07/02/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/02/2024 13:32
Notice of Intent to Amend and Renew the Acquired Brain Injury II (ABI II) Waiver and to Amend the Acquired Brain Injury (ABI I) Waiver
In accordance with the provisions of section 17b-8 of the Connecticut General Statutes, notice is hereby given that the Commissioner of the Department of Social Services (DSS) intends to submit applications to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to amend and renew the Acquired Brain Injury II (ABI II) waiver, and amend the Acquired Brain Injury (ABI I) waiver to align with the proposed amendments in the ABI II waiver renewal. The current ABI II waiver expires on November 30, 2024.
DSS is proposing the following changes to the ABI I and ABI II waivers:
Current Language | Proposed Changes |
The case manager is required to hold a Master's degree in social work, human services, counseling or rehabilitation counseling. If the degree is in social work, LCSW or LMSW licensure is required. The case manager may also be a nurse with a minimum of a bachelor's degree. | The case manager is required to hold a Master's degree in social work, human services, counseling or rehabilitation counseling. The agency will haveat least onelicensed clinician on staff available for case consultation and escalation. Acceptable licensures in social work, nursing, or counseling will meet this requirement. |
The case manager must have the ability to serve multicultural, multilingual populations; and the skill set to lead and facilitate the Care Team | The case manager must have the ability to servemulticultural andmultilingual populations, and the skill set to lead and facilitate the Care Team. The case manager will be required to hold a BrainInjury Specialist certification or be eligible to apply for such certification based on verifiable experience. |
Personal Care (agency provider)
For a copy of the Notice of Intent, please follow this link
For a copy of the ABI II waiver renewal application, please follow this link
For a copy of the ABI I waiver amendment application, please follow this link
All written comments regarding this application must be submitted by July 25, 2024 to: Christine Weston, Director of Community Options Unit, DSS Central Office, 55 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT, 06105, or via email at [email protected].
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Notice of Intent to Renew and Amend the Personal Care Assistance Medicaid Waiver
In accordance with the provisions of section 17b-8 of the Connecticut General Statutes, notice is hereby given that the Commissioner of the Department of Social Services (DSS) intends to submit an application to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to renew the Personal Care Assistance (PCA) waiver. This waiver provides home and community-based Medicaid services pursuant to section 1915(c) of the Social Security Act.
DSS is proposing the following changes to the PCA waiver:
For a copy of the Notice of Intent, please follow this link
For a copy of the full waiver renewal application, please follow this link
All written comments regarding this application must be submitted by May 30, 2024 to: Christine Weston, Director of Community Options Unit, DSS Central Office, 55 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT, 06105, or via email at [email protected].
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Notice of Intent to Submit Amendments to the Comprehensive Supports Medicaid Waiver, Individual and Family Support Medicaid Waiver, and Employment and Day Supports Medicaid Waiver
In accordance with the provisions of section 17b-8 of the Connecticut General Statutes, notice is hereby given that the Commissioner of the Department of Social Services (DSS) intends to submit various amendments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ("CMS") related to the following 1915(c) home and community-based services waivers operated by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) and hereinafter collectively referred to as "the DDS Medicaid waivers:"
The intent of these amendments is to comply with section 60 of Public Act 23-137. This legislation requires the Commissioner of Social Services, in consultation with the Commissioner of Developmental Services, to authorize, subject to the approval of CMS, compensation for parents of school age children and legal guardians providing personal care assistance services on the DDS Medicaid waivers. For the purposes of this legislation, family caregiver is defined as a caregiver related by blood, marriage or a legal guardian of a participant in a DDS Medicaid waiver program.
The DDS Medicaid waivers currently provide the flexibility to compensate family caregivers, except for when the family caregiver is: the employer of record; a parent of a school age child; or a legal guardian. The proposed waiver amendments will extend compensation to parents of school-age children and legal guardians under certain criteria.
