016-06-15 Ark. Code R. § 21

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 6, June, 2024
Rule 016.06.15-021 - State Plan Amendments #2015-004 & 2015-007; Targeted Case Management 2-15; IndependentChoices 2-15; Personal Care 3-15; ARChoices-New-15 and ARChoices Waiver
SECTION II - TARGETED CASE MANAGEMENT
204.000 Participation Requirements for Providers of Targeted Case Management for Beneficiaries Ages Sixty (60) and Older Including ARChoices in Homecare Waiver Participants

Providers of targeted case management who are restricted to serving persons sixty (60) years of age and older or serving persons ages twenty-one (21) and older with a physical disability and those sixty-five (65) and older who participate in the ARChoices in Homecare (ARChoices) 1915(c) waiver must be certified by the Division of Aging and Adult Services as an organization qualified to provide targeted case management services.

In order to be certified by the Division of Aging and Adult Services, the provider must meet the following qualifications:

A. Be located in the state of Arkansas|
B. Be licensed as a Class A or Class B Home Health Agency or Private Care Agency by the Arkansas Department of Health or a unit of state government or be a private or public incorporated agency whose stated purpose is to provide case management to the elderly or adults with physical disabilities;
C. Be able to demonstrate one year of experience in performing case management services| (Experience must be within the past 3 years);
D. Be able to demonstrate one year of experience in working specifically with individuals in the targeted group. (Experience must be within the past 3 years);
E. Have an administrative capacity to insure quality of services in accordance with state and federal requirements;
F. Have the financial management capacity and system that provides documentation of services and costs;
G. Have the capacity to document and maintain individual case records in accordance with state and federal requirements!
H. Be able to demonstrate that the provider has current liability coverage; and
I. Employ qualified case managers who must:
1. Reside in or near the area of responsibility; and
2. Be licensed in the state of Arkansas as a social worker (Licensed Master Social Worker or Licensed Certified Social Worker), a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse; or
3. Have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in a health and human services field, plus two years' experience in the delivery of human services to the elderly; or
4. Have performed satisfactorily as a case manager serving the targeted population for a period of two (2) years (experience must be within the past 3 years).

A copy of the current certification must accompany the provider application and Medicaid contract.

212.100 Beneficiaries Ages Twenty-One (21) and Younger Who Are NotReceiving DDS ACS Waiver Services

This target population consists of beneficiaries who are ages twenty-one (21) and younger who:

A. Experience developmental delays;
B. Have diagnosed physical or mental conditions with a high probability of resulting in a developmental delay;
C. Are determined at risk of having substantial developmental delay if early intervention services are not provided;
D. Are diagnosed with a developmental disability attributable to an intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, Down syndrome, epilepsy, autism or any other medical condition considered to be closely related to an intellectual disability because it results in impairment of general intellectual functioning or adaptive behavior similar to those of persons with an intellectual disability or requires treatment and services similar to those required for such persons; and
E. Are not receiving services through the DDS Alternative Community Services (ACS) Waiver Program.
212.200 Beneficiaries Ages Twenty-One (21) and Younger Eligible for

Developmental Disabilities Services

This target population consists of beneficiaries who are ages twenty-one (21) and younger and who:

A. Experience developmental delays|
B. Have a diagnosed physical or mental condition with a high probability of resulting in developmental delay;
C. Are determined to be at risk of having substantial developmental delay if early intervention services are not provided; and
D. Are diagnosed as having a developmental disability which is attributable to an intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, Down syndrome, epilepsy, autism or any other medical condition considered closely related to an intellectual disability because it results in impairment of general intellectual functioning or adaptive behavior similar to those of persons with an intellectual disability or requires treatment and services similar to those required for such persons.

DDS certified case managers enrolled as Medicaid targeted case managers must obtain written verification that any beneficiary they wish to bill for has been certified as eligible to receive services from the Division of Developmental Disabilities Services. This documentation must be obtained from the DDS service coordinator responsible for the beneficiary's county of residence and must be maintained in the beneficiary's record. Providers may request a list of DDS service coordinators and their locations from the local DHS county office.

212.300 Beneficiaries Ages Twenty-Two (22) and Older with a

Developmental Disability Who Are Not Receiving DDS ACS Waiver Services

This target population consists of beneficiaries who are ages twenty-two (22) and older and who: are:

A. Diagnosed as having a developmental disability of an intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, Down syndrome, epilepsy, autism or any other condition of a person found to be closely related to an intellectual disability because it results in impairment of general intellectual functioning or adaptive behavior similar to those of persons with an intellectual disability or requires treatment and services similar to those required for such persons. (Refer to Section 203.000 for more information.)
B. Not receiving DDS ACS waiver services.
212.400 Beneficiaries Ages Sixty (60) and Older including ARChoices in Homecare Waiver Participants

This target population consists of beneficiaries ages sixty (60) and older as well as beneficiaries ages twenty-one (21) and older with a physical disability or ages sixty-five (65) and older who participate in the ARChoices waiver who have limited functional capabilities in two or more ADLs or lADLs resulting in a need for coordination of multiple services and/or other resources or are in a situation or condition that poses imminent risk of death or serious bodily harm and who demonstrates the lack of mental capacity to comprehend the nature and consequences of remaining in that situation or condition.

212.410 Regulations for Participants Ages Sixty (60) and Older and including ARChoices in Homecare Waiver Participants Case Management Providers
A. A plan of care developed by the DAAS RN for the ARChoices in Homecare (ARChoices) Program replaces any other plan of care. The ARChoices plan of care must include all appropriate ARChoices services and certain non-waiver services appropriate for the beneficiary.
B. If services are currently provided to an ARChoices client, the provider must report these services to the DAAS RN. Before beginning or revising services to an ARChoices client, the DAAS RN must be contacted to ensure that the plan of care is revised and approved. All changes in service or client circumstances must be reported to the DAAS RN immediately. Certain services provided to an ARChoices client that are not included in the plan of care may be subject to recoupment by the Medicaid Program.
C. An ARChoices plan of care may not be revised by anyone other than the DAAS RN. All services, regardless of the funding source, must be documented by the TCM provider in the beneficiary's TCM case file. Non-Medicaid funded services, such as food stamps, housing, etc., must be included in the overall TCM assessment and on the TCM service plan. These type services that are not required on the waiver plan of care may be implemented without prior approval by the DAAS RN.
D. If a temporary situation arises based on a filled position becoming temporarily vacant and the hiring of the position is in process, a case manager may exceed the maximum of 90 active cases for no more than 60 consecutive days. The maximum number of active cases during a temporary situation, as described above, may not exceed 110 Medicaid beneficiaries. If the TCM agency temporarily stops accepting referrals, written notification must be sent to the DAAS RN with an effective date. Once referrals are being accepted again, written notification must be sent to the DAAS RN with an effective date. This will ensure all TCM agencies are fairly represented and it will avoid unnecessary referrals, which would ultimately delay services being provided to the beneficiary.
215.000 Physician's Role

A physician must prescribe all services provided by an enrolled targeted case management provider unless the participant is in the ARChoices waiver and the service is authorized by the DAAS RN. However, the physician is not medically responsible for the services and does not supervise the TCM provider or the service provider.

Targeted case management services for beneficiaries under age twenty-one (21) who are not eligible for DDS must be prescribed as a result of a Child Health Services/EPSDT screen. The prescription must be renewed within the applicable periodicity schedule, not to exceed a maximum of twelve (12) months. The original and all subsequent renewed prescriptions must be signed and dated by the physician (no stamped signatures will be accepted) and must be filed and retained by the targeted case manager in the beneficiary's record. Obtaining the physician's orders and prescriptions is not a covered TCM service.

Targeted case management services for all other target groups must be prescribed after the physician examines the beneficiary. The prescription must be renewed every 12 months. The initial and all subsequent renewed or revised prescriptions must be signed and dated by the physician (no stamped signature will be accepted) and must be filed and retained by the targeted case manager in the beneficiary's record. It is the responsibility of the TCM provider to ensure the MD order for TCM services is complete, signed and dated.

If a beneficiary is required to participate in the ConnectCare Primary Care Case Management (PCCM) Program, the beneficiary's PCP must write the prescription for targeted case management services after the physician has examined the beneficiary. Additional information regarding the PCP Program may be found in Section I.

NOTE: As stated in this manual, an ARChoices in Homecare (ARChoices) waiver plan of care developed by the DAAS RN for the ARChoices Program replaces any other plan of care. The ARChoices plan of care must include all appropriate ARChoices services and certain non-waiver services appropriate for the beneficiary. This most often includes Targeted Case Management. The service providers and the ARChoices beneficiary must review and follow the signed authorized plan of care. Each service included on the ARChoices plan of care must be justified by the DAAS RN. This justification is based on medical necessity, the beneficiary's physical, mental and functional status, other support services available to the beneficiary and other factors deemed appropriate by the DAAS RN.

For ARChoices participants whose waiver plan of care includes TCM at the time the DAAS RN signs the plan of care, the ARChoices plan of care, signed by a DAAS RN, will serve as the authorization for TCM services for one year from the date of the DAAS RN's signature. No additional TCM order signed by a physician is required.

218.100 Assessment/Service Plan Development

This component is an annual face-to-face contact with the beneficiary and contact with other professionals, caregivers or other parties on behalf of the beneficiary. Assessment is performed for the purpose of collecting information about the beneficiary's situation and functioning and to determine and identify the beneficiary's problems and needs.

The TCM assessment is a comprehensive assessment that includes medical, social, educational, and other services. It goes beyond the assessment process used in determining eligibility for the 1915(c) waiver program(s). It addresses all facets of the individual's everyday life in determining how any problem or need might be met and what services are available in the individual's community.

For TCM beneficiaries ages 60 and older or the ARChoices participants, the maximum units allowed for this service may not exceed twelve (12) units per assessment/service plan visit. All references to units are in 15 minute increments.

This component includes activities that focus on needs identification. Activities, at a minimum, include:

A. The assessment of an eligible beneficiary to determine the need for any medical, educational, social and other services. Specific assessment activities include:
1. Taking beneficiary history
2. Identifying the needs of the beneficiary
3. Completing related documentation
4. Gathering information from other sources, such as family members, medical providers and educators, if necessary, to form a complete assessment of the Medicaid eligible beneficiary
B. An assessment may be completed between annual assessments, if the TCM deems it necessary.
1. Documentation in the beneficiary's case file must support the assessment, such as life-changing diagnoses, major changes in circumstances, death of a spouse, change in primary caregiver, etc.
2. Any time an assessment is completed, the circumstances resulting in a new assessment rather than a monitoring visit must be documented and must support the activity billed to Medicaid.
3.For beneficiaries ages twenty-one and older, reassessments performed between annual assessment visits are limited to eight (8) units per reassessment. Documentation in the beneficiary's case file must support the reassessment, such as a life-changing diagnosis, major changes in circumstances, death of a spouse, change in a primary caregiver, etc. Any time an assessment is completed, the circumstances resulting in a new assessment rather than a monitoring visit must be documented and must support the activity billed to Medicaid.
C. Service plan development builds on the information collected through the assessment phase and includes ensuring the active participation of the Medicaid-eligible beneficiary or their authorized representative. The goals and actions in the care plan must address medical, social, education, and other services needed by the Medicaid-eligible beneficiary. Service plans must:
1. Be specific and explain each service needed by the beneficiary
2. Include all services, regardless of payment source
3. Include support services available to the beneficiary from family, community, church or other support systems and what needs are met by these resources
4. Identify immediate, short term and long term ongoing needs as well as how these needs/goals will be met
5. Assess the beneficiary's individualized need for services and identify each service to be provided along with goals

NOTE: The TCM service plan is a comprehensive care plan that includes medical, social, educational, and other services that have been identified and included on the service plan for purposes in meeting the identified goals. The TCM service plan goes beyond the ARChoices waiver plan of care developed by the DAAS RN. The TCM service plan addresses all facets of the individual's everyday life in determining how a problem or need will be met and what services are available in the individual's community.

D. The assessment and the service plan may be accomplished at the same time, during the same visit, or separately.
1. However, for the assessment and the service plan for beneficiaries age 21 and over, the total time in completing the assessment and developing the service plan may not exceed 12 units per beneficiary, regardless of whether the two are completed on the same date of service or different dates of service.
2. For beneficiaries ages 21 and older, the total time spent on the assessment and service plan development process may not exceed 12 units.

NOTE: Annual reassessments and service plan development are allowed, in fact, encouraged. This policy does not prohibit annual reassessments and service plan development. Reassessments may be conducted any time the case manager deems it appropriate, however, when reassessments are performed more frequently than annually, justification for conducting a full reassessment, rather than a monitoring visit, must be included in the documentation contained in the case record.

TCM service plans must be renewed, at least, annually.

218.200 Service Management/Referral and Linkage

This component includes activities that help link Medicaid eligible beneficiaries with medical, social, educational providers and/or other programs and services that are capable of addressing identified needs and achieving goals specified in the service plan. For example, making referrals to providers for needed services and scheduling appointments may be considered case management. This component details:

A. Functions and processes that include contacting service providers selected by the beneficiary and negotiation for the delivery of services identified in the service plan. Contacts with the beneficiary and/or professionals, caregivers or other parties on behalf of the beneficiary may be a part of service management.
B. For beneficiaries participating in a DAAS HCBS waiver program, the transfer of information to the DAAS RN via the AAS-9511, AAS-9510, or other communication form is not a covered service.

See Section 262.100 for the appropriate procedure code.

218.300 Service Monitoring/Service Plan Updating

This component includes activities and contacts that are necessary to ensure the TCM care plan is effectively implemented and adequately addressing the needs of the Medicaid-eligible beneficiary.

The maximum units allowed for this service may not exceed six (6) units per monitoring visit when providers are dealing with beneficiaries ages 21 and older.

A. The activities and contacts may be with the Medicaid-eligible beneficiary, family members, providers or other entities.
B. They may be as frequent as necessary, within established Medicaid maximum allowable limitations, to help determine such things as:
1. Whether services are being furnished in accordance with a Medicaid eligible beneficiary's plan of care
2. The adequacy of the services in the plan of care
3. Changes in the needs or status of the Medicaid-eligible beneficiary
C. Monitoring is allowed through regular contacts with service providers at least every month to verify that appropriate services are provided in a manner that is in accordance with the service plan and assuring through contacts with the beneficiary, at least monthly, that the beneficiary continues to participate in the service plan and is satisfied with services.
1. A face-to-face monitoring contact with the beneficiary must be completed once every three months. Required contacts with the service providers may be conducted through face-to-face contact or by telephone. Communication with service providers by email or fax are allowed as described in Section 213.000, F.1.
2. A face-to-face contact is not considered a covered monitoring contact unless the required monitoring form is completed according to instructions, dated, signed by the targeted case manager, and filed in the beneficiary's case record.
D. Updating includes:
1. Reexamining the beneficiary's needs
2. Identifying changes that have occurred since the previous assessment
3. Identifying hospitalizations or other extended absences from the home
4. Altering the TCM service plan
5. Measuring the beneficiary's progress toward service plan goals. Service plans should not be updated more than quarterly unless there is a significant change in the beneficiary's needs.

Monitoring and follow-up activities include making necessary adjustments in the TCM care plan and service arrangements with providers, according to established program guidelines.

Face-to-face monitoring contacts must be completed as often as deemed necessary, based on the professional judgment of the TCM, but no less frequent than established in Medicaid TCM program policy.

E. Non-Covered Services include:
1. The updating of a tickler system
2. A case management agency is not allowed to monitor or update an activity when the service being monitored or updated is provided to the beneficiary by the same agency.
3. However, the same agency is allowed to be both the TCM agency and the agency providing a direct service, such as personal care, home delivered meals, or PERS.
4. However, the agency is not allowed to bill for a TCM monitoring contact when monitoring the quality of care or the quality of the service provided by the same agency or when the purpose of the contact is to monitor the progress of a service being in place, delivered, having started, effective date, etc.
5. In addition, TCM is not allowed when monitoring is required through the direct service policy, such as with PERS providers.
6. Monitoring the PERS service is a part of the certification policy for all PERS providers. Additional monitoring of the PERS service by a TCM is not a covered TCM service.
F. Examples of case monitoring and service plan updating are shown below:
1. Example # 1

Provider "A" has been chosen by the beneficiary to provide home delivered meals. The beneficiary has also chosen provider "A" for case management services. Case management by provider "A" may not be billed for any activity associated with the provision of home delivered meals. It is the responsibility of the direct service provider to ensure quality services are provided. In this example, the home delivered meal provider is responsible for ensuring meals are delivered timely and to the beneficiary's satisfaction. Case management activity does not include monitoring the provision of home delivered meals by the same agency.

This same policy applies to any service where the case management agency is the same agency providing the in-home service.

2. Example #2

Provider "B" has been chosen by the beneficiary to provide personal care. The beneficiary has also chosen provider "B" for targeted case management services. Case management by provider "B" may not be billed for any activity associated with the quality of the personal care services being provided by the same agency. It is the responsibility of the direct service provider to ensure quality services are provided.

In this example, the personal care provider is responsible for ensuring personal care services are provided to the satisfaction of the beneficiary and according to the plan of care (POC) that includes the personal care service. This includes whether or not the aide performs the duties assigned, arrives timely, stays the assigned period of time, is courteous and meets the requirements established for the Personal Care Program by the Arkansas Medicaid Program.

G. A TCM provider is allowed to bill a monitoring contact when the monitoring is for the purpose of verifying the services included on the POC are sufficient based on the beneficiary's current condition. This is also true when the case manager is contacted by the beneficiary.
1. If the monitoring contact is billed, based on this purpose, documentation must support the reason for the contact, the results of the contact and any changes requested to the POC.
a.NOTE: This type activity, when based on the beneficiary's condition and the sufficiency of the services in place, may be billed regardless of whether or not the case manager and the direct service provider are the same agency.
b. If the monitoring contact, whether initiated by the case manager or the beneficiary, is not addressing quality of care, the monitoring contact is billable, if it meets the definition described in this manual.
2. The same policy applies to the personal emergency response system (PERS) service. The TCM provider may test the PERS unit when completing a monitoring visit, if the PERS unit is not provided by the same agency as the TCM service.
a. Since the PERS providers are required to test their units monthly, if they choose to meet that requirement by having their targeted case managers test the units while in the home, this is not considered a covered TCM service.
b. It does, however, meet the requirement established for the PERS providers, if results of the testing are documented by the PERS provider and available for audit.
H. All requests from case managers to increase or decrease services or change service providers will be verified by the DHS RN and justified by the DHS RN prior to any changes being made to the waiver plan of care. This applies when the beneficiary is a participant in a home and community based waiver program.

See Section 262.100 for the appropriate procedure code and modifier.

220.000 Benefit Limits

Based on the state fiscal year (SFY) July through June, beneficiaries ages twenty-one (21) and older are limited to fifty (50) hours (200 units) of targeted case management services per year.

Regardless of the overall SFY benefit limit, each waiver plan of care must specify the number of units being authorized and documentation must reflect how those units are utilized. Utilization must be reasonable, documented, and justified in the case record, based on the beneficiary's overall medical condition, support services available to the beneficiary, and in-home services currently in place.

If a TCM beneficiary is also a home and community based waiver beneficiary, such as ARChoices, the waiver plan of care supersedes any other plan of care. Therefore, the number of units authorized on the waiver plan of care may not be exceeded unless prior approved by the DHS RN. Approval will not be granted after the services are already provided.

For audit purposes, the authorization must be in writing, placed in the beneficiary's file, and available for auditors.

240.000 PRIOR AUTHORIZATION
240.010 Prior Authorization (PA) Required for Beneficiaries Under 21

Prior authorization (PA) is required and must be obtained before providing targeted case management services for Medicaid eligible beneficiaries under the age of 21.

241.000 Individuals Exempt from Prior Authorization (PA)

Prior authorization (PA) is not applicable for targeted case management (TCM) services for those beneficiaries who are twenty-one (21) years of age and older, who have been diagnosed with a developmental disability, nor for beneficiaries sixty (60) years of age and older, nor beneficiaries ages 21 and older or 65 and older who are participating in the ARChoices Program.

262.100 Targeted Case Management Procedure Codes

The procedure code in this section must be billed either electronically or on paper with the proper modifier indicated. Prior authorization is required when billing for beneficiaries under age 21. There are benefit limits for TCM services for beneficiaries ages 21 and older. See Section 242.000 for prior authorization requirements and Section 220.000 for information about benefit limits.

The column labeled U21, 21+, and 60+ indicates that the procedure code or the procedure code along with a particular modifier must be used when billing for beneficiaries under age 21, for those ages 21 and older who have been diagnosed with a developmental disability, or for those ages 60 and older.

