The Arkansas Independent Assessment (ARIA) system is comprised of several parts that are administered through separate steps for each eligible Medicaid individual served through one of the state's waiver programs, or state plan personal care services. The purpose of the ARIA system is to perform a functional-needs assessment to assist in the development of an individual's Person Centered Service Plan (PCSP), personal care services plan. As such, it assesses an individual's capabilities and limitations in performing activities of daily living such as bathing, toileting and dressing. It is not a medical diagnosis, although the medical history of an individual is an important component of the assessment as a functional deficiency may be caused by an underlying medical condition. In the case of an individual in need of behavioral health services, or waiver services administered by the Division of Developmental Services (DDS), the independent assessment does not determine whether an individual is Medicaid eligible as that determination is made prior to and separately from the assessment of an individual.
Federal statutes and regulations require states to use an independent assessment for determining eligibility for certain services offered though Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waivers. It is also important to Medicaid beneficiaries and their families that any type of assessment is based on tested and validated instruments that are objective and fair to everyone. In 2017, Arkansas selected the ARIA system which is being phased in over time among different population groups. When implemented for a population, the ARIA system replaces and voids any previous IA systems.
The ARIA system is administered by a vendor under contract with the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS). The basic foundation of the ARIA system is MnCHOICES, a comprehensive functional assessment tool originally developed by state and local officials in Minnesota for use in assessing the long-term services and supports (LTSS) needs of elderly individuals. Many individuals with developmental disabilities (DD)/intellectual disabilities (ID) and individuals with severe behavioral health needs also have LTSS needs. Therefore, the basic MnCHOICES tool has common elements across the different population groups. DHS and its vendor further customized MnCHOICES to reflect the Arkansas populations.
ARIA is administered by professional assessors who have successfully completed the vendor's training curriculum. The assessor training is an important component of ensuring the consistency and validity of the tool. The assessment tool is a series of more than 300 questions that might be asked during an interview conducted in person. The interview may include family members and friends as well as the Medicaid beneficiary. How a question is answered may trigger another question. Responses are weighted based on the service needs being assessed. The MnChoices instrument is computerized and uses computer program language based on logic (an algorithm) to generate a tier assignment for each individual. An algorithm is simply a sequence of instructions that will produce the exact same result in order to ensure consistency and eliminate any interviewer bias.
The results of the assessment are provided to the individual and program staff at DHS. The results packet includes the individual's tier result, scores, and answers to all questions asked during the IA, Click here to see an example results packet. Individuals have the opportunity to review those results and may contact the appropriate division for more information on their individual results, including any explanations for how their scores were determined. Depending upon which program the individual participates in, the results may also be given to service providers. The results will assign an individual into a tier which subsequently is used to develop the individual's PCSP. The tiers and tiering logic are defined by DHS and are specific to the population served (personal care, DD/ID, BH). DHS and the vendor provide internal quality review of the IA results as part of the overall process. The tier definitions for each population group/waiver group are available in the respective section of this Manual. In the case of an individual whose services are delivered through the Provider-led Arkansas Shared Savings Entity (PASSE), the tier is used in the determination of the actuarially sound global payment made to the PASSE. Beginning January 1,2019, each PASSE is responsible for its network of providers and payments to providers are based on the negotiated payment arrangements.
For beneficiaries receiving state plan personal care, the IA determines initial eligibility for services, then is used to inform the amount of services the beneficiary is to receive.
For clients who receive HCBS services, the IA results are used to develop the PCSP with the individual Medicaid beneficiary. The Medicaid beneficiary (or a parent or guardian on the individual's behalf) will sign the PCSP. Depending upon which program the individual participates in, department staff or a provider is responsible for ensuring the PCSP is implemented. The DHS ARIA vendor does not participate in the development of the PCSP, nor in the provision of services under the approved plan.
There are four key features of every Medicaid home and community based services (HCBS) waiver:
The PCSP, as agreed to by the Medicaid beneficiary, therefore represents the final decision for setting the amount, duration and scope of HCBSs for that individual.
Additionally, the vendor will perform developmental screens for children seeking admission into an Early Intervention Day Treatment (EIDT) program, the successor program to Developmental Day Treatment Clinic Services (DDTCS) and Child Health Management Services (CHMS) described in Act 1017 of 2013. Ark. Code Ann. § 20-48-1102. The implementation of the screening process supports Arkansas Medicaid's goal of using a tested and validated assessment tool that objectively evaluates an individual's need for services.
