RELATES TO: KRS 13B, 42.320(2)(d), 45A.075, 45A.080,
189A.050(3)(d)1, 205.900(3), 211.470-211.478, 314.011
NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: EO 2009-541 transferred
the functions and funds of
KRS 189A.050(3)(d) 1 to the
Department for Aging and Independent Living.
KRS 211.474(1) requires the
Traumatic Brain Injury Trust Fund Board of Directors to promulgate
administrative regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of
KRS 211.470 through
211.478. This administrative
regulation establishes the Traumatic Brain Injury Trust Fund Operations
Program.
Section 1. Definitions.
(1) "Applicant" means a person:
(a) Who applies for the program, including a
legally responsible individual on behalf of an applicant;
(b) Who participates in the development of,
and agrees to, a service plan for the use of the program; and
(c) For whom a completed service plan is
submitted to the program.
(2) "Benefit" means financial assistance
provided to a recipient to cover the cost of services approved by the service
plan review committee.
(3) "Benefit
management program" or "program" means the entity recommended by the board that
provides case management services and facilitates distribution of trust fund
monies.
(4) "Board" is defined by
KRS 211.470(1).
(5) "Cabinet" is defined by
KRS 211.470(2).
(6) "Case management" means a process,
coordinated by a case manager, for linking a recipient to appropriate,
comprehensive, and timely home or community based services as identified in the
service plan by:
(a) Planning;
(b) Referring;
(c) Monitoring; and
(d) Advocating.
(7) "Case manager" means the individual
employee responsible for:
(a) Coordinating
services and supports from all agencies involved in providing services required
by the service plan;
(b) Ensuring
all service providers have a working knowledge of the service plan;
and
(c) Ensuring services are
delivered as required.
(8) "Companion services" means nonmedical
supervision and socialization services for the purpose of:
(a) Preventing the need for
institutionalization; and
(b)
Assisting a recipient in maintaining community placement based upon an approved
service plan.
(9)
"Conflict free" means a scenario in which an agency, including any subsidiary,
partnership, not-for-profit, or other business entity under the control of the
agency, is providing case management to an individual without providing any
other waiver service.
(10)
"Department" means the Department for Aging and Independent Living
(DAIL).
(11) "Educational or
experiential equivalent" means:
(a) Two (2)
semesters totaling at least twenty-four (24) hours of course work;
and
(b) At least 400 documented
hours of experience assisting brain injured or other disabled individuals
through:
1. Practicum placement;
2. Clinicals; or
3. Volunteerism.
(12) "Environmental modification"
means a physical adaptation to a recipient's home:
(a) For the purpose of helping a recipient
function with greater independence in the recipient's own home; or
(b) Which is necessary to accommodate medical
equipment and supplies required for the recipient's welfare.
(13) "Fund" or "trust fund" is
defined by KRS 211.470(4).
(14) "Good cause" means a circumstance beyond
the control of a recipient that affects the recipient's ability to access an
approved benefit, including:
(a) Illness or
hospitalization of the individual that is expected to last thirty (30)
days;
(b) Death or incapacitation
of the primary caregiver; or
(c)
Unavailability of a service provider that is expected to last thirty (30)
days.
(15) "Immediate
family" is defined by
KRS 205.8451(3).
(16) "Integrated environment" means other
individuals in a nonresidential setting integrated with those individuals who
have a brain injury and in which both are being served to improve community
living skills.
(17) "KYTBI data
system" means the internet based data system used to monitor, track, and
maintain recipient information, annual and lifetime allocations, and case work
performed on behalf of a recipient.
(18) "Legally responsible individual" means
an individual who has a duty under state law to care for another person and
includes:
(a) A biological, adoptive, or
foster parent of a minor child who provides care to the child;
(b) The legal guardian who is responsible for
the care of the recipient; or
(c) A
spouse of a recipient.
(19) "Medical records" means records signed
by a physician documenting an applicant's or recipient's traumatic brain injury
including:
(a) Hospital records; or
(b) Diagnostic imaging reports as related to
KRS 211.470(3).
(20) "Natural supports" means a
non-paid person, or community resource who can provide, or has historically
provided assistance to the consumer or, due to the familial relationship, would
be expected to provide assistance when capable.
