Posted 5/18/07
 

Priority Medicaid Waiver Now Available to People with Developmental Disabilities
with Caregivers Age 80 and Older

All local offices of the Bureau of Developmental Disability Services have been notified that any individual meeting the state definition of Developmentally Disabled (DD) and the federal criteria for ICF/MR Level of Care (qualifying for admission into an ICF/MR), who is also living with a primary caregiver age 80 or older, may receive a Priority Medicaid Waiver Slot and be served under the DD Waiver.  Following is information The Arc of Indiana received from DDRS/BDDS regarding this important issue.  Any assistance you can provide in getting information to families who may qualify and benefit from this new criteria for a Medicaid Waiver would be greatly appreciated.    

On May 10, 2007, generic informational letters (dated April 18, 2007) were mailed from the BDDS Central Office to alert more than 1440 individuals of the new and recently approved Priority criteria under the DD Waiver.  The letters were sent to individuals age 55 and older due to the strong possibility that they may be living with parents and caregivers who are age 80 or older. 

The letter advised these individuals that a second, more detailed mailing would soon be received via certified mail, so that the recipients would be willing to accept the certified mail, and understand that this represents a positive and important opportunity for services to those who may qualify. 

The certified mailing contains a more detailed letter as well as an individualized response form embedded with the Cust ID # of the individual.

The Central BDDS office realizes that some individuals who see the April 18^th date on their generic letter may be concerned they have missed out on the receipt of their certified mail.  Central office has instructed local BDDS offices to assure any one who calls with this concern that the mailing of the generic letter was delayed and that the certified mail should follow shortly. 

A second mailing of up to 400 additional generic letters, followed by a subsequent mailing of corresponding individualized letters and response forms, will occur on May 17^th and 22^nd after the Waiver Unit has exhausted all avenues to secure missing addresses for these additional individuals.

Central Office also recognizes that there will be other individuals who qualify for the new Priority Criteria who will not receive a letter notifying them of the availability of the Priority waiver.  Anyone meeting all criteria will be eligible for the Priority slot  In these cases, BDDS offices is being asked to indicate that the primary caregiver is age 80 or older and
obtain a required Affidavit that stipulates the primary caregiver is age 80 or older. 

Please note that the required Affidavit is posted on our web site at: www.arcind.org , click on Medicaid Waiver Updates.

Following is a breakdown by BDDS district on the number of letters that have been sent to each district.

The Arc of Indiana thanks The Arc’s Waiting List Committee, state administrators, and state legislators for the work that has been done to get services to caregivers over the age of 80.

District breakout.
District        Letters
1                      152    
2                      192    
3                      170    
4                      136    
5                      307    
6                      140    
7                      130    
8                      100    
8A                   107    
blank                11     
               
Total               1445