016.27.20 Ark. Code R. 020

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 10, October, 2024
Rule 016.27.20-020 - ARChoices 1-20, LCAL 1-20, PERSCARE 3-20, ARChoices and Living Choices Waiver Amendments, and Medical Services Policy C-265, I-630, I-640, L-120
Section II

ARChoices In Homecare Home and Community-Based 2176 Waiver

212.000Eligibility for the ARChoices Program 1-1-21
A. To qualify for the ARChoices Program, a person must be age twenty-one (21) through sixty-four (64) and have been determined to have a physical disability through the Social Security Administration or the Department of Human Services (DHS) Medical Review Team (MRT) and require an intermediate level of care in a nursing facility, or be sixty-five (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 (OLTC), are not eligible for the ARChoices Program.

The ARChoices Program processes for beneficiary intake, assessment and service plan development include:

1. Determination of categorical eligibility;
2. Determination of financial eligibility;
3. Determination of nursing facility level of care;
4. Development of a person-centered service plan (PCSP);
5. Development of an individual services budget (ISB);
6. Notification to the beneficiary of his or her choice between home- and community-based services and institutional services; and,
7. Choice by the beneficiary among certified providers.
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 Division of County Operations, the results of the independent assessment, and the Division of Provider Services and Quality Assurance (DPSQA) OLTC Eligibility Specialist 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 (1) of the following three (3) criteria, as determined by a licensed medical professional:
1. The individual is unable to perform either of the following:
a. At least one (1) of the three (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 two (2) of the three (3) ADLs of transferring/locomotion, eating, or toileting without limited assistance from another person; or,
2. The individual has a primary or secondary diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or related dementia and is cognitively impaired so as to require substantial supervision from another individual because he or she engages in inappropriate behaviors which pose serious health or safety hazards to themselves or others; or,
3. The individual has a diagnosed medical condition which requires monitoring or assessment at least once a day by a licensed medical professional and the condition, if untreated, would be life-threatening.
D. Individuals who require a skilled level of care as defined in DHS regulations are not eligible for the ARChoices waiver.
E. The Arkansas Independent Assessment (ARIA) is the assessment instrument used by registered nurses of the Independent Assessment Contractor to collect information used in determining level of care and developing the PCSP. The ARIA system assigns tiers designed to help further differentiate individuals by need. Each waiver applicant or participant is assigned a tier level (0, 1, 2, or 3) following each assessment or reassessment. The tiers are intended to help inform waiver program oversight and administration and person-centered service planning. Tier levels are also a population-based factor used in determining participants' prospective individual services budgets. The tiers do not replace the Level of Care criteria described in Section C above, waiver eligibility determinations, or the person-centered service plan process.
1. Tier 0 (zero) and Tier 1 (one) indicate the individual's assessed needs, if any, do not support the need for either ARChoices waiver services or nursing facility services.
2. Tier 2 (two) indicates the individual's assessed needs are consistent with services available through either the ARChoices waiver program or a licensed nursing facility.
3. Tier 3 (three) indicates the individual needs skilled care available through a licensed nursing facility and therefore is not eligible for the ARChoices waiver program.

These indications notwithstanding, the final determination of Level of Care and functional eligibility is made by the OLTC.

For more information on ARIA, please see the ARIA Manual.

F. 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 twenty-one (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 twenty-one (21) days.
G. 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.
H. Eligibility for the ARChoices Waiver program begins the date the DHS Division of County Operations approves the application unless there is a provisional plan of care. (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.)
I. 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, and active, beneficiaries who can be served in any waiver year. Once the maximum number of unduplicated, or active, 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 (6) 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.
212.050Definitions
A.ARIA ASSESSMENT TOOL means the Arkansas Independent Assessment (ARIA) instrument used by registered nurses of the Independent Assessment Contractor to collect information used in determining level of care and developing the person-centered service plan (PCSP).
B.ASSESSMENT means the process completed by the independent assessment contractor to collect information used in determining initial functional eligibility for waiver services.
C.DHS RN means a registered nurse authorized by DHS to develop the person-centered service plan for a participant.
D.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.
E.EVALUATION means the process completed, at a minimum of every three hundred sixty-five (365) days, by the DHS RN to determine continued functional eligibility or a change in medical condition that may impact continued functional eligibility.
F.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.
G.FUNCTIONAL ELIGIBILTY means the level of care needed by the waiver applicant/beneficiary to receive services through the waiver rather than in an institutional setting. To be determined an individual with functional eligibility, an individual must not require a skilled level of care, as defined in the state rule, and must meet at least one (1) of the following three (3) criteria, as determined by a licensed medical professional:
1. The individual is unable to perform either of the following:
a. At least one (1) of the three (3) activities of daily living (ADL's) of transferring/locomotion, eating or toileting without extensive assistance from or total dependence upon another person; or
b. At least two (2) of the three (3) activities of daily living (ADL's) of transferring/locomotion, eating or toileting without limited assistance from another person; or
2. The individual has a primary or secondary diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or related dementia and is cognitively impaired so as to require substantial supervision from another individual because he or she engages in inappropriate behaviors which pose serious health or safety hazards to himself or others; or,

The individual has a diagnosed medical condition which requires monitoring or assessment at least once a day by a licensed medical professional and the condition, if untreated, would be life-threatening.

3. The individual has a diagnosed medical condition which requires monitoring or assessment at least once a day by a licensed medical professional and the condition, if untreated, would be life-threatening.
H.INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT CONTRACTOR means the DHS vendor responsible for administering the ARIA assessment tool for the purpose of collecting information used in determining level of care and developing the person-centered service plan.
I.LICENSED MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL means a licensed nurse, physician, physical therapist, or occupational therapist.
J.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.
K.LOCOMOTION means the act of moving from one location to another, regardless of whether the movement is accomplished with aids or devices.
L.INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES means a level of intellectual disability as described in the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities' Manual on Intellectual Disability: Definition Classification, and systems and supports. For further clarification, see 42 CFR § 483.100- 102, Subpart C - Preadmission Screening and Annual Resident Review (PASARR) of Individuals with Mental Illness and Intellectual Disability.
M.PCSP means a person-centered service plan.
N.REASSESSMENT means the process, completed at the request of DHS, by the independent assessment contractor to collect information used in determining continuing functional eligibility for waiver services.

O 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 Resident Review (PASARR) of Individuals with Mental Illness and Intellectual Disability.