(21) "Noncrisis behavior programming" means
an individually-designated nonemergency service plan intended to increase a
recipient's adaptive social behavior that is provided by a behavioral therapist
or clinical psychologist.
(22)
"Occupational therapist" is defined by
KRS 319A.010(3).
(23) "Occupational therapy" means the
therapeutic use of self-care, work, and leisure activities to enhance
independent functioning or skill development.
(24) "Personal care assistance services" is
defined by KRS 205.900(3).
(25) "Physical therapist" is defined by
KRS 327.010(2).
(26) "Physical therapy" is defined by
KRS 327.010(1).
(27) "Prevocational service" means a service
designed to develop a prerequisite skill necessary to prepare a recipient for
paid or unpaid employment provided beyond other external program resources and
provided by an occupational therapist or rehabilitation counselor.
(28) "Psychological and mental health
services" means services provided by a mental health professional licensed by
the state which are:
(a) Designed to help a
recipient to resolve personal issues or interpersonal problems resulting from a
traumatic brain injury; or
(b)
Provided to a recipient's direct caregiver to preserve the stability of a
recipient's community living situation, as part of an approved service
plan.
(29) "Recipient"
means an eligible applicant who receives a benefit as defined by Section 1(2)
of this administrative regulation.
(30) "Respite care" means a skilled or
unskilled service provided to a recipient on a short-term basis if there is an
absence or need for relief of a recipient's caregiver.
(31) "Service plan" means a document that
itemizes the goals, services, equipment, or items which are subject to review
by the service plan review committee.
(32) "Service plan review committee" or
"SPRC" means a committee composed of persons with traumatic brain injuries or
their legally responsible individual and professionals in the field of brain
injury as outlined in Section 4(5)(b).
(33) "Specialized medical equipment and
supplies" means items which are of direct medical or therapeutic benefit to a
recipient and assist the recipient to maintain community placement.
(34) "Speech-language pathologist" is defined
by KRS 334A.020(3).
(35) "Speech and language therapy" means an
intervention designed to maximize a recipient's language, pragmatic,
articulation, swallowing, and cognitive skills.
(36) "Structured day program services" means
a service:
(a) Provided by a certified or
licensed entity; and
(b) Performed
in a nonresidential setting which is designed to develop and improve a
recipient's skills through activities and skill trainings in areas of:
1. Personal well being;
2. Social and community living; and
3. Independent living management.
(37) "Supported
employment services" means supervision and training of a recipient in a work
site at which persons without disabilities are employed and for a recipient
who:
(a) Is unlikely to obtain competitive
employment at or above minimum wage; or
(b) Needs ongoing support to perform
competitive employment.
(38) "Traumatic brain injury" is defined in
KRS 211.470(3).
(39) "Wrap-around service" means a service,
equipment, or item, not excluded by
KRS 211.474(2)(e), which will
enhance a recipient's ability to live in the community, consistent with the
recipient's overall service plan.
Section 2. Board Operating Procedures.
(1)
(a) A
board member shall adhere to the bylaws of the board and the confidentiality
requirements as specified in
KRS 211.474(3).
(b) If a member fails to act in accordance
with the bylaws, the chair of the board shall recommend to the governor the
dismissal of that member.
(2) A board member shall not:
(a) Influence, discuss, deliberate, or vote
on a decision if the member has a conflict of interest that is:
1. Personal;
2. Professional; or
3. Financial; or
(b) Directly assist another individual,
regardless of where the person resides, to apply for benefits from the fund,
except a board member:
1. May refer another
individual but not directly assist another individual to apply for benefits
from the fund; and
2. Shall not
refer himself or an eligible family member or receive benefits from the fund at
the same time as being a member of the board.
(3) The board shall review a quarterly report
of the program's activities in accordance with Section 4(8) of this
administrative regulation.
(4) The
board shall direct the department to:
(a)
Issue a request for proposal for the benefit management program in accordance
with KRS 45A.080; or
(b) Operate the program within the
department.
Section
3. Department Duties.
(1) The
department may issue a request for proposal:
(a) If directed by the board; and
(b) In accordance with
KRS 45A.080.