The following procedure codes and modifiers must be used to bill for targeted case management services:

*** (...) This symbol, along with text in parenthesis, indicates the Arkansas Medicaid description of the service.

National Code

Modifier

U21 21 + 60+

Local Code Description

T1017

U21

A (Assessment/Service Plan Development)

T1017

U2

21 +

A (Assessment/Service Plan Development)

T1017

U5

60+

A (Assessment/Service Plan Development)

T1017

UA

21+ in ARChoices

A (Assessment/Service Plan Development)

T1017

U4

U21.21 +

A (Service Management/Referral and Linkage)

T1017

U6

60+

A (Service Management/Referral and Linkage)

T1017

UB

21+ in ARChoices

A (Service Management/Referral and Linkage)

T1017

U1

U21

A (Service Monitoring/Service Plan Updating)

T1017

U3

21 +

*** (Service Monitoring/Service Plan Updating)

T1017

U7

60+

*** (Service Monitoring/Service Plan Updating)

T1017

UC

21+ in ARChoices

*** (Service Monitoring/Service Plan Updating)

SECTION II - PERSONAL CARE
200.130 Private Care Agencies
A. A private care agency applying to enroll as a personal care provider must be licensed by the Arkansas Department of Health.
B. Private care agencies must hold current licensure from the Arkansas Department of Labor.
C. Private care agencies must be enrolled in the Arkansas Medicaid ARChoices Program.
D. Private care agencies must have liability insurance coverage of not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) covering their employees and independent contractors while those individuals and entities are engaged in providing covered Medicaid services.
213.000 Scope of the Program
A. Personal care services are primarily based on the assessed physical dependency need for "hands-on" services with the following activities of daily living (ADL): eating, bathing, dressing, personal hygiene, toileting and ambulating. Hands-on assistance in at least one of these areas is required. This type of assistance is provided by a personal care aide based on a beneficiary's physical dependency needs (as opposed to purely housekeeping services). A plan of care is developed through the assessment process and is based on a beneficiary's dependency in at least one of the above-listed activities of daily living. While not a part of the eligibility criteria, the need for assistance with other tasks and lADLs (Instrumental Activities of Daily Living) are considered in the assessment. Both types of assistance are considered when determining the amount of overall personal care assistance authorized. Routines or lADLs include meal preparation, incidental housekeeping, laundry, medication assistance, etc. These tasks are also defined and described in this section of this provider manual.
B. The tasks the aide performs are similar to those that a nurse's aide would normally perform if the beneficiary were in a hospital or nursing facility.
C. Personal care services may be similar to or overlap some services that home health aides furnish.
1. Home health aides may provide personal care services in the home under the home health benefit.
2. Skilled services that only a health professional may perform are not considered personal care services.
D. Personal care services, as described in this manual, are furnished to an individual who is not an inpatient or resident of a hospital, nursing facility, intermediate care facility for persons with intellectual disabilities, or institution for mental disease that are:
1. Authorized for the individual by a physician in accordance with a plan of treatment or otherwise authorized for the individual in accordance with a service plan approved by the State, e.g., ARChoices, IndependentChoices;
2. Furnished in the beneficiary's home, and at the State's option, in another location.
3. Provided by an individual qualified to provide such services and who is not a member of the beneficiary's family. See Section 222.100, part A, for the definition of "a member of the beneficiary's family".
E. Personal care for Medicaid-eligible individuals under the age of 21 requires prior authorization. See Sections 240.000 through 246.000.
F. Only Class-A Home Health agencies, Class-B Home Health agencies and Private Care agencies may provide personal care in all State-approved locations. Residential care facilities, public schools, education service cooperatives and DDS facilities may provide personal care only within their own facilities. School districts and education service cooperatives may not provide personal care in the beneficiary's home unless the home is deemed a public school in accordance with the Arkansas Department of Education guidelines set forth in Section 213.520.
214.300 Authorization of ARChoices Plan of Care and Personal Care Service Plan

The DAAS RN is responsible for developing an ARChoices Plan of Care that includes both waiver and non-waiver services. Once developed, the Plan of Care is signed by the DAAS RN authorizing the services listed.

The signed ARChoices Plan of Care will suffice as the "Personal Care Authorization" for services required in the Personal Care Program. The signature of the DAAS RN on the ARChoices Plan of Care simply replaces the need for the physician's signature authorizing personal care services. The personal care service plan, developed by the Personal Care provider, is still required.

As the ARChoices Plan of Care is effective for one year, once signed by the DAAS RN; the authorization for personal care services, when included on the ARChoices Plan of Care, will be for one year from the date of the DAAS RN's signature, unless revised by the DAAS RN or the personal care service plan needs to be revised, whichever occurs first. If personal care services continue unchanged as authorized on the ARChoices Plan of Care, a new service plan is not required at the 6-month interval.

NOTE: For ARChoices participants who receive personal care through traditional agency services or have chosen to receive their personal care services through the IndependentChoices Program, the ARChoices plan of care, signed by a DAAS RN, will serve as the authorization for personal care services for one year from the date of the DAAS RN's signature, as described above.

The responsibility of developing a personal care service plan is not placed with the DAAS RN. The personal care provider is still required to complete a service plan, as described in the Arkansas Medicaid Personal Care Provider Manual.

The Arkansas Medicaid Program waives no other Personal Care Program requirements with regard to personal care service plan authorizations obtained by DAAS RNs.

214.310 Development of ARChoices Plan of Care

If personal care services are not currently being provided when the DAAS RN develops the ARChoices Plan of Care, the DAAS RN will determine if personal care services are needed. If so, the service, amount, frequency, duration and the recipient's provider of choice will be included on the ARChoices Plan of Care. A copy of the ARChoices Plan of Care and a Start of Care form (AAS-9510) will be forwarded to the personal care provider, as is current practice for waiver services. The Start of Care form must be returned to the DAAS RN within 10 working days from mailing or action may be taken by the DAAS RN to secure another personal care provider or modify the ARChoices Plan of Care. (The ARChoices Plan of Care is dated the date it is mailed.) Before taking action to secure another provider or modifying the Plan of Care, the applicant and/or family members will be contacted to discuss possible alternatives. Communications related to participation in the IndependentChoices program will be conveyed electronically through "tasks" communicated through Med Compass software, a new data system used to help manage waiver and IndependentChoices services.

This Plan of Care supersedes any other Plan of Care that may have been previously developed by another Medicaid provider for the applicant. The ARChoices Plan of Care must include all appropriate ARChoices services and certain non-waiver services appropriate for the applicant, such as Personal Care.

An agency providing services to an ARChoices beneficiary must report these services to the DAAS RN. The services being provided to the ARChoices beneficiary must be included on the ARChoices Plan of Care. Prior to beginning services or revising services provided to an ARChoices beneficiary, contact the DAAS RN so the Plan of Care is properly revised and approved. Please report all changes in services and changes in the ARChoices beneficiary's circumstances to the DAAS RN immediately upon learning of the change. Certain services provided to an ARChoices beneficiary that are not included on the ARChoices Plan of Care may be subject to recoupment by the Medicaid Program.

If the DAAS RN is aware that personal care services are currently being provided when the ARChoices Plan of Care is developed, the DAAS RN will contact the personal care provider to verify the current order and amount of personal care services in place. If requested verbally, the request must be documented in the ARChoices nurse narrative. It is the personal care provider's responsibility to provide the requested information to the DAAS RN immediately upon receipt of the request. If a copy is not received within 10 working days of the request, the DAAS RN will process the ARChoices Plan of Care, as developed by the DAAS RN.

NOTE: It is the IndependentChoices employer or personal care provider's responsibility to place information regarding their presence in the home in a prominent location so that the DAAS RN will be aware that they are serving the beneficiary. Preferably, the provider will place the information on the refrigerator or under the phone the applicant uses, unless the applicant objects. If so, the provider will place the information in a location satisfactory to the applicant, as long as it is readily available and easily accessible by the DAAS RN.

The personal care service plan developed by the personal care provider must meet all requirements as detailed in the personal care provider manual. This includes, but is not limited to, the amount of personal care services, personal care tasks, frequency and duration. The DAAS RN will not alter the current number of personal care units, unless a waiver Plan of Care cannot be developed without duplicating services. If personal care units must be altered, the DAAS RN will contact the personal care provider to discuss available alternatives prior to making any revisions. The ARChoices Plan of Care and the required justification for each service remains the responsibility of the DAAS RN. Therefore, final decisions regarding services included on the ARChoices Plan of Care rest with the DAAS RN.

NOTE: For the IndependentChoices program, services are effective the date of the DAAS RN's signature on the assessment tool or the waiver plan of care, whichever is the latter of the two.

214.320 Revisions to the ARChoices Plan of Care

Requested changes to the personal care services included on the ARChoices Plan of Care may originate with the personal care RN or the DAAS RN, based on the recipient's circumstances. Unless requested by an IndependentChoices beneficiary, the individual or agency requesting revisions to the Personal Care services on the ARChoices Plan of Care is responsible for securing any required signatures authorizing the change prior to the ARChoices Plan of Care being revised. The DAAS RN will obtain electronic signatures for dates of service on or after January 1, 2013.

If revised by the DAAS RN, a copy of the revised ARChoices Plan of Care and a Start of Care Form (AAS-9510) will be mailed to the personal care provider within 10 working days after being revised. If authorization is secured by the Personal Care agency, a copy of the revised personal care order, signed by the physician, must be sent to the DAAS RN prior to implementing any revisions. Once received, the ARChoices Plan of Care will be revised accordingly within 10 days of its receipt. If any problems are encountered with implementing the requested revisions, the DAAS RN will contact the personal care provider to discuss possible alternatives. These discussions and the final decision regarding the requested revisions must be documented in the nurse narrative. The final decision, as stated above, rests with the DAAS RN.

214.330 Medicaid Audit Requirements for the ARChoices Plan of Care

When the Medicaid Program, as authorized by the ARChoices Plan of Care, reimburses for Personal Care services, all Medicaid audits will be performed based on that authorization. Therefore, all documentation by the Personal Care provider must tie services rendered to services authorized as reflected on the ARChoices Plan of Care.

215.100 Assessment and Service Plan Formats
A. The Division of Medical Services (DMS), in some circumstances and for certain specified providers, requires exclusive use of form DMS-618 (View or print form DMS-618.)to satisfy particular Program documentation requirements.
1. Whether Medicaid does or does not require exclusive use of form DMS-618, all documentation required by the Personal Care Program must meet or exceed DMS regulations as stated in this manual and other official communications.
2. When using form DMS-618, attachments may be necessary to complete assessments and service plans and/or to comply with other rules.
a. An assessing Registered Nurse (RN) must sign or initial and date each attachment he or she adds to a required personal care document.
b. The authorizing physician must sign (or initial) and date each attachment he or she adds to a service plan or other required document.
B. The Division of Medical Services requires Residential Care Facility (RCF) Personal Care providers to use exclusively form DMS-618 and to comply with all rules applicable to RCFs regarding the use of form DMS-618.
C. For assessments completed on individuals participating in the IndependentChoices Program, the following applies:

For IndependentChoices participants, the DMS-618 is not required. Only the AR Path assessment will be used by the DAAS RN.

For IndependentChoices participants who are also active waiver participants in the ARChoices Program, the assessment tool used for waiver level of care determination and the waiver plan of care will suffice to support authorization for personal care services, if signed by the DAAS RN. Eligibility for personal care services is based on the same criteria as state plan personal care services. Services are effective the date of the DAAS RN's signature on the waiver assessment tool or the waiver plan of care, whichever is the latter of the two. Personal care services provided prior to that date are not eligible for Medicaid reimbursement. The waiver assessment tool and the waiver plan of care must include, at least, the information included on the DMS-618 that is utilized to support the medical necessity, eligibility and amount of personal care services provided through IndependentChoices or agency personal care services. This information is required in documentation whether or not an extension of benefits is requested. As with all required documentation, this information must be available in the participant's chart or electronic record and available for audit and Quality Management Strategy reviews.

Section I
105.100 ARChoices

ARChoices is designed for beneficiaries ages 21 and older who, without the waiver's services, would require an intermediate level of care in a nursing home. Individuals ages 21 through 64 must have a physical disability as determined through Social Security Railroad Retirement or DHS's Medical Review Team. The services listed below are designed to maintain beneficiaries at home and preclude or postpone institutionalization.

A. Adult family home
B. Attendant care services
C. Home delivered meals
D. Personal emergency response system
E. Adult day services
F. Adult day health services
G. Respite care
H. Environmental accessibility/adaptations/adaptive equipment

ARChoices eligibility requires a determination of categorical eligibility, a determination of level of care, the development of a plan of care and a cost comparison to determine the cost-effectiveness of the plan of care. ARChoices requires notifying the beneficiary that he or she may freely choose between waiver services and institutional services.

Refer to the ARChoices provider manual for more detailed information.

124.230 Working Disabled

The Working Disabled category is an employment initiative designed to enable people with disabilities to gain employment without losing medical benefits. Individuals who are ages 16 through 64, with a disability as defined by Supplemental Security Income (SSI) criteria and who meet the income and resource criteria may be eligible in this category.

There are two levels of cost sharing in this aid category, depending on the individual's income:

A. Regular Medicaid cost sharing.

Beneficiaries with gross income below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) are responsible for the regular Medicaid cost sharing (pharmacy, inpatient hospital and prescription services for eyeglasses). They are designated in the system as "WD RegCO."

B. New cost sharing requirements.

Beneficiaries with gross income equal to or greater than 100% FPL have cost sharing for more services and are designated in the system as "WD NewCo".

The cost sharing amounts for the "WD NewCo" eligibles are listed in the chart below:

Program Services

New Co-Payment*

ARChoices Waiver Services

None

Ambulance

$10 per trip

Ambulatory Surgical Center

$10 per visit

Audiological Services

$10 per visit

Augmentative Communication Devices

10% of the Medicaid maximum allowable amount

Child Health Management Services

$10 per day

Chiropractor

$10 per visit

Dental

$10 per visit (no co-pay on EPSDT dental screens)

Developmental Disability Treatment Center Services

$10 per day

Diapers, Underpads and Incontinence Supplies

None

Domiciliary Care

None

Durable Medical Equipment (DME)

20% of Medicaid maximum allowable amount per DME item

Emergency Department: Emergency Services

$10 per visit

Emergency Department: Non-emergency Services

$10 per visit

End Stage Renal Disease Services

None

Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment

None

Eyeglasses

None

Family Planning Services

None

Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC)

$10 per visit

Hearing Aids (not covered for individuals ages 21 and over)

10% of Medicaid maximum allowable amount

Home Health Services

$10 per visit

Hospice

None

Hospital: Inpatient

25% of the hospital's Medicaid per diem for the first Medicaid-covered inpatient day

Hospital: Outpatient

$10 per visit

Hyperalimentation

10% of Medicaid maximum allowable amount

Immunizations

None

Laboratory and X-Ray

$10 per encounter, regardless of the number of services per encounter

Medical Supplies

None

Inpatient Psychiatric Services for Under Age 21

25% of the facility's Medicaid per diem for the first Medicaid-covered day

Outpatient Behavioral Health

$10 per visit

Nurse Practitioner

$10 per visit

Private Duty Nursing

$10 per visit

Certified Nurse Midwife

$10 per visit

Orthodontia (not covered for individuals ages 21 and older)

None

Orthotic Appliances

10% of Medicaid maximum allowable amount

Personal Care

None

Physician

$10 per visit

Podiatry

$10 per visit

Prescription Drugs

$10 for generic drugs; $15 for brand name

Prosthetic Devices

10% of Medicaid maximum allowable amount

Rehabilitation Services for Persons with Physical Disabilities (RSPD)

25% of the first covered day's Medicaid inpatient per diem

Rural Health Clinic

$10 per core service encounter

Targeted Case Management

10% of Medicaid maximum allowable rate per unit

Occupational Therapy (Age 21 and older have limited coverage**)

$10 per visit

Physical Therapy (Age 21 and older have limited coverage**)

$10 per visit

Speech Therapy (Age 21 and older have limited coverage**)

$10 per visit

Transportation (non-emergency)

None

Ventilator Services

None

Visual Care

$10 per visit

* Exception: Cost sharing for nursing facility services is in the form of "patient liability" which generally requires that patients contribute most of their monthly income toward their nursing facility care. Therefore, WD beneficiaries (Aid Category 10) who temporarily enter a nursing home and continue to meet WD eligibility criteria will be exempt from the co-payments listed above.

** Exception: This service is NOT covered for individuals within the Occupational, Physical and Speech Therapy Program for individuals ages 21 and older.

NOTE: Providers must consult the appropriate provider manual to determine coverage and benefits.

172.100 Services not Requiring a PCP Referral

The services listed in this section do not require a PCP referral.

A. ARChoices waiver services
B. Anesthesia services, excluding outpatient pain management
C. Assessment (including the physician's assessment) in the emergency department of an acute care hospital to determine whether an emergency condition exists. The physician and facility assessment services do not require a PCP referral (if the Medicaid beneficiary is enrolled with a PCP)
D. Dental services
E. DDS Alternative Community Services (ACS) Waiver services
F. Developmental Day Treatment Clinic Services (DDTCS) core services
G. Disease control services for communicable diseases, including testing for and treating sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS
H. Domiciliary care
I. Emergency services in an acute care hospital emergency department, including emergency physician services
J. Family Planning services
K. Gynecological care
L. Inpatient hospital admissions on the effective date of PCP enrollment or on the day after the effective date of PCP enrollment
M. Mental health services, as follows:
1. Psychiatry for services provided by a psychiatrist enrolled in Arkansas Medicaid and practicing as an individual practitioner.
2. Rehabilitative services for persons with mental illness (RSPMI Program) ages 21 or older, or for specified procedures for persons under age 21 as listed in the RSPMI provider manual, Section 216.000.
3. Rehabilitative Services for Youth and Children (RSYC) Program.
N. Obstetric (antepartum, delivery and postpartum) services.
1. Only obstetric-gynecologic services are exempt from the PCP referral requirement.
2. The obstetrician or the PCP may order home health care for antepartum or postpartum complications.
3. The PCP must perform non-obstetric, non-gynecologic medical services for a pregnant woman or refer her to an appropriate provider.
O. Nursing facility services and intermediate care facility for mentally retarded (ICF/MR) services
P. Ophthalmology services, including eye examinations, eyeglasses, and the treatment of diseases and conditions of the eye
Q. Optometry services
R. Pharmacy services
S. Physician services for inpatients in an acute care hospital. This includes:
1. Direct patient care (initial and subsequent evaluation and management services, surgery, etc.), and
2. Indirect care (pathology, interpretation of X-rays, etc.)
T. Hospital non-emergency or outpatient clinic services on the effective date of PCP enrollment or on the day after the effective date of PCP enrollment.
U. Physician visits (except consultations) in the outpatient departments of acute care hospitals:
1. Medicaid will cover these services without a PCP referral only if the Medicaid beneficiary is enrolled with a PCP and the services are within applicable benefit limitations.
2. Consultations require PCP referral.
V. Professional components of diagnostic laboratory, radiology and machine tests in the outpatient departments of acute care hospitals. Medicaid covers these services without a PCP referral only:
1. If the Medicaid beneficiary is enrolled with a PCP and
2. The services are within applicable benefit limitations.
W. Targeted Case Management services provided by the Division of Youth Services or the Division of Children and Family Services under an inter-agency agreement with the Division of Medical Services
X. Transportation (emergency and non-emergency) to Medicaid-covered services
Y. Other services, such as sexual abuse examinations, when the Medicaid Program determines that restricting access to care would be detrimental to the patient's welfare or to program integrity, or would create unnecessary hardship.
Section V FORMS
500.000

Claim Forms

Red-ink Claim Forms

The following is a list of the red-ink claim forms required by Arkansas Medicaid. The forms below cannot be printed from this manual for use. Information about where to get the forms and links to samples of the forms is available below. To view a sample form, click the form name.

Claim Type

Where To Get Them

Professional - CMS-1500

Business Form Supplier

Institutional-CMS-1450*

Business Form Supplier

Visual Care - DMS-26-V

1-800-457-4454

Inpatient Crossover- HP-MC-001

1-800-457-4454

Long Term Care Crossover- HP-MC-002

1-800-457-4454

Outpatient Crossover- HP-MC-003

1-800-457-4454

Professional Crossover- HP-MC-004

1-800-457-4454

* For dates of service after 11/30/07 - ALL HOSPICE PROVIDERS USE ONLY FORM CMS-1450 (formerly UB-04) for billing.