P.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.
1. Intermuscular or subcutaneous injections if the use of licensed medical personnel is necessary to teach an individual or the individual's caregiver the procedure.
2. Intravenous injections and hypodermoclysis or intravenous feedings.
3. Levin tubes and nasogastric tubes.
4. Nasopharyngeal and tracheostomy aspiration.
5. Application of dressings involving prescription medication and aseptic techniques.
6. Treatment of Stage III or Stage IV decubitus ulcers or other widespread skin disorders that are in Stage III or Stage IV.
7. 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.
8. Initial phases of a regimen involving administration of medical gases.
9. 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.
10. Ventilator care and maintenance.
11. The insertion, removal and maintenance of gastrostomy feeding tubes.
Q.SUBSTANTIAL SUPERVISION means the prompting, reminding or guidance of another person to perform the task.
R.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.
S.TOTAL DEPENDENCE means the individual needs another person to completely and totally perform the task for the individual.
T.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.
212.200Prospective Individual Services Budget 1-1-21
A. Individual Services Budget (ISB)
1. In the ARChoices in Homecare program, there is a limit on the maximum dollar amount of waiver services that may be authorized for or received by each specific participant. This limit is called the Individual Services Budget (ISB) and applies to all participants and all waiver services available through the ARChoices program.
2. Each ARChoices person-centered service plan shall include an Individual Services Budget, as determined by the Department of Human Services Registered Nurse (DHS RN) for the specific participant during the service plan development process. The projected total cost of all authorized services in any ARChoices person-centered service plan (including provisional plans) shall not exceed the participant's Individual Services Budget applicable to the time period covered by the service plan.
3. Each participant's Individual Services Budget shall be explained when the DHS RN consults with the individual on the person-centered service plan. This may be done through written information.
4. Each participant shall also receive written notice of their Individual Services Budget that includes notice of the right to request a Fair Hearing if they are denied waiver services as a result of a dollar limit.
B. Adjustments, Considerations, and Safeguards Regarding Individual Services Budgets
1. During the development of each person-centered service plan, after considering the participant's assessed needs, priorities, preferences, goals, and risk factors, and to ensure that the cost of all ARChoices services for each participant does not exceed the applicable Individual Services Budget amount, the DHS RN shall, as necessary
a. Limit and modify the type, amount, frequency, and duration of waiver services authorized for the participant (notwithstanding any service-specific limits established in Appendix C: Participant Services); and
b. Make referrals to appropriate services available through the Medicaid State Plan or another waiver program, Medicare, the participant's Medicare Advantage (MA) plan (including targeted and other supplemental benefits the MA plan may offer), the participant's Medicare prescription drug plan, and other federal, state, or community programs.
2. Should the DHS RN determine that the ARChoices waiver services authorized for the participant within the limit of the applicable Individual Services Budget, other Medicaid or Medicare covered services, and other available family and community supports, when taken together, are insufficient to meet the participant's needs, the DHS RN shall counsel the participant on Medicaid-covered services in other settings that are available to meet their needs (e.g., nursing facility services and assisted living facility services) and make appropriate referrals. The DHS RN may also order a re-assessment of the participant based upon a change of condition.
3. In the event that a participant's ISB requires changes or limitations to ARChoices services (that otherwise could be authorized for the person in the absence of the ISB) to ensure that the applicable ISB amount is not exceeded, during the person-centered service plan process the participant will be given the opportunity to choose a different mix, type, or amount of ARChoices covered services. (For example, the participant could decide to forego a day of adult day health services in order to have additional attendant care hours.) Any such participant-requested changes and substitutions are subject to the following:
a. The services chosen by participant are otherwise covered and reimbursable under ARChoices and do not exceed any applicable service limitations;
b. The services chosen by participant are necessary and appropriate for the individual and consistent with the results of the independent assessment;
c. The cost of all ARChoices waiver services authorized for or received by the participant, including any participant-requested changes and substitutions, do not exceed the applicable ISB amount; and,
d. The DHS RN determines the changes are reasonable and necessary for the individual and reflected in the approved person-centered service plan.
4. If waiver services are or become limited due to the application of the Individual Services Budget, the affected participant may request an exception in the form of a temporary increase in the person's ISB amount applicable to a period not to exceed one year. Exception requests shall be reviewed and acted on by DAABHS using a panel of at least three registered nurses. This exceptions process is intended as a safeguard to address exceptional circumstances affecting a participant's health and welfare and not as means to circumvent the application of the Individual Services Budget policy or permit coverage of services not otherwise medically necessary for the individual, consistent with their level of care, assessment results, and waiver program policy. Approval of an exception request and associated one-time temporary increase in a participant's Individual Services Budget amount for a period not to exceed one year is subject to the following criteria:
a. In the professional opinion of the nurse panel, unique circumstances indicate that additional time is reasonably needed by the participant (or the participant's family on his or her behalf) to (1) adjust waiver service use costs to within the applicable Individual Services Budget (ISB) amount, (2) arrange for the start of or increase in non-Medicaid services (such as informal family supports and Medicare-covered services), or (3) arrange for placement in an alternative residential or facility-based setting.
b. Such unique circumstances must be (1) specific to the individual; (2) supported by documentation provided to the nurse panel; (3) relevant to the individual's assessed needs and risk factors; (4) relevant to the temporary need for additional, medically necessary coverable waiver services in excess of the person's pre-exception ISB amount; and (5) not the result of a need for skilled services or other services not covered under the waiver.
c. Such unique circumstances may include (1) recent major life events not known at the time the current person-centered service plan was approved, including without limitation death of a spouse or caregiver, and loss of a home or residential placement; and (2) A temporary increase in care needs, for a period not to exceed ninety (90) days after a discharge from inpatient acute treatment or post-acute care.
d. If the exception request is due to the participant (or participant's family on his or her behalf) encountering delays or difficulties in arranging new care arrangements or an alternative residential or facility-based placement in the state, an exception may be granted if the nurse panel determines reasonable efforts are being made and the delays or difficulties experienced are exceptional or due to rural or remote location of the participant's home.
e. The factors considered by the nurse panel must be reasonably relevant to the necessity for additional waiver services in total cost in excess of the person's pre-exception ISB amount and for a temporary period of time not to exceed one year.
5. If the projected cost of services identified in an individual's person-centered service plan (whether such plan is under development, provisional, or final or renewed, amended, or extended) is less than the applicable Individual Services Budget amount, this shall not be construed to permit, suggest, or justify approval, coverage, or reimbursement of different or additional waiver services (including changes in amount, frequency, or duration); coverage and reimbursement of any medically unnecessary Medicaid State Plan or waiver services; or other actions to increase spending to use the remaining "unused" portion of the ISB amount.
6. The Individual Services Budget shall not apply to environmental accessibility adaptations/adaptive equipment.
C. Transition Process
1. The Individual Services Budget limit shall apply to the following:
a. New ARChoices participants, including individuals determined newly eligible for ARChoices following a period of ineligibility for this or another HCBS waiver program, when they are determined waiver eligible, and effective for their first person-centered service plan and thereafter; and
b. Existing ARChoices participants immediately upon any of the following events, whichever may occur first:
i. Waiver eligibility is re-evaluated;
ii. The Level of Care is reaffirmed or revised;
iii. A new independent assessment or re-assessment is performed;
iv. Expiration, renewal, extension, or revision of the participant's person-centered service plan occurs; or,
v. Admission to or discharge from an inpatient hospital, nursing facility, assisted living facility, or residential care facility, or transfer from a hospice facility occurs.
2. For all other ARChoices participants not otherwise identified above, the Individual Services Budget limit shall apply no later than sixty (60) days after the effective date of this waiver amendment.
3. For the following ARChoices participants, the DAABHS deputy director (or his/her designee) may on a case-by-case basis extend the effective date of the participant's first Individual Services Budget by a maximum of sixty (60) days per participant upon written request of the participant (or legal representative) or the participant's personal physician, if:
a. The specific participant's recent pattern of waiver service expenditures exceeds the average Individual Services Budget amount by an estimated twenty-five (25) percent or more; or
b. DAABHS determines that unique, intervening circumstances indicate that additional time is reasonably needed by the participant and the participant's family and providers. Examples of unique, intervening circumstances include the death of the spouse, loss of home, or unexpected difficulties in accessing or arranging care or placement, among others.
D. Methodology for Determining Individual Services Budgets
1. The Individual Services Budget amount for a participant is based upon that participant's ISB Level. The ISB Level is determined by DAABHS based on a review of the participant's Independent Assessment. The three (3) ISB Levels are:
a. Intensive: The participant requires total dependence or extensive assistance from another person in all three (3) areas of mobility, feeding and toileting.
b. Intermediate: The participant requires total dependence or extensive assistance from another person in two (2) of the area of mobility, feeding and toileting.
c. Preventative: The participant meets the functional need eligibility requirements for ARChoices in section 212.000 but does not meet the criteria for the ISB Levels of Intensive or Intermediate.
2. The maximum Individual Services Budget for a participant, except as modified by the Transitional Allowance in subsection (3) below, is as follows:
a. For an individual with an assessed ISB Level of Intensive, the Individual Services Budget is $30,000 annually.
b. For an individual with an assessed ISB Level of Intermediate, the Individual Services Budget is $20,000 annually.
c. For an individual with an assessed ISB Level of Preventative, the Individual Services Budget is $5,000 annually.
3. For a participant with total waiver expenditures of more than $30,000 for calendar year 2018:
a. The participant will be granted a Transitional Allowance for one year, increasing the participant's maximum Individual Services Budget to the amount of the participant's total waiver expenditures for calendar year 2018.
b. In the year following the Transitional Allowance for one year, increasing the participant's maximum Individual Services Budget to the amount of the participant's total waiver expenditures for calendar year 2019.
c. For purposes of this subsection (3), "total waiver expenditures" for a calendar year shall be calculated as the sum total of the value of all waiver services authorized for the participant in the person-centered service plan as of December 31, and then modified by:
i. If the cumulative expenditures are for less than twelve (12) months, annualizing the total to reflect what the expenditures would have been if the participant had received the same monetary amount of services for twelve (12) consecutive months; and
ii. Excluding amounts expended for environmental accessibility adaptations/adaptive equipment services.
4. For purposes of determining the projected cost of all waiver services in an individual's person-centered service plan, DAABHS shall assume that:
a. The individual will receive or otherwise use all services identified in the service plan and in their respective maximum authorized amounts, frequencies, and durations;
b. There are no interruptions in the provision of waiver services due to possible future events such as an inpatient admission, nursing facility admission, or short-term admission to another facility setting.
212.312Comprehensive Person-Centered Service Plan (PCSP) 1-1-21