(2) The department may rescind all or part of
an awarded benefit if the recipient does not utilize all or part of the benefit
within a twelve (12) month plan period.
Section 4. Duties of the Program. The program
shall:
(1) Maintain a toll free telephone
number for the purpose of enabling individuals with a traumatic brain injury to
apply for benefits from the fund;
(2) Engage in public information activities
for the purpose of informing individuals with a traumatic brain injury about
the availability of case management services and benefits from the fund and
other sources;
(3) Review an
applicant's documentation of the applicant's diagnosed brain injury and
Kentucky residency to determine eligibility as specified in Section 5 of this
administrative regulation;
(4)
Assign a case manager within two (2) business days of the
determination;
(5) Establish a
SPRC:
(a) For the purpose of reviewing
proposed service plans for approval or denial;
(b) Which shall:
1. Include a minimum of one (1) person with a
traumatic brain injury or the legally responsible individual of a person with a
traumatic brain injury;
2. Include
a minimum of one (1) professional with expertise in the field of traumatic
brain injury; and
3. Not have two
(2) individuals from the same agency or family serve consecutive terms;
and
(c) In which a
member shall be limited to serve twelve (12) consecutive months but may be
reappointed to the SPRC twelve (12) months after the date of the expiration of
the member's most recent term of service on the committee;
(6) Accept a request for benefits from the
fund;
(7) Distribute benefits to a
recipient based upon an approved service plan;
(8) Submit a list of approved or denied
service plans in a quarterly report to the department;
(9) Provide conflict free case management
services:
(a) To applicants and recipients
statewide, including the provision of assistance in accessing a needed support
or service, regardless of funding source; and
(b) By a case manager who:
1. Possesses a bachelor's degree in a health
or human services profession from an accredited college or university with:
a. One (1) year experience in health or human
services; or
b. The educational or
experiential equivalent in the field of brain injury or physical
disabilities;
2. Is a
currently licensed RN as defined by
KRS 314.011(5) who has at least
two (2) years of experience as a professional nurse in the field of brain
injury or physical disabilities;
3.
Is a currently licensed LPN as defined by
KRS 314.011(9) who has:
a. At least three (3) years of experience in
the field of brain injury or physical disabilities; and
b. An RN to consult and collaborate with
regarding changes to the service plan; or
4. Has a master's degree from an accredited
college or university;
(10) Be certified by the DAIL beginning July
1, 2015; and
(11) Be supervised by
a case management supervisor who shall have four (4) years or more experience
as a case manager.
Section
5. Eligibility.
(1) An applicant
shall be eligible for a benefit from the fund:
(a) In accordance with:
1.KRS 211.470(3); and
2.KRS 211.472(2)(a) and (c);
and
(b) If the applicant
is a legal resident of Kentucky.
(2) A resident of an institution or hospital
shall not be eligible for benefits from the fund:
(a) Unless the resident is anticipated to be
within two (2) weeks of discharge and the benefits facilitate a discharge to
the community; and
(b) If funding
is available.
(3) An
applicant shall provide medical records of the applicant's traumatic brain
injury to the program.
(4) An
applicant shall document that the applicant has no other public or private
payor source, other than the trust fund, which covers the type of service the
applicant is requesting.
Section
6. Procedures for Obtaining a Benefit from the Fund.
(1)
(a) A
benefit for assistance from the fund shall be directly related to an
applicant's brain injury or care of the applicant.
(b) A referral for benefits may be made by,
or on behalf of, an eligible person by contacting the program in the following
manner:
1. Telephone;
2. In person;
3. In writing;
4. Facsimile;
5. Email; or
6. Online.
(2) Upon receipt of referral, the program
shall notify the applicant or referral source of the documentation needed to
determine eligibility as specified in Section 5 of this administrative
regulation.
Section 7.
Benefits Available from the Fund.
(1) An
applicant may apply for one (1) or more benefits from the fund as follows:
(a) Noncrisis behavior programming;
(b) Case management;
(c) Personal care assistance services, which
shall include at least the following:
1.