The developmental screen is the Battelle Developmental Inventory screening tool, which is a norm-referenced tool commonly used in the field to screen children for possible developmental delays. The state has established a broad baseline and will use this tool to screen children to determine if further evaluation for services is warranted. The screening results can also be used by the EIDT provider to further determine what evaluations for services a child should receive.
All Assessors who perform lAs or developmental screens on behalf of the vendor must meet the following qualifications:
Appeal requests for the ARIA system must adhere to the policy set forth in the Medicaid Provider Manual Section 160.000 Administrative Reconsideration and Appeals which can be accessed at https: //medicaid. m mis .arkansas.gov/Provi der/Docs/all .aspx.
Each section of this manual is severable from all others. If any section of this manual is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, such determination shall not affect the validity of other sections in this manual and all such other sections shall remain in full force and effect. In such an event, alt other sections shall be construed and enforced as if this section has not been included therein.
Independent Assessment (IA) referrals are initiated by Behavioral Health (BH) Service providers identifying a beneficiary who may require services in addition to behavioral health counseling services and medication management. Requests for functional assessment shall be transmitted to the Department of Human Services {DHS) or its designee. Supporting documentation related to treatment services necessary to address functional deficits may be provided.
DHS or its designee will review the request and make a determination to either
Reassessments will occur annually, unless a change in circumstances requires a new assessment.
In addition to the qualifications listed in Section 102.000, BH assessors must have a four (4) year Bachelor's degree or be a Registered Nurse with at least one year of mental health experience.
Tier 1 - Counseling and Medication Management Services | Tier 2 - Counseling, Medication Management, and Support Services | Tier 3 - Counseling, Medication Management, Support, and Residential Services | |
Criteria that will Trigger Tiers | |||
o '[GREATER THAN] n JZ OQ | Does not meet criteria of Tier 2 or Tier 3 | Mental Health Diagnosis Score of 4 | Mental Health Diagnosis Score of 4 |
AND | AND | ||
Intervention Score of 1 or 2 in any ONE of the following Psychosocial Subdomalns: | Intervention Score of 3 or 4 in any ONE of the following Psychosocial Subdomains: | ||
Injurious to Self | Injurious to Self | ||
Aggressive Toward Others, Physical Aggressive Toward Others, | Aggressive Toward Others, Physical Aggressive Toward Others, | ||
Verbal/Gestural Socially Unacceptable Behavior | Verbal/Gestural Socialty Unacceptable Behavior | ||
Property Destruction | Property Destruction | ||
Wanderi ng/Elopement | Wandering/Elopement | ||
PICA | PICA | ||
OR | |||
Mental Health Diagnosis Score | [ |
of 4 AND Intervention Score of 3 or 4 AND Frequency Score of 4 or 5 in any ONE of the following Psychosocial Subdomains: Difficulties Regulating Emotions Susceptibility to Victimization Withdrawal Agitation Impulsivity Intrusiveness |
OR |
Mental Health Diagnosis Score of 4 AND Intervention Score of 1,2,3 or 4 AND Frequency Score of 1,2, 3, 4 or 5 in the following Psychosocial Subdomain: Psychotic Behaviors |
OR |
Mental Health Diagnosis Score of 4 AND Intervention Score of 4 AND Frequency Score of 4 or 5 in the following Psychosocial Subdomain: Manic Behaviors |
OR |
Mental Health Diagnosis Score of 4 AND PHQ-9 Score of 3 or 4 (Moderately Severe or Severe Depression) |
OR Geriatric Depression Score of 3 ([GREATER THAN]=10) |
OR |
Mental Health Diagnosis Score of 4 AND Substance Abuse or Alcohol Use Score of 3 |
When you see "AND", this means you must have a score in this area AND a score in another area. When you see "OR", this means you must have a score in this area OR a score in another area.