Prior to the expiration date of the provisional PCSP, the DHS 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 three hundred sixty-five (365) days from the date of the DHS RN's signature on form AAS-9503, the ARChoices PCSP. Once the renewal is either approved or denied by the DHS Division of County Operations the providers will be notified by the DHS 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.

Prior to the expiration of the three hundred sixty-five (365) days, financial and functional eligibility will be reviewed for renewal of the PCSP. Functional eligibility will be determined by an evaluation done by the DHS RN.

212.500Reporting Changes in Beneficiary's Status 1-1-21

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 DHS RN or Case Manager. 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 DHS 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 Division of County Operations, providers must immediately report all changes in the beneficiary's status to the DHS RN.

The Targeted Case Manager is responsible for monitoring the beneficiary's status on a regular basis for changes in service need, referring the beneficiary for evaluation of any beneficiary complaints or change of condition to the DHS RN, or DHS RN Supervisor immediately upon learning of the change. The DHS RN will determine if a reassessment is necessary or if a change in condition warrants a change to the PCSP based upon the DHS RNs evaluation of the beneficiary.

Section II

Living Choices Assisted Living

211.100Eligibility for the Living Choices Assisted Living Program
A. To qualify for the Living Choices Program, an individual must meet the targeted population as described in this manual and must be found to require a nursing facility intermediate level of care. Individuals meeting the skilled level of care, as determined by the Office of Long Term Care, are not eligible for the Living Choices Assisted Living Program.

The Living Choices Program processes for beneficiary intake, assessment, evaluation, and service plan development include:

1. Determination of categorical eligibility;
2. Determination of financial eligibility;
3. Determination of nursing facility level of care;
4. Development of a person-centered service plan (PCSP); and,
5. Notification to the beneficiary of his or her choice between home- and community-based services and institutional services.
B. Candidates for participation in the program (or their representatives) must make application for services at the DHS office in the county in which the Level II ALF is located. Medicaid eligibility is determined by the DHS County Office and is based on non-medical and medical criteria. Income and resources comprise the non-medical criteria. Medically, the candidate must be an individual with a functional disability.
C. To be determined an individual with a functional disability, an individual must meet at least one (1) of the following three (3) criteria, as determined by a licensed medical professional.
1. The individual is unable to perform either of the following:
a. At least one (1) of the three (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 two (2) of the three (3) ADLs of transferring/locomotion, eating or toileting without limited assistance from another person; or,
2. The individual has a primary or secondary diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or related dementia and is cognitively impaired so as to require substantial supervision from another individual because he or she engages in inappropriate behaviors that pose serious health or safety hazards to himself or others; or,
3. The individual has a diagnosed medical condition that requires monitoring or assessment at least once a day by a licensed medical professional and the condition, if untreated, would be life-threatening.
D. Individuals who required skilled level of care as defined in the Department of Human Services regulations are not eligible for the Living Choices Waiver.
E. The Arkansas Independent Assessment (ARIA) is the assessment instrument used by registered nurses of the Independent Assessment Contractor to collect information used in determining level of care and developing the person-centered service plan. The ARIA system assigns tiers designed to help further differentiate individuals by need. Each waiver applicant or participant is assigned a tier level (0, 1, 2, or 3) following each assessment or reassessment. The tiers are intended to help inform waiver program oversight and administration and person-centered service planning. The tiers do not replace the Level of Care criteria described in Bullet C above, waiver eligibility determinations, or the person-centered service plan process.
1. Tier 0 (zero) and Tier 1 (one) indicate the individual's assessed needs, if any, do not support the need for either Living Choices services or nursing facility services.
2. Tier 2 (two) indicates the individual's assessed needs are consistent with services available through either the Living Choices Waiver program or a licensed nursing facility.
3. Tier 3 (three) indicates the individual needs skilled care available through a licensed nursing facility and, therefore, is not eligible for the Living Choices Waiver program.

These indications notwithstanding, the final determination of Level of Care and functional eligibility is made by the Office of Long Term Care (OLTC).

For more information on ARIA, please see the ARIA Provider Manual.

F. 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 or disqualifying episodic change of medical condition that is temporary and expected to last no more than twenty-one (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 twenty-one (21) days.
G. Individuals diagnosed with a serious mental illness or mental retardation are not eligible for the Living Choices Assisted Living program unless they have medical needs unrelated to the diagnosis of mental illness or mental retardation and meet the other qualifying criteria. A diagnosis of severe mental illness or mental retardation must not bar eligibility for individuals having medical needs unrelated to the diagnosis of serious mental illness or mental retardation when they meet the other qualifying criteria.
H. Eligibility for the Living Choices waiver program is determined as the latter of the date of application for the program, the date of admission to the assisted living facility or the date the plan of care is signed by the DHS 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. If a beneficiary is moving from a Provider-Led Arkansas Shared Savings Entity (PASSE) to the Living Choices waiver program, the eligibility date will be no earlier than the first day following disenrollment from the PASSE.
I. The Living Choices waiver provides for the entrance of all eligible persons on a first come, first-served basis, once individuals meet all medical 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 Living Choices 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 (6) 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.
211.125Definitions
A. ARIA ASSESSMENT TOOL means the Arkansas Independent Assessment (ARIA) instrument used by registered nurses of the Independent Assessment Contractor to collect information used in determining level of care and developing the person-centered service plan (PCSP).
B. ASSESSMENT means the process completed by the independent assessment contractor to collect information used in determining initial functional eligibility for waiver services.
C. DHS RN means a registered nurse authorized by DHS to develop the person-centered service plan for a participant.
D. EVALUATION means the process completed, at a minimum of every three hundred sixty-five (365) days, by the DHS RN to determine continued functional eligibility or a change in medical condition that may impact continued functional eligibility
E. 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.
F. FUNCTIONAL ELIGIBILITY means the level of care needed by the waiver applicant/beneficiary to receive services through the waiver rather than in an institutional setting. To be determined an individual with functional eligibility, an individual must not require a skilled level of care, as defined in the state rule, and must meet at least one (1) of the following three (3) criteria, as determined by a licensed medical professional:
1. The individual is unable to perform either of the following:
a. At least one (1) of the three (3) activities of daily living (ADL's) of transferring/locomotion, eating or toileting without extensive assistance from or total dependence upon another person; or,
b. At least two (2) of the three (3) activities of daily living (ADL's) of transferring/locomotion, eating or toileting without limited assistance from another person; or
2. The individual has a primary or secondary diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or related dementia and is cognitively impaired so as to require substantial supervision from another individual because he or she engages in inappropriate behaviors which pose serious health or safety hazards to himself or others; or,
3. The individual has a diagnosed medical condition which requires monitoring or assessment at least once a day by a licensed medical professional and the condition, if untreated, would be life-threatening.
G.INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT CONTRACTOR means the DHS vendor responsible for administering the ARIA assessment tool for the purpose of collecting information used in determining level of care and developing the person-centered service plan.
H.REASSESSMENT means the process, completed at the request of DHS, by the independent assessment contractor to collect information used in determining continuing functional eligibility for waiver services.
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 Resident Review (PASARR) of Individuals with Mental Illness and Intellectual Disability.
211.150Level of Care Determination