Dressing;
2. Oral
hygiene;
3. Hair care;
4. Grooming;
5. Bathing;
6. Housekeeping;
7. Laundry;
8. Meal preparation;
9. Shopping; or
10. Twenty-four (24) hour supervision of a
recipient;
(d) Companion
services;
(e) Environmental
modification to the recipient's residence if:
1.
a. The
recipient is listed on the deed or recorded land contract and a copy is
provided to the case manager;
b.
The recipient is a minor residing in a home owned by his parent; or
c. The recipient is an adult residing in a
home owned by his legal guardian and provides:
(i) Written documentation, by the owner,
approving the modification;
(ii) A
copy of the legal documents verifying parental status or
guardianship;
(iii) A copy of the
deed documenting the owner who has provided the written approval for
modification; and
(iv) Written
documentation that the dwelling is safe and free of structural
defect;
d. A letter from
the landlord, if under a lease agreement, approving an environmental
modification; or
2. The
recipient or owner provides:
a. At least two
(2) estimates of cost and scope of modification; or at least one (1) estimate
of cost and scope of modification approved by the Department branch
manager;
b. A copy of the chosen
contractor's license and liability insurance policy or a signed release of
liability that no contractor is available within thirty (30) miles of the
recipient's residence; and
c.
Documentation from a health care professional that the requested modification
is necessary;
(f) Occupational therapy provided by an
occupational therapist;
(g)
Physical therapy provided by a physical therapist;
(h) Prevocational service, which shall
include at least the following:
1. Assisting
a recipient to understand the meaning, value, and demands of work;
2. Assisting a recipient to learn or
reestablish skills, attitudes, and behaviors necessary for employment;
or
3. Assisting the individual to
improve functional capacities;
(i) Psychological and mental health services,
which may include the following:
1. Training
to improve interpersonal skills;
2.
Social skills;
3. Problem-solving
skills;
4. Training to remediate a
cognitive problem resulting from the traumatic brain injury;
5. Treatment for a substance abuse problem
related to the traumatic brain injury;
6. Psychological assessment; and
7. Neuropsychological evaluation;
(j) Respite care in:
1. The recipient's own home;
2. Another personal residence; or
3. Another setting, if approved by the
program;
(k) Specialized
medical equipment and supplies with written documentation of need from a:
1. Physician;
2. Licensed health care provider;
or
3. Licensed therapist;
(l) Speech and language therapy
provided by a speech-language pathologist which may include the following:
1. Articulation therapy;
2. The design of and instruction in the use
of augmentative communication strategies or devices;
3. Cognitive retraining strategies;
or
4. Swallowing therapy;
(m) Structured day program
services, which shall include at least the following:
1. Direct supervision of the
recipient;
2. Specific training to
allow a recipient to improve functioning and to reintegrate into the
community;
3. Social skills
training;
4. Sensory skill
development;
5. Motor skill
development;
6. Teaching of
concepts and skills necessary for the increased independence of the recipient;
and
7. Other services to increase:
a. Adaptive behavioral responses;
and
b. Community
reintegration;
(n) Supported employment services;
or
(o) Wrap-around services, which
may include the following:
1. Assistance in
transporting a recipient, such as to and from:
a. A medical appointment;
b. A therapy appointment;
c. A counseling appointment; or
d. Other destinations in the community as
specified in the recipient's service plan;
2. Dental services by a licensed
professional;
3. Vision services by
an optometrist, ophthalmologist, or optician;
4. Hearing services by a licensed
audiologist;
5. Modification to the
recipient's vehicle for accessibility if the:
a. Recipient, or legally responsible
individual is listed on the vehicle title and a copy is provided to the case
manager; or
b. Owner provides
written documentation:
(i) Approving the
vehicle modification;
(ii) That the
vehicle is for the use of the recipient;
(iii) That the vehicle is safe and
mechanically sound; and
(iv) That
the vehicle is insured.
(2) Program funds shall not be expended to
pay for:
(a) Attorney fees or other legal
fees;
(b) Court costs or fines
assessed as a result of a conviction for a criminal offense;
(c) The cost of incarceration;
(d) Other court ordered monetary
judgments;
(e) Insurance premiums,
copays, or deductibles;
(f) The
purchase or leasing of vehicles;
(g) The purchase or renting of
homes;
(h) Home owner association
fees;
(i) Vacations;
(j) Recreational activities;
(k) Food, including groceries or eating
out;
(l) Utilities;
(m) Immediate family;
(n) Natural supports; or
(o) modifications to rental properties over
$2,500.