Claim Forms

The following is a list of the non-red-ink claim forms required by Arkansas Medicaid. Information about where to get a supply of the forms and links to samples of the forms is available below. To view a sample form, click the form name.

Claim Type

Where To Get Them

Alternatives Attendant Care Provider Claim Form -AAS-9559

Client Employer

Dental - ADA-J430

Business Form Supplier

Arkansas Medicaid Forms

The forms below can be printed from this manual for use.

In order by form name:

Form Name

Form Link

Acknowledgement of Hysterectomy Information

DMS-2606

Address Change Form

DMS-673

Adjustment Request Form - Medicaid XIX

HP-AR-004

Adverse Effects Form

DMS-2704

AFMC Prescription & Prior Authorization Request for Medical Equipment Excluding Wheelchairs & Wheelchair Components

DMS-679A

Amplification/Assistive Technology Recommendation Form

DMS-686

Application for WebRA Hardship Waiver

DMS-7736

Approval/Denial Codes for Inpatient Psychiatric Services

DMS-2687

Arkansas Early Intervention Infant & Toddler Program Intake/Referral/Application for Services

DDS/FS#0001.a

Arkansas Medicaid Patient-Centered Medical Home Program Practice Participation Agreement

DMS-844

Arkansas Medicaid Patient-Centered Medical Home Program Pooling Request Form

DMS-845

Arkansas Medicaid Patient-Centered Medical Home Program Practice Withdrawal Form

DMS-846

ARKids First Behavioral Health Services Provider Qualification Form

DMS-612

Authorization for Automatic Deposit

autodeposit

Authorization for Payment for Services Provided

MAP-8

Certification of Need - Medicaid Inpatient Psychiatric Services for Under Age 21

DMS-2633

Certification of Schools to Provide Comprehensive EPSDT Services

CSPC-EPSDT

Certification Statement for Abortion

DMS-2698

Change of Ownership Information

DMS-0688

Child Health Management Services Enrollment Orders

DMS-201

Child Health Management Services Discharge Notification Form

DMS-202

CHMS Benefit Extension for Diagnosis/Evaluation Procedures

DMS-699A

CHMS Request for Prior Authorization

DMS-102

Claim Correction Request

DMS-2647

Consent for Release of Information

DMS-619

Contact Lens Prior Authorization Request Form

DMS-0101

Contract to Participate in the Arkansas Medical Assistance Program

DMS-653

DDTCS Transportation Log

DMS-638

DDTCS Transportation Survey

DMS-632

Dental Treatment Additional Information

DMS-32-A

Disclosure of Significant Business Transactions

DMS-689

Disproportionate Share Questionnaire

DMS-628

Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) Prescription/Referral For Medically Necessary Services/Items Not Specifically Included in the Medicaid State Plan

DMS-693

Early Childhood Special Education Referral Form

ECSE-R

EPSDT Provider Agreement

DMS-831

Explanation of Check Refund

HP-CR-002

Gait Analysis Full Body

DMS-647

Home Health Certification and Plan of Care

CMS-485

Inpatient Psychiatric Medicaid Agency Review Team Transmittal Sheet

DMS-2685

Individual Renewal Form for School-Based Audiologists

DMS-7782

Lower-Limb Prosthetic Evaluation

DMS-650

Lower-Limb Prosthetic Prescription

DMS-651

Media Selection/E-Mail Address Change Form

HP-MS-005

Medicaid Claim Inquiry Form

HP-CI-003

Medicaid Form Request

HP-MFR-001

Medical Equipment Request for Prior Authorization & Prescription

DMS-679

Medical Transportation and Personal Assistant Verification

DMS-616

Mental Health Services Provider Qualification Form for LCSW, LMFT and LPC

DMS-633

Notice Of Noncompliance

DMS-635

NPI Reporting Form

DMS-683

Occupational, Physical and Speech Therapy for Medicaid Eligible Beneficiaries Under Age 21 Prescription/Referral

DMS-640

Ownership and Conviction Disclosure

DMS-675

Personal Care Assessment and Service Plan

DMS-618 English DMS-618 Spanish

Practitioner Identification Number Request Form

DMS-7708

Prescription & Prior Authorization Request For Nutrition Therapy & Supplies

DMS-2615

Primary Care Physician Managed Care Program Referral Form

DMS-2610

Primary Care Physician Participation Agreement

DMS-2608

Primary Care Physician Selection and Change Form

DMS-2609

Procedure Code/NDC Detail Attachment Form

DMS-664

Provider Application

DMS-652

Provider Communication Form

AAS-9502

Provider Data Sharing Agreement - Medicare Parts C & D

DMS-652-A

Provider Enrollment Application and Contract Package

Application Packet

Quarterly Monitoring Form

AAS-9506

Referral for Audiology Services - School-Based Setting

DMS-7783

Referral for Certification of Need Medicaid Inpatient Psychiatric Services for Under Age 21

DMS-2634

Referral for Medical Assistance

DMS-630

Request for Appeal

DMS-840

Request for Extension of Benefits

DMS-699

Request for Extension of Benefits for Clinical, Outpatient, Laboratory and X-Ray Services

DMS-671

Request for Extension of Benefits for Medical Supplies for Medicaid Beneficiaries Under Age 21

DMS-602

Request for Molecular Pathology Laboratory Services

DMS-841

Request For Orthodontic Treatment

DMS-32-0

Request for Private Duty Nursing Services Prior Authorization and Prescription - Initial Request or Recertification

DMS-2692

Request for Targeted Case Management Prior Authorization for Beneficiaries Under Age 21

DMS-601

Research Request Form

HP-0288

Service Log - Personal Care Delivery and Aides Notes

DMS-873

Sterilization Consent Form

DMS-615 English DMS-615 Spanish

Sterilization Consent Form - Information for Men

PUB-020

Sterilization Consent Form - Information for Women

PUB-019

Targeted Case Management Contact Monitoring Form

DMS-690

Upper-Limb Prosthetic Evaluation

DMS-648

Upper-Limb Prosthetic Prescription

DMS-649

Vendor Performance Report

Vendorperformreport

Verification of Medical Services

DMS-2618

In order by form number:

AAS-9502

DMS-2633

DMS-618

DMS-675

DMS-846

AAS-9506

DMS-2634

Spanish

DMS-673

DMS-873

AAS-9559

DMS-2647

DMS-619

DMS-679

ECSE-R

Address Chanqe

DMS-2685

DMS-628

DMS-679A

HP-0288

DMS-2687

DMS-630

DMS-683

HP-AR-004

Autodeposit

DMS-2692

DMS-632

DMS-686

HP-CI-003

CMS-485

DMS-2698

DMS-633

DMS-689

HP-CR-002

CSPC-EPSDT

DMS-2704

DMS-635

DMS-690

HP-MFR-001

DDS/FS#0001.a

DMS-32-A

DMS-638

DMS-693

HP-MS-005

DMS-0101

DMS-32-0

DMS-640

DMS-699

MAP-8

DMS-0688

DMS-601

DMS-647

DMS-699A

Performance Report

DMS-102

DMS-602

DMS-648

DMS-7708

DMS-201

DMS-612

DMS-649

DMS-7736

Provider Enrollment Application and Contract Package

DMS-202

DMS-615 English

DMS-650

DMS-7782

DMS-2606

DMS-651

DMS-7783

DMS-2608

DMS-615 Spanish

DMS-652

DMS-831

DMS-2609

DMS-652-A

DMS-840

PUB-019

DMS-2610

DMS-616

DMS-653

DMS-841

PUB-020

DMS-2615

DMS-618 English

DMS-664

DMS-844

DMS-2618

DMS-671

DMS-845

Arkansas Medicaid Contacts and Links

Click the link to view the information.

American Hospital Association

Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator

Arkansas Department of Education, Health and Nursing Services Specialist

Arkansas Department of Education, Special Education

Arkansas Department of Finance Administration, Sales and Tax Use Unit

Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Aging and Adult Services

Arkansas Department of Human Services, Appeals and Hearings Section

Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Behavioral Health Services

Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education, Child Care Licensing Unit

Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Children and Family Services, Contracts Management Unit

Arkansas Department of Human Services, Children's Services

Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of County Operations, Customer Assistance Section

Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Medical Services

Arkansas DHS, Division of Medical Services Director

Arkansas DHS, Division of Medical Services, Benefit Extension Requests, UR Section

Arkansas DHS, Division of Medical Services, Dental Care Unit

Arkansas DHS, Division of Medical Services, HP Enterprise Services Provider Enrollment Unit

Arkansas DHS, Division of Medical Services, Financial Activities Unit

Arkansas DHS, Division of Medical Services, Hearing Aid Consultant

Arkansas DHS, Division of Medical Services, Medical Assistance Unit

Arkansas DHS, Division of Medical Services, Medical Director for Clinical Affairs

Arkansas DHS, Division of Medical Services, Pharmacy Unit

Arkansas DHS, Division of Medical Services, Program Communications Unit

Arkansas DHS, Division of Medical Services, Program Integrity Unit (PI)

Arkansas DHS, Division of Medical Services, Provider Reimbursement Unit

Arkansas DHS, Division of Medical Services, Third-Party Liability Unit

Arkansas DHS, Division of Medical Services, UR/Home Health Extensions

Arkansas DHS, Division of Medical Services, Utilization Review Section

Arkansas DHS, Division of Medical Services, Visual Care Coordinator

Arkansas Department of Health

Arkansas Department of Health, Health Facility Services

Arkansas Department of Human Services, Accounts Receivable

Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care

Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care, Retrospective Review for Therapy and Prior Authorization for Personal Care for Under Age 21

Arkansas Hospital Association

ARKids First-B

ARKids First-B ID Card Example

Central Child Health Services Office (EPSDT)

ConnectCare Helpline

County Codes

Dental Contractor

HP Enterprise Services Claims Department

HP Enterprise Services EDI Support Center (formerly AEVCS Help Desk)

HP Enterprise Services Inquiry Unit

HP Enterprise Services Manual Order

HP Enterprise Services Provider Assistance Center (PAC)

HP Enterprise Services Supplied Forms

Example of Beneficiary Notification of Denied ARKids First-B Claim

Example of Beneficiary Notification of Denied Medicaid Claim

First Connections Infant & Toddler Program, Developmental Disabilities Services

First Connections Infant & Toddler Program, Developmental Disabilities Services, Appeals

Flow Chart of Intake and Prior Authorization Process For Intervention/Treatment

Health Care Declarations

Immunizations Registry Help Desk

Magellan Pharmacy Call Center

Medicaid ID Card Example

Medicaid Managed Care Services (MMCS)

Medicaid Reimbursement Unit Communications Hotline

Medicaid Tooth Numbering System

National Supplier Clearinghouse

Partners Provider Certification

Primary Care Physician (PCP) Enrollment Voice Response System

Provider Qualifications, Division of Behavioral Health Services

Select Optical

Standard Register

Table of Desirable Weights

UAMS College of Pharmacy Evidence-Based Prescription Drug Program Help Desk

U.S. Government Printing Office

ValueOptions

Vendor Performance Report

Section II IndependentChoices
200.100 IndependentChoices

The IndependentChoices program is a state plan service under 1915(j) of the Social Security Act. IndependentChoices is operated by the Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS). The program offers Medicaid-eligible individuals who are elderly and individuals with disabilities an opportunity to self-direct their personal assistant services.

IndependentChoices seeks to increase the opportunity for consumer direction and control for Medicaid beneficiaries receiving or needing personal assistant services. Personal Assistant services in IndependentChoices include state plan personal care for Medicaid beneficiaries and attendant care services for ARChoices beneficiaries in Homecare (ARChoices). IndependentChoices offers an allowance and counseling services in place of traditional agency-provided personal assistance services and items related to personal assistance needs.

The participant or designee is the employer and accepts the responsibility in directing the work of their employee to the degree necessary to meet their individual needs for assistance with activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living.

If the IC participant can make decisions regarding his or her care but does not feel comfortable reading and filling out forms or talking on the phone, he or she can appoint a Communications Manager. The Communications Manager can act as the participant's voice and complete and sign forms, but will not make decisions for the participant. The Communications Manager will not hire, train, supervise or fire the personal assistant for the IC participant.

If the participant needs someone to hire and supervise the personal assistant, make decisions about care and administer the cash expenditure plan as well as complete all forms, a Decision-Making Partner will be appointed.

IndependentChoices participants or their Decision-Making Partners must be able to assume the responsibilities of becoming an employer by hiring, training, supervising and firing if necessary their directly hired workers. In doing so the program participant accepts the risks, rights and responsibilities of directing their care and having their health care needs met.

The IndependentChoices program respects the employer authority of the participant who chooses to direct his or her care by hiring an employee who will be trained by the employer or Decision-Making Partner to provide assistance how, when, and where the employer or Decision-Making Partner determines will best meet the participant's individual needs. The Medicaid beneficiary assumes the risks, rights and responsibilities of having their health care needs met in doing so.

NOTE: The IndependentChoices Program follows the rules and regulations of the State Plan approved Personal Care Program, unless stated otherwise in this manual.

200.200 Eligibility

To be eligible for IndependentChoices, a participant must:

A. Be 18 years of age or older
B. Be eligible for Medicaid, as determined by the DHS Division of County Operations, in a category that covers personal care, or be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) through the Social Security Administration, or be eligible for ARChoices and determined in need of attendant care services or personal care by the DAAS Registered Nurse (RN).
C. Be receiving personal assistance services or be medically eligible to receive personal assistance services. Personal assistance services include state plan personal care and ARChoices attendant care services.
1. Personal Care: In determining eligibility and level of need for personal care, IndependentChoices follows policy found in the Arkansas Medicaid Personal Care Provider Manual.
2.Attendant Care: The DAAS RN must determine and authorize attendant care services based on ARChoices policy.
D. Not be living in a home or property owned, operated or controlled by a provider of services unless the provider is related by blood or marriage to the participant. This includes single family homes, group homes, adult family homes, congregate settings, a living situation sponsored or staffed by an agency provider, etc.
E. Be willing to participate in IndependentChoices and understand the rights, risks and responsibilities of managing his or her own care with an allowance; or, if unable to make decisions independently, have a willing representative decision-maker who understands the rights, risks and responsibilities of managing the care of the participant with an allowance.
202.300 Enrollment

The Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) is the point of entry for all enrollment activity for IndependentChoices. The program is limited based on an approved number through the Medicaid State Plan.

The individual or their designee will first call the IndependentChoices toll-free number at 888-682-0044 or 866-710-0456. Information about the program is provided to the individual and verification made that the individual is currently enrolled in a Medicaid category that covers personal assistance services. If the individual is currently enrolled in an appropriate Medicaid category and has an assessed physical dependency need for "hands on" assistance with personal care needs, DAAS will enter the participant's information into a DAAS database. If the individual is not currently enrolled in an appropriate Medicaid category, the individual will be referred to the DHS County Office for eligibility determination.

The IndependentChoices counselor, nurse and fiscal agent will then work with the individual to complete the enrollment forms either by mail and telephone contact or by a face-to-face meeting. The individual will be provided with a program manual, which explains the individual's responsibilities regarding enrollment and continuing participation. The individual must complete the forms in the Enrollment Packet, which consists of the Participant Responsibilities and Agreement, the Backup Personal Assistant and the Authorization to Disclose Health Information. The individual must also complete the forms in the Employer Packet, which includes the Limited Power of Attorney, IRS and direct deposit forms related to being a household employer. Each personal assistant must complete the forms in the Employee Packet which include the standard tax withholding forms normally completed by an employee, the Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9), a Participant/Personal Assistant Agreement, Employment Application and a Provider Agreement. Each packet includes step-by-step instructions on how to complete the above forms. Assistance is available to the individual, Decision-Making Partner/Communications Manager and the personal assistant to help complete the forms and answer any questions.

As part of the enrollment process, the DAAS RN will complete an assessment using the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Level of Care Assessment Tool. The DAAS RN will determine, through the completed assessment and professional judgment, the level of medical necessity. This determination creates the budget for self-directed services. Eligibility for personal care services is based on the same criteria as state plan personal care services. NOTE: For ARChoices beneficiaries, the DAAS RN will determine the need for personal care and attendant care hours needed. The ARChoices plan of care will reflect that the beneficiary chooses IndependentChoices as the provider. DAAS-HCBS staff will obtain physician authorization for persons not receiving ARChoices waiver services.

After the in-home assessment, the DAAS RN will complete the paperwork and coordinate with the IndependentChoices counselor. The counselor will process all of the completed enrollment forms. The assessment is sent to the beneficiary's physician for authorization if the beneficiary is not authorized for services through a waiver plan of care for ARChoices. State and IRS tax forms will be retained by the fiscal agent. Disbursement of funds to a beneficiary or their employee will not occur until all required forms are accurately completed and in the possession of the fiscal agent.

Personal care assessments for beneficiaries aged 21 years or older and authorized by the beneficiary's physician in excess of 14.75 hours per week are forwarded to DAAS for coordination with Utilization Review in the Division of Medical Services for approval. View or print Utilization Review contact information.For beneficiaries under age 21, all personal care hours must be authorized through Medicaid's contracted Quality Improvement Organization (QIO). View or print AFMC contact information.

IndependentChoices follows the rules and regulations found in the Arkansas Medicaid Personal Care Provider Manual in determining and authorizing personal care hours. The initial authorization for personal assistance services may not begin until the beneficiary's primary care physician or an advanced practice nurse enrolled in the Arkansas Medicaid APN program seeing patients in an Arkansas Medicaid enrolled Rural Health Clinic or Federally Qualified Health Center signs and dates the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Level of Care Assessment Tool. For beneficiaries receiving services through the ARChoices waiver program, the APN or physician's signature is not required. The signature of the DAAS RN is sufficient to authorize personal care services. After the service plan is authorized, the actual day services begin is dependent upon all of the following conditions:

A. DAAS issues a seven-day notice to discontinue service to any agency personal care, ARChoices provider currently providing services to the individual.
B. The date the beneficiary's worker is able to begin providing the necessary care. It can be no earlier than the date the physician authorized the service plan for the non-waiver eligible participant, if an agency provider is not providing the personal care services.
C. The fiscal agent is in possession of all required employer and employee documents.

If the beneficiary is not a recipient of ARChoices services, then continuation of personal assistance services requires reauthorization prior to the end of the current service plan end date.

When required for non-waiver beneficiaries, the earlier of the two following conditions will suffice for the face-to-face visit required sixty days prior to the begin date of the new service plan:

A. The beneficiary's primary care physician or eligible nurse practitioner (as described in this manual) signature on the HCBS Level of Care Assessment Tool attests that he or she has examined the patient within the past 60 days.
B. The beneficiary has a face-to-face visit with their primary care physician or eligible nurse practitioner 60 days prior to the service plan begin date.

When the approval by Utilization Review is received, or the beneficiary needs 14.75 hours or less per week, the IndependentChoices Counselor will contact the beneficiary or Decision-Making Partner/Communications Manager to develop the cash expenditure plan. The Medicaid beneficiary as the employer and the counselor will determine when IndependentChoices services can begin, but may not commence prior to the date authorized by the physician. The beneficiary is required to have a face-to-face visit with their physician within 60 days of the date that the physician signs the Assessment Tool or 60 days prior to the service plan begin date and each subsequent reassessment. At no time will services begin prior to the first day of the previous month unless authorized by the Division of Aging and Adult Services.

220.100 Cash Allowance

The cash allowance allows the program participant to purchase those services that help the program participant receive assistance at times of the day that best meet his or her individual preferences. The allowance also supports the purchase of goods and services that lessen the need for human assistance while increasing the participant's ability to maintain independence in the community.

Primarily the allowance is used to pay the participant's employee's salary. The list of services listed below was developed by the IndependentChoices Advisory Committee comprised of representatives from Area Agencies on Aging, Department of Health, Spinal Cord Commission and advocates. Not all of these services are widely used, but the availability of these services on an individual basis has impacted the quality of life of individual program participants.

Following is a list of possible uses of the cash allowance:

A.Personal Assistance Services including personal care and attendant care services for ARChoices beneficiaries
B. Medical related transportation not provided through the Non-Emergency Transportation (NET) Waiver
C. Prescription Medication Not Covered by Insurance, Medicaid or Medicare Part D
D. Over-the-counter Drugs
E. Adaptive Equipment (Purchase or Rental)
F. Communication Devices
G. Discretionary Cash used to purchase personal hygiene items
H. Home Modifications
I. Emergency Food and Clothing
J. Safety Devices
K. Technology (Computers)
L. Environmental Equipment
M. Emergency Pest Control
N. Emergency Housing
O. Emergency Utilities
P. Education
Q. Service Animal Purchase and Maintenance
R. Other, with approval by the Division of Aging and Adult Services
220.210 Personal Care/Hospice Policy Clarification

Medicaid beneficiaries are allowed to receive Medicaid personal care services, in addition to hospice aide services, if the personal care services are unrelated to the terminal condition or the hospice provider is using the personal care services to supplement the hospice aide and attendant care services.