A prospective Living Choices beneficiary must require a nursing facility intermediate level of care.

The intermediate level of care determination is made by medical staff with the Department of Human Services (DHS), Office of Long Term Care. The determination is based on the assessment performed by the Independent Assessment Contractor RN, using standard criteria for functional eligibility 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 Living Choices services.

An evaluation is completed annually by the DHS RN to determine continued functional eligibility. Should a change of medical condition be present, a referral may be made to the Independent Assessment Contractor to complete a reassessment. The Office of Long Term Care re-determines level of care annually. The results of the level of care determination and the re-evaluation are documented on form DHS-704, Decision for Nursing Home Placement.

NOTE: While federal guidelines require level of care reevaluation at least annually, the Independent Assessment Contractor may reassess a beneficiary's level of care and/or need any time it is deemed appropriate by the DHS RN to ensure that a beneficiary is appropriately placed in the Living Choices Assisted Living Program and is receiving services suitable to his or her needs.

211.200Plan of Care 1-1-21
A. Each beneficiary in the Living Choices Assisted Living Program must have a person-centered service plan, also referred to as an individualized Living Choices Plan of Care (AAS-9503). The authority to develop a Living Choices plan of care is given to the Medicaid State agency's designee, the DHS RN. The Living Choices plan of care developed by the DHS RN includes without limitation:
1. Beneficiary identification and contact information to include full name and address, phone number, date of birth, Medicaid number and the effective date of Living Choices Assisted Living waiver eligibility;
2. Primary and secondary diagnosis;
3. Contact person;
4. Physician's name and address;
5. The amount, frequency and duration of required Living Choices services and the name of the service provider chosen by the beneficiary or representative to provide the services;
6. Other services outside the Living Choices services, regardless of payment source identified and/or ordered to meet the beneficiary's needs. Living Choices providers are not required to provide these services, but they may not impede their delivery;
7. The election of community services by the waiver beneficiary;
8. The name and title of the DHS RN responsible for the development of the plan of care; and,
9. Each beneficiary, or his or her representative, has the right to choose the provider of each non-waiver service. Non-waiver services are the services listed on the plan of care that are not included in the bundled services of the Living Choices Program (e.g., medical equipment rental). The plan of care names the provider that the beneficiary (or the beneficiary's representative) has chosen to provide each service.
B. A copy of the plan of care signed by the DHS RN and the waiver beneficiary will be forwarded to the beneficiary and the Living Choices service provider(s) chosen by the beneficiary or representative, if waiver eligibility is approved by the DHS County Office. Each provider is responsible for developing an implementation plan in accordance with the beneficiary plan of care. The original plan of care will be maintained by the DHS RN.

The implementation plan must be designed to 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 to the waiver plan of care, as reported by the DHS RN;
5. Provided within a system that safeguards the beneficiary's rights; and,
6. Documented carefully, with assurance that appropriate records will be maintained.

NOTE: Each service included on the Living Choices plan of care must be justified by the DHS 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 DHS RN.

Living Choices services must be provided according to the beneficiary plan of care. Providers may bill only for services in the amount and frequency that is authorized in the plan of care. As detailed in the Medicaid Program provider contract, providers may bill only after services are provided.

NOTE: Plans of care are updated annually by the DHS RN and sent to the assisted living provider prior to the expiration of the current plan of care. However, the provider has the responsibility for monitoring the plan of care expiration date and ensuring that services are delivered according to a valid plan of care. At least thirty (30) and no more than forty-five (45) days before the expiration of each plan of care, the provider shall notify the DHS RN via email and copy the RN supervisor of the plan of care expiration date.

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

C. The assisted living provider employs or contracts with a Registered Nurse (the "assisted living provider RN") who implements and coordinates plans of care, supervises nursing and direct care staff and monitors beneficiaries' status. At least once every three (3) months, the assisted living provider RN must evaluate each Living Choices beneficiary.
D. The DHS RN must evaluate a beneficiary's medical condition within fourteen days of being notified of any significant change in the beneficiary's condition. The assisted living RN is responsible for immediately notifying the DHS RN regarding beneficiaries whose status or condition has changed and who need evaluation.

REVISIONS TO A BENEFICIARY PLAN OF CARE MAY ONLY BE MADE BY THE DHS RN.

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

E. An individual may be served in a Level II Assisted Living Facility under a provisional plan of care developed by the beneficiary and the DHS RN and signed by the beneficiary or the beneficiary's representative and the DHS RN, if the beneficiary and the provider accept the risk of possible ineligibility.
1. A provisional plan of care may be effective for no more than sixty (60) days.
2. If approved by the Division of County Operations, eligibility for the program will be determined as the latter of the date of application for the program, the date of admission to the assisted living facility or the date the provisional plan of care is signed by the DHS RN and the beneficiary, and a plan of care will be sent to the provider.

NOTE: No provisional plans of care will be developed if the waiting list process is in effect.

212.200Periodic Nursing Evaluations

The assisted living provider RN must evaluate each Living Choices Program beneficiary at least every three (3) months, more often if necessary. The assisted living provider RN must alert the DHS RN to any indication that a beneficiary's direct care services needs are changing or have changed, so that the DHS RN can reevaluate the individual.

Each Living Choices beneficiary will be evaluated at least annually by a DHS RN. The DHS RN evaluates the resident to determine whether a nursing home intermediate level of care is still appropriate and whether the plan of care should continue unchanged or be revised. Evaluations and subsequent plan of care revisions must be made within fourteen (14) days of any significant change in the beneficiary's status.

Section II

Personal Care

214.300Authorization of ARChoices Person Centered Service Plan and Personal Care Individual Service Plan

The DHS RN is responsible for developing an ARChoices Person-Centered Service Plan (PCSP) that includes both waiver and non-waiver services. Once developed, the PCSP is signed by the DHS RN authorizing the services listed.

The signed ARChoices PCSP will suffice as the "Personal Care Authorization" for services required in the Personal Care Program. The personal care individualized service plan, developed by the Personal Care provider, is still required.