The following services on the DDS Medicaid waivers have a personal care assistance component and will be amended to allow for compensation for parents of school-age children and legal guardians:
Additional criteria proposed in these waiver amendments, which must be met as part of the process to approve compensation for parents of school-age children and legal guardians, include:
For a copy of the Notice of Intent, please follow this link
All written comments regarding these applications must be submitted by November 30, 2023 to: Krista Ostaszewski, Health Management Administrator, DDS Central Office, 460 Capitol Avenue Hartford, Connecticut, 06106, or via email at [email protected].
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Notice of Intent to Submit Amendments to the Comprehensive Supports Medicaid Waiver, Individual and Family Support Medicaid Waiver, and Employment and Day Supports Medicaid Waiver
In accordance with the provisions of section 17b-8 of the Connecticut General Statutes, notice is hereby given that the Commissioner of the Department of Social Services ("DSS" or the "Department") intends to submit various amendments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ("CMS") related to the following 1915(c) home and community-based services waivers operated by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS):
The intent of these amendments is to transfer the temporary authority of already approved Appendix K provisions to the permanent authorities under the aforementioned Medicaid waivers. All provisions were previously approved by the Connecticut General Assembly and pending approval by CMS.
Appendix K provisions are temporary and expire six months following the expiration of the federal public health emergency related to the continued consequences of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic, November 2023.
The provisions must be amended into the permanent Medicaid waivers to ensure the ability to execute section 9817 of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) throughout the ARPA period until March 2025.
A summary of the provisions include the following:
For a copy of the Notice of Intent summarizing the proposed changes, please follow this link.
All written comments regarding these applications must be submitted by July 13, 2023 to: Krista Ostaszewski, Health Management Administrator, DDS Central Office, 460 Capitol Avenue Hartford, Connecticut, 06106, or via email at [email protected].
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Notice of Intent to Amend the Following 1915(c) Home and Community-Based Services Medicaid Waivers: Home and Community Based Services Waiver for Elders; Personal Care Assistance Waiver; Acquired Brain Injury Waiver; Acquired Brain Injury Waiver II; Home and Community Supports Waiver for Persons with Autism; Mental Health Waiver; Katie Beckett Waiver
In accordance with the provisions of section 17b-8 of the Connecticut General Statutes, notice is hereby given that the Commissioner of the Department of Social Services ("DSS" or the "Department") intends to submit amendments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ("CMS") for seven of the Department's 1915(c) home and community-based services (HCBS) Medicaid waivers. To the extent necessary, DSS will amend the Medicaid State Plan for the section 1915(i) portion of the Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders (CHCPE) to align with the provisions of the section 1915(c) CHCPE waiver.
In addition to proposing certain new provisions, the Department is also proposing to transfer the temporary authority of certain previously approved Emergency Preparedness and Response Amendment ("Appendix K amendment") provisions to permanent authorities under the aforementioned Medicaid waivers. Permanent authority for these previously approved Appendix K provisions is necessary because Appendix K amendments are temporary authorities and expire on November 11, 2023, six months following the expiration of the federal public health emergency related to the consequences of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic. In addition, the existing temporary authority in the Appendix K amendments must be transferred to permanent authority to ensure the Department's ability to execute the state's approved Spending Plan for Implementation of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Section 9817, as updated (ARPA HCBS Spending Plan) throughout the ARPA period, which concludes in March 2025.
The following is a summary of the proposed changes, as more fully described in the Notice of Intent and the applications for amendments to each waiver.
These previously approved rate increases and supplemental payments are implemented in accordance with the state's ARPA HCBS Spending Plan, would expire on November 11, 2023 unless added to the base waiver documents, and apply to providers of certain services in the following 1915(c) HCBS Medicaid waivers:
II. The Department is proposing to transfer its authority, from expiring temporary Appendix K authority to permanent authority in the base waivers, for the modification of certain services in the following 1915(c) HCBS Medicaid waivers:
These previously approved (with the exception of Remote Services in E. below) service changes, as more fully described in the Amendment application, include the following:
A. Expanding the definition of assistive technology to reference remote equipment and associated requirements for internet access.