A. The hospice provider is responsible for assessing the patient's hospice-related needs and developing the hospice plan of care to meet those needs, implementing all interventions described in the plan of care, and developing and maintaining a system of communication and integration to provide for an ongoing sharing of information with other non-hospice healthcare providers furnishing services unrelated to the terminal illness and related conditions. The hospice provider coordinates the hospice aide with the services furnished under the Medicaid personal care program to ensure that patients receive all the services that they require. Coordination occurs through contact with beneficiaries or in home providers.
B. The hospice aide services are not meant to be a daily service, nor 24-hour daily services, and are not expected to fulfill the caregiver role for the patient. The hospice provider can use the services furnished by the Medicaid personal care program to the extent that the hospice would routinely use the services of a hospice patient's family in implementing a patient's plan of care. The hospice provider is only responsible for the hospice aide and attendant care services necessary for the treatment of the terminal condition.
C. Medicaid payments for personal care services provided to an individual also receiving hospice services, regardless of the payment source for hospice services, must be supported by documentation in the individual's personal care medical chart or the IndependentChoices Cash Expenditure Plan. Documentation must support the policy described above in this section of the Personal Care provider manual.

Extension of benefits for personal care for beneficiaries receiving both hospice services and personal care services will be considered based on the individual beneficiary's physical dependency needs. Requests for increased personal care hours will be reviewed for medical necessity; duplication of services will be adjusted accordingly.

NOTE: Based on audit findings, it is imperative that required documentation be recorded by the hospice provider and available in the hospice record. Documentation must substantiate all services provided. It is the hospice provider's responsibility to coordinate care and assure there is no duplication of services. While hospice care and personal care services are not mutually exclusive, documentation must support the inclusion of both services and the corresponding amounts on the care plan. To avoid duplication and to support hospice care in the home that provides the amount of services required to meet the needs of the beneficiary, the amount of personal care services needed beyond the care provided by the hospice agency must meet the criteria detailed in this section. Most often, if personal care services are in place prior to hospice services starting, the amount of personal care services will be reduced to avoid any duplication. If those services are not reduced or discontinued, documentation in the hospice and personal care records must explain the need for both and be supported by the policy in this section.

220.300 Attendant Care Services

In-home services are designed to reduce or prevent inappropriate institutionalization by maintaining, strengthening or restoring an eligible participant's function in his or her own home. IndependentChoices allows ARChoices participants the choice of self-directed attendant care services rather than receiving attendant care services through a certified agency.

The DAAS RN will determine the number of hours of attendant care services needed by the participant as indicated on the ARChoices Plan of Care. If the participant chooses to self-direct attendant care services, the DAAS RN will refer the participant to the IndependentChoices program by sending the plan of care to IndependentChoices, notating that IndependentChoices was selected.

SECTION II -ARCHOICES IN HOMECARE (ARCHOICES) HOME AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES (HCBS) WAIVER
200.000 ARCHOICES IN HOMECARE (ARCHOICES) HCBS WAIVER PROGRAM GENERAL INFORMATION
201.000 Arkansas Medicaid Certification Requirements for ARChoices

HCBS Waiver Program

All ARChoices Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver providers must meet the Provider Participation and enrollment requirements contained within Section 140.000 of this manual as well as the following criteria to be eligible to participate in the Arkansas Medicaid Program:

ARChoices HCBS Waiver providers must be certified by the Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) as having met all Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved provider criteria for the service(s) they wish to enroll to provide.

Certification by the Division of Aging and Adult Services does not guarantee enrollment in the Medicaid program.

All providers must maintain their provider files at the Hewlett Packard Enterprise Provider Enrollment Unit by submitting current certification, licensure, all DAAS-issued certification renewals and any other renewals affecting their status as a Medicaid-eligible provider, etc.

Copies of certifications and renewals required by DAAS must be maintained by DAAS to avoid loss of provider certification. These copies must be submitted to DAAS Provider Certification. View or print the Division of Aging and Adult Services Provider Certification contact information. Payment cannot be authorized for services provided beyond the certification period.

201.100 Providers of ARChoices HCBS Waiver Services in Bordering and Non-Bordering States

An ARChoices provider must be physically located in the State of Arkansas or physically located in a bordering state and serving a trade-area city. The trade-area cities are limited to Monroe and Shreveport, Louisiana; Clarksdale and Greenville, Mississippi; Poplar Bluff and Springfield, Missouri; Poteau and Sallisaw, Oklahoma; Memphis, Tennessee; and Texarkana, Texas.

All providers must be licensed and/or certified by their states' appropriate licensing/certifying authorities. Copies of all appropriate licenses and certifications must be submitted to DAAS for certification as a potential ARChoices provider.

Arkansas Medicaid does not provide ARChoices Waiver services in non-bordering states.

201.105 Provider Assurances
A. Agency Staffing

The Provider agrees that he or she will maintain adequate staffing levels to ensure timely and consistent delivery of services to all beneficiaries for whom they have accepted an ARChoices Waiver Person-Centered Service Plan (PCSP).

The Provider agrees:

1. Personnel responsible for direct service delivery will be properly trained and in compliance with all applicable licensure requirements. The Provider agrees to require personnel to participate in any appropriate training provided by, or requested by, the Department of Human Services. The Provider acknowledges the cost of training courses for certification and/or licensure is not reimbursable through DHS. Direct care workers must be trained prior to providing services to an ARChoices beneficiary.
2. Each service worker possesses the necessary skills to perform the specific services required to meet the needs of the beneficiary he/she is to serve.
3. Staff is required to attend orientation training prior to allowing the employee to deliver any ARChoices Waiver service(s). This orientation shall include, but not be limited to:
a. Description of the purpose and philosophy of the ARChoices Waiver Program;
b. Discussion and distribution of the provider agency's written code of ethics;
c. Discussion of activities which shall and shall not be performed by the employee;
d. Discussion, including instructions, regarding ARChoices Waiver record keeping requirements;
e. Discussion of the importance of the PCSP;
f. Discussion of the agency's procedure for reporting changes in the beneficiary's condition;
g. Discussion, including potential legal ramifications, of the beneficiary's right to confidentiality;
h. Discussion of the beneficiary's rights regarding HCBS Settings as discussed in 201.000.
B. Code of Ethics

The Provider agrees to follow and/or enforce for each employee providing services to an ARChoices Waiver beneficiary a written code of ethics that shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

1. No consumption of the beneficiary's food or drink;
2. No use of the beneficiary's telephone for personal calls;
3. No discussion of one's personal problems, religious or political beliefs with the beneficiary;
4. No acceptance of gifts or tips from the beneficiary or their caregiver;
5. No friends or relatives of the employee or unauthorized beneficiaries are to accompany the employee to beneficiary's residence;
6. No consumption of alcoholic beverages or use of non-prescribed drugs prior to or during service delivery;
7. No smoking in the beneficiary's residence;
8. No solicitation of money or goods from the beneficiary;
9. No breach of the beneficiary's privacy or confidentiality of records.
C. Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Settings

All providers must meet the following Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Settings regulations as established by CMS. The federal regulation for the new rule is 42 CFR 441.301(c) (4)-(5).

Settings that are HCBS must be integrated in and support full access of beneficiaries receiving Medicaid HCBS to the greater community, including opportunities to seek employment and work in competitive integrated settings, engage in community life, control personal resources and receive services in the community, to the same degree of access as beneficiaries not receiving Medicaid HCBS.

HCBS settings must have the following characteristics:

1. Chosen by the individual from among setting options including non-disability specific settings (as well as an independent setting) and an option for a private unit in a residential setting.
a. Choice must be identified/included in the person-centered service plan.
b. Choice must be based on the individual's needs, preferences and, for residential settings, resources available for room and board.
2. Ensures an individual's rights of privacy, dignity and respect and freedom from coercion and restraint.
3. Optimizes, but does not regiment, individual initiative, autonomy and independence in making life choices, including but not limited to, daily activities, physical environment and with whom to interact.
4. Facilitates individual choice regarding services and supports and who provides them.
5. The setting is integrated in and supports full access of beneficiaries receiving Medicaid HCBS to the greater community, including opportunities to seek employment and work in competitive integrated settings, engage in community life, control personal resources and receive services in the community, to the same degree of access as beneficiaries not receiving Medicaid HCBS.
6. In a provider-owned or controlled residential setting (e.g., Adult Family Homes), in addition to the qualities specified above, the following additional conditions must be met:
a. The unit or dwelling is a specific physical place that can be owned, rented, or occupied under a legally enforceable agreement by the individual receiving services, and the individual has, at a minimum, the same responsibilities and protections from eviction that tenants have under the landlord/tenant law of the State, county, city, or other designated entity. For settings in which landlord tenant laws do not apply, the State must ensure that a lease, residency agreement or other form of written agreement will be in place for each HCBS participant and that the document provides protections that address eviction processes and appeals comparable to those provided under the jurisdiction's landlord tenant law.
b. Each individual has privacy in their sleeping or living unit:
i. Units have entrance doors lockable by the individual, with only appropriate staff having keys to doors.
ii. Beneficiaries sharing units have a choice of roommates in that setting.
iii. Beneficiaries have the freedom to furnish and decorate their sleeping or living units within the lease or other agreement.
c. Beneficiaries have the freedom and support to control their own schedules and activities and have access to food at any time.
d. Beneficiaries are able to have visitors of their choosing at any time.
e. The setting is physically accessible to the individual.
f. Any modification of the additional conditions specified in items 1 through 4 above must be supported by a specific assessed need and justified in the person-centered service plan. The following requirements must be documented in the person-centered service plan:
i. Identify a specific and individualized assessed need.
ii. Document the positive interventions and supports used prior to any modifications to the person-centered service plan.
iii. Document less intrusive methods of meeting the need that have been tried but did not work.
iv. Include a clear description of the condition that is directly proportionate to the specific assessed need.
v. Include regular collection and review of data to measure the ongoing effectiveness of the modification.
vi. Include established time limits for periodic reviews to determine if the modification is still necessary or can be terminated.
vii. Include the informed consent of the individual.
viii. Include an assurance that interventions and supports will cause no harm to the individual.
210.000 PROGRAM COVERAGE
211.000 Scope

The Arkansas Medical Assistance (Medicaid) Program offers certain home and community-based outpatient services as an alternative to nursing home placement. These services are available to persons age 21 through 64 who are determined to have a physical disability through the Social Security Administration or the DHS Medical Review Team (MRT) and require an intermediate level of care in a nursing facility, or are 65 years of age or older and require an intermediate level of care in a nursing facility. The community-based services offered through the ARChoices Home and Community-Based Waiver, described herein as ARChoices, are as follows:

A. Adult Family Homes
B. Attendant Care Services
C. Home-Delivered Meals
D. Personal Emergency Response System
E. Adult Day Services
F. Adult Day Health Services
G. Respite Care
H. Environmental Accessibility Adaptations/Adaptive Equipment

These services are designed to maintain Medicaid eligible beneficiaries at home in order to preclude or postpone institutionalization of the individual.

In accordance with 42 CFR 441.301(b) (1) (ii) ARChoices services may not be provided to inpatients of nursing facilities, hospitals or other inpatient institutions except for inpatient respite services.

212.000 Eligibility for the ARChoices Program
A. To qualify for the ARChoices Program, a person must be age 21 through 64 and who are determined to have a physical disability through the Social Security Administration or the DHS Medical Review Team (MRT) and require an intermediate level of care in a nursing facility, or be 65 years of age or older and require an intermediate level of care in a nursing facility. Persons determined to meet the skilled level of care, as determined by the Office of Long Term Care, are not eligible for the ARChoices Program.

The beneficiary intake and assessment process for the ARChoices Program includes a determination of categorical eligibility, financial eligibility, a nursing facility level of care determination, the development of a PCSP and the beneficiary's notification of his or her choice between home and community-based services and institutional services.

B. Applicants for participation in the program (or their representatives) must make application for services at the DHS office in the county of their residence. Medicaid eligibility is determined by the DHS County Office and is based on non-functional and functional criteria. Income and resources comprise the non-functional criteria. The individual must be an individual with a functional need.
C. To be determined an individual with a functional need; an individual must meet at least one of the following three criteria, as determined by a licensed medical professional:
1. The individual is unable to perform either of the following:
a. At least 1 of the 3 activities of daily living (ADLs) of transferring/locomotion, eating or toileting without extensive assistance from, or total dependence upon another person; or
b. At least 2 of the 3 ADLs of transferring/locomotion, eating, or toileting without limited assistance from another person; or
2. Medical assessment results in a score of three or more on Cognitive Performance Scale; or
3. Medical assessments results in a Change in Health, End-Stage Disease and Signs and Symptoms (CHESS) score of three or more.
4. Definitions:
a.CHESS means the changes in Health, End-Stage Disease, Signs and

Symptoms Scale was designed to identify individuals at risk of serious decline. It can serve as an outcome where the objective is to minimize problems related to declines in function, or as a pointer to identify persons whose conditions are unstable.

CHESS, originally developed for use with nursing home residents, has been adapted for use with other instruments in the interRAI suite. It creates a 6- point scale from 0 = not at all unstable to 5 = highly unstable, with higher levels predictive of adverse outcomes such as mortality, hospitalization, pain, caregiver stress and poor self-rated health. (RE: http://www.interrai.org/scales.html)

b.COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE SCALE (CPS) combines information on memory impairment, level or consciousness and executive function, with scores ranging from 0 (intact) to 6 (very severe impairment). The CPS has been shown to be highly correlated with the MMSE in a number of validation studies. (RE: http://www.interrai.org/scales.html)
c.EATING means the intake of nourishment and fluid, excluding tube feeding and total parenteral (outside the intestines) nutrition. This definition does not include meal preparation.
d.EXTENSIVE ASSISTANCE means that the individual would not be able to perform or complete the activity of daily living (ADL) without another person to aid in performing the complete task, by providing weight-bearing assistance.
e.LICENSED MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL means a licensed nurse, physician, physical therapist, or occupational therapist.
f.LIMITED ASSISTANCE means that the individual would not be able to perform or complete the activity of daily living (ADL) three or more times per week without another person to aid in performing the complete task by guiding or maneuvering the limbs of the individual or by other non-weight bearing assistance.
g.LOCOMOTION means the act of moving from one location to another, regardless of whether the movement is accomplished with aids or devices.
h.MENTAL RETARDATION means a level of retardation as described in the American Association on Mental Retardation's Manual on Classification on Mental Retardation. For further clarification, see 42 CFR § 483.100 -102, Subpart C - Preadmission Screening and Annual Review of Mentally III and Mentally Retarded Individuals.
i.SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS OR DISORDER means schizophrenia, mood, paranoid, panic or other severe anxiety disorder; somatoform disorder; personality disorder; or other psychotic disorder. For further clarification, see 42 CFR § 483.100 -102, Subpart C - Preadmission Screening and Annual Review of Mentally III and Mentally Retarded Individuals.
j.SKILLED LEVEL OF CARE means the following services when delivered by licensed medical personnel in accordance with a medical care plan requiring a continuing assessment of needs and monitoring of response to plan of care; and such services are required on a 24-hour/day basis. The services must be reasonable and necessary to the treatment of the individual's illness or injury, i.e., be consistent with the nature and severity of the individual's illness or injury, the individual's particular medical needs, accepted standards of medical practice and in terms of duration and amount.
i. Intermuscular or subcutaneous injections if the use of licensed medical personnel is necessary to teach an individual or the individual's caregiver the procedure.
ii. Intravenous injections and hypodermoclysis or intravenous feedings.
iii. Levin tubes and nasogastric tubes.
iv. Nasopharyngeal and tracheostomy aspiration.
v. Application of dressings involving prescription medication and aseptic techniques.
vi. Treatment of Stage III or Stage IV decubitus ulcers or other widespread skin disorders that are in Stage III or Stage IV.
vii. Heat treatments which have been specifically ordered by a physician as a part of active treatment and which require observation by nurses to adequately evaluate the individual's progress.
viii. Initial phases of a regimen involving administration of medical gases.
ix. Rehabilitation procedures, including the related teaching and adaptive aspects of nursing/therapies that are part of active treatment, to obtain a specific goal and not as maintenance of existing function.
x. Ventilator care and maintenance.
xi. The insertion, removal and maintenance of gastrostomy feeding tubes.
k.SUBSTANTIAL SUPERVISION means the prompting, reminding or guidance of another person to perform the task.
I.TOILETING means the act of voiding of the individual's bowels or bladder and includes the use of a toilet, commode, bedpan or urinal; transfers on and off a toilet, commode, bedpan or urinal; the cleansing of the individual after the act; changes of incontinence devices such as pads or diapers; management of ostomy or catheters and adjustment to clothing.
m.TOTAL DEPENDENCE means the individual needs another person to completely and totally perform the task for the individual.
n.TRANSFERRING means the act of an individual in moving from one surface to another and includes transfers to and from bed, wheelchairs, walkers and other locomotive aids and chairs.
D. No individual who is otherwise eligible for waiver services shall have his or her eligibility denied or terminated solely as the result of a disqualifying episodic medical condition that is temporary and expected to last no more than 21 days. However, that individual shall not receive waiver services or benefits when subject to a condition or change of condition that would render the individual ineligible if the condition or change in condition is expected to last more than 21 days.
E. Beneficiaries diagnosed with a serious mental illness or intellectual disability are not eligible for the ARChoices program unless they have medical needs unrelated to the diagnosis of mental illness or intellectual disability and meet the other qualifying criteria. A diagnosis of severe mental illness or intellectual disability must not bar eligibility for beneficiaries having medical needs unrelated to the diagnosis of serious mental illness or intellectual disability when they meet the other qualifying criteria.
F. Eligibility for the ARChoices Waiver program is determined as the latter of the date of application for the program or the date the PCSP is signed by the DAAS RN and beneficiary. (If a waiting list is implemented in order to remain in compliance with the waiver application as approved by CMS, the eligibility date determination will be based on the waiting list process.)
G. The ARChoices Waiver provides for the entrance of all eligible persons on a first-come, first-served basis, once beneficiaries meet all functional and financial eligibility requirements. However, the waiver dictates a maximum number of unduplicated beneficiaries who can be served in any waiver year. Once the maximum number of unduplicated beneficiaries is projected to be reached considering the number of active cases and the number of pending applications, a waiting list will be implemented for this program and the following process will apply:
1. Each ARChoices application will be accepted and medical and financial eligibility will be determined.
2. If all waiver slots are filled, the applicant will be notified of his or her eligibility for services, that all waiver slots are filled and that the applicant is number X in line for an available slot.
3. Entry to the waiver will then be prioritized based on the following criteria:
a. Waiver application determination date for persons inadvertently omitted from the waiver waiting list due to administrative error;
b. Waiver application determination date for persons being discharged from a nursing facility after a 90- day stay; waiver application determination date for persons residing in an approved Level II Assisted Living Facility for the past six months or longer;
c. Waiver application determination date for persons in the custody of DHS Adult Protective Services (APS);
d. Waiver application determination date for all other persons.
212.100 Reserved
212.200 Level of Care Determination

To be determined eligible for the ARChoices Waiver, an applicant must require a nursing facility intermediate level of care. Registered Nurses employed by the Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS RNs) perform a comprehensive assessment of each applicant to determine his or her personal assistance and health care needs. The assessment tool is ArPath, the electronic interRAI home care instrument, which evaluates the individual's level of care need.

The intermediate level of care determination is based on the comprehensive assessment performed by the DAAS RN, using standard criteria for functional need in evaluating an individual's need for nursing home placement in the absence of community alternatives. The level of care determination, in accordance with nursing home admission criteria, must be completed and the individual deemed eligible for an intermediate level of care by a licensed medical professional prior to receiving ARChoices services.

The DAAS RN performs a comprehensive assessment at least annually. The results of the level of care determination and the reevaluation are documented on form DHS-704, Decision for Nursing Home Placement.

Providers may submit relevant medical, social and personal information concerning beneficiaries to the DAAS RN prior to reassessments. Providers may upload information to http://www.daas.ar.gov/provrequest.htmlso that it can be received immediately by the appropriate DAAS RN. It is up to providers to submit the information in a timely manner. DAAS RNs schedule reassessments 6 to 10 weeks ahead of the expiration date. To ensure that the DAAS RN receives the information prior to the reassessments, providers need to submit the information no later than 12 weeks prior to the expiration date of the PCSP. DAAS will not provide providers with any special alerts or reminders of the expiration date. It is up to the provider to keep track of this date and submit the information in a timely manner.