The ARChoices PCSP is effective for one (1) year from the date of the beneficiary's most recent assessment, reassessment, or evaluation. The authorization for personal care services, when included on the ARChoices PCSP, will be for one (1) year from the date of the beneficiary's most recent assessment, reassessment, or evaluation unless revised by the DHS RN or the personal care individualized service plan needs to be revised, whichever occurs first.

NOTE: For ARChoices beneficiaries who receive personal care through traditional agency services or have chosen to receive their personal care services through the Independent Choices Program, the ARChoices PCSP, signed by a DHS RN, will serve as the authorization for personal care services for one year from the date of the beneficiary's most recent assessment, reassessment, or evaluation as described above.

The responsibility of developing a personal care individualized service plan is not placed with the DHS 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 individualized service plan authorizations obtained by DHS RNs.

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Appendix A: Waiver Administration and Operation

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Appendix B: Participant Access and Eligibility

B-1:Specification of the Waiver Target Group(s)

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Appendix B: Participant Access and Eligibility

B-2:Individual Cost Limit (1 of 2)

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Appendix B: Participant Access and Eligibility

B-3:Number of Individuals Served (1 of 4)

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Appendix B: Participant Access and Eligibility

B-4:Eligibility Groups Served in the Waiver

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Appendix B: Participant Access and Eligibility

B-5:Post-Eligibility Treatment of Income (1 of 7)

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Appendix B: Participant Access and Eligibility

B-6:Evaluation/Reevaluation of Level of Care

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Appendix B: Participant Access and Eligibility

B-7:Freedom of Choice

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Appendix B: Participant Access and Eligibility

B-8:Access to Services by Limited English Proficiency Persons

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Appendix C: Participant Services

C-1:Summary of Services Covered (1 of 2)

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Appendix C: Participant Services

C-1/C-3: Service Specification

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Appendix C: Participant Services

C-1/C-3: Provider Specifications for Service

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Appendix C: Participant Services

C-1/C-3: Service Specification

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Appendix C: Participant Services

C-2:General Service Specifications (1 of 3)

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Appendix C: Participant Services

Quality Improvement: Qualified Providers

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Appendix C: Participant Services

C-3:Waiver Services Specifications

Section C-3 'Service Specifications' is incorporated into Section C-1 'Waiver Services.'

Appendix C: Participant Services

C-4:Additional Limits on Amount of Waiver Services

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Appendix C: Participant Services

C-5:Home and Community-Based Settings

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Appendix D: Participant-Centered Planning and Service Delivery

D-1:Service Plan Development (2 of 8)

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Appendix D: Participant-Centered Planning and Service Delivery

D-2:Service Plan Implementation and Monitoring

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Appendix E: Participant Direction of Services

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Appendix E: Participant Direction of Services

E-1:Overview (1 of 13)

Answers provided in Appendix E-0 indicate that you do not need to submit Appendix E.

Appendix E: Participant Direction of Services

E-1:Overview (2 of 13)

Answers provided in Appendix E-0 indicate that you do not need to submit Appendix E.

Appendix E: Participant Direction of Services

E-1:Overview (3 of 13)

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Appendix E: Participant Direction of Services

E-1:Overview (4 of 13)

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Appendix E: Participant Direction of Services

E-1:Overview (5 of 13)

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Appendix E: Participant Direction of Services

E-1:Overview (6 of 13)

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Appendix E: Participant Direction of Services

E-1:Overview (7 of 13)

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Appendix E: Participant Direction of Services

E-1:Overview (8 of 13)

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Appendix E: Participant Direction of Services

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Appendix E: Participant Direction of Services

E-1:Overview (10 of 13)

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Appendix E: Participant Direction of Services

E-1:Overview (11 of 13)

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Appendix E: Participant Direction of Services

E-1:Overview (12 of 13)

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Appendix E: Participant Direction of Services

E-1:Overview (13 of 13)

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Appendix E: Participant Direction of Services

E-2:Opportunities for Participant Direction (1 of 6)

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Appendix E: Participant Direction of Services

E-2:Opportunities for Participant-Direction (2 of 6)

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Appendix E: Participant Direction of Services

E-2:Opportunities for Participant-Direction (3 of 6)

Answers provided in Appendix E-0 indicate that you do not need to submit Appendix E.

Appendix E: Participant Direction of Services

E-2:Opportunities for Participant-Direction (4 of 6)

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Appendix E: Participant Direction of Services

E-2:Opportunities for Participant-Direction (5 of 6)

Answers provided in Appendix E-0 indicate that you do not need to submit Appendix E.

Appendix E: Participant Direction of Services

Answers provided in Appendix E-0 indicate that you do not need to submit Appendix E.

Appendix F: Participant Rights

Appendix F-1: Opportunity to Request a Fair Hearing

The state provides an opportunity to request a Fair Hearing under 42 CFR Part 431, Subpart E to individuals:

(a) who are not given the choice of home and community-based services as an alternative to the institutional care specified in Item 1-F of the request;
(b) are denied the service(s) of their choice or the provider(s) of their choice; or,
(c) whose services are denied, suspended, reduced or terminated. The state provides notice of action as required in 42 CFR § 431.210.

Procedures for Offering Opportunity to Request a Fair Hearing. Describe how the individual (or his/her legal representative) is informed of the opportunity to request a fair hearing under 42 CFR Part 431, Subpart E. Specify the notice(s) that are used to offer individuals the opportunity to request a Fair Hearing. State laws, regulations, policies and notices referenced in the description are available to CMS upon request through the operating or Medicaid agency.

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Appendix F: Participant-Rights

Appendix F-2: Additional Dispute Resolution Process

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Appendix F: Participant-Rights

Appendix F-3: State Grievance/Complaint System

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Appendix G: Participant Safeguards

Appendix G-1: Response to Critical Events or Incidents

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Appendix G: Participant Safeguards

Appendix G-2: Safeguards Concerning Restraints and Restrictive Interventions (1 of 3)

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Appendix G: Participant Safeguards

Appendix G-3: Medication Management and Administration (1 of 2)

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Appendix H: Quality Improvement Strategy (1 of 3)

Under §1915(c) of the Social Security Act and 42 CFR § 441.302, the approval of an HCBS waiver requires that CMS determine that the state has made satisfactory assurances concerning the protection of participant health and welfare, financial accountability and other elements of waiver operations. Renewal of an existing waiver is contingent upon review by CMS and a finding by CMS that the assurances have been met. By completing the HCBS waiver application, the state specifies how it has designed the waiver's critical processes, structures and operational features in order to meet these assurances.

* Quality Improvement is a critical operational feature that an organization employs to continually determine whether it operates in accordance with the approved design of its program, meets statutory and regulatory assurances and requirements, achieves desired outcomes, and identifies opportunities for improvement.

CMS recognizes that a state's waiver Quality Improvement Strategy may vary depending on the nature of the waiver target population, the services offered, and the waiver's relationship to other public programs, and will extend beyond regulatory requirements. However, for the purpose of this application, the state is expected to have, at the minimum, systems in place to measure and improve its own performance in meeting six specific waiver assurances and requirements.

It may be more efficient and effective for a Quality Improvement Strategy to span multiple waivers and other long-term care services. CMS recognizes the value of this approach and will ask the state to identify other waiver programs and long-term care services that are addressed in the Quality Improvement Strategy.

Quality Improvement Strategy: Minimum Components

The Quality Improvement Strategy that will be in effect during the period of the approved waiver is described throughout the waiver in the appendices corresponding to the statutory assurances and sub-assurances. Other documents cited must be available to CMS upon request through the Medicaid agency or the operating agency (if appropriate).