B. Addition of a new service titled "Training and Counseling Services for Unpaid Caregivers Supporting Participants" for all waivers referenced above.
c. Addition of a new service titled "Participant Training and Engagement to Support Goal Attainment and Independence."
D. Amending the definition of "Environmental Adaptations" service and adding it as a new service where applicable.
E. Addition of Remote Support as a new service (Request for temporary Appendix K authority is still under final review by CMS).
III. The Department is proposing to modify its authority, from expiring temporary Appendix K authority to permanent authority in the base waivers, as follows:
A. For the ABI and ABI II waivers, the Department is proposing to modify its expiring temporary authority from allowing virtual assessments and reassessments into permanent authority to allow such virtual assessments and reassessments, when clinically appropriate and with consent of the participant, in instances of: contagious illness, or recovery from such illness; exacerbation of a chronic condition; or inclement weather.
B. For the Home and Community Based Services Waiver for Elders, the Department is proposing to modify its expiring temporary authority that permits:
IV. The Department is proposing the following new amendments to certain HCBS waivers:
A. Amending the PCA waiver to add Meals on Wheels as a covered service.
B. Amending the ABI and ABI II waivers to add Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) as an approved provider type under the Cognitive Behavioral Programs service.
C. In consultation with the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), amending the Mental Health waiver as follows:
D. Amending all waivers to update the description of how residential and non-residential settings in the waivers comply with federal home and community-based settings requirements, in accordance with guidance from CMS.
For a copy of the Notice of Intent summarizing the proposed changes, please follow this link.
Any written comments must be submitted by July 13, 2023 to the Department of Social Services, Community Options Unit, 55 Farmington Ave, Hartford, CT 06105, Attention: Amy Dumont, Interim Director; or via email to [email protected].
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Notice of Intent to Renew the Comprehensive Supports Medicaid Waiver
In accordance with the provisions of section 17b-8(c) of the Connecticut General Statutes, notice is hereby given that the Commissioner of Social Services intends to submit an application to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ("CMS") to renew the Medicaid Waiver for Comprehensive Supports, effective October 1, 2023. The waiver is operated by the Department of Developmental Services.
There are no changes, other than those related to routine operational issues, proposed in this waiver renewal.
All written comments regarding this application must be submitted by April 27, 2023 to: Krista Ostaszewski, Health Management Administrator, DDS Central Office, 460 Capitol Avenue Hartford, Connecticut, 06106, or via email at [email protected].
For a copy of the Notice of Intent, please follow this link
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Notice of Intent to Submit Emergency Preparedness and Response Amendment (Appendix K) to the Comprehensive Supports Medicaid Waiver, Individual and Family Support Medicaid Waiver, and Employment and Day Supports Medicaid Waiver
In accordance with the provisions of section 17b-8 of the Connecticut General Statutes, notice is hereby given that the Commissioner of the Department of Social Services ("DSS" or the "Department") intends to submit an Emergency Preparedness and Response Amendment ("Appendix K amendment") to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ("CMS") related to the following 1915(c) home and community-based services waivers operated by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS):
Appendix K amendments are temporary and expire six months following the expiration of the federal public health emergency related to the continued consequences of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
This Appendix K is additive to the previously approved Appendix Ks andmodifies the language in the Appendix K approved March 17, 2022.
For a copy of the Notice of Intent summarizing the proposed changes, please follow this link
For a copy of the complete Appendix K amendment, please follow this link
Any written comments must be submitted by April 13, 2023 to: Krista Ostaszewski, Health Management Administrator, DDS Central Office, 460 Capitol Avenue Hartford, Connecticut, 06106, or via email at [email protected].