Section
8. Case Management Services.
(1)
Following the program's determination of eligibility, the assigned case manager
shall contact a recipient no later than three (3) business days and complete
the following responsibilities:
(a) Conduct an
independent assessment;
(b)
Identify the recipient's needs for service and supports;
(c) Identify potential resources to meet the
applicant's need for services and supports;
(d) Assist the applicant in obtaining needed
services and supports regardless of funding source;
(e) Determine that the fund is the payor of
last resort;
(f) Coordinate,
arrange, and document identified service needs of the recipient;
(g) Develop an individualized service plan
that shall:
1. Relate to assessed
needs;
2. Identify a source of
service utilized in this administrative regulation; and
3. Be signed by the recipient or recipient's
representative and case manager, with a copy provided to the
recipient;
(h) Assist in
the identification of local resources for individuals with traumatic brain
injury;
(i) Document all virtual
and in person face-to-face contacts with the recipient in the KYTBI data system
including time in and out, if applicable;
(j) Maintain caseload as assigned:
1. Upon available funding, at a minimum one
(1):
a. In person face-to-face contact at
least every six (6) months;
b. In
person face-to-face at place of residence at least annually; and
c. Phone contact, or virtual face-to-face
during any month an in person face-to-face contact does not occur;
and
2. Document in the
KYTBI data system each contact made with the recipient including the
face-to-face visit's time in and out and mileage, if applicable; and
(k) Complete a proposed service
plan which shall specify:
1. The name,
address, and telephone number of the applicant;
2. The TBI Trust Fund identification
number;
3. A clinical summary of
the recipient's traumatic brain injury;
4. An explanation of needed services and
supports;
5. The requested benefit
from the fund;
6. Documentation of
the recipient's lack of a payor source for the requested service including:
a. An explanation of circumstances leading to
the need to request funding; and
b.
Attempts to find other funding such as:
(i) An
agency denial or documentation of a noncovered service by insurance or other
entity;
(ii) Department for
Medicaid Services denial; or
(iii)
Denial from other community programs;
7. The signature of the applicant, or the
applicant's legal representative, indicating agreement with the terms of the
service plan; and
8. The mechanism
for distribution of benefits from the fund.
(2) The case manager shall submit the
proposed service plan in the KYTBI data system upon completion of all
supporting documents.
(3) The
program designee shall verify completion of the service plan and place the case
on the SPRC list in chronological order of receipt.
Section 9. Service Plan Review Committee
(SPRC) Duties.
(1) The SPRC shall:
(a) Verify the trust fund is payor of last
resort of the submitted service plan specified in Section 8(1)(h) of this
administrative regulation, based upon supplemental documents outlined in
Section 5(3) and (4) of this administrative regulation and is not a duplication
of services;
(b) Verify eligibility
of an applicant or recipient's service plan in accordance with Section 5 of
this administrative regulation;
(c)
Consider a service plan in the chronological order in which the completed
service plan is received;
(d)
Review the service plan to determine if the benefit requested from the fund
meets the requirements of
KRS 211.474(2)(d);
(e) Approve or deny an applicant or
recipient's service plan;
(f)
Approve reimbursement for the delivery of services according to a recipient's
approved service plan; and
(g)
Notify the program of an approved or denied service plan.
(2) The SPRC may:
(a) Approve the proposed service plan, for a
period not to exceed twelve (12) months;
(b) Amend the proposed service plan;
or
(c) Deny the proposed service
plan and may provide recommendations to the applicant and the applicant's
assigned case manager about other available resources or means to meet the
applicant's need for services and supports.
(3) If the applicant disagrees with the
decision made by the SPRC, the applicant may appeal the decision in accordance
with Section 15 of this administrative regulation.
(4) The SPRC shall not approve the
distribution of a benefit to a recipient in excess of $15,000 within any twelve
(12) month period and $60,000 per lifetime pursuant to
KRS 211.474(2)(c).
