The State establishes needs-based criteria for determining an individual’s eligibility under the State plan for medical assistance for such home and community-based services, and if the individual is eligible for such services, the specific home and community-based services that the individual will receive.
The State establishes needs-based criteria for determining whether an individual requires the level of care provided in a hospital, a nursing facility, or an intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded under the State plan or under any waiver of such plan that are more stringent than the needs-based criteria established under subparagraph (A) for determining eligibility for home and community-based services.
The State submits to the Secretary, in such form and manner, and upon such frequency as the Secretary shall specify, the projected number of individuals to be provided home and community-based services.
The criteria established by the State for purposes of subparagraphs (A) and (B) requires an assessment of an individual’s support needs and capabilities, and may take into account the inability of the individual to perform 2 or more activities of daily living (as defined in section 7702B(c)(2)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) or the need for significant assistance to perform such activities, and such other risk factors as the State determines to be appropriate.
The State uses an independent evaluation for making the determinations described in subparagraphs (A) and (B).
In the case of an individual who is determined to be eligible for home and community-based services, the State uses the independent assessment required under subparagraph (E)(ii) to establish a written individualized care plan for the individual.
At the option of the State, the State may allow an individual or the individual’s representative to elect to receive self-directed home and community-based services in a manner which gives them the most control over such services consistent with the individual’s abilities and the requirements of subclauses (II) and (III).
The State allows for at least annual redeterminations of eligibility, and appeals in accordance with the frequency of, and manner in which, redeterminations and appeals of eligibility are made under the State plan.
The State, at its option, elects to provide for a period of presumptive eligibility (not to exceed a period of 60 days) only for those individuals that the State has reason to believe may be eligible for home and community-based services. Such presumptive eligibility shall be limited to medical assistance for carrying out the independent evaluation and assessment under subparagraph (E) to determine an individual’s eligibility for such services and if the individual is so eligible, the specific home and community-based services that the individual will receive.
In this section, the term “individual’s representative” means, with respect to an individual, a parent, a family member, or a guardian of the individual, an advocate for the individual, or any other individual who is authorized to represent the individual.
A State may elect in the State plan amendment approved under this section to not comply with the requirements of section 1396a(a)(10)(B) of this title (relating to comparability) and section 1396a(a)(10)(C)(i)(III) of this title (relating to income and resource rules applicable in the community), but only for purposes of provided home and community-based services in accordance with such amendment. Any such election shall not be construed to apply to the provision of services to an individual receiving medical assistance in an institutionalized setting as a result of a determination that the individual requires the level of care provided in a hospital or a nursing facility or intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded.
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as affecting the option of a State to offer home and community-based services under a waiver under subsections (c) or (d) of this section or under section 1315 of this title.
Notwithstanding paragraph (1)(B), Federal financial participation shall continue to be available for an individual who is receiving medical assistance in an institutionalized setting, or home and community-based services provided under a waiver under this section or section 1315 of this title that is in effect as of the effective date of the State plan amendment submitted under this subsection, as a result of a determination that the individual requires the level of care provided in a hospital or a nursing facility or intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded, without regard to whether such individuals satisfy the more stringent eligibility criteria established under that paragraph, until such time as the individual is discharged from the institution or waiver program or no longer requires such level of care.
A State that provides home and community-based services in accordance with this subsection to individuals who satisfy the needs-based criteria for the receipt of such services established under paragraph (1)(A) may, in addition to continuing to provide such services to such individuals, elect to provide home and community-based services in accordance with the requirements of this paragraph to individuals who are eligible for home and community-based services under a waiver approved for the State under subsection (c), (d), or (e) or under section 1315 of this title to provide such services, but only for those individuals whose income does not exceed 300 percent of the supplemental security income benefit rate established by section 1382(b)(1) of this title.
Subject to subparagraph (C), a State shall provide home and community-based services to individuals under this paragraph in the same manner and subject to the same requirements as apply under the other paragraphs of this subsection to the provision of home and community-based services to individuals who satisfy the needs-based criteria established under paragraph (1)(A).
A State may offer home and community-based services to individuals under this paragraph that differ in type, amount, duration, or scope from the home and community-based services offered for individuals who satisfy the needs-based criteria established under paragraph (1)(A), so long as such services are within the scope of services described in paragraph (4)(B) of subsection (c) for which the Secretary has the authority to approve a waiver and do not include room or board.
A State may elect in a State plan amendment under this subsection to target the provision of home and community-based services under this subsection to specific populations and to differ the type, amount, duration, or scope of such services to such specific populations.
A State making an election under this paragraph may, during the first 5-year period for which the election is made, phase-in the enrollment of eligible individuals, or the provision of services to such individuals, or both, so long as all eligible individuals in the State for such services are enrolled, and all such services are provided, before the end of the initial 5-year period.
The participant (or in the case of a participant who is a minor child, the participant’s parent or guardian, or in the case of an incapacitated adult, another individual recognized by State law to act on behalf of the participant) exercises choice and control over the budget, planning, and purchase of self-directed personal assistance services, including the amount, duration, scope, provider, and location of service provision.
There is an assessment of the needs, strengths, and preferences of the participants for such services.