In the QIS discovery and remediation sections throughout the application (located in Appendices A, B, C, D, G, and I), a state spells out:

* The evidence based discovery activities that will be conducted for each of the six major waiver assurances; and

* The remediation activities followed to correct individual problems identified in the implementation of each of the assurances.

In Appendix H of the application, a state describes (1) the system improvement activities followed in response to aggregated, analyzed discovery and remediation information collected on each of the assurances; (2) the correspondent roles/responsibilities of those conducting assessing and prioritizing improving system corrections and improvements; and (3) the processes the state will follow to continuously assess the effectiveness of the OIS and revise it as necessary and appropriate.

If the state's Quality Improvement Strategy is not fully developed at the time the waiver application is submitted, the state may provide a work plan to fully develop its Quality Improvement Strategy, including the specific tasks the state plans to undertake during the period the waiver is in effect, the major milestones associated with these tasks, and the entity (or entities) responsible for the completion of these tasks.

When the Quality Improvement Strategy spans more than one waiver and/or other types of long-term care services under the Medicaid state plan, specify the control numbers for the other waiver programs and/or identify the other long-term services that are addressed in the Quality Improvement Strategy. In instances when the QIS spans more than one waiver, the state must be able to stratify information that is related to each approved waiver program. Unless the state has requested and received approval from CMS for the consolidation of multiple waivers for the purpose of reporting, then the state must stratify information that is related to each approved waiver program, i.e., employ a representative sample for each waiver.

Appendix H: Quality Improvement Strategy (2 of 3)

H-1: Systems Improvement

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Appendix H: Quality Improvement Strategy (3 of 3)

H-2:Use of a Patient Experience of Care/Quality of Life Survey

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Appendix I: Financial Accountability

I-1: Financial Integrity and Accountability

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Appendix I: Financial Accountability

I-2: Rates, Billing and Claims (1 of 3)

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Appendix I: Financial Accountability

I-3: Payment (1 of 7)

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Appendix I: Financial Accountability

I-4: Non-Federal Matching Funds (1 of 3)

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Appendix I: Financial Accountability

I-5: Exclusion of Medicaid Payment for Room and Board

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Appendix I: Financial Accountability

I-6: Payment for Rent and Food Expenses of an Unrelated Live-In Caregiver

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Appendix I: Financial Accountability

I-7: Participant Co-Payments for Waiver Services and Other Cost Sharing (1 of 5)

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Appendix J: Cost Neutrality Demonstration

J-1: Composite Overview and Demonstration of Cost-Neutrality Formula

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Appendix J: Cost Neutrality Demonstration

J-2: Derivation of Estimates (1 of 9)

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Appendix A: Waiver Administration and Operation

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Appendix B: Participant Access and Eligibility

B-1:Specification of the Waiver Target Group(s)

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Appendix B: Participant Access and Eligibility

B-2:Individual Cost Limit (1 of 2)

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Appendix B: Participant Access and Eligibility

B-3:Number of Individuals Served (1 of 4)

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Appendix B: Participant Access and Eligibility

B-4:Eligibility Groups Served in the Waiver

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Appendix B: Participant Access and Eligibility

B-5:Post-Eligibility Treatment of Income (1 of 7)

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Appendix B: Participant Access and Eligibility

B-6:Evaluation/Reevaluation of Level of Care

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Appendix B: Participant Access and Eligibility

B-7:Freedom of Choice

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Appendix B: Participant Access and Eligibility

B-8:Access to Services by Limited English Proficiency Persons

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Appendix C: Participant Services

C-1:Summary of Services Covered (1 of 2)

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Appendix C: Participant Services

C-1/C-3: Service Specification

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Appendix C: Participant Services

C-3:Waiver Services Specifications

Section C-3 'Service Specifications' is incorporated into Section C-1 'Waiver Services.'

Appendix C: Participant Services

C-4:Additional Limits on Amount of Waiver Services

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Appendix C: Participant Services

C-5:Home and Community-Based Settings

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Appendix D: Participant-Centered Planning and Service Delivery.

D-1:Service Plan Development (1 of 8)

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Appendix D: Participant-Centered Planning and Service Delivery

D-2:Service Plan Implementation and Monitoring

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Appendix E: Participant Direction of Services

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Appendix E: Participant Direction of Services

E-1:Overview (1 of 13)

Answers provided in Appendix E-0 indicate that you do not need to submit Appendix E.

Appendix E: Participant Direction of Services

E-1:Overview (2 of 13)

Answers provided in Appendix E-0 indicate that you do not need to submit Appendix E.

Appendix E: Participant Direction of Services

E-1:Overview (3 of 13)

Answers provided in Appendix E-0 indicate that you do not need to submit Appendix E.

Appendix E: Participant Direction of Services

E-1:Overview (4 of 13)

Answers provided in Appendix E-0 indicate that you do not need to submit Appendix E.

Appendix E: Participant Direction of Services

E-1:Overview (5 of 13)

Answers provided in Appendix E-0 indicate that you do not need to submit Appendix E.

Appendix E: Participant Direction of Services

E-1:Overview (6 of 13)

Answers provided in Appendix E-0 indicate that you do not need to submit Appendix E.

Appendix E: Participant Direction of Services

E-1:Overview (7 of 13)

Answers provided in Appendix E-0 indicate that you do not need to submit Appendix E.

Appendix E: Participant Direction of Services

E-1:Overview (8 of 13)

Answers provided in Appendix E-0 indicate that you do not need to submit Appendix E.

Appendix E: Participant Direction of Services

Answers provided in Appendix E-0 indicate that you do not need to submit Appendix E.

Appendix E: Participant Direction of Services

E-1:Overview (10 of 13)

Answers provided in Appendix E-0 indicate that you do not need to submit Appendix E.

Appendix E: Participant Direction of Services

E-1:Overview (11 of 13)

Answers provided in Appendix E-0 indicate that you do not need to submit Appendix E.

Appendix E: Participant Direction of Services

E-1:Overview (12 of 13)

Answers provided in Appendix E-0 indicate that you do not need to submit Appendix E.

Appendix E: Participant Direction of Services

E-1:Overview (13 of 13)

Answers provided in Appendix E-0 indicate that you do not need to submit Appendix E.

Appendix E: Participant Direction of Services

E-2:Opportunities for Participant Direction (1 of 6)

Answers provided in Appendix E-0 indicate that you do not need to submit Appendix E.

Appendix E: Participant Direction of Services

E-2:Opportunities for Participant-Direction (2 of 6)

Answers provided in Appendix E-0 indicate that you do not need to submit Appendix E.

Appendix E: Participant Direction of Services

E-2:Opportunities for Participant-Direction (3 of 6)

Answers provided in Appendix E-0 indicate that you do not need to submit Appendix E.

Appendix E: Participant Direction of Services

E-2:Opportunities for Participant-Direction (4 of 6)

Answers provided in Appendix E-0 indicate that you do not need to submit Appendix E.

Appendix E: Participant Direction of Services

E-2:Opportunities for Participant-Direction (5 of 6)

Answers provided in Appendix E-0 indicate that you do not need to submit Appendix E.

Appendix E: Participant Direction of Services

Answers provided in Appendix E-0 indicate that you do not need to submit Appendix E.

Appendix F: Participant Rights

Appendix F-1: Opportunity to Request a Fair Hearing

The state provides an opportunity to request a Fair Hearing under 42 CFR Part 431, Subpart E to individuals:

(a) who are not given the choice of home and community-based services as an alternative to the institutional care specified in Item 1-F of the request; (b) are denied the service(s) of their choice or the provider(s) of their choice; or, (c) whose services are denied, suspended, reduced or terminated. The state provides notice of action as required in 42 CFR § 431.210.