NOTE: While federal guidelines require level of care reassessment at least annually, DAAS may reassess a beneficiary's level of care and/or need any time it is deemed appropriate by the DAAS RN to ensure that a beneficiary is appropriately placed in the ARChoices program and is receiving services suitable to his or her needs.

212.300 Person-Centered Service Plan (PCSP)
A. Each beneficiary in the ARChoices program must have an individualized ARChoices PCSP. The authority to develop an ARChoices PCSP is given to the Medicaid State agency's designee, the Division of Aging and Adult Services Registered Nurse (DAAS RN). At the discretion of the beneficiary, the ARChoices PCSP is developed with the ARChoices beneficiary, representative, the participant's family or anyone requested by the participant, including the provider, if requested by the beneficiary. At the request of the beneficiary or their representative, the DAAS RN can assist in coordinating and inviting any requested beneficiaries.
B. When developing the waiver PCSP, the beneficiary may freely choose a family member or individual to appoint as a representative. The beneficiary and representative may participate in all decisions regarding the types, amount and frequency of services included in the PCSP. The representative may participate in choosing the provider(s) for the beneficiary. If anyone other than the beneficiary chooses the provider, the DAAS RN will identify that individual on the PCSP. Should the self-directed service delivery model be selected by an individual other than the beneficiary, that individual may not be the paid employee for one year unless the DAAS approves a release based upon extenuating circumstances and in the best interest of the beneficiary.
C. The ARChoices PCSP developed by the DAAS RN includes, but is not limited to:
1. Beneficiary identification and contact information, including full name and address, phone number, date of birth, Medicaid number and the effective date of ARChoices Waiver eligibility;
2. Primary and secondary diagnosis;
3. Contact person;
4. Physician's name and address;
5. The amount, frequency and duration of ARChoices Waiver services to be provided and the name of the service provider chosen by the beneficiary or representative to provide the services. Note: There will not be a frequency ordered with Attendant Care. The monthly hours will be established using the RUG score. The provider and client will establish the frequency.
6. Other services outside the ARChoices services, regardless of payment source, identified and/or ordered to meet the beneficiary's needs including the option for the self-directed service delivery model;
7. The election of community services by the waiver beneficiary or representative; and,
8. The name and title of the DAAS RN responsible for the development of the beneficiary's PCSP.
D. If waiver eligibility is approved by the DHS county office, a copy of the PCSP signed by the DAAS RN and the waiver beneficiary or representative, will be forwarded to the beneficiary or representative and the Medicaid enrolled service provider(s) included in the PCSP. The service provider and the ARChoices beneficiary must review and follow the signed authorized PCSP. Services cannot begin until the Medicaid provider receives the authorized PCSP from the DAAS RN. The original PCSP will be maintained by the DAAS RN.

The implementation of the PCSP by a provider must ensure that services are:

1. Individualized to the beneficiary's unique circumstances;
2. Provided in the least restrictive environment possible;
3. Developed within a process ensuring participation of those concerned with the beneficiary's welfare;
4. Monitored and adjusted as needed, based on changes authorized and reported by the DAAS RN regarding the waiver PCSP;
5. Provided within a system that safeguards the beneficiary's rights to quality services as authorized on the waiver PCSP; and,
6. Documented carefully, with assurance that required information is recorded and maintained.

NOTE: Each service included on the ARChoices PCSP must be justified by the

DAAS RN. This justification is based on medical necessity, the beneficiary's physical, mental and functional status, other support services available to the beneficiary and other factors deemed appropriate by the DAAS RN.

Each ARChoices service must be provided according to the beneficiary PCSP. For services included in the waiver PCSP, Medicaid reimbursement is limited to the amount and frequency that is authorized in the PCSP. As detailed in the Medicaid Program provider contract, providers may bill only after services are provided.

NOTE: PCSPs are updated annually by the DAAS RN and sent to the ARChoices provider prior to the expiration of the current PCSP. However, the provider has the responsibility for monitoring the PCSP expiration date and ensuring that services are delivered according to a valid PCSP. At least 30 and no more than 45 days before the expiration of each PCSP, the provider shall notify the DAAS RN via email and copy the RN supervisor of the PCSP expiration date.

Services are not compensable unless there is a valid and current person-centered service plan in effect on the date of service.

REVISIONS TO A BENEFICIARY PERSON-CENTERED SERVICE PLAN MAY ONLY BE MADE BY THE DHS RN.

NOTE: All revisions to the PCSP must be authorized by the DAAS RN. A revised PCSP will be sent to each appropriate provider. Regardless of when services are provided, unless the provider and the service are authorized on an ARChoices PCSP, services are considered non-covered and do not qualify for Medicaid reimbursement. Medicaid expenditures paid for services not authorized on the ARChoices PCSP are subject to recoupment.

212.305 Targeted Case Management Services (Non-Waiver Service)

Each ARChoices PCSP will include Targeted Case Management, unless refused by the waiver beneficiary. The Targeted Case Manager is responsible for monitoring the beneficiary's status on a regular basis for changes in their service need, referring the beneficiary for reassessment, if necessary, and reporting any beneficiary complaints and changes in status to the DAAS RN or Nurse Manager immediately upon learning of the change.

NOTE: As stated in this manual, the service provider and the ARChoices beneficiary must review and follow the signed authorized PCSP. Each service included on the ARChoices PCSP must be justified by the DAAS RN. This justification is based on medical necessity, the beneficiary's physical, mental and functional status, other support services available to the beneficiary and other factors deemed appropriate by the DAAS RN.

For ARChoices beneficiaries whose waiver PCSP includes TCM at the time the DAAS RN signs the PCSP, the ARChoices PCSP, signed by a DAAS RN, will serve as the authorization for TCM services for one year from the date of the DAAS RN's signature, as described above.

212.310 Provisional Person-Centered Service Plan (PCSP)

The ARChoices registered nurse (DAAS RN) may develop a provisional PCSP prior to establishment of Medicaid eligibility, based on information obtained during the in-home functional assessment, when recommending functional approval based on the nursing home criteria. The DAAS RN must discuss the provisional PCSP policy and have the approval of the applicant prior to completing and processing the provisional PCSP. The PCSP will be developed by the applicant and the DAAS RN and signed by the applicant or the applicant's representative and the DAAS RN.

The provisional PCSP will include all current PCSP information, except for the waiver eligibility date and the Medicaid beneficiary ID number.

The provisional PCSP will be mailed to the waiver applicant and each provider included on the PCSP. If the beneficiary and the provider accept the risk of ineligibility, the provider must begin services within an established time frame as determined by the Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) and notify the DAAS RN, via Start Services form AAS-9510, that services have started. The DAAS RN will track the start of care dates and give the applicant options when services are not started.

The provisional PCSP will expire 60 days from the date signed by the applicant and the DAAS RN. A PCSP that has been approved with a Medicaid number and waiver eligibility date must be in place no later than the expiration date of the provisional PCSP.

A. A provisional PCSP may be developed and sent to providers only when the assessment outcome indicates functional eligibility and the DAAS RN believes, in his or her professional judgment, that the applicant meets the level of care criteria for an adult with a functional need, as explained in Section 212.000, Eligibility for the ARChoices Program.

The waiver eligibility date will be established retroactively, effective on the day the provisional PCSP was signed by the applicant or applicant's representative and the DAAS RN, if:

1. At least one waiver service begins within 30 days of the development of the provisional PCSP

AND

2. The waiver application is approved by the Division of County Operations.
B. If waiver services begin within 31 through 60 days of the development of the provisional PCSP, the retroactive eligibility date will be the effective date that a waiver service is started.
C. If waiver services do not begin within 60 days from the date the provisional PCSP is signed by the DAAS RN, the county office will establish the waiver eligibility date as the date the application is entered into the system as an approved application. There will be no retroactive eligibility.
D. Provisional Person-Centered Service Plans may not include the non-waiver self-directed service delivery model.
212.311 Denied Eligibility Application
A. If the DHS county office denies the Medicaid eligibility application for any reason, Medicaid and waiver services provided during a period of ineligibility will be the financial responsibility of the applicant. The DHS county office will notify the DAAS RN. The DAAS RN will notify the providers via form AAS-9511 immediately upon learning of the denial. Reasons for denial include but are not limited to:
1. Failure to meet the nursing home admission criteria
2. Failure to meet financial eligibility criteria
3. Withdrawal of the application by the applicant
4. Death of the applicant when no waiver services were provided

NOTE: If waiver services were provided and the applicant dies prior to approval of the application, waiver eligibility will begin (if all other eligibility requirements are met) on the date waiver service(s) began and end on the date of death.

B. The applicant has the right to appeal by filing for a fair hearing. When an appeal ruling is made in favor of the applicant, the actions to be taken by the DHS county office are as follows:
1. If the individual has no unpaid ARChoices Waiver charges, Medicaid coverage will begin on the date of the appeal decision. However, the waiver portion of the case will not be approved until the date the DHS county office completes the case.
2. If the individual has unpaid waiver charges and services were authorized by the DAAS RN, eligibility for both Medicaid and waiver services will begin on the date service began unless the hearing decision sets a begin date.

NOTE: Under no circumstances will waiver eligibility begin prior to the date of application or the date the provisional PCSP is signed by the DAAS RN and the applicant or the applicant's representative, whichever is later.

212.312 Comprehensive Person-Centered Service Plan (PCSP)

Prior to the expiration date of the provisional PCSP, the DAAS RN will send the comprehensive PCSP to the waiver beneficiary and all providers included on the PCSP. The comprehensive PCSP will replace the provisional PCSP. The comprehensive PCSP will include the Medicaid beneficiary ID number, the waiver eligibility date established according to policy and the comprehensive PCSP expiration date.

The comprehensive PCSP expiration date will be 365 days from the date of the DAAS RN's signature on form AAS-9503, the ARChoices PCSP. Once the application is either approved or denied by the DHS county office, the providers will be notified by the DAAS RN. The notification for the approval will be in writing via a PCSP that includes the waiver eligibility date and Medicaid ID number. The notification for a denial will be via a form AAS-9511 reflecting the date of denial.

212.313 ARChoices Applicants Leaving an Institution

The policy regarding retroactive eligibility applies to applicants entering the waiver program from the community and to applicants entering the program from an institution. The same process and the same policy determining the waiver eligibility date will apply to applications of each type.

EXCEPTION: No waiver eligibility date may be established prior to an applicant's discharge date from an institution. Therefore, if a provisional PCSP is developed while an applicant is a resident of a nursing home or an inpatient in an institution, the earliest waiver eligibility date will be the day the applicant is discharged from the facility.

NOTE: For inpatients, if a waiver application is filed at the local DHS county office prior to discharge AND if a provisional PCSP is developed by the DAAS RN prior to discharge, it may be possible to establish retroactive eligibility back to the date the applicant returned to his or her home if the applicant is ultimately found eligible for the program. (Note: Medicaid beneficiaries in nursing facilities do not have to complete a new application when applying for ARChoices. Their signature on the PCSP electing waiver services serves as the application.)

If no waiver application is filed and no functional assessment or provisional PCSP is completed by the DAAS RN prior to an applicant's discharge from an

institution, retroactive eligibility will not be possible back to the date the applicant returned to his home.

Functional assessments and PCSPs may be completed during a period of institutionalization; however, a discharge date must be scheduled. Since the purpose of the assessment and the PCSP is to depict the applicant's condition and needs in the home, premature assessments and PCSP development do not meet the intent of the program.

This policy applies to applicants leaving hospitals or nursing facilities.

212.314 Optional Participation

Neither waiver providers nor waiver applicants are required to begin or receive services prior to an eligibility determination by the Division of County Operations. When services are started based on the receipt of a provisional PCSP, it is the responsibility of each provider to explain the process and financial liability to the applicant and/or representative prior to beginning services. The decision to begin services prior to an eligibility determination must be a joint decision between the provider and the applicant, both of whom must understand the financial liability of the applicant if eligibility is not established.

NOTE: Regardless of the reason for the denial and regardless of when a new waiver application may be filed, a provisional PCSP will only be utilized on a current waiver application. Once an application is denied, a new provisional PCSP must be developed if a subsequent waiver application is filed.

212.320 Authorization Of The ARChoices Person-Centered Service Plan

(PCSP) with Personal Care Services

The following applies to individuals receiving both personal care services and ARChoices services.

A. The DAAS RN is responsible for developing an ARChoices PCSP that includes both waiver and non-waiver services. Once developed, the PCSP is signed by the DAAS RN authorizing the services.
B. The ARChoices PCSP signed by the DAAS RN will suffice as the "Personal Care Authorization" for services required in the Personal Care Program. The personal care service plan developed by the Personal care provider is still required.

The responsibility of developing a personal care service plan is not placed with the DAAS RN. The personal care provider is still required to complete a service plan, as described in the Arkansas Medicaid Personal Care Provider Manual.

NOTE: For ARChoices participants who have chosen to receive their personal care services through the IndependentChoices Program, the ARChoices PCSP, signed by a DAAS RN, will serve as the authorization for personal care services for one year from the date of the DAAS RN's signature, as described above.

C. The ARChoices PCSP is effective for one year, once signed by the DAAS RN; the authorization for personal care services, when included on the ARChoices PCSP, will be for one year from the date of the DAAS RN's signature, unless revised by the DAAS RN. If personal care services continue unchanged as authorized on the ARChoices PCSP, a new service plan is not required at the 6-month interval.

NOTE: It is the personal care provider's responsibility to place information regarding the agency's presence in the home in a prominent location so that the DAAS RN will be aware that the provider is serving the beneficiary.

Preferably, the provider will place the information atop the refrigerator or under the phone the beneficiary uses, unless the beneficiary objects. If so, the provider will place the information in a location satisfactory to the beneficiary, as long as it is readily available to and easily accessible by the DAAS RN.

212.322 Revisions when the Person-Centered Service Plan (PCSP) Contains Personal Care Services

Requested changes to the personal care services included on the ARChoices PCSP may originate with the personal care RN or the DAAS RN, based on the recipient's circumstances. Unless requested by an IndependentChoices beneficiary, the individual or agency requesting revisions to the Personal Care services on the ARChoices PCSP is responsible for securing any required signatures authorizing the change prior to the ARChoices PCSP being revised. The DAAS RN will obtain electronic signatures for dates of service on or after January 1, 2013.

If revised by the DAAS RN, a copy of the revised ARChoices PCSP and a Start of Care Form (AAS-9510) will be mailed to the personal care provider within 10 working days after being revised. If authorization is secured by the Personal Care agency, a copy of the revised personal care order, signed by the physician, must be sent to the DAAS RN prior to implementing any revisions. Once received, the ARChoices PCSP will be revised accordingly within 10 days of its receipt. If any problems are encountered with implementing the requested revisions, the DAAS RN will contact the personal care provider to discuss possible alternatives. These discussions and the final decision regarding the requested revisions must be documented in the nurse narrative. The final decision rests with the DAAS RN.

212.323 Medicaid Audit Requirements

When the Medicaid Program, as authorized by the ARChoices PCSP, reimburses for personal care services, all Medicaid audits will be performed based on that authorization. Therefore, all documentation by the personal care provider must tie services rendered to authorized services as reflected on the ARChoices PCSP.

212.324 Personal Care/Hospice Policy Clarification

Medicaid beneficiaries are allowed to receive Medicaid personal care services, in addition to hospice aide services, if the personal care services are unrelated to the terminal condition or the hospice provider is using the personal care services to supplement the hospice aide and homemaker services.

A. The hospice provider is responsible for assessing the patient's hospice-related needs and developing the hospice plan of care to meet those needs, implementing all interventions described in the plan of care and developing and maintaining a system of communication and integration to provide for an ongoing sharing of information with other non-hospice healthcare providers furnishing services unrelated to the terminal illness and related conditions. The hospice provider coordinates the hospice aide with the services furnished under the Medicaid personal care program to ensure that patients receive all the services that they require. Coordination occurs through contact with beneficiaries or in home providers.
B. The hospice aide services are not meant to be a daily service, nor 24-hour daily services and are not expected to fulfill the caregiver role for the patient. The hospice provider can use the services furnished by the Medicaid personal care program to the extent that the hospice would routinely use the services of a hospice patient's family in implementing a patient's plan of care. The hospice provider is only responsible for the hospice aide and homemaker services necessary for the treatment of the terminal condition.
C. Medicaid payments for personal care services provided to an individual also receiving hospice services, regardless of the payment source for hospice services, must be supported by documentation in the individual's personal care medical chart or the IndependentChoices Cash Expenditure Plan. Documentation must support the policy described above in this section of the Personal Care provider manual.

Extension of benefits for personal care for beneficiaries receiving both hospice services and personal care services will be considered based on the individual beneficiary's physical dependency needs. Requests for increased personal care hours will be reviewed for medical necessity; duplication of services will be adjusted accordingly.

NOTE: Based on audit findings, it is imperative that required documentation be recorded by the hospice provider and available in the hospice record. Documentation must substantiate all services provided. It is the hospice provider's responsibility to coordinate care and assure there is no duplication of services. While hospice care and personal care services are not mutually exclusive, documentation must support the inclusion of both services and the corresponding amounts on the care plan. To avoid duplication and to support hospice care in the home that provides the amount of services required to meet the needs of the beneficiary, the amount of personal care services needed beyond the care provided by the hospice agency must meet the criteria detailed in this section. Most often, if personal care services are in place prior to hospice services starting, the amount of personal care services will be reduced to avoid any duplication. If those services are not reduced or discontinued, documentation in the hospice and personal care records must explain the need for both and be supported by the policy in this section.

212.400 Temporary Absences from the Home

Once an ARChoices eligibility application has been approved, waiver services must be provided in a home and community-based services setting for eligibility to continue. Unless stated otherwise below, the county Department of Human Services (DHS) office must be notified immediately by the DAAS RN when waiver services are discontinued and action will be initiated by the DHS county office to close the waiver case. Providers will be notified by the DAAS RN.

A. Absence from the Home due to Institutionalization

An individual cannot receive ARChoices Waiver services while in an institution. The following policy applies to any inpatient stay where Medicaid pays the facility for the date of admission, i.e., hospitals, nursing homes, rehab facilities, etc., for active waiver cases when the beneficiary is hospitalized or enters a nursing facility for an expected stay of short duration.

1. When a waiver beneficiary is admitted to a hospital, the DHS county office will not take action to close the waiver case unless the beneficiary does not return home within 30 days from the date of admission. If, after 30 days, the beneficiary has not returned home, the DAAS RN will notify the DHS county office and action will be initiated by the DHS county office to close the waiver case.
2. If the DHS county office becomes aware that a beneficiary has been admitted to a nursing facility and it is anticipated that the stay will be short (30 days or less), the waiver case will be closed effective the date of the admission, but the Medicaid case will be left open. When the beneficiary returns home, the waiver case may be reopened effective the date the beneficiary returns home. A new assessment and medical eligibility determination will not be required unless the last review was completed more than 6 months prior to the beneficiary's admission to the facility.

NOTE: Nursing facility admissions, when referenced in this section, do not include ARChoices beneficiaries admitted to a nursing facility to receive facility-based respite services.

NOTE: The Arkansas Medicaid Program considers an individual an inpatient of a facility beginning with the date of admission. Therefore, payment to the inpatient facility begins on the date of admission. Payment to the inpatient facility does not include the date of discharge.

Payment for ARChoices services may be allowed for the date of a beneficiary's admission to an inpatient facility if the provider can provide verification that services were provided before the beneficiary was admitted. In order for payment to be allowed, providers are responsible for obtaining the following:

* Copies of claim forms or timesheets listing the times that services were provided

* A statement from the inpatient facility showing the time that the beneficiary was admitted

* This information must be submitted to DAAS within 10 working days of receiving a request for verification.

If providers are unable to provide proof that ARChoices services were provided before the beneficiary was admitted to the inpatient facility, then payments will be subject to recoupment. ARChoices services provided on the same day the beneficiary is discharged from the inpatient facility are billable when provided according to policy and after the beneficiary was discharged.

B. Absence due to Reasons Other than Institutionalization

When a waiver beneficiary is absent from the home for reasons other than institutionalization, the DHS county office will not be notified unless the beneficiary does not return home within 30 days. If, after 30 days, the beneficiary has not returned home and the providers can no longer deliver services as prescribed by the OCSO (e.g., the beneficiary has left the state and the return date is unknown), the DAAS RN will notify the county office. Action will be taken by the county office to close the waiver case.