Tier 1 - Counseling and Medication Management Services | Tier 2 - Counseling, Medication Management, and Support Services | Tier 3 - Counseling, Medication Management, Support, and Residential Services | |
Criteria that will Trigger Tiers | |||
0 '[GREATER THAN] CO « m | Does not meet criteria of Tier 2 or Tier 3 | Mental Health Diagnosis Score [GREATER THAN]=2 AND Injurious to Self: Intervention Score of 1,2 or 3 AND Frequency Score of 1,2, 3,4 or 5 | Mental Health Diagnosis Score [GREATER THAN]=2 AND Injurious to Self: Intervention Score of 4 AND Frequency Score of 1, 2, 3,4 or 5 |
OR | |||
Mental Health Diagnosis Score [GREATER THAN]=2 AND Aggressive Toward Others, Physical: Intervention Score of 1,2 or 3 AND Frequency Score of 1,2, 3,4 or 5 | Mental Health Diagnosis Score [GREATER THAN]=2 AND Aggressive Toward Others, Physical: Intervention Score of 4 AND Frequency Score of 2,3,4 or 5 | ||
OR | |||
Mental Health Diagnosis Score [GREATER THAN]=2 AND Intervention Score of 3 or 4 | Mental Health Diagnosis Score [GREATER THAN]=2 AND Psychotic Behaviors: |
AND Frequency Score of 2, 3,4, or 5 in any ONE of the following Psychosocial Subdomains: Aggressive Toward Others, Verbal/Gestural Wandering/Elopement | Intervention Score of 3 or 4 AND Frequency Score of 3,4 or 5 |
OR | |
Mental Health Diagnosis Score [GREATER THAN]=2 AND Intervention Score of 2, 3 or 4 AND Frequency Score of 2,3,4, or 5 in any ONE of the following Psychosocial Subdomains: Socially Unacceptable Behavior Property Destruction | |
OR | |
Mental Health Diagnosis Score [GREATER THAN]=2 AND Intervention Score of 3 or 4 AND Frequency Score of 3,4, or 5 in any ONE of the following Psychosocial Subdomains: Agitation Anxiety Difficulties Regulating Emotions Impulsivity Injury to Others, Unintentional Manic Behaviors Susceptibility to Victimization Withdrawal | |
OR | |
Mental Health Diagnosis Score [GREATER THAN]=2 |
AND PICA: Intervention Score of 4 |
OR |
Mental Health Diagnosis Score [GREATER THAN]=2 AND Intrusiveness: Intervention Score of 3 or 4 AND Frequency Score of 4 or 5 |
OR |
Mental Health Diagnosis Score [GREATER THAN] = 2 AND Psychotic Behaviors: Intervention Score of 1 or 2 AND Frequency Score of 1 or 2 |
OR |
Mental Health Diagnosis Score [GREATER THAN]=2 AND Psychosocial Subdomain Score [GREATER THAN]=5 and [LESS THAN]=7 AND Pediatric Symptom Checklist Score [GREATER THAN]15 |
To continue to receive services within these populations, all individuals referred will have to undergo the Independent Assessment.
In addition to the qualifications listed in Section 202.000, DD assessors must have at least two-years' experience with the ID/DD population and meet the qualifications of a Qualified Developmental Disability Professional (QDDP).
Tier 2: institutional Level of Care | Tier 3: Institutional Level of Care and may need 24 hours a day 7 days a week paid supports and services to maintain current placement |
Safety Level Hiah A. [Self-Preservation Score [GREATER THAN] = 4 AND B. Caregiving Capacity/Risk Score [GREATER THAN] = 6 AND C. Caregiving/Natural Supports Score [GREATER THAN] = 6 AND D. Mental Status Evaluation Score (in the home) = 3 or 4 AND E. Mental Status Evaluation Score (in the community) = 2] | A. [Self-Preservation Score [GREATER THAN] = 16 AND B. Caregiving Capacity/Risk Score =11 AND C. Caregiving/Natural Supports Score of = 7 AND D. Mental Status Evaluation Score (in the home) Score = 5 AND E. Mental Status Evaluation Score (in the community) Score = 3] |
Safetv Level Medium A. [Self-Preservation Score [GREATER THAN] = 4 AND B. Caregiving Capacity/Risk Score [GREATER THAN] = 6 AND C. Caregiving/Natural Supports Score [GREATER THAN] = 6 AND D. Mental Status Evaluation Score (in the home) = 2 AND E. Mental Status Evaluation Score (in the community) = 2] | |
Safetv Level Low |
A. [Self-Preservation Score [GREATER THAN] = 4 AND B. Caregiving Capacity/Risk Score [GREATER THAN] = 6 AND C. Caregiving/Natural Supports Score [GREATER THAN] = 6 AND D. Mental Status Evaluation Score (in the home) = 1 AND E. Mental Status Evaluation Score (in the community) Score = 1] | |