(5) The SPRC shall not approve the
distribution of benefits to an applicant:
(a)
Who does not meet the eligibility requirements established in Section 5 of this
administrative regulation;
(b) If
the requested benefits are intended for a purpose other than the direct health,
safety, and welfare of the applicant;
(c) If the applicant fails to demonstrate a
good faith effort that no other payor source is available to obtain the
requested benefit;
(d) If other
resources are available to the applicant to substantially meet a reasonable
need for which the benefit is requested, including trusts, settlements, or
restitution; or
(e) If the benefit
requested is for the purpose of reimbursing the recipient for expenses incurred
prior to approval of a service plan by the SPRC.
(6) A service plan shall be signed by the
director of the program or the director's designee, and the applicant or the
applicant's legally responsible individual.
Section 10. Approved Service Plan.
(1) A recipient shall receive notification of
an approved benefit based upon the following types of services:
(a) Individual;
(b) Purchased goods; or
(c) Contractors.
(2) A recipient with an approved service plan
may change a service provider within an approved service category if there is
no increased cost of the service.
(3) A recipient may make a permitted change
by informing the case manager by:
(a)
Telephone;
(b) Email;
(c) Facsimile; or
(d) In writing.
(4) The case manager may approve a service
provider change in a service plan made without review by the SPRC.
(5) Involuntary termination and loss of
approved benefits may be initiated if an individual fails to access the
approved benefits as outlined in the service plan within ninety(90) calendar
days of notification of approval of the service plan without good cause shown.
(a) The recipient or his designee shall have
the burden of providing documentation of good cause as to the reason services
cannot be accessed within ninety (90) calendar days, including:
1. A statement signed by the recipient or
legal representative;
2. A copy of
letters to providers;
3. A copy of
letters from providers; and
4. A
copy of documentation from physicians or other health care
professionals.
(b) Upon
receipt of documentation of good cause, the program shall grant one (1) sixty
(60) day extension in writing.
Section 11. Service Provider Requirements.
(1) A service provider may be:
(a) An employee of the recipient who shall
provide:
1. A completed I-9 and a copy of two
(2) documents from the list of approved documents;
2. A completed W-9;
3. A signed service agreement;
4. A criminal background check as required by
law;
5. Verification of abuse,
neglect, and fraud training; and
6.
Completed timesheets submitted bi-weekly by noon on Monday or the following
work day if Monday is a state recognized holiday;
(b) A licensed or certified agency that shall
provide a:
1. Copy of the agency's license or
certification;
2. Signed service
agreement; and
3. Completed W-9;
or
(c) A licensed and
insured contractor who shall provide:
1. A
copy of the business license;
2. A
copy of the liability insurance;
3.
A completed W-9;
4. A signed
service agreement;
5. Pictures
before work begins; and
6. Pictures
of the completed work.
(2) Upon notification of an approved service
plan, the service provider shall:
(a) Accept
the reimbursement approved in Section 9(1)(f) of this administrative regulation
as payment in full;
(b) Not require
additional payment from a recipient;
(c) Submit an invoice for payment to the
program entity within forty-five (45) days from date of service; and
(d) Not attempt to recoup from the SPRC
beyond an approved reimbursement without prior written agreement by the
recipient or legal representative.
(3) A request for payment submitted after
forty-five (45) days of the date of service delivery shall not be:
(a) Reimbursed by the Benefit Management
Program; or
(b) Billed to the board
or recipient.
Section
12. Procedures for Distribution of Benefits from the Fund.
(1) The program shall distribute the fund to
a service provider, contractor, or retailer for services rendered.
(2) The payment terms shall be specified in
the service agreement.
(3) The
service provider or recipient shall provide to the program documentation of the
delivery of a service or benefit to a recipient according to the terms of the
service agreement.
(4) A service
shall be reimbursed or paid if it is delivered in accordance with a recipient's
approved service agreement.
(5) An
expenditure not included in an approved service agreement shall not be paid by
the provider, board, or cabinet.
(6) The cost of providing case management
services to an applicant or recipient shall be exempt from the benefit limits
established in Section 9(4) of this administrative regulation.
Section 13. Procedures for
Placement on a Waiting List.
(1) The program
may establish a waiting list for benefits from the fund if it determines that
no further funding is available.