NOTE: It is the responsibility of the provider to notify the DAAS RN immediately via form AAS-9511 upon learning of a change in the beneficiary's status.

212.500 Reporting Changes in Beneficiary's Status

Because the provider has more frequent contact with the beneficiary, many times the provider becomes aware of changes in the beneficiary's status sooner than the DAAS RN, Case Manager, or DHS county office. It is the provider's responsibility to report these changes immediately so proper action may be taken. Providers must complete the Waiver Provider Communication - Change of Participant Status Form (AAS-9511) and send it to the DAAS RN. A copy must be retained in the provider's beneficiary case record. Regardless of whether the change may result in action by the DHS county office, providers must immediately report all changes in the beneficiary's status to the DAAS RN.

The Case Manager is responsible for monitoring the beneficiary's status on a regular basis for changes in service need, referring the beneficiary for reassessment if necessary and reporting any beneficiary complaints and changes in status to the DAAS RN, or DAAS RN Supervisor immediately upon learning of the change.

212.600 Relatives Providing ARChoices Services

All ARChoices services, except for Adult Family Homes, may be provided by a beneficiary's relative, unless stated otherwise in this manual. No Adult Family Home provider, employee or family member of the provider may be related to the Adult Family Home waiver beneficiary.

For the purposes of this section, a relative or family member shall be defined as all persons related to the beneficiary by virtue of blood, marriage, or adoption. The following is applicable for all waiver services:

Under no circumstances may Medicaid payment be made for any waiver service rendered by the waiver beneficiary's:

1. Spouse
2. Legal guardian of the person
3. Attorney-in-fact granted authority to direct the beneficiary's care

All providers, including relatives, are required to meet all ARChoices provider certification requirements, Arkansas Medicaid enrollment requirements and provide services according to the beneficiary's PCSP and any established benefit limits for that specific service.

213.000 Description of Services
213.100 Adult Family Homes

Procedure Code

Modifier

Description

S5140

U1

Adult Family Homes Level A

S5140

U2

Adult Family Homes Level B

S5140

U3

Adult Family Homes Level C

Adult Family Homes services are personal care and supportive services (e.g., attendant care, transportation and medication oversight (to the extent permitted under State Law)), provided in a certified private home by a principal care provider who lives in the home.

Payment for Adult Family Home services is not made for room and board, items of comfort or convenience, or the costs of facility maintenance, upkeep and improvement. Payment for Adult Family Home services does not include payments made, directly or indirectly, to members of the beneficiary's immediate family.

Adult Family Home services provide a family living environment for adults who are functionally impaired and who, due to the severity of their functional impairments, are considered to be at imminent risk of death or serious bodily harm and, as a consequence, are not capable of fully independent living.

The number of beneficiaries served by an Adult Family Home may not exceed three (3) and beneficiaries must be unrelated to the adult family home provider. "Unrelated" is defined as any person who is not related to the provider by virtue of blood, marriage, or adoption. Other than the Adult Family Home provider, immediate family members or caregivers residing in the adult family home with the waiver beneficiary are prohibited from receiving Medicaid reimbursement for direct provision of any ARChoices services.

Adult Family Home services shall be included in the PCSP only when it is necessary to prevent the permanent institutionalization of a beneficiary as determined by the DAAS RN. The Adult Family Home provider is responsible for meeting the needs of the waiver beneficiary, as defined by this waiver service description, 24 hours/day, 7 days/week.

Adult Family Homes add a dimension of family living to the provision of supportive services and personal care services such as:

A. Bathing
B. Dressing
C. Grooming
D. Care for occasional incontinence (bowel/bladder)
E. Assistance with eating
F. Enhancement of skills and independence in daily living
G. Transportation to allow access to the community

Services are provided in a home-like setting. The provider must include the beneficiary in the life of the family as much as possible. The provider must assist the beneficiary in becoming or remaining active in the community.

Services must be provided according to the participant's written ARChoices PCSP.

There are three (3) different reimbursement rates for Adult Family Homes based on the Level of Care required for the individual beneficiary. Level of Care is indicated by using a modifier with CPTCodeS5140.

One (1) unit of service equals one (1) day. Adult Family Homes are limited to a maximum of thirty-one (31) units per month. Room and board costs are not included as a part of this service. Service payments are for the provision of daily living care to the beneficiary.

For any given year of the ARChoices Waiver, Adult Family Homes shall charge waiver residents no more than 90.8% of the current Individual SSI Benefit amount rounded to the nearest dollar for room and board. For any given year of the ARChoices Waiver, ARChoices Waiver beneficiaries shall receive 9% of the current Individual SSI Benefit amount rounded to the nearest dollar for personal needs allowance.

The waiver eligible person will cover the cost of room and board in the Adult Family Home. In addition, the DHS County Office will determine individual liability for care services based on the waiver eligible person's available resources. Medicaid will cover the remaining cost of waiver services provided to the waiver eligible person. The personal needs allowance is adequate to meet the other expenses of the waiver eligible person in the Adult Family Home and exceeds the personal needs allowance for beneficiaries in long term care facilities.

The Adult Family Home waiver beneficiary may receive up to 600 hours (2,400 units) of long-term facility-based respite per state fiscal year. The service of Adult Family Home is not allowed on the same date of service as respite service.

BENEFICIARIES RECEIVING ADULT FAMILY HOMES SERVICES ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE ANY OTHER ARCHOICES SERVICE, EXCEPT FOR LONG-TERM FACILITY-BASED RESPITE.

213.110 Adult Family Homes Certification Requirements

Enrollment as an ARChoices Adult Family Homes provider requires certification by the Department of Human Services, Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS), as an Adult

Family Home. Adult Family Homes providers must complete an application packet, including Medicaid Provider forms; be tested over designated training materials and achieve a passing score and submit the home for inspection by designated DAAS staff. If substitute caregivers are identified, these beneficiaries must meet the same training and testing requirements as the Adult Family Homes provider. In addition, drug screens and background checks are required for the provider, substitute care givers and provider family members residing in the home and who are over the age of sixteen. Providers must recertify with DAAS annually. This requires submission of a renewal application packet and home inspection, as well as documentation of at least twelve hours of related training activities.

An Adult Family Home, for the purpose of the ARChoices Program, does not include any house, institution, hotel or other similar living situation that supplies room and board only, room only, or board only.

As a condition of certification, each Adult Family Homes provider shall execute with and provide to each beneficiary an admission agreement specifying services to be provided, the beneficiary's cost for room and board, conditions and rules governing the beneficiary and grounds for termination of residency. Each Adult Family Homes provider will also be required to develop and maintain written program policies. Program policies must include and comply with the HCBS Settings rules found in section 201.000.

NOTE: The Adult Family Home provider's ElderChoices certification will be valid as an ARChoices Adult Family Home provider under the ARChoices Waiver program. The provider will not be required to recertify until the expiration of the previous certification under ElderChoices.

NOTE: At the next annual certification, the Adult Family Home provider must have policies in place that include and comply with the HCBS Settings rules found in section 201.000.

213.210 Attendant Care Services

Procedure Code

Modifier

Description

S5125

U2

Attendant Care Services

S5125

Attendant Care Self-Directed Model

Attendant Care services are designed to reduce or prevent inappropriate institutionalization by maintaining, strengthening or restoring an eligible beneficiary's functioning in his or her own home or elsewhere in the community where the beneficiary engages in activities, including work-related activities.

Attendant care services consists of assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental activities of daily living (lADLs) and health-related tasks through hands-on assistance, supervision and/ or cueing.

Hands-on assistance, supervision and/or cueing are defined as:

A. "Hands-on assistance" means a provider physically performs all or part of an activity because the individual is unable to do so.
B. "Set-up", a form of hands on assistance, means getting personal effects, supplies, or equipment ready so that an individual can perform an activity.
C. "Supervision" means a provider must be near the individual to observe how the individual is completing a task.
D. "Cueing and/or reassurance" means giving verbal or visual clues and encouragement during the activity to help the individual complete activities without hands-on assistance.
E. "Monitoring", a form of supervision, means a provider must observe the individual to determine if intervention is needed.
F. "Stand-by", a form of supervision, means a provider must be at the side of an individual ready to step in and take over the task should the individual be unable to complete the task independently.
G. "Support", a form of supervision, means to enhance the environment to enable the individual to be as independent as possible.
H. The following forms of assistance combine elements of Hands-on assistance, supervision and/or cueing:
I. "Redirection", a form of supervision or cueing, means to divert the individual to another more appropriate activity.
J. "Memory care support", a blend of supervision, cueing and hands-on assistance. Includes services related to observing behaviors, supervision and intervening as appropriate in order to safeguard the service beneficiary against injury, hazard or accident. These specific supports are designed to support beneficiaries with cognitive impairments.

Activities of daily living include:

A. Eating
B. Bathing
C. Dressing
D. Personal hygiene (grooming, shampooing, shaving, skin care, oral care, etc.)
E. Toileting
F. Mobility/ambulating, including mastering the use of adaptive aids and equipment

Instrumental activities of daily living include:

A. Meal planning and preparation
B. Managing finances
C. Laundry
D. Shopping and errands
E. Communication
F. Traveling and participation in the community
G. Light housekeeping: attendant services and supports may include Homemaker services that consist of general household tasks and are intended to ensure that the individual's home is safe and allows for independent living. Examples of "general household tasks" may include, but are not limited to, meal preparation, routine household care and laundry.
H. Chore services
I. Assistance with medications (to the extent permitted by nursing scope of practice laws)

The provision of ADLs and lADLs does not entail nursing care.

Beneficiaries may choose to self-direct this service through Arkansas's IndependentChoices program under 1915(j) authority; or may receive services through an agency. The IndependentChoices Medicaid Provider Manual describes the self-directed service delivery model.

Attendant Care services must be provided according to the beneficiary ARChoices written PCSP.

A brief description of the service(s) provided, including the signature and title of the individual rendering the service, must be documented in the beneficiary's case record. See Section 214.000 for additional documentation requirements.

Benefit limits will be determined on a client basis based on the assessed level of need by the DAAS RN. The highest RUG level allows a maximum allocation of 81 hours per week (324 units), 359 hours per month (1,436 units), or 4,212 hours per year (16,848 units).

Fifteen (15) minutes of service equals one (1) unit.

An ARChoices beneficiary who spends more than five (5) hours (20 units) at an adult day services or adult day health services facility or who is receiving short-term, facility-based respite care will not be eligible for attendant care services on the same date of service unless authorized by the DAAS RN.

An ARChoices beneficiary receiving long-term, facility-based respite care is not eligible for attendant care services on the same date of service.

213.230 Attendant Care Services Certification Requirements

The following requirements must be met prior to certification by the Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) by providers of attendant care services. The provider must:

A. Hold a current Arkansas State Board of Health Class A and/or Class B license, Or Private Care Agency license.
B. Employ and supervise direct care staff who:
1. Prior to providing an ARChoices service, have received instruction regarding the general needs of the elderly and adults with physical disabilities;
2. Possess the necessary skills to perform the specific services required to meet the needs of the beneficiary the direct care staff member is to serve; and
3. Are placed under bond by the provider or are covered by the professional medical liability insurance of the provider.

Each provider must maintain adequate documentation to support that direct care staff meets the training and, as applicable, testing requirements according to licensure, agency policy and DAAS certification.

Attendant Care service providers who hold a current Arkansas State Board of Health Class A and/or Class B license or Private Care Agency license must recertify with DAAS every three years; however, the provider must submit a copy the agency's current license to DAAS each year when the license is renewed.

Providers are required to submit copy of renewed license to DAAS.

NOTE: The Class A, Class B or Private Care Agency license provider's ElderChoices and AAPD certification will be valid as an Attendant Care services provider under the ARChoices Waiver program. The provider will not be required to recertify until the expiration of the previous certification under ElderChoices and AAPD.

213.240 Environmental Accessibility Adaptations/Adaptive Equipment

Environmental Accessibility Adaptations/Adaptive Equipment services enable the individual to increase, maintain and/or improve his or her functional capacity to perform daily life tasks that would not be possible otherwise. Environmental Accessibility Adaptations/Adaptive Equipment is physical adaptations to the home that are necessary to ensure the health, welfare and safety of the beneficiary, to function with greater independence in the home and preclude or postpone institutionalization. Adaptive equipment also enables the Alternatives beneficiary to increase, maintain and/or improve his/her functional capacity to perform daily life tasks that would not be possible otherwise and perceive, control or communicate with the environment in which he or she lives.

Excluded are adaptations or improvements to the home which are of general utility and are not of direct medical or remedial benefit to the individual, such as carpeting, roof repair, air conditioning and others. Adaptations which add to the total square footage of the home are excluded from this benefit. All services must be in accordance with applicable state or local building codes. All dwellings that receive adaptations must be in good repair and have the appearance of sound structure.

Permanent fixtures are not allowed on rented or leased properties.

213.250 Benefit Limit - Environmental Accessibility Adaptations/Adaptive

Equipment

The overall cap for Environmental Accessibility Adaptations/Adaptive Equipment is $7,500 per the lifetime of the eligible waiver beneficiary, including this service if received under the Alternatives for Adults with Physical Disabilities (AAPD) waiver. If a waiver beneficiary is receiving Environmental Accessibility Adaptations and Adaptive Equipment, the combined cost cannot exceed the $7,500 overall cap. A waiver beneficiary may access through the waiver several occurrences of Environmental Accessibility Adaptations or for several items of Adaptive Equipment over a span of years, or he/she may access the whole $7,500 at one time. Once the $7,500 per eligible beneficiary is reached, no further Environmental Accessibility Adaptations/Adaptive Equipment can be accessed through the waiver by the eligible waiver beneficiary during his/her remaining lifetime.

213.260 Examples of Acceptable Environmental Accessibility

Adaptations/Adaptive Equipment

Acceptable environmental accessibility adaptations/adaptive equipment must be necessary for the welfare of the beneficiary and may include, but are not limited to:

A. Installing and/or repairing ramps and grab-bars
B. Widening doorways
C. Modifying bathroom facilities
D. Installing specialized electronic and plumbing systems
E. Installing an electrical entry door to the home - if based on need and accessibility
F. Installing overhead tracks for transferring
G. Durable Medical Equipment not payable by Medicare/Medicaid
H. Generators for ventilator-dependent beneficiaries
213.270 Examples of Unacceptable Environmental Accessibility

Adaptations/Adaptive Equipment

Unacceptable environmental accessibility adaptations/adaptive equipment to the home include, but are not limited to:

A. Those that are of general utility
B. Those not of direct medical or remedial benefit to the individual, such as carpeting, roof repair, central air conditioning, etc.
C. Those that add to the total square footage of the home
D. Purchase of any vehicle, such as automobile/van, regardless of previously installed modifications or adaptations
E. Vehicle modifications or purchase of a vehicle
F. Replacement of all carpeting when door widening is completed
G. Repairs or updates necessary in order to complete the environment accessibility adaptations/adaptive equipment

Examples:

1. In order to install a ramp, repairs to the porch or deck must be made to support the ramp. The ramp could be approved; the repairs to the existing porch or deck could not be approved.
2. Bathroom needs adaptation to install a new commode for disabled individual. In order to replace the commode, the flooring must be replaced due to dry rot or decay. The new commode could be approved. The sub-flooring, etc., could not be approved.
H. Permanent fixtures to leased or rented homes.
213.280 Provider Qualifications Environmental Accessibility Adaptations/Adaptive Equipment

Individuals or businesses seeking certification by the Division of Aging and Adult Services and enrollment as Medicaid providers of environmental accessibility adaptations/adaptive equipment services must meet the following criteria:

A. The provider of services must be a builder, tradesman or contractor.
B. The provider must be licensed (where applicable) as appropriate for home improvement contracting or adaptation and equipment provided.
C. The provider must certify that his or her work meets state and local building codes.
D. The provider must obtain all applicable permits.
E. The provider must be knowledgeable of and comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines.
F. Contractors are required to adhere to the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards.

NOTE: All environmental modifications requiring electrical or plumbing work must be completed by a licensed professional. If a contractor subcontracts with an electrician or plumber, the contractor must submit a copy of the subcontractor's license with the claim form.

213.290 Environmental Modifications/Adaptive Equipment

Prior to payment for this service, the waiver beneficiary is required to secure 3 separate itemized bids for the same service. The bids are reviewed by the DAAS RN or designee prior to submission for Medicaid payment. If only two bids can be secured due to a shortage of qualified providers in the service area, documentation attesting to the attempt to secure bids and the shortage of providers must be provided.

Each claim must be signed by the provider, the waiver beneficiary and DAAS RN, or designee. A statement of satisfaction form must be signed by the waiver beneficiary prior to any claim being submitted.

Note: The Environmental Modification provider's AAPD certification will be valid as an ARChoices Environmental Modification provider under the ARChoices Waiver program. The provider will not be required to recertify until the expiration of the previous certification under AAPD.

213.310 Hot Home-Delivered Meals

Hot Home-Delivered Meals provide one meal per day with a nutritional content equal to 33 1/3 percent of the Dietary Reference Intakes established by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Sciences. The meals must comply with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and with the DAAS Nutrition Services Program Policy Number 206.

Hot Home-Delivered Meal services provide one daily nutritious meal to eligible beneficiaries who are homebound. Homebound is defined as a person with normal inability to leave home without assistance (physical or mental) from another person; a person who is frail, homebound by reason of illness or incapacitating disability or otherwise isolated; or for whom leaving home requires considerable and taxing effort by the individual and absences from the home are infrequent, relatively short in duration or are attributable to the need to receive medical treatment.

Additionally, the beneficiary must:

A. Be unable to prepare some or all of his or her own meals;
B. Have no other individual to prepare his or her own meals; and
C. Have the provision of the Home-Delivered Meals included on his or her PCSP.

The provision of a Home-Delivered Meal is the most cost-effective method of ensuring a nutritiously adequate meal.

The Home-Delivered Meals provider must maintain a log sheet signed by the beneficiary that includes date and time of delivery each time a meal is delivered to document receipt of the meal.

Hot Home-Delivered Meals must be provided according to the beneficiary's written ARChoices PCSP.

Procedure Code

Required Modifier

Description

S5170

U2

Hot Home-Delivered Meal

S5170

-

Frozen Home-Delivered Meal

S5170

U1

Emergency Home-Delivered Meal

213.311 Hot Home-Delivered Meal Provider Certification Requirements

To be certified by the Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) as a provider of Hot Home-Delivered Meal services, a provider must:

A. Be a nutrition services provider whose kitchen is approved by the Department of Health and whose meals are approved by a Registered Dietitian who has verified by nutrient analysis that meals provide 33 1/3 percent of the Dietary Reference Intakes established by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Sciences and comply with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and DAAS Nutrition Services Program Policy Number 206.*
B. Comply with all federal, state, county and local laws and regulations concerning the safe and sanitary handling of food, equipment and supplies used in the storage, preparation, handling, service, delivery and transportation of meals;*
C. If applicable, assure that the provider's intermediate source of delivery meets or exceeds federal, state and local laws regarding food transportation and delivery;*
D. Procure and have available all necessary licenses, permits and food handlers' cards as required by law;*

*NOTE: For providers located in Arkansas, all requirements must meet applicable Arkansas laws and regulations. For Home-Delivered Meal providers located in bordering states, all requirements must meet their states' applicable laws and regulations.

E. Notify the DAAS RN immediately if:
1. There is a problem with delivery of service
2. The beneficiary is not consuming the meals
3. A change in the individual's condition is noted

NOTE: Changes in service delivery must receive prior approval by the DAAS RN who is responsible for the individual's PCSP. Requests must be submitted in writing to the DAAS RN. Any changes in the individual's circumstances must be reported to the DAAS RN via form AAS-9511.

F. The provider must contact the individual either in person or by phone daily, Monday through Friday, to ensure the individual's safety and well-being. This is not required for beneficiaries receiving only the weekend Frozen Home-Delivered Meals service.

NOTE: This requirement DOES NOT apply to those ARChoices beneficiaries whose ARChoices PCSP includes attendant care services or personal care services at least three (3) times per week.

Home-Delivered Meals, hot or frozen, shall be included in the beneficiary's PCSP only when they are necessary to prevent the institutionalization of an individual.

Hot Home-Delivered Meals providers must recertify with DAAS every three years; however, DAAS must maintain a copy of the agency's current Food Establishment Permit at all times.

NOTE: The Home-Delivered Meals provider's ElderChoices certification will be valid as an ARChoices Home-Delivered Meals provider under the ARChoices Waiver program. The provider will not be required to recertify until the expiration of the previous certification under ElderChoices.