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Notice of Intent to Submit Emergency Preparedness and Response Amendments (Appendix K) to 1915(c) Home and Community-Based Medicaid Waivers
In accordance with the provisions of section 17b-8 of the Connecticut General Statutes, notice is hereby given that the Commissioner of the Department of Social Services ("DSS" or the "Department") intends to submit two Emergency Preparedness and Response Amendments ("Appendix K amendments") related to certain of the Department's 1915(c) home and community-based services (HCBS) Medicaid waivers.
The Appendix K amendments are temporary and expire six months following the expiration of the Federal public health emergency related to the continued consequences of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The amendments are additive to the previously approved Appendix Ks.
For a copy of the Notice of Intent summarizing the proposed changes, please follow this link.
Any written comments must be submitted by January 27, 2023 to the Department of Social Services, Community Options Unit, 55 Farmington Ave, Hartford, CT 06105, Attention: Jennifer Cavallaro, Director; or via email to [email protected].
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Notice of Intent to Renew the DDS Individual and Family Support Medicaid Waiver and Amend the Employment and Day Supports & Comprehensive Medicaid Waivers
In accordance with the provisions of section 17b-8(c) of the Connecticut General Statutes, notice is hereby given that the Commissioner of Social Services intends to submit the following three applications to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ("CMS"), each to be effective February 1, 2023:
All of the above-referenced waivers are operated by the Department of Developmental Services. Substantive proposed changes are outlined in the Notice of Intent linked below.
For a copy of the Notice of Intent, please follow this link.
All written comments regarding these applications must be submitted by September 29, 2022 to: Krista Ostaszewski, Health Management Administrator, 460 Capitol Avenue Hartford, Connecticut, 06106, or via email at [email protected].
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Notice of Intent to Renew and Amend the Home and Community Supports Waiver for Persons with Autism ("Autism Waiver")
In accordance with the provisions of section 17b-8(c) of the Connecticut General Statutes, notice is hereby given that the Commissioner of Social Services intends to submit a renewal of the Home and Community Supports Waiver for Persons with Autism (commonly referred to as the "Autism Waiver") to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ("CMS"), to be effective January 1, 2023.
The Department of Social Services is proposing the following changes upon renewal:
All written comments regarding this renewal application must be submitted by August 25, 2022, to: Department of Social Services, Community Options Unit, 55 Farmington Ave, Hartford, CT 06105, Attention: Jennifer Cavallaro, Director; or via email to [email protected].
For a copy of the Notice of Intent, please follow this link.
For a copy of the full Application to Renew the Autism Waiver, please follow this link.
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Notice of Intent to Submit Emergency Preparedness and Response Amendment (Appendix K) to the Comprehensive Supports Medicaid Waiver, Individual and Family Support Medicaid Waiver, and Employment and Day Supports Medicaid Waiver
In accordance with the provisions of section 17b-8 of the Connecticut General Statutes, notice is hereby given that the Commissioner of the Department of Social Services ("DSS" or the "Department") intends to submit an Emergency Preparedness and Response Amendment ("Appendix K amendment") to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ("CMS") related to the following 1915(c) home and community-based services waivers operated by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS):
Appendix K amendments are temporary and expire six months following the expiration of the federal public health emergency related to the continued consequences of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The following is a summary of the proposed changes, as more fully described in the Appendix K amendments:
For a copy of the Notice of Intent summarizing the proposed changes, please follow this link.
For a copy of the complete Appendix K amendments, please follow the following links - Appendix K rate increases and AT and Appendix K retainer payments.
All written comments regarding these applications must be submitted by February 17, 2022 to: Krista Ostaszewski, Health Management Administrator, DDS Central Office, 460 Capitol Avenue Hartford, Connecticut, 06106, or via email at [email protected].
