Home and Community Based Services Waivers (HCBS) Public Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE 

MARCH 25, 2018

CHANGES TO STATEWIDE METHODS AND STANDARDS FOR SETTING PROVIDER PAYMENT RATES

This notice of changes in statewide methods and standards for setting payment rates is provided in accordance with the provisions of 42 CFR § 447.205. The Wyoming Department of Health, Behavioral Health Division (Division) proposes and seeks public comment on the following changes:

Implementation of Supports and Comprehensive Waiver provider rates as proposed in the Navigant Report entitled Comprehensive, Supports and Acquired Brain Injury Waivers SFY2019 Provider Rate Study.

Pursuant to Wyoming Statute §42-4-120 (g), the Division is required to rebase provider rates “at least once every four (4) years but not more than once in any two (2) year period.” During the 2018 Budget Session of the 64^th Wyoming State Legislature, the Division was directed to implement the provider payment rates identified in the aforementioned Navigant Report. The Wyoming State Legislature appropriated a biennial budget increase of $20 million dollars to implement the rates proposed in the SFY2019 Provider Rate Study.

Cost and wage data from providers and other state and national data sources was used to develop an independent rate build-up methodology for each of the waiver services included in the rate study. The independent rate build-up methodology is comprised of direct care and indirect care components including: a direct care worker and supervisor wage; staff benefits; staff training, vacation, sick, and other time off; productivity, representing non face-to-face time required to deliver the service; administration costs; and program specific support costs.  The full report can be found at:

https://health.wyo.gov/behavioralhealth/dd/waivers/wy-sfy-2019-dd-and-abi-waiver-rate-study/.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) must approve applications to amend the rate determination methods described in Appendix I-2 of the Supports and Comprehensive Waivers in order for the rates to be implemented. The complete waiver applications, as well as a list of the proposed rates, a summary of other proposed changes, and the SFY 2019 Provider Rate Study will be available online at https://health.wyo.gov/behavioralhealth/dd/bhd-public-notices/. To obtain a printed copy of the summary of proposed rates or changes, the draft waiver amendments, or the Provider Rate Study, or for information on where these documents are available for public review in your county, please contact:

Shirley Pratt
Wyoming Department of Health
Behavioral Health Division
6101 Yellowstone Road Suite 220
Cheyenne, WY 82009
307) 777-2525
shirley.pratt@wyo.gov

A public forum will be conducted via phone conference on Monday, April 9, 2018 from 3:00pm – 4:00pm. Callers should call in to 1-877-573-3596, access code #33644.

Public comment on these proposed changes will be accepted by mail, email, or phone until 5pm on April 23, 2018.

Mail to:           Attn: Waiver Amendment Public Comment
6101 Yellowstone, Suite #220
Cheyenne, WY 82002

Email:              BHDmail@wyo.gov

Call:                 307-777-6494 OR 800-535-4006

• Click here to view Summary of waiver amendment and proposed rates
• Click Here  to view full draft Supports Waiver Amendment
• Click Here to view full draft Comprehensive Waiver Amendment
• Click here to view SFY 2019 Provider Rate Study

The Comprehensive and Supports Medicaid Waivers (DD Waivers) provide funding so that individuals with developmental disabilities and acquired brain injuries can receive services in their communities as an alternative to an institutional setting.

The DD waivers, which became effective April 1, 2014 and were approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for a five (5) year period, are due to expire on April 1, 2019.  In order to assure uninterrupted services for current waiver participants, the State of Wyoming must submit waiver renewal applications to CMS for these waivers no later than October 1, 2018.

An important component of the waiver renewal process is the input we receive from participants, families, providers, and other important stakeholders.  The Behavioral Health Division intends to visit communities throughout Wyoming in order to obtain informal input on the proposed waiver applications, and determine how this informal input will be incorporated in to the draft documents prior to the formal public input period, which will begin on or around August 1, 2018.

Please save the date and join us for one of our in person, informal public comment sessions.

Tentative Agenda

• Purpose of the Meeting
• Introduction to the waivers and the renewal process
• Summary of proposed changes
• Open Forum

Waiver Renewal Public Forum Save the Date with Agenda