213.320 Frozen Home-Delivered Meals

Frozen Home-Delivered Meals service provides one meal per day with a nutritional content equal to 33 1/3 percent of the Dietary Reference Intakes established by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Sciences. The meals must comply with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and with DAAS Nutrition Services Program Policy Number 206.

The goal of the Frozen Home-Delivered Meals service is to supplement, not replace, the Hot Home-Delivered Meal service by providing one daily nutritious meal to homebound persons at risk of being institutionalized who:

A. Reside in remote areas where daily hot meals are not available;
B. Choose to receive a frozen meal rather than a hot meal; or
C. Are at nutritional risk and are certified to receive a meal for use on weekends or holidays when the hot meal provider is not in operation.

NOTE: While the individual has freedom of choice regarding this service, it is the responsibility of the DAAS RN developing the PCSP to ensure the appropriateness of the service. A hot meal delivered daily remains the food service of choice, when available. Therefore, a frozen meal must be approved by the DAAS RN. The service must be included on the PCSP. If the individual responsible for developing the PCSP does not think the frozen meals are appropriate for the individual, other options will be considered. Those options include removing the Home-Delivered Meal service rather than authorizing a frozen meal.

It is the certified provider's responsibility to deliver the meals regardless if they are hot or frozen. Meals may not be left on the doorstep. The meals cannot be mailed to the individual via United States Postal Service or delivered by paid carrier such as Fed Ex or UPS.

213.321 Beneficiary Requirements for Frozen Home-Delivered Meals

The beneficiary must:

A. Be homebound, which is defined by the following requirements:
1. The person is normally unable to leave home without assistance (physical or mental) from another person;
2. The person is frail, homebound by reason of illness or incapacitating disability or otherwise isolated;
3. Leaving home requires considerable and taxing effort by the individual; and
4. Absences of the individual from home are infrequent, of relatively short duration or attributable to the need to receive medical treatment.
B. Be unable to prepare some or all of his or her meals or require a special diet and be unable to prepare it.
C. Have no other individual available to prepare his or her meals and the provision of a Frozen Home-Delivered Meal is the most cost-effective method of ensuring a nutritionally adequate meal.
D. Have adequate and appropriate storage and be able to perform the simple tasks associated with storing and heating a Frozen Home-Delivered Meal or have made other appropriate arrangements approved by DAAS.
E. Have the provision of frozen meals included on his or her PCSP as developed by the appropriate DAAS RN.

Frozen Home-Delivered Meals must be documented on the ARChoices PCSP by the DAAS RN and must be provided in accordance with the beneficiary's written ARChoices PCSP.

213.322 Reserved
213.323 Frozen Home-Delivered Meal Provider Certification Requirements

In order to become approved providers of frozen meals, providers must meet all applicable requirements of DAAS Nutrition Services Program Policy Number 206.

To be certified by DAAS as a provider of Home-Delivered Meal services, a meal provider must:

A. Be a nutrition services provider whose kitchen is approved by the Department of Health and whose meals are approved by a Registered Dietitian who has verified by nutrient analysis that meals provide 33 1/3 percent of the Dietary Reference Intakes established by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Sciences and comply with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and DAAS Nutrition Services Program Policy Number 206.*
B. Comply with all federal, state, county and local laws and regulations concerning the safe and sanitary handling of food, equipment and supplies used in the storage, preparation, handling, service, delivery and transportation of meals;*
C. If applicable, ensure that intermediate sources of delivery meet or exceed federal, state and local laws regarding food transportation and delivery*
D. Procure and have available all necessary licenses, permits and food handlers' cards as required by law*

*NOTE: For providers located in Arkansas, all requirements must meet applicable Arkansas laws and regulations. For Home-Delivered Meal providers located in bordering states, all requirements must meet their states' applicable laws and regulations.

E. Provide frozen meals that:
1. Were prepared or purchased according to the Department of Health and DAAS Nutrition Services Program Policy guidelines in freezer-safe containers that can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
2. Are kept frozen from the time of preparation through placement in the individual's freezer.
3. Have a remaining freezer life of at least three months from the date of delivery to the home.
4. Are part of a meal cycle of at least four weeks (i.e., four weeks of menus that differ).
5. Are properly labeled, listing food items included and non-frozen items that are delivered with the frozen components to complete the meal (which must include powdered or fluid milk, whichever is preferred by the ARChoices beneficiary), menu analysis as required by DAAS Nutrition Services Program Policy if other than DAAS menus are used and both packaging and expiration dates.

NOTE: The milk must be delivered to the beneficiary at least seven (7) days prior to its expiration date.

F. Instruct each individual, both verbally and in writing, in the handling and preparation required for frozen meals and provide written re-heating instructions with each meal, preferably in large print.
G. Ensure that meals that are not commercially prepared but produced on-site in the production kitchen:
1. Are prepared and packaged only in a central kitchen or on-site preparation kitchen;
2. Are prepared specifically to be frozen;
3. Are frozen as quickly as possible;
4. Are cooled to a temperature of below 40 degrees Fahrenheit within four hours;
5. Have food temperatures taken and recorded at the end of food production, at the time of packaging and throughout the freezing process, with temperatures recorded and kept on file for audit;
6. Are packaged in individual trays, properly sealed and labeled with the date, contents and instructions for storage and reheating;
7. Are frozen in a manner that allows air circulation around each individual tray;
8. Are kept frozen throughout storage, transport and delivery to the senior beneficiary; and
9. Are discarded after 30 days.
H. Verify quarterly that all beneficiaries receiving Frozen Home-Delivered Meals continue to have the capacity to store and heat meals and are physically and mentally capable of performing simple associated tasks unless other appropriate arrangements have been made and approved by DAAS. Any changes in the individual's circumstances must be reported to the DAAS RN via form AAS-9511.
I. Notify the appropriate DAAS RN immediately if:
1. There is a problem with delivery of service
2. The individual is not consuming the meals
3. A change in an individual's condition is noted

NOTE: Changes in service delivery must receive prior approval by the DAAS RN who is responsible for the individual's PCSP. Requests must be submitted in writing to the DAAS RN. Any changes in the individual's circumstances must be reported to the DAAS RN via form AAS-9511.

J. Contact beneficiaries either in person or by phone daily, Monday through Friday, to ensure the individual's safety and well being. This is not required for beneficiaries receiving only the weekend Frozen Home-Delivered Meals service.

NOTE: This requirement DOES NOT apply to those ARChoices beneficiaries whose ARChoices PCSP includes Attendant Care services and/or Personal Care services at least three (3) times per week.

Home-Delivered Meals, hot or frozen, shall be included in the beneficiary's PCSP only when they are necessary to prevent the institutionalization of an individual.

Frozen Home-Delivered Meals providers must recertify with DAAS every three years; however, DAAS must maintain a copy of the agency's current Food Establishment Permit at all times.

NOTE: The Home-Delivered Meals ElderChoices provider's certification will be valid as an ARChoices Home-Delivered Meals provider under the ARChoices Waiver program. The provider will not be required to recertify until the expiration of the previous certification under ElderChoices.

213.330 Limitations on Home-Delivered Meals

One unit of service equals one meal. The maximum number of Home-Delivered Meals eligible for Medicaid reimbursement per month equals 31 meals. This includes hot, frozen or a combination of the two. There is no separate benefit limit for frozen meals.

The maximum number of emergency meals per SFY is four (4).

Frozen Home-Delivered Meals may be provided daily to eligible beneficiaries. A maximum of seven (7) meals may be delivered at one time.

Home-Delivered Meal providers may deliver more than seven meals at one time, if:

A. The waiver beneficiary receives Attendant Care services or Personal Care at least three (3) times per week;
B. Frozen Home-Delivered Meals are ordered on the PCSP; and
C. The waiver beneficiary has the means of storing 14 frozen meals as verified by the DAAS RN.

Home-Delivered Meal providers delivering frozen meals may deliver 14 at one time if the DAAS RN enters 14 meals delivery approved in the comments section of the HDM entry on the PCSP. If this statement is not on the PCSP, or if any of the other factors above are not in place, the meal providers cannot deliver more than seven (7) meals at one time.

An ARChoices individual may not be provided with a Hot or Frozen Home-Delivered Meal on any day during which the individual receives more than five (5) hours of in-home or facility-based Respite care or more than five (5) hours of Adult Day Services or Adult Day Health Services. (Licensure mandates that providers of these services provide a meal or meals; therefore, a Home-Delivered Meal on these dates is a duplicative service and prohibited under waiver guidelines.)

NOTE: Medicaid reimbursement for Home-Delivered Meals is not allowed on the same day to beneficiaries who are also attending Adult Day Services, Adult Day Health Services, or facility-based Respite care for more than five (5) hours. When applying this policy, the time of day the beneficiary receives day services or respite services is also a factor. Whether there is duplication of services will be determined by comparing the time of day during which services occur.

When considering whether a Home-Delivered Meal is billable for an individual receiving Adult Day Services, Adult Day Health Services or facility-based Respite services, on a specific date of service, the following must be applied:

If an ARChoices beneficiary is receiving Adult Day Services, Adult Day Health Services or facility-based Respite at any time between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and the noon meal is routinely served to others at the facility during this timeframe, the noon meal must also be served to this individual. A Home-Delivered meal is not allowable on the same date of service. This is true regardless of the total number of Adult Day Services, Adult Day Health Services, or Respite hours provided.

213.340 Combination of Hot and Frozen Home-Delivered Meals

In instances where the ARChoices beneficiary wishes to receive a combination of hot and frozen meals, the DAAS RN shall evaluate the beneficiary's situation based on the criteria set forth in Section 213.320, Frozen Home-Delivered Meals. If the criteria are met, the DAAS RN may prescribe on the PCSP a combination of hot and frozen meals to be delivered.

213.350 Emergency Meals

Beneficiaries may receive up to four (4) emergency meals per state fiscal year. The meals must:

A. Contain 33 1/3 percent of the Dietary Reference intakes established by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Sciences and comply with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and DAAS Nutrition Services Program Policy Number 206.
B. Be labeled "Emergency Meal" in large print, with instruction on use of the meal.
C. Be used within the limits of their shelf life, usually within six months,
D. Be replaced by the provider after the beneficiary has been instructed to use it to ensure that beneficiaries consistently have emergency meals on hand.
213.400 Personal Emergency Response System

Procedure Code

Required Modifier

Description

S5161

UA

PERS Unit

S5160

-

PERS Installation

The Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) is an in-home, 24-hour electric support system with two-way verbal and electronic communication with an emergency control center. PERS enables an elderly, infirm or homebound individual to secure immediate help in the event of a physical, emotional or environmental emergency.

PERS is specifically designed for high-risk beneficiaries whose needs have been carefully determined based on their level of medical vulnerability, functional impairment and social isolation. PERS is not intended to be a universal benefit. The DAAS RN must verify that the individual is capable, both physically and mentally, of operating the PERS unit.

PERS must be included in the beneficiary's written ARChoices PCSP.

PERS providers must contact each beneficiary at least once per month to test the system's operation. The provider shall maintain a log of test calls that includes the date and time of the test, specific test results, corrective actions and outcomes.

A log of all beneficiary calls received must be maintained by the emergency response center. The log must reflect the date, time and nature of the call and the response initiated by the center. All calls must be documented in the beneficiary's record. See Section 214.000 for other documentation requirements.

One (1) unit of service equals one (1) day. PERS is limited to a maximum of thirty-one (31) units per month.

The installation of PERS will be allowed once per lifetime or period of eligibility. Claims submitted for the installation of PERS should use procedure code S5160. Procedure code S5160 may be billed for ARChoices beneficiaries who are accessing PERS services for their first time or for the current period of re-eligibility for ARChoices Waiver Services. In the event of extenuating circumstances that result in the need for reinstallation, the provider may contact the Division of Aging and Adult Services for extension of the benefit.

View or print Division of Aging and Adult Services contact information.

213.410 Personal Emergency Response System Certification Requirements

To be certified by the Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) as a provider of personal emergency response services, a provider must:

A. Provide, install and maintain FCC approved equipment which meets all Underwriter Laboratories Safety Standards;
B. Designate or operate an emergency response center to receive signals and respond according to specified operating protocol;
C. Establish a response system for each beneficiary and ensure responders receive necessary instruction and training; and
D. Ensure that equipment is installed by qualified beneficiaries who also provide instruction and training to beneficiaries.

PERS providers must recertify annually with DAAS.

NOTE: The PERS ElderChoices provider's certification will be valid as an ARChoices PERS provider under the ARChoices Waiver program. The provider will not be required to recertify until the expiration of the previous certification under ElderChoices.

213.500 Adult Day Services

Procedure Code

Required Modifier

Description

S5100

U1

Adult Day Services, 8-16 Units Per Date of Service

S5100

-

Adult Day Services, 20 - 40 Units Per Date of Service

Adult day services facilities are licensed by the Office of Long-Term Care (OLTC) to provide care and supervision to meet the needs of four (4) or more functionally impaired adults for periods of less than 24 hours but more than two (2) hours per day, in a place other than the beneficiaries' own homes.

When provided according to the beneficiary's written ARChoices PCSP, ARChoices beneficiaries may receive adult day services for two (2) or more hours per day (8 units), not to exceed ten (10) hours per day (40 units), when the services are prescribed by the beneficiary's attending physician and provided according to the beneficiary's written PCSP. Adult day services of less than two (2) hours per day (8 units) are not reimbursable by Medicaid. Adult day services may be utilized up to fifty (50) hours per week (200 units), not to exceed two hundred thirty (230) hours per month (920 units). One (1) unit of service equals 15 minutes.

As required, beneficiaries who are present in the facility for more than five (5) hours a day (20 units, procedure code S5100) must be served a nutritious meal that equals one-third of the Recommended Daily Allowance. Therefore, ARChoices beneficiaries are not eligible to receive a home-delivered meal on the same day they receive more than five (5) hours (20 units) of adult day services. Additionally, beneficiaries who attend an adult day service for more than five (5) hours (20 units) are not eligible to receive attendant care services on the same date of service unless authorized by the DAAS RN.

NOTE: As stated in this manual, home-delivered meals may not be provided on the same day for an individual who attends adult day services, adult day health services, or facility-based respite care for more than 5 hours (20 units). The time of day the beneficiary is receiving day services, day health services or respite services is also a factor in the application of this policy. The time of day services are received will be reviewed by the DAAS RN and/or DHS audit staff and considered when determining any duplication in services for beneficiaries participating in the ARChoices Program.

Providers must consider the following to determine whether a home-delivered meal is billable for an individual receiving day services, day health services or facility-based respite services on a specific date of service.

If an ARChoices beneficiary is receiving day services, day health services or facility-based respite between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and the noon meal is routinely served to others at the facility during this time frame, the noon meal must also be served to this individual. A home-delivered meal is not allowable on the same date of service. This is true regardless of the total number of day services or respite units provided.

Adult day services and day health services providers are required to maintain a daily attendance log of beneficiaries. Section 214.000 contains information regarding additional documentation requirements.

213.510 Adult Day Services Certification Requirements

To be certified by the Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) as a provider of adult day services in Arkansas, a provider must be a person, corporation, partnership, association or organization licensed by the Arkansas Department of Human Services, Office of Long-Term Care as a long-term adult day care facility. Providers in the designated trade area cities in states that border Arkansas must be licensed and/or certified by the appropriate state agency as an Adult Day Care Facility.

In order to be certified by DAAS, Adult Day Services providers must meet the HCBS Settings rules found in section 201.000.

Adult Day Services providers must recertify with DAAS every three years; however, DAAS must maintain a copy of the agency's current Adult Day Care license at all times.

In order to be recertified by DAAS, Adult Day Services providers must meet the HCBS Settings rules found in section 201.000.

Providers are required to submit copy of renewed license to DAAS.

NOTE: The Adult Day Services ElderChoices provider's certification will be valid as an ARChoices Adult Day Services provider under the ARChoices Waiver program. The provider will not be required to recertify until the expiration of the previous certification under ElderChoices.

213.600 Adult Day Health Services (ADHS)

Procedure Code

Required Modifier

Description

S5100

TD, U1

Adult Day Health Services, 8-16 units Per Date of Service

S5100

TD

Adult Day Health Services, 20 - 40 units Per Date of Service

Adult day health services facilities are licensed to provide a continuing, organized program of rehabilitative, therapeutic and supportive health services, social services and activities to beneficiaries who are functionally impaired and who, due to the severity of their functional impairment, are not capable of fully independent living.

Adult day health services programs provide rehabilitative and health services directed toward meeting the health restoration and maintenance needs of the beneficiary that cannot be provided by adult day care programs. Adult day health services are appropriate only for beneficiaries whose facility-developed care plans specify one or more of the following health services:

A. Rehabilitative therapies (e.g., physical therapy, occupational therapy),
B. Pharmaceutical supervision,
C. Diagnostic evaluation, or
D. Health monitoring

ARChoices beneficiaries may receive adult day health services for two (2) or more hours per day (8 units), not to exceed ten (10) hours per day (40 units) when the service is provided according to the beneficiary's written ARChoices PCSP. Adult day health services of less than two (2) hours per day (8 units) are not reimbursable by Medicaid. Adult day health services may be utilized up to fifty (50) hours per week (200 units), not to exceed two hundred thirty (230) hours per month (920 units).

Beneficiaries who are present in the facility for more than five (5) hours a day (20 units, procedure code S5100, modifier TD) must be served a nutritious meal that equals one-third of the Recommended Daily Dietary Allowances. Therefore, ARChoices beneficiaries are not eligible to receive a home-delivered meal on the same day they receive more than five (5) hours of adult day health services. Additionally, beneficiaries who attend an adult day health services for more than five (5) hours (20 units) are not eligible to receive attendant care services on the same date of service unless authorized by the DAAS RN.

Adult day health services providers are required by licensure to maintain a daily attendance log of beneficiaries. See Section 214.000 for additional documentation requirements.

NOTE: As stated in this manual, home-delivered meals may not be provided on the same day for an individual who attends adult day services, adult day health services, or facility-based respite care for more than 5 hours (20 units). The time of day the beneficiary is receiving day services or respite services is also a factor in the application of this policy. The time of day services are received will be reviewed by the DAAS RN and/or DHS audit staff and considered when determining any duplication in services for beneficiaries participating in the ARChoices Program.

Providers must consider the following to determine whether a home-delivered meal is billable for an individual receiving day services or facility-based respite services on a specific date of service.

If an ARChoices beneficiary is receiving day services or facility-based respite between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and the noon meal is routinely served to others at the facility during this time frame, the noon meal must also be served to the individual. A home-delivered meal is not allowable on the same date of service. This is true regardless of the total number of day services or respite hours provided.

213.610 Adult Day Health Services (ADHS) Provider Certification Requirements

To be certified by the Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) as a provider of adult day health services in Arkansas, a provider must be a person, corporation, partnership, association or organization licensed by Arkansas Department of Human Services, Office of Long-term Care as a long-term adult day health care facility. Providers in the designated trade area cities in states that border Arkansas must be licensed and/or certified by the appropriate state agency as an Adult Day Health Care Facility.

In order to be certified by DAAS, Adult Day Health Services providers must meet the HCBS Settings rules found in section 201.000.

Adult Day Health Services providers must recertify with DAAS every three years; however, DAAS must maintain a copy of the agency's current Adult Day Health Care license at all times. In order to be recertified, Adult Day Health Services providers must meet the HCBS Settings rules found in section 201.000.

Providers are required to submit copy of renewed license to DAAS.

NOTE: Adult day services and adult day health services are not allowed on the same date of service.

NOTE: The Adult Day Health Services ElderChoices provider's certification will be valid as an ARChoices Adult Day Health Services provider under the ARChoices Waiver program. The provider will not be required to recertify until the expiration of the previous certification under ElderChoices.

213.700 Respite Care

Procedure Code

Description

T1005

Long-Term Facility-Based Respite Care

S5135

Short-Term Facility-Based Respite Care

S5150

In-Home Respite Care

Respite care services provide temporary relief to persons providing long-term care for beneficiaries in their homes. Respite care may be provided outside of the beneficiary's home to meet an emergency need or to schedule relief periods in accordance with the regular caregiver's need for temporary relief from continuous care giving. If there is no primary caregiver, respite care services will not be deemed appropriate and subsequently will not be prescribed by the beneficiary's physician.

In the event the in-home medical assessment performed by the DAAS RN substantiates a need for respite care services, the service will be prescribed as needed, via the beneficiary's PCSP, not to exceed an hourly maximum. The DAAS RN will establish the service limitation based on the beneficiary's medical need, other services included on the PCSP and support services available to the beneficiary. Respite care services must be provided according to the beneficiary's written PCSP.

An individual living in the home with the beneficiary is prohibited from serving as a Respite Services provider for the beneficiary.