A budget for such services and supports for the participant has been developed and approved by the State based on such assessment and plan and on a methodology that uses valid, reliable cost data, is open to public inspection, and includes a calculation of the expected cost of such services if those services were not self-directed. The budget may not restrict access to other medically necessary care and services furnished under the plan and approved by the State but not included in the budget.
There are appropriate quality assurance and risk management techniques used in establishing and implementing such plan and budget that recognize the roles and responsibilities in obtaining services in a self-directed manner and assure the appropriateness of such plan and budget based upon the participant’s resources and capabilities.
For purposes of payments to a State under section 1396b(a)(1) of this title, with respect to amounts expended by the State to provide medical assistance under the State plan for home and community-based attendant services and supports to eligible individuals in accordance with this subsection during a fiscal year quarter occurring during the period described in paragraph (1), the Federal medical assistance percentage applicable to the State (as determined under section 1396d(b) of this title) shall be increased by 6 percentage points.
The Secretary shall conduct an evaluation of the provision of home and community-based attendant services and supports under this subsection in order to determine the effectiveness of the provision of such services and supports in allowing the individuals receiving such services and supports to lead an independent life to the maximum extent possible; the impact on the physical and emotional health of the individuals who receive such services; and an [2] comparative analysis of the costs of services provided under the State plan amendment under this subsection and those provided under institutional care in a nursing facility, institution for mental diseases, or an intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded.
The term “activities of daily living” includes tasks such as eating, toileting, grooming, dressing, bathing, and transferring.
The term “consumer controlled” means a method of selecting and providing services and supports that allow the individual, or where appropriate, the individual’s representative, maximum control of the home and community-based attendant services and supports, regardless of who acts as the employer of record.
The term “agency-provider model” means, with respect to the provision of home and community-based attendant services and supports for an individual, subject to paragraph (4), a method of providing consumer controlled services and supports under which entities contract for the provision of such services and supports.
The term “other models” means, subject to paragraph (4), methods, other than an agency-provider model, for the provision of consumer controlled services and supports. Such models may include the provision of vouchers, direct cash payments, or use of a fiscal agent to assist in obtaining services.
The term “health-related tasks” means specific tasks related to the needs of an individual, which can be delegated or assigned by licensed health-care professionals under State law to be performed by an attendant.
The term “individual’s representative” means a parent, family member, guardian, advocate, or other authorized representative of an individual [3]
The term “instrumental activities of daily living” includes (but is not limited to) meal planning and preparation, managing finances, shopping for food, clothing, and other essential items, performing essential household chores, communicating by phone or other media, and traveling around and participating in the community.
With respect to calendar quarters beginning on or after October 1, 2019, a State may elect, through a State plan amendment, to provide medical assistance for items and services furnished to an eligible individual who is a patient in an eligible institution for mental diseases in accordance with the requirements of this subsection.
Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), amounts expended under a State plan amendment under paragraph (1) for services described in such paragraph furnished, with respect to a 12-month period, to an eligible individual who is a patient in an eligible institution for mental diseases shall be treated as medical assistance for which payment is made under section 1396b(a) of this title but only to the extent that such services are furnished for not more than a period of 30 days (whether or not consecutive) during such 12-month period.
Prior to approval of a State plan amendment under this subsection, as a condition for a State receiving payments under section 1396b(a) of this title for medical assistance provided in accordance with this subsection, the State shall report to the Secretary, in accordance with the process established by the Secretary under clause (ii), the information deemed necessary by the Secretary under such clause.
Not later than the date that is 8 months after October 24, 2018, the Secretary shall establish a process for States to report to the Secretary, at such time and in such manner as the Secretary deems appropriate, such information as the Secretary deems necessary to verify a State’s compliance with subparagraph (A).
In the case of a State with a State plan amendment in effect on September 30, 2023, for the 1-year period beginning on March 9, 2024, the provisions of subparagraph (A) shall be applied as if the amendments to such subparagraph made by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 had never been made.
As a condition for a State receiving payments under section 1396b(a) of this title for medical assistance provided in accordance with this subsection, the State shall carry out each of the requirements described in subparagraphs (B) through (F).
The State shall have in place evidence-based, substance use disorder-specific individual placement criteria and utilization management approaches to ensure placement of eligible individuals in an appropriate level of care, including criteria and approaches to ensure that eligible individuals receive appropriate evidence-based clinical screening prior to being furnished with items and services in an eligible institution for mental diseases, including initial and periodic assessments to determine the appropriate level of care, length of stay, and setting for such care for each individual. The State shall notify the Secretary at such time and in such form and manner as the Secretary shall require of such criteria and utilization management approaches.
The State shall, using nationally recognized substance use disorder-specific program standards, have in place a process to review the compliance of eligible institutions for mental diseases with such program standards specified by the State.
Payments for, and limitations to, medical assistance furnished in accordance with this subsection shall be in addition to and shall not be construed to limit or supersede the ability of States to make monthly capitation payments to managed care organizations for individuals receiving treatment in institutions for mental diseases in accordance with section 438.6(e) of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation).
The provision of medical assistance for items and services furnished to an eligible individual who is a patient in an eligible institution for mental diseases in accordance with the requirements of this subsection shall not prohibit Federal financial participation for medical assistance for items or services that are provided to such eligible individual in or away from the eligible institution for mental disease during any period in which the eligible individual is receiving items or services in accordance with this subsection.
The term “institution for mental diseases” has the meaning given that term in section 1396d(i) of this title.