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Notice of Intent to Submit Emergency Preparedness and Response Amendment (Appendix K) to 1915(c) Home and Community-Based Medicaid Waivers
In accordance with the provisions of section 17b-8 of the Connecticut General Statutes, notice is hereby given that the Commissioner of the Department of Social Services ("DSS" or the "Department") intends to submit an Emergency Preparedness and Response Amendment ("Appendix K amendment") related to the following 1915(c) Home and Community-Based Medicaid Waivers:
For a copy of the Notice of Intent summarizing the proposed changes, please follow this link.
For a copy of the complete Appendix K amendment, please follow this link.
Any written comments must be submitted by December 30, 2021 to the Department of Social Services, Community Options Unit, 55 Farmington Ave, Hartford, CT 06105, Attention: Jennifer Cavallaro, Director; or via email to [email protected].
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Notice of Intent to Renew and Amend the Mental Health Home and Community-Based Services Waiver
In accordance with the provisions of section 17b-8(c) of the Connecticut General Statutes, notice is hereby given that the Commissioner of Social Services intends to submit a renewal of the Mental Health Home and Community-Based Services Waiver to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ("CMS"), to be effective April 1, 2022.
The above-referenced waiver is operated by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS).
The Department of Social Services and DMHAS are proposing the following changes upon renewal:
All written comments regarding this renewal application must be submitted by November 26, 2021 to: Erin Leavitt-Smith, Director Long Term Services and Supports, Mental Health Waiver Program, Department of Mental Health and Addition Services, PO Box 351, Middletown, Connecticut, 06457; or via email to [email protected].
For a copy of the Notice of Intent, please follow this link.
For a copy of the full Application to Renew and Amend theMental Health Home and Community-Based Services Waiver, please follow this link.
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Notice of Intent to Renew the Acquired Brain Injury Medicaid Waiver (ABI I)
In accordance with the provisions of section 17b-8 of the Connecticut General Statutes, notice is hereby given that the Commissioner of the Department of Social Services (DSS) intends to renew the Acquired Brain Injury Medicaid Waiver (ABI I). This waiver currently expires on December 31, 2021. There are no changes, other than those related to routine operational issues, proposed in this waiver renewal.
Any written comments regarding this waiver renewal must be submitted by August 28, 2021 to the Department of Social Services, Community Options Unit, 55 Farmington Ave, Hartford, CT 06105, Attention: Jennifer Cavallaro, Director; or via email to [email protected].
For a copy of the Notice of Intent, please follow this link.
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Notice of Intent to Renew the Katie Beckett Medicaid Waiver
In accordance with the provisions of section 17b-8 of the Connecticut General Statutes, notice is hereby given that the Commissioner of the Department of Social Services (DSS) intends to renew the Katie Beckett Medicaid Waiver. This waiver currently expires on December 31, 2021. There are no changes, other than those related to routine operational issues, proposed in this waiver renewal.
Any written comments regarding this waiver renewal must be submitted by August 28, 2021 to the Department of Social Services, Community Options Unit, 55 Farmington Ave, Hartford, CT 06105, Attention: Jennifer Cavallaro, Director; or via email to [email protected].
For a copy of the Notice of Intent, please follow this link.
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Notice of Intent to Amend the Medicaid Waivers for Individual and Family Support and Comprehensive Supports
Notice is hereby given that the Commissioner of Social Services intends to submit to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ("CMS") an amendment pertaining to routine operational issues of both the Individual and Family Supports Waiver and the Comprehensive Supports Waiver, each to be effective September 1, 2021.
The above-referenced waivers are operated by the Department of Developmental Services.
The Department of Social Services and the Department of Developmental Services are proposing to amend the performance measures in these two Medicaid Waivers to align with those already approved to take effect on April 1, 2021 in the Medicaid Waiver for Employment and Day Supports.
No current enrollees will be negatively impacted by the changes proposed in the application.
All written comments regarding these applications must be submitted by May 13, 2021 to: Krista Ostaszewski, 460 Capitol Avenue Hartford, Connecticut, 06106, or via email at [email protected].
For a copy of the Notice of Intent, please follow this link.
