Medical Supplies, Equipment and Appliances
N/A
Add Assistive Technology
N/A
Conflict of Interest
Other Changes Necessary
Allow beneficiaries to receive fewer than one service per month during this amendment without being subject to discharge Waive the face-to-face requirements for monthly and quarterly care coordination/beneficiary meetings for individuals receiving residential supports, new to waiver, or relative as provider during this amendment. Waive the face-toface requirements for quarterly care coordinator/beneficiary meetings. Individuals who do not receive at least one service per monthly will receive monthly monitoring (which can be telephonic) as quarterly meetings are not sufficient for such individuals. Monthly and quarterly monitoring will occur telephonically. This Telephonic assessment / monitoring will be conducted in accordance with HIPAA requirements. Waive Support Intensity Scale Assessments/reassessment during this amendment. Waive requirement for beneficiary to attend the Day Supports provider once per week.
Other Changes Necessary
Allow beneficiaries to receive fewer than one service per month during this amendment without being subject to discharge Waive the face-to-face requirements for monthly and quarterly care coordination/beneficiary meetings for individuals receiving residential supports, new to waiver, or relative as provider during this amendment. Waive the face-toface requirements for quarterly care coordinator/beneficiary meetings. Individuals who do not receive at least one service per monthly will receive monthly monitoring (which can be telephonic) as quarterly meetings are not sufficient for such individuals. Monthly and quarterly monitoring will occur telephonically. This Telephonic assessment / monitoring will be conducted in accordance with HIPAA requirements. Waive Support Intensity Scale Assessments/reassessment during this amendment. Waive requirement for beneficiary to attend the Day Supports provider once per week.
Provider Qualifications
Allow Spouses and Parents of Minor Children to Provide Personal Care Servcies
N/A
Allow a Family Member to be Paid to Render Services to an Individual
N/A
Allow Other Practitioners in Lieu of Approved Providers Within the Waiver
N/A
Modify Service Providers for Home-Delivered Meals to Allow for Additional Providers, Including Non-Traditional Providers
N/A
Processes
Allow an Extension for Reassessments and Reevaluations for up to One Year Past the Due Date
N/A
Allow the Option to Conduct Evaluations, Assessments, and Person-Centered Service Planning Meetings Virtually/Remotely in lieu of Face-to-Face Meetings
N/A
Adjust Prior Approval/Authorization Elements Approved in Waiver
N/A
Adjust Assessment Requirements
N/A
Add an Electronic Method of Signing Off on Required Documents Duch As The Person-Centered Service Plan
N/A