213.710 In-Home Respite Care

In-home respite care may be provided by licensed personal care or home health agencies. Reimbursement will be made for direct care rendered according to the beneficiary's PCSP by trained respite workers employed and supervised by certified in-home respite providers.

Providers rendering respite care services in the beneficiary's home must bill procedure code S5150. One (1) unit of service for procedure code S5150 equals 15 minutes.

Eligible beneficiaries may receive up to 24 hours (96 units) of in-home respite care per date of service. For the state fiscal year (SFY), July 1 through June 30 each year, eligible beneficiaries may receive up to 1200 hours (4800 units) of In-Home Respite Care, or Facility-Based Respite Care or a combination of the two services.

When respite care is provided, the provision of or payment for other duplicate services under the waiver is prohibited. When a respite care provider is in the home to provide respite care services, the provider is responsible for all other in-home ARChoices services included on the beneficiary's PCSP. For example, if attendant care services and/or home-delivered meals are included on the PCSP, the respite provider must provide these services while in the home. No other ARChoices service, other than PERS, may be reimbursed for the same time period.

213.711 Facility-Based Respite Care

Facility-based respite care may be provided outside the beneficiary's home on a short- or long-term basis by certified adult family homes, residential care facilities, nursing facilities, adult day care facilities, adult day health care facilities, Level I and Level II Assisted Living Facilities and hospitals.

Facility-based providers rendering services for eight (8) hours or less per date of service must bill S5135 for short-term, facility-based respite care. One (1) unit of service for procedure code S5135 equals 15 minutes. Eligible beneficiaries may receive up to 8 hours (32 units) of short-term, facility-based respite care per date of service.

Facility-based providers rendering services for more than 8 hours/day must bill T1005 for long-term, facility-based respite care. One (1) unit of service for procedure code T1005 equals 15 minutes. A beneficiary may receive up to 24 hours (96 units) of service per date of service if the provider bills procedure code T1005.

Facility-based respite care services include short-term and long-term respite care services and can include any combination of billing codes S5135 or T1005. A single provider may provide both long-term and short-term facility-based respite care services for a particular beneficiary.

Eligible beneficiaries may receive up to 1200 hours (4800 units) per SFY of Facility-Based Respite Care- or In-Home Respite Care, or a combination of the two. Adult Family Home beneficiaries are limited to 600 hours (2400 units) of long-term facility-based respite per state fiscal year.

Beneficiaries receiving long-term, facility-based respite care services may receive only ARChoices PERS services concurrently.

Please refer to the NOTE found in Section 213.500 regarding Home-Delivered Meals and facility-based respite services.

213.712 In-Home Respite Care Certification Requirements

To be certified by the Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) as a provider of in-home respite care services, a provider must:

A. Hold a current Class A and/or Class B license or Private Care Agency license to provide personal care and/or home health services as issued by the state licensing authority;
B. Employ and supervise direct care staff trained and qualified to provide respite care services; and
C. Agree to the minimum Assurances of Providers of ARChoices Waiver Services.

In-Home Respite Care providers as described in A. above must recertify with DAAS every three years; however, DAAS must maintain a copy of the agency's current license at all times.

Providers are required to submit copy of renewed license to DAAS.

NOTE: The Class A, Class B or Private Care Agency license ElderChoices provider's certification will be valid as a Respite services provider under the ARChoices Waiver program. The provider will not be required to recertify until the expiration of the previous certification under ElderChoices.

213.713 Facility-Based Respite Care Certification Requirements

To be certified by the Division of Aging and Adult Services as a provider of facility-based respite care services, a provider must be licensed in their state as one or more of the following:

A. A certified adult family home
B. A licensed adult day care facility
C. A licensed adult day health care facility
D. A licensed nursing facility
E. A licensed residential care facility
F. A licensed Level I or Level II Assisted Living Facility
G. A licensed hospital

Facility-Based Respite Care providers as listed above, with the exception of a certified adult family home, must recertify with DAAS every three years; however, DAAS must maintain a current copy of the facility's current license at all times.

A certified and Medicaid enrolled adult family home which is also certified by DAAS to provide facility-based respite services must recertify with DAAS annually.

NOTE: The Class A, Class B or Private Care Agency facility-based respite ElderChoices provider's license certification will be valid as a facility-based respite services provider under the ARChoices Waiver program. The provider will not be required to recertify until the expiration of the previous certification under ElderChoices.

214.000 Documentation

In addition to the service-specific documentation requirements previously listed, ARChoices providers must develop and maintain sufficient written documentation to support each service for which billing is made. This documentation, at a minimum, must consist of:

A. A copy of the beneficiary's PCSP
B. A brief description of the specific service(s) provided
C. The signature and title of the individual rendering the service(s)
1. For records created through an electronic data system such as telephony, computer or other electronic devices, a unique identifier such as a PIN number assigned to and entered by the employee at the time of data input may suffice as an electronic signature and title.
D. The date and actual time the service(s) was rendered

A provider's failure to maintain sufficient documentation to support his or her billing practices may result in recoupment of Medicaid payment.

No documentation for ARChoices services, as with all Medicaid services, may be made in pencil.

215.000 ARChoices Forms

ARChoices providers are required to utilize all program forms as appropriate and as instructed by the Division of Medical Services and the Division of Aging and Adult Services. These forms include but are not limited to:

A. Person Centered Service Plan - AAS-9503
B. Start Services - AAS-9510
C. Beneficiary Change of Status - AAS-9511

Providers may request form AAS-9511 by writing to the Division of Aging and Adult Services. View or print the Division of Aging and Adult Services contact information.

Forms AAS-9503 and AAS-9510 will be mailed to the provider by the DAAS RN.

Instructions for completion and retention are included with each form. If there are questions regarding any ARChoices form, providers may contact the DAAS RN in your area.

216.000 Retention of Records

See Section 142.300 for additional record keeping requirements.

217.000 Electronic Signatures

Medicaid will accept electronic signatures provided the electronic signatures comply with Arkansas Code 25-31-103.

240.000 PRI OR AUTHORIZATION

Services provided under the ARChoices Program do not require prior authorization.

250.000 REIMBURSEMENT
251.000 Method of Reimbursement

The reimbursement rates for ARChoices services will be according to the lesser of the billed amount or the Title XIX (Medicaid) maximum for each procedure.

251.010 Fee Schedules

Arkansas Medicaid provides fee schedules on the Arkansas Medicaid website. The fee schedule link is located at https://www.medicaid.state.ar.usunder the provider manual section. The fees represent the fee-for-service reimbursement methodology.

Fee schedules do not address coverage limitations or special instructions applied by Arkansas Medicaid before final payment is determined.

Procedure codes and/or fee schedules do not guarantee payment, coverage or amount allowed. Information may be changed or updated at any time to correct a discrepancy and/or error. Arkansas Medicaid always reimburses the lesser of the amount billed or the Medicaid maximum.

252.000 Rate Appeal Process

A provider may request reconsideration of a program decision by writing to the Assistant Director, Division of Medical Services. This request must be received within 20 calendar days following the application of policy and/or procedure or the notification of the provider of its rate. Upon receipt of the request for review, the Assistant Director will determine the need for a Program/Provider conference and will contact the provider to arrange a conference if needed. Regardless of the Program decision, the provider will be afforded the opportunity for a conference, if he or she so wishes, for a full explanation of the factors involved and the Program decision. Following review of the matter, the Assistant Director will notify the provider of the action to be taken by the Division within 20 calendar days of receipt of the request for review or the date of the Program/Provider conference.

If the decision of the Assistant Director, Division of Medical Services is unsatisfactory, the provider may then appeal the question to a standing Rate Review Panel established by the Director of the Division of Medical Services which will include one member of the Division of Medical Services, a representative of the provider association and a member of the Department of Human Services (DHS) Management Staff who will serve as chairman.

The request for review by the Rate Review Panel must be postmarked within 15 calendar days following the notification of the initial decision by the Assistant Director, Division of Medical Services. The Rate Review Panel will meet to consider the question(s) within 15 calendar days after receipt of a request for such appeal. The question(s) will be heard by the panel and a recommendation will be submitted to the Director of the Division of Medical Services.

260.000 BILLING PROCEDURES
261.000 Introduction to Billing

ARChoices providers use the CMS-1500 form to bill the Arkansas Medicaid Program on paper for services provided to eligible Medicaid beneficiaries. Each claim may contain charges for only one beneficiary.

Section III of this manual contains information about Provider Electronic Solutions (PES) and other available options for electronic claim submission.

262.000 CMS-1500 Billing Procedures
262.100 HCPCS Procedure Codes

The following procedure codes must be billed for ARChoices Services. Electronic and paper claims now require the same National Place of Service code.

Procedure Code

Modifiers

Description

Unit of Service

National POS for Claims

S5140

Level A- U1 Level B - U2 Level C - U3

Adult Family Homes

1 day

99

S5125

Attendant Care Services

15 minutes

12

S5125

U2

Agency Attendant Care Traditional

15 minutes

99

S5170

U2

Home-Delivered Meals

1 meal

12

S5170

Frozen Home-Delivered Meal

1 meal

12

S5170

U1

Emergency Home Delivered Meals

1 meal

12

S5161

UA

Personal Emergency Response System

1 day

12

S5160

Personal Emergency Response System -Installation

One install

12

S5100

U1

Adult Day Services, 2 to 4 hours per date of service

15 minutes

99

S5100

Adult Day Services, 5 to 10 hours per date of service

15 minutes

99

S5100

TD, U1

Adult Day Health Services, 2 to 4 hours per date of service

15 minutes

99

S5100

TD

Adult Day Health Services, 5 to 10 hours per date of service

15 minutes

99

S5150

Respite Care - In-Home

15 minutes

12

S5135

Respite Care - Short-Term Facility-Based

15 minutes

99,21,32

T1005

Respite Care - Long-Term Facility-Based

15 minutes

21,32,99

262.210 Place of Service Codes

Place of Service

Paper Claims

Electronic Claims

Inpatient Hospital

1

21

Patient's Home

4

12

Day Care Facility

5

99

Nursing Facility

7

32

Other Locations

0

99

262.300 Billing Instructions - Paper Only

Hewlett Packard Enterprise offers providers several options for electronic billing. Therefore, claims submitted on paper are lower priority and are paid once a month. The only claims exempt from this rule are those that require attachments or manual pricing.

Bill Medicaid for ARChoices services with form CMS-1500. The numbered items in the following instructions correspond to the numbered fields on the claim form. View a sample form CMS-1500.

Carefully follow these instructions to help Hewlett Packard Enterprise efficiently process claims. Accuracy, completeness and clarity are essential. Claims cannot be processed if necessary information is omitted.

Forward completed claim forms to the Hewlett Packard Enterprise Claims Department. View or print the Hewlett Packard Enterprise Claims Department contact information.

NOTE: A provider delivering services without verifying beneficiary eligibility for each date of service does so at the risk of not being reimbursed for the services.

262.310 Completion of CMS-1500 Claim Form

Field Name and Number

Instructions for Completion

1. (type of coverage)

Not required.

1a. INSURED'S I.D. NUMBER (For Program in Item 1)

Beneficiary's or participant's 10-digit Medicaid or ARKids First-A or ARKids First-B identification number.

2. PATIENT'S NAME (Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial)

Beneficiary's or participant's last name and first name.

3. PATIENT'S BIRTH DATE SEX

Beneficiary's or participant's date of birth as given on the individual's Medicaid or ARKids First-A or ARKids First-B identification card. Format: MM/DD/YY.

Check M for male or F for female.

4. INSURED'S NAME (Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial)

Required if insurance affects this claim. Insured's last name, first name and middle initial.

5. PATIENT'S ADDRESS (No., Street)

CITY STATE

ZIP CODE

TELEPHONE (Include Area Code)

Optional. Beneficiary's or participant's complete mailing address (street address or post office box).

Name of the city in which the beneficiary or participant resides.

Two-letter postal code for the state in which the beneficiary or participant resides.

Five-digit zip code; nine digits for post office box.

The beneficiary's or participant's telephone number or the number of a reliable message/contact/ emergency telephone.

6. PATIENT RELATIONSHIP TO INSURED

If insurance affects this claim, check the box indicating the patient's relationship to the insured.

7. INSURED'S ADDRESS (No., Street)

CITY

STATE

ZIP CODE

TELEPHONE (Include Area Code)

Required if insured's address is different from the patient's address.

8. RESERVED

Reserved for NUCC use.

9. OTHER INSURED'S NAME (Last name, First Name, Middle Initial)

a. OTHER INSURED'S POLICY OR GROUP NUMBER

b. RESERVED SEX

c. RESERVED

If patient has other insurance coverage as indicated in Field 11 d, the other insured's last name, first name and middle initial.

Policy and/or group number of the insured individual.

Reserved for NUCC use. Not required. Reserved for NUCC use.

d. INSURANCE PLAN NAME OR PROGRAM NAME

Name of the insurance company.

10. IS PATIENT'S CONDITION RELATED TO:

a. EMPLOYMENT? (Current or Previous)

b. AUTO ACCIDENT? PLACE (State)

c. OTHER ACCIDENT?

d. CLAIM CODES

Check YES or NO.

Required when an auto accident is related to the services. Check YES or NO.

If 10b is YES, the two-letter postal abbreviation for the state in which the automobile accident took place.

Required when an accident other than automobile is related to the services. Check YES or NO.

The "Claim Codes" identify additional information about the beneficiary's condition or the claim. When applicable, use the Claim Code to report appropriate claim codes as designated by the NUCC. When required to provide the subset of Condition Codes, enter the condition code in this field. The subset of approved Condition Codes is found at www.nucc.orqunder Code Sets.

11. INSURED'S POLICY GROUP OR FECA NUMBER

a. INSURED'S DATE OF BIRTH

SEX

b. OTHER CLAIM ID NUMBER

c. INSURANCE PLAN NAME OR PROGRAM NAME

d. IS THERE ANOTHER HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN?

Not required when Medicaid is the only payer.

Not required.

Not required. Not required.

Not required.

When private or other insurance may or will cover any of the services, check YES and complete items 9, 9a and 9d. Only one box can be marked.

12. PATIENT'S OR

AUTHORIZED PERSON'S SIGNATURE

Enter "Signature on File," "SOF" or legal signature.

13. INSURED'S OR

AUTHORIZED PERSON'S SIGNATURE

Enter "Signature on File," "SOF" or legal signature.

14. DATE OF CURRENT:

ILLNESS (First symptom)

OR

INJURY (Accident) OR

PREGNANCY (LMP)

Required when services furnished are related to an accident, whether the accident is recent or in the past. Date of the accident.

Enter the qualifier to the right of the vertical dotted line. Use Qualifier 431 Onset of Current Symptoms or Illness; 484 Last Menstrual Period.

15. OTHER DATE

Enter another date related to the beneficiary's condition or treatment. Enter the qualifier between the left-hand set of vertical, dotted lines.

The "Other Date" identifies additional date information about the beneficiary's condition or treatment. Use qualifiers:

454 Initial Treatment

304 Latest Visit or Consultation

453 Acute Manifestation of a Chronic Condition

439 Accident

455 Last X-Ray 471 Prescription

090 Report Start (Assumed Care Date)

091 Report End (Relinquished Care Date) 444 First Visit or Consultation

16. DATES PATIENT UNABLE TO WORK IN CURRENT OCCUPATION

Not required.

17. NAME OF REFERRING PROVIDER OR OTHER SOURCE

17a. (blank)

17b. NPI

Primary Care Physician (PCP) referral is not required for ARChoices services. If services are the result of a Child Health Services (EPSDT) screening/referral, enter the referral source, including name and title.

The 9-digit Arkansas Medicaid provider ID number of the referring physician.

Not required.

18. HOSPITALIZATION DATES RELATED TO CURRENT SERVICES

When the serving/billing provider's services charged on this claim are related to a beneficiary's or participant's inpatient hospitalization, enter the individual's admission and discharge dates. Format: MM/DD/YY.

19. ADDITIONAL CLAIM INFORMATION

Identifies additional information about the beneficiary's or the claim. Enter the appropriate qualifiers describinq the identifier. See www.nucc.orqfor qualifiers.

20. OUTSIDE LAB? $ CHARGES

Not required. Not required.

21. DIAGNOSIS OR NATURE OF ILLNESS OR INJURY

Enter the applicable ICD indicator to identify which version of ICD codes is being reported.

Use"9"forlCD-9-CM.

Use"0"forlCD-10-CM.

Enter the indicator between the vertical, dotted lines in the upper right-hand portion of the field.

Diagnosis code for the primary medical condition for which services are being billed. Use the appropriate International Classification of Diseases (ICD). List no more than 12 diagnosis codes. Relate lines A-L to the lines of service in 24E by the letter of the line. Use the highest level of specificity.

22. RESUBMISSION CODE ORIGINAL REF. NO.

Reserved for future use.

Any data or other information listed in this field does not/will not adjust, void or otherwise modify any previous payment or denial of a claim. Claim payment adjustments, voids and refunds must follow previously established processes in policy.

23. PRIOR AUTHORIZATION NUMBER

The prior authorization or benefit extension control number if applicable.

24A. DATE(S) OF SERVICE

B. PLACE OF SERVICE

C. EMG

D. PROCEDURES, SERVICES, OR SUPPLIES

CPT/HCPCS

MODIFIER

The "from" and "to" dates of service for each billed service. Format: MM/DD/YY.

1. On a single claim detail (one charge on one line), bill only for services provided within a single calendar month.

2. Some providers may bill on the same claim detail for two or more sequential dates of service within the same calendar month when the provider furnished equal amounts of the service on each day of the date sequence.

Enter the appropriate place of service code. See Section 262.200 for codes.

Enter "Y" for "Yes" or leave blank if "No." EMG identifies if the service was an emergency.

One CPT or HCPCS procedure code for each detail. Modifier(s) if applicable.

E. DIAGNOSIS POINTER

F. $ CHARGES

G. DAYS OR UNITS

H. EPSDT/Family Plan

1. IDQUAL

J. RENDERING PROVIDER ID#

NPI

Enter the diagnosis code reference letter (pointer) as shown in Item Number 21 to relate to the date of service and the procedures performed to the primary diagnosis. When multiple services are performed, the primary reference letter for each service should be listed first; other applicable services should follow. The reference letter(s) should be A-L or multiple letters as applicable. The "Diagnosis Pointer" is the line letter from Item Number 21 that relates to the reason the service(s) was performed.

The full charge for the service(s) totaled in the detail. This charge must be the usual charge to any client, patient, or other beneficiary of the provider's services.

The units (in whole numbers) of service(s) provided during the period indicated in Field 24A of the detail.

Not required for ARChoices.

Not required.

The 9-digit Arkansas Medicaid provider ID number of the individual who furnished the services billed for in the detail.

Not required.

25. FEDERAL TAX I.D. NUMBER

Not required. This information is carried in the provider's Medicaid file. If it changes, please contact Provider Enrollment.

26. PATIENT'S ACCOUNT N 0.

Optional entry that may be used for accounting purposes; use up to 16 numeric or alphabetic characters. This number appears on the Remittance Advice as "MRN."

27. ACCEPT ASSIGNMENT?

Not required. Assignment is automatically accepted by the provider when billing Medicaid.

28. TOTAL CHARGE

Total of Column 24F-the sum all charges on the claim.

29. AMOUNT PAID

Enter the total of payments previously received on this claim. Do not include amounts previously paid by Medicaid. Do not include in this total the automatically deducted Medicaid co-payments.

30. RESERVED

Reserved for NUCC use.

31. SIGNATURE OF

PHYSICIAN OR SUPPLIER INCLUDING DEGREES OR CREDENTIALS

The provider or designated authorized individual must sign and date the claim certifying that the services were personally rendered by the provider or under the provider's direction. "Provider's signature" is defined as the provider's actual signature, a rubber stamp of the provider's signature, an automated signature, a typewritten signature, or the signature of an individual authorized by the provider rendering the service. The name of a clinic or group is not acceptable.

32. SERVICE FACILITY

LOCATION INFORMATION

a. (blank)

b. (blank)

If other than home or office, enter the name and street, city, state and zip code of the facility where services were performed.

Not required.

Not required.

33. BILLING PROVIDER INFO &PH#

a. (blank)

b. (blank)

Billing provider's name and complete address. Telephone number is requested but not required.

Not required.

Enter the 9-digit Arkansas Medicaid provider ID number of the billing provider.

262.400 Special Billing Procedures

Not applicable to this program.

Application for a §1915(c) Home and Community-Based

Services Waiver

Click here to view image

016.06.15 Ark. Code R. § 021

12/17/2015