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Notice of Intent to Renew the Employment and Day Supports Medicaid Waiver
In accordance with the provisions of section 17b-8(c) of the Connecticut General Statutes, notice is hereby given that the Commissioner of Social Services intends to renew the Employment and Day Supports Medicaid waiver to be effective April 1, 2021. This waiver is operated by the Department of Developmental Services and is designed to support individuals with intellectual disability who live with family or in their own homes and require career development, supported employment or community-based day supports, respite, and/or behavioral supports to remain in the community.
As part of the renewal application, the Department of Social Services and the Department of Developmental Services are proposing the following changes to the Employment and Day Supports Medicaid waiver:
No current enrollees will be negatively impacted by the changes proposed in the application.
All written comments regarding these applications must be submitted by Friday, November 27, 2020 to: Tammy Venenga, 460 Capitol Avenue Hartford, Connecticut, 06106, or via email at [email protected].
For a copy of the Notice of Intent, please follow this link.
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Notice of Intent to Amend the Personal Care Assistant Medicaid Waiver
In accordance with the provisions of section 17b-8 of the Connecticut General Statutes, notice is hereby given that the Commissioner of the Department of Social Services (DSS) intends to amend the Personal Care Assistant (PCA) waiver and proposes to add two additional services.
DSS proposes to add Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS) and Home Delivered Meals (MOW) to the PCA waiver because these services are not currently available to individuals who opt for agency-based PCA services under the PCA waiver. These two services are currently available to persons who are self-directing their PCA Services under the 1915k state plan Community First Choice Option. By adding PERS and MOW to the PCA waiver, the services would be available to all individuals on the PCA waiver regardless of whether they choose to self-direct their PCA services or opt for agency-based PCA services.
The Department will be requesting a retroactive effective date of 10/1/19 to add these services.
For a copy of the Notice of Intent, please follow this link.
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Notice of Intent to Renew the CT Home Care Program for Elders Medicaid Waiver and the 1915(b)-4 Selective Contracting Program
In accordance with the provisions of section 17b-8 of the Connecticut General Statutes, notice is hereby given that the Commissioner of the Department of Social Services intends to renew the CT Home Care Program for Elders Medicaid Waiver and the 1915(b)-4 Selective Contracting Program effective 7/1/20. The 1915(b)-4 allows the state to select providers of care management under DSS' Medicaid waiver programs based on a competitive procurement.
The only change proposed in this renewal is to eliminate Support and Planning Coach as a Waiver Service. The Support and Planning Coach service is available under the state's 1915(k) Community First Choice program and is intended to assist persons in their efforts to self direct their services. Retaining the service in this waiver would be duplicative. No waiver participants will lose any services or be impacted negatively as a result of this change.
For a copy of the Notice of Intent, please follow this link.
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Addendum to CT Home Care Program for Elders Case Management Freedom of Choice Waiver
Part I: Program Overview
Tribal Consultation (continued):
After email notifications have been sent, the State determines that the tribes do not have any questions or concerns regarding the proposal if comments or questions are not received within two (2) weeks. In addition to the aforementioned notification and consultation process, the State will also arrange for a meeting or teleconference with the tribal representatives to discuss the proposed change for State Plan Amendments that may have a unique or particular impact on tribal members.
For this 1915(b)(4) waiver application, DSS emailed a "Notice of Intent to Renew the Home and Community Based Services Waiver" to the medical directors and their respective designees of both tribes on January XX, 2020. Specifically, the notice was sent to Carrie Janus and Connie Hilbert with the Mohegan Tribe and Barbara Poirer and Shanna Reels with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation. CMS was also alerted to the tribal notification. In the time since the notice was sent, DSS has not received questions or comments from either tribe on the 1915(b)(4) waiver application. Since this time period has exceeded two (2) weeks, DSS has determined that the tribes do not have any questions or concerns regarding the proposal.
For a copy of the Addendum, please follow this link.
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