016.26.21 Ark. Code R. 002
COVID-19 Response Manual
January 1, 2022
DAABHS COVID-19 RESPONSE
The following rules are duly adopted and promulgated by the Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services (DAABHS) Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) under the authority of Arkansas Code Annotated §§ 20-76-201, 20-77-107, 25-10-129, and 25-10-126.
Families First Coronavirus Response Act (Public Law 116-127 - March 18, 2020)
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (Public Law No. 116-136 - March 27, 2020)
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, DHS identified programs and services that required additional flexibility or changes to adapt to ensuring the health and safety of our clients. This manual details them so that DHS may render uninterrupted assistance and services to our clients.
Appeal requests for the COVID-19 response policies 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.mmis.arkansas.gov/Provider/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, all other sections shall be construed and enforced as if this section had not been included therein.
The Person-Centered Service Plan (PCSP) serves to document the level of service need and is the official plan of care for those beneficiaries who have been found medically eligible for services.
Agency nurses should be able to extend PCSPs and authorizations based on review of current medical/functional needs. DAABHS nurses will complete an evaluation of the beneficiary's current needs and will extend the dates for qualifying beneficiaries, ensuring continued eligibility for services. PCSPs are living documents and are to be updated as goals and needs are met. During the extension period, the PCSP will continue to be updated to the level of current service needs based on continued phone contact with beneficiary.
The following rule provisions are suspended until the termination of the federal public health emergency, including any extensions, or December 31, 2022, whichever occurs first.
ARChoices: 212.312 which requires that a PCSP expiration date be 365 days from the date of the DHS RN's signature of the AAS-9503, the ARChoices PCSP.
Living Choices: 211.150 The Independent Assessment Contractor RN performs an assessment periodically (at least annually), and the Division of County Operations re-determines level of care annually. The results of the level of care determination and the re-evaluation are documented on form DHS-704.
PACE: 212.200 involving involuntary dismissal of a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) patient.
These services will be available until the termination of the federal public health emergency, including any extensions, or December 31, 2022, whichever occurs first.
Families First Corona Virus Response Act requires states to maintain an individual eligibility for amount, duration, and scope of benefits during the public health emergency ARChoices, Living Choices and PACE clients who do not receive an evaluation within 365 days of their existing eligibility date would be transitioned to traditional Medicaid or lose access to care under these programs.
This rule is suspended to allow members who do not receive a timely evaluation to remain eligible for ARChoices, Living Choices and PACE.
ARChoices 212.312 which requires functional eligibility be determined prior to the expiration of financial and functional eligibility
Living Choices 211.150 which requires that an evaluation is completed annually by DHS RN to help inform the determination of functional eligibility
PACE 212.200 which refers to involuntary dismissal of a PACE patient.
These services will be available until the termination of the federal public health emergency, including any extensions, or December 21, 2022, whichever occurs first.
The rate reduction scheduled to occur January 1, 2021 will be suspended until the termination of the federal public health emergency, including any extensions, or until the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS) approves the implementation of the rate in Arkansas' Living Choices Waiver Renewal, whichever occurs first. The result of the suspension or approval by CMS is an additional cost to the Medicaid program of $4.36 per client per day.
016.26.21 Ark. Code R. 002