(2) The waiting list shall be implemented as
follows:
(a) An applicant or recipient shall
be placed on the waiting list upon receipt, completion, and verification of a
service plan by a program designee.
(b) The order of placement on the waiting
list shall be determined chronologically by date and time of
verification.
(c) A recipient shall
be notified by his case manager of verification of placement on the waiting
list.
(3) The applicant
shall be removed from the waiting list if:
(a)
The applicant secures requested benefit through another resource;
(b) The applicant refuses a benefit in an
approved service plan, unless the individual has made a permitted change in
accordance with Section 10(2) through (4) of this administrative regulation;
or
(c) The applicant is
deceased.
(4) The
removal from the waiting list shall not prevent the submission of a new
application at a later date for the applicant.
(5) If the applicant is removed from the
waiting list, the program shall notify the applicant, or his legal
representative, in writing within ten (10) business days from the
removal.
Section 14.
Discharge Criteria.
(1) A recipient shall be
discharged from the Brain Injury Trust Fund Program if:
(a) The recipient reaches the maximum $60,000
lifetime benefit, except if the board waives the expenditure in accordance with
KRS 211.474(2)(c);
(b) The recipient is noncompliant with
program requirements;
(c) The
recipient chooses to be terminated from participation in the program;
(d) The recipient, caregiver, family, or
guardian threatens or intimidates a case manager or other program
staff;
(e) Services accessed are
referred and provided by another agency for continued service, if
applicable;
(f) There is a
substantiation of fraud related to the program involving:
1. The recipient; or
2. Both the recipient and the service
provider;
(g) The
recipient is no longer eligible pursuant to
KRS 211.470(3)(a) through (f);
or
(h) The recipient is
deceased.
(2) A
recipient may be discharged from the Brain Injury Trust Fund Program if:
(a) A service plan is completed for an
approved timeframe and no other service is needed;
(b) A requested service plan is
denied;
(c) Contact cannot be made
with the recipient by the program within three (3) months of last case
management contact; or
(d) No case
management services have been provided within a six (6) month period.
(3) Recipients may reapply to the
program without submittal of medical records except in accordance with
subsection (1)(a) of this section.
(4) All discharges shall be appealable in
accordance with Section 15, except in accordance with subsection (1)(a) or (f)
of this section.
Section
15. Procedures for Appealing the Denial of an Application for
Benefits from the Fund.
(1) If an applicant is
determined to be ineligible for benefits from the fund because medical records
do not provide documentation of a traumatic brain injury, the applicant may
submit:
(a) Medical documentation to support
the diagnosis of the injury; or
(b)
Additional medical opinions about the disability.
(2)
(a) The
program shall notify the applicant in writing if the SPRC does not approve a
requested benefit.
(b) Notification
shall be made within five (5) business days of the committee's
decision.
(3) The
program or the board shall not be liable for the cost of:
(a) A medical opinion obtained by an
applicant; or
(b) An
appeal.
(4) An applicant
who wishes to appeal the denial of eligibility or benefits shall notify the
program, in writing, within thirty (30) days of notification of the
denial.
(5) Upon receipt of a
written appeal, the program shall encumber funds if applicable and available in
the amount requested until final resolution of the appeal.
(6) The program shall acknowledge receipt of
a written appeal to the applicant, in writing, within three (3) business days
of receipt.
(7) The program shall
provide an opportunity for an informal dispute resolution for an applicant or
his representative:
(a) To appear before the
program director or designee and the benefits management program administrator
to present facts or concerns about the denial; and
(b) Within ten (10) business days of receipt
of written appeal.
(8)
The program shall inform an applicant, in writing, of the decision resulting
from the informal dispute resolution within ten (10) business days of the
review.
(9) An applicant
dissatisfied with the result of the informal dispute resolution may request an
administrative hearing:
(a) Within thirty (30)
calendar days of the decision; and
(b) By submitting a written request for
appeal to the Office of the Ombudsman and Administrative Review, Quality
Advancement Branch, 275 E. Main St, 2 E-O Frankfort, Kentucky 40621;
(c) The administrative hearing shall be
conducted in accordance with KRS Chapter 13B.