Behavior Level Hiah A. [Neurodevelopmental Score of 2 AND B. Psychosocial Subdomain Score of [GREATER THAN] = 5 - [LESS THAN] = 7 in at least ONE of the followina Sub-domains: Aggressive Toward Others, Physical; Injurious to Self; Manic Behaviors; PICA; Property Destruction; Psychotic Behaviors; Susceptibility to Victimization; Wandering/Elopement; AND C. Caregiving Capacity/Risk Score of [GREATER THAN] = 6 AND D. Caregiving/Natural Supports Score of [GREATER THAN] = 5] QR A. [Neurodevelopmental Score of 2 AND B. Psychosocial Subdomain Score of [GREATER THAN] = 5 - [LESS THAN] = 7 in at least THREE of the followina Sub-domains: Aggressive Toward Others, Verbal/Gestural; Agitation; Anxiety Difficulties Regulating Emotions; | Behavior Level Hiah A. [Neurodevelopmental Score of 2 AND B. Psychosocial Subdomain Score of [GREATER THAN] = 8 - [LESS THAN] = 9 in at least TWO of the followina Subdomains: Aggressive Toward Others, Physical; Injurious to Self; Manic Behaviors; PICA; Property Destruction; Psychotic Behaviors; Susceptibility to Victimization; Wandering/Elopement OR A. [Neurodevelopmental Score of 2 AND B. Psychosocial Subdomain Score of [GREATER THAN] = 8 - [LESS THAN] = 9 in at least THREE of the followina Subdomains: Aggressive Toward Others Verbal/Gestural; Agitation; Anxiety; Difficulties Regulating Emotions; Impulsivity; Injury to Others (Unintentional); Intrusiveness; Legal Involvement; |
Impulsivity; Injury to Others (Unintentional); Intrusiveness; Legal Involvement; Socially Unacceptable Behavior; Withdrawal C. AND at least one of the followina scores: Caregiving Capacity/Risk Score of [GREATER THAN] = 9 Caregiving/Natural Supports Score of [GREATER THAN] = 5] | Socially Unacceptable Behavior, Verbal/Gestural; Withdrawal |
Behavior Level Low A. [Neurodevelopmental Score of 2 AND B. Psychosocial Subdomain Score of [GREATER THAN] - 3 - [LESS THAN] = 4 in at least ONE of the followina Subdomains: Aggressive Toward Others, Physical; Injurious to Self; Manic Behaviors PICA; Property Destruction; Psychotic Behaviors; Susceptibility to Victimization; Wandering/Elopement C. AND at least one of the followina scores: Caregiving Capacity/Risk Score of [LESS THAN] = 8 Caregiving/Natural Supports Score of [LESS THAN] = 3] QR A. [Neurodevelopmental Score of 2 AND B. Psychosocial Subdomain Score of [GREATER THAN]=5-[LESS THAN]=7 in at least one of the followina Subdomains: Aggressive Toward Others, Verbal/Gestural; Agitation; Anxiety Difficulties Regulating Emotions; Impulsivity; | Behavior Level Low A. [Neurodevelopmental Score of 2 AND B. Psychosocial Subdomain Score of [GREATER THAN] = 8 - [LESS THAN] = 9 in at least ONE of the followina Subdomains: Aggressive Toward Others, Physical; Injurious to Self; Manic Behaviors; PICA; Property Destruction; Psychotic Behaviors; Susceptibility to Victimization; Wandering/Elopement] OR A. [Neurodevelopmental Score of 2 AND B. Psychosocial Subdomain Score of [GREATER THAN] = 8 - [LESS THAN] = 9 in at least TWO of the followina Subdomains: Aggressive Toward Others, Verbal/Gestural; Agitation; Anxiety; Difficulties Regulating Emotions; Impulsivity; Injury to Others (Unintentional); Intrusiveness; Legal Involvement; Socially Unacceptable Behavior; |
Injury to Others (Unintentional); Withdrawal] Intrusiveness; Legal Involvement; Socially Unacceptable Behavior; Withdrawal C. AND at least one of the followina scores: Caregiving Capacity/Risk Score of [LESS THAN] = 8 Caregiving/Natural Supports Score of [LESS THAN] = 3] |
Self-Care Level High Self-Care Level Hiah A. [Neurodevelopmental Score of 2 A. [Neurodevelopmental Score of 2 AND AND B. Scores within stated ranae in at least B. Treatments/Monitorina Score of at least THREE of anv of the followina: 2 1. ADL's: C. AND at least one of the followina Score of at least 4 in Eating scores: Score of at least 5 in Bathing Caregiving Capacity/Risk Score [GREATER THAN] = 10 Score of at least 4 in Dressing Caregiving/Natural Supports Score of = Score of at least 3 in Toileting Score of at least 4 in Mobility Score of at least 4 in Transfers 2. Functional Communication: Score of 2 or 3 in Functional Communication 3. lADLs: Score of 3 in any of the following ; lADLs (Meal Preparation, Housekeeping, Finances, Shopping) 4. Safety: Self-Preservation Score of [GREATER THAN]=4 AND a score in at least one of the followina areas: Caregiving Capacity/Risk Score of [GREATER THAN] = 9 Caregiving/Natural Supports Score of[GREATER THAN] = 4 [Treatment/Monitoring Score of at least 2] |