Procedures for Offering Opportunity to Request a Fair Hearing. Describe how the individual (or his/her legal representative) is informed of the opportunity to request a fair hearing under 42 CFR Part 431, Subpart E. Specify the notice(s) that are used to offer individuals the opportunity to request a Fair Hearing. State laws, regulations, policies and notices referenced in the description are available to CMS upon request through the operating or Medicaid agency.

Appeals are the responsibility of the Department of Human Services Appeals and Hearings section. Waiver applicants are advised on the DCO-707 (Notice of Action) or the system-generated Notice of Action by the County Office of their right to request a fair hearing when adverse action is taken to deny, suspend or terminate eligibility for Living Choices. The notice is issued by the LTSS caseworker, and explains the participant's right to a fair hearing, how to file for a hearing and the participant's right to representation. Notices of adverse actions and the opportunity to request a fair hearing are kept in the participant's case record. Applicants must make their request for an appeal no later than 30 days from the date on the DCO-707.

The DCO-707 Notice of Action is kept in the participant's county office case record. If the DCO-707 is a request for information only, the form may be discarded when all the needed information is received. If the information requested is not received, the form may be discarded five years from the month of origin. Otherwise, the DCO-700 will be retained for five years from the date of last approval, closure or denial.

Participants also have the right to appeal if they disagree with a revision to their service plan, which reduces or terminates services, while their eligibility remains active. Information regarding hearings and appeals is included with the participant's service plan. The DHS Appeals and Hearings section is also responsible for these types of appeals. Requests for appeals must be received by the DHS Appeals and Hearings section no later than 30 days from the business day following the postmark on the envelope with the service plan that contains a revision which the participant wishes to appeal.

Living Choices participants have the option of continuing Medicaid eligibility and services during the appeal process. They are informed of their options when notified by the DHS county office of the pending adverse action. If the findings of the appeal are not in the participant's favor, and the participant has elected the continuation of benefits, the participant is liable for payment to the provider. If Medicaid has paid the provider, DHS will consider the services that were provided during the period of ineligibility a Medicaid overpayment and will seek reimbursement from the participant.

Participants have the right to appeal if they were not provided a choice in institutional care or waiver services, or a choice of providers.

The assisted living facility and the Department of Human Services county office inform the participant of their potential payment liability if a participant has been denied eligibility for the program and if an appeal of a denial is not in the participant's favor.

During the person centered service plan development process, the DHS RN explains these rights to the participant, family member or representative. Signatures on the service plan verify that the choice between waiver services or institutional care was exercised. Also, during this process, participants choose a provider from a list provided by the DHS RN. Choices of provider are documented on the Freedom of Choice form, and the participant signs the list of providers showing that the choice was made. During the development of the person centered service plan, if no change in provider is requested, the provider list is not signed by the participant.

Appendix F: Participant-Rights

Appendix F-2: Additional Dispute Resolution Process

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Appendix F: Participant-Rights

Appendix F-3: State Grievance/Complaint System

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Appendix G: Participant Safeguards

Appendix G-1: Response to Critical Events or Incidents

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Appendix G: Participant Safeguards

Appendix G-2: Safeguards Concerning Restraints and Restrictive Interventions (1 of3)

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Appendix G: Participant Safeguards

Appendix G-3: Medication Management and Administration (1 of 2)

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Appendix H: Quality Improvement Strategy (1 of 3)

Under §1915(c) of the Social Security Act and 42 CFR § 441.302, the approval of an HCBS waiver requires that CMS determine that the state has made satisfactory assurances concerning the protection of participant health and welfare, financial accountability and other elements of waiver operations. Renewal of an existing waiver is contingent upon review by CMS and a finding by CMS that the assurances have been met. By completing the HCBS waiver application, the state specifies how it has designed the waiver's critical processes, structures and operational features in order to meet these assurances.

* Quality I mprovement is a critical operational feature that an organization employs to continually determine whether it operates in accordance with the approved design of its program, meets statutory and regulatory assurances and requirements, achieves desired outcomes, and identifies opportunities for improvement.

CMS recognizes that a state's waiver Quality Improvement Strategy may vary depending on the nature of the waiver target population, the services offered, and the waiver's relationship to other public programs, and will extend beyond regulatory requirements. However, for the purpose of this application, the state is expected to have, at the minimum, systems in place to measure and improve its own performance in meeting six specific waiver assurances and requirements.

It may be more efficient and effective for a Quality Improvement Strategy to span multiple waivers and other long-term care services. CMS recognizes the value of this approach and will ask the state to identify other waiver programs and long-term care services that are addressed in the Quality Improvement Strategy.

Quality Improvement Strategy: Minimum Components

The Quality Improvement Strategy that will be in effect during the period of the approved waiver is described throughout the waiver in the appendices corresponding to the statutory assurances and sub-assurances. Other documents cited must be available to CMS upon request through the Medicaid agency or the operating agency (if appropriate).

In the QIS discovery and remediation sections throughout the application (located in Appendices A, B, C, D, G, and I), a state spells out:

* The evidence based discovery activities that will be conducted for each of the six major waiver assurances; and

* The remediation activities followed to correct individual problems identified in the implementation of each of the assurances.

In Appendix H of the application, a state describes (1) the system improvement activities followed in response to aggregated, analyzed discovery and remediation information collected on each of the assurances; (2) the correspondent roles/responsibilities of those conducting assessing and prioritizing improving system corrections and improvements; and (3) the processes the state will follow to continuously assess the effectiveness of the OIS and revise it as necessary and appropriate.

If the state's Quality Improvement Strategy is not fully developed at the time the waiver application is submitted, the state may provide a work plan to fully develop its Quality Improvement Strategy, including the specific tasks the state plans to undertake during the period the waiver is in effect, the major milestones associated with these tasks, and the entity (or entities) responsible for the completion of these tasks.

When the Quality Improvement Strategy spans more than one waiver and/or other types of long-term care services under the Medicaid state plan, specify the control numbers for the other waiver programs and/or identify the other long-term services that are addressed in the Quality Improvement Strategy. In instances when the QIS spans more than one waiver, the state must be able to stratify information that is related to each approved waiver program. Unless the state has requested and received approval from CMS for the consolidation of multiple waivers for the purpose of reporting, then the state must stratify information that is related to each approved waiver program, i.e., employ a representative sample for each waiver.

Appendix H: Quality Improvement Strategy (2 of 3)

H-1:Systems Improvement

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Appendix H: Quality Improvement Strategy (3 of 3)

H-2:Use of a Patient Experience of Care/Quality of Life Survey

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Appendix I: Financial Accountability

I-1: Financial Integrity and Accountability

Financial Integrity. Describe the methods that are employed to ensure the integrity of payments that have been made for waiver services, including:

(a)requirements concerning the independent audit of provider agencies;
(b)the financial audit program that the state conducts to ensure the integrity of provider billings for Medicaid payment of waiver services, including the methods, scope and frequency of audits; and,
(c)the agency (or agencies) responsible for conducting the financial audit program. State laws, regulations, and policies referenced in the description are available to CMS upon request through the Medicaid agency or the operating agency (if applicable).

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Appendix I: Financial Accountability

I-2: Rates, Billing and Claims (1 of 3)

a.Rate Determination Methods.In two pages or less, describe the methods that are employed to establish provider payment rates for waiver services and the entity or entities that are responsible for rate determination. Indicate any opportunity for public comment in the process. If different methods are employed for various types of services, the description may group services for which the same method is employed. State laws, regulations, and policies referenced in the description are available upon request to CMS through the Medicaid agency or the operating agency (if applicable).