Self-Care Level Medium A. [Neurodevelopmental Score of 2 |
AND B. Scores within stated ranae in at least THREE of anv of the followina: 1. ADLs: Score of 1-11 in Eating Score of 1-11 in Bathing Score of 1-10 in Dressing Score of 1-11 in Toileting Score of 1-10 in Mobility Score of 1-10 in Transfers 2. Functional Communication: Score of 1 in Functional Communication 3. lADLs Score of 3 in any of the following lADLs: (Meal Preparation, Housekeeping, Finances, Shopping) 4. Safety: Self-Preservation Score of [GREATER THAN] = 2 AND a score in at least one of the followina areas: Caregiving Capacity/Risk Score of [GREATER THAN] = 9 Caregivtng/Natural Supports Score of[GREATER THAN] = 4] |
Self-Care Level Low Self-Care Level Low A. [Neurodevelopmental Score of 2 A. [Neurodevelopmental Score of 2 AND AND B. Scores within stated ranae in at least B. Scores within stated ranae in at least THREE of anv of the followina THREE of anv of the followina combinations: combinations: Score of 1-11 in Eating Score of at least 4 in Eating Score of 1-11 in Bathing Score of at least 5 in Bathing Score of 1 -10 in Dressing Score of at least 4 in Dressing Score of 1 -11 in Toileting Score of at least 3 in Toileting Score of 1 -10 in Mobility Score of at least 4 in Mobility Score of 1 -10 in Transfers] Score of at least 4 in Transfers OR C. AND at least one of the followina scorss* [Neurodevelopmental Score of 2 AND Caregiving Capacity/Risk Score of [GREATER THAN]= |
Score of [GREATER THAN]=1 in any of the following: lADLs (Meal Preparation, Housekeeping, Finances, Shopping)] | Caregiving/Natural Supports Score of 7] |
When you see "AND", this means you must have a score in this area ANDa score in another area. When you see "OR", this means you must have a score in this area OR a score in another area.
Both Tier 2 and Tier 3 determinations will result in the beneficiary being eligible for auto-assignment to a PASSE or to continue participation with a PASSE.
All children birth through the eighth birthday, who are seeking initial enrollment or reenrollment in an Early Intervention Day Treatment (EIDT), or the predecessor programs, Developmental Day Treatment Clinic Services (DDTCS) or Child Health Management Services (CHMS) on or after July 1,2018, must undergo a developmental screen to determine the necessity of further evaluation.
A provider can request that a child be "opted-out" of the screening process. An opt-out request will be approved if:
Independent Assessment (IA) referrals are initiated by Personal Care (PC) service providers identifying a beneficiary who may require PC services. After January 1,2019, individuals who are enrolled in a PASSE will not require a personal care assessment to continue services. Requests for functional assessment shall be transmitted to the Department of Human Services (DHS) or its designee, and will require supporting documentation. Supporting documentation that must be provided include:
DHS or its designee will review the request and make a determination to either:
PC IA Reassessments must occur annually, but may occur more frequently if a change of circumstances necessitates such.
In addition to the qualifications listed in Section 202.000, PC assessors must be a Registered Nurse licensed in the State of Arkansas.
Tiering
TierO | Tier! | |
"3 .2 = _J S +* 5C ill | Score [LESS THAN] 3 in all of the following ADLs: Eating, Bathing, Dressing, Personal Hygiene/Grooming, Mobility, Transferring, Toilet Use/Continence Support, Positioning | Score of [GREATER THAN] = 3 in at least ONE of the following ADLs: Eating, Bathing, Dressing, Personal Hygiene/Grooming, Mobility, Transferring, Toilet Use/Continence Support, Positioning |
Upon successful completion of an IA, the tier determination will determine eligibility of service levels. Possible outcomes include:
The PC IA is not used to assign clients to a PASSE.
016.06.18 Ark. Code R. 011