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Appendix I: Financial Accountability I-3: Payment (2 of 7)

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Appendix I: Financial Accountability

I-4: Non-Federal Matching Funds (1 of 3)

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Appendix I: Financial Accountability

I-5: Exclusion of Medicaid Payment for Room and Board

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Appendix I: Financial Accountability

I-6: Payment for Rent and Food Expenses of an Unrelated Live-In Caregiver

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Appendix I: Financial Accountability

I-7: Participant Co-Payments for Waiver Services and Other Cost Sharing (1 of 5)

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Appendix I: Financial Accountability

I-7: Participant Co-Payments for Waiver Services and Other Cost Sharing (2 of 5)

a.Co-Payment Requirements.
ii.Participants Subject to Co-pay Charges for Waiver Services.

Answers provided in Appendix I-7-a indicate that you do not need to complete this section.

Appendix I: Financial Accountability

I-7: Participant Co-Payments for Waiver Services and Other Cost Sharing (3 of 5)

a.Co-Payment Requirements.
iii.Amount of Co-Pay Charges for Waiver Services.

Answers provided in Appendix I-7-a indicate that you do not need to complete this section.

Appendix I: Financial Accountability

I-7: Participant Co-Payments for Waiver Services and Other Cost Sharing (4 of 5)

a.Co-Payment Requirements.
iv.Cumulative Maximum Charges.

Answers provided in Appendix I-7-a indicate that you do not need to complete this section.

Appendix I: Financial Accountability

I-7: Participant Co-Payments for Waiver Services and Other Cost Sharing (5 of 5)

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Appendix J: Cost Neutrality Demonstration

J-1: Composite Overview and Demonstration of Cost-Neutrality Formula

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Appendix J: Cost Neutrality Demonstration

J-2: Derivation of Estimates (1 of 9)

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Medical Services Policy Manual, Section C

C-200Alternative Application Processes
C-265PACE Disenrollment

MS Manual 01/01/21

Participants may voluntarily disenroll from the PACE program at any time for any reason.

Participants may be involuntarily disenrolled due to:

1. The participant's failure to pay if he/she has a payment responsibility
2. The participant's disruptive or threatening behavior
3. The participant moving out of the PACE service delivery area
4. The participant no longer meeting the nursing facility Level of Care requirement
5. The participant's death
6. The PACE organization cannot provide the required services due to loss of licensure or contracts with outside providers
7. A PACE program agreement is not renewed

The PACE Organization may appeal an adverse decision to the Division of Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health Services (DAABHS). If a timely appeal is received on or before the effective date of the action, the petitioner's case will remain open and benefits will continue until the hearing decision. If the petitioner wishes not to continue benefits until the hearing decision, they must opt out.

Medical Services Policy Manual, Section I

I-600Changes
I-630ARChoices Waiver

MS Manual 01/01/21

Recipients will be advised to report any changes in the amount of household income or resources.

If at any time the Division of Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health Services (DAABHS) or Division of Provider Services and Quality Assurance (DPSQA) Office of Long Term Care (OLTC) determines that cost effectiveness is not met, that the client no longer meets the requirements for Intermediate Level of Care, or that the client is no longer receiving Waiver services, the County Office will be notified, and the Waiver case will be closed. If the Waiver case is closed for any reason, the eligibility worker will determine if the client is eligible for any other Medicaid category. If eligible in another category, the recipient can be certified in that category without requiring a new application.

If the ARChoices Waiver client loses eligibility for one month only, the case may remain open with an overpayment submitted for the month of ineligibility. When the County has advance knowledge of ineligibility in a future month (e.g., land rent paid annually), procedures at MS E-410 will be followed, advance notice given, and the case adjusted.

If the Waiver client will be ineligible for more than one month, the case will be closed and a new application will be required.

A Waiver client may appeal an adverse decision made on his/her case as outlined in MS L 100-173 of the Medical Services Policy manual. If a timely appeal is received on or before the effective date of the action, the petitioner's case will remain open and benefits will continue until the hearing decision. If the petitioner wishes not to continue benefits until the hearing decision, they must opt out.

I-641Temporary Absences from the Assisted Living Facility
I-640Assisted Living Facility (ALF)

MS Manual 01/01/21

ALF Waiver recipients will be advised to report any changes in income or resources to the DHS County Office. If at any time the Division of Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health Services (DAABHS) or the Office of Long Term Care determines that cost effectiveness is not met or that the client no longer meets the requirements for an Intermediate Level of Care, the County Office will be notified and the ALF case will be closed. If the case is closed for any reason, the eligibility worker will determine if the client is eligible in any other Medicaid category. If eligible in another category, the recipient can be certified in that category without requiring a new application.

If the ALF Waiver client loses eligibility for one month only, the case may remain open with an overpayment submitted for the month of ineligibility. When the County has advance knowledge of ineligibility in a future month, procedures at MS E-410 will be followed, advance notice given, and the case adjusted at the appropriate time.

If the ALF recipient will be ineligible for more than one month, the case will be closed and a new application will be required to reopen.

An ALF Waiver recipient may appeal an adverse decision made on his/her case as outlined in MS Section L. If a timely appeal is received on or before the effective date of the action, the petitioner's case will remain open and benefits will continue until the hearing decision. If the petitioner wishes not to continue benefits until the hearing decision, they must opt out.

L-120Continuation of Assistance or Services during Appeal Process

MS Manual 01/01/2021

In cases where an adverse action is taken against a beneficiary who qualifies for an institutional level of care (e.g. ARChoices, Living Choices, TEFRA, Autism, PACE, CES/DD, Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IID) and LTC/nursing home), if a timely appeal is received on or before the effective date of the action, the petitioner's case will remain open and benefits will continue until the hearing decision. If the petitioner wishes not to continue benefits pending the hearing decision, they must opt out.

In all other cases, if a petitioner files an appeal for a hearing within the ten (10) day notice period, or five (5) days in the case of probable fraud, the case will remain open at the petitioner's request until the hearing decision. Otherwise, benefits will NOT continue.

At the conclusion of the hearing, the hearing official will decide whether the case should be closed or services reduced prior to the rendering of the hearing decision. The criteria for determining whether adverse action is taken prior to the rendering of the hearing decision will be based on whether or not a fact or judgment situation exists. If it is determined that the sole issue is one of state or federal law or policy, the proposed action will be taken.

Examples of issues of fact:

* Verified earned or unearned income which caused net income to be in excess of the maximum income limitations.

* Protest of Agency Policy-The recipient agrees that his income or resources exceed the limitation but feels that the policy imposing these limitations is unreasonable.

If the sole issue is one of judgment relating to a state or federal law or policy, no adverse action is taken prior to the hearing decision.

Examples of judgment are:

* Disability in MRT cases.

* Value of real or personal property.

The petitioner will be advised at the beginning of the hearing that a decision will be made at the conclusion of the hearing regarding whether the benefits will be reduced or terminated prior to the rendering of the hearing decision. If the decision by the hearing official is to reduce or terminate benefits, a Notice of Action will be prepared by DCO and mailed for immediate action. This Notice is not an additional appealable adverse action as it is simply an affirmation of the agency's original action.

If a subsequent change in the petitioner's open case occurs that results in adverse action while the hearing decision is pending and the petitioner does not timely appeal that new adverse action, the change will occur on the date specified in the notice.

016.27.20 Ark. Code R. 020

Adopted by Arkansas Register Volume MMXXI Number 01, Effective 12/28/2020