HB 144 Meeting 9/8/16

I will forward you the official minutes when I get them, but a large focus of today’s commission meeting (chaired by Dep. Secretary Feeley) was regarding Final Rule, Waiver updates and eligibility issues with Benefind.

Notable:

• Lynne Flynn announced Debbie Anderson’s new dual role as DAIL Commissioner and Director of Community Alternatives branch.
• Stated that Anderson was looking at streamlining the waiver processes.  Some favor the Super Waiver idea, revisited from over a decade ago…that is ONE idea.  Many ideas will be considered with a LOT of stakeholder input.
• In talking about the final rule, CMS has now instructed DMS to submit documentation for heightened scrutiny on the sites they feel DO meet criteria.  CMS would then validate that the sites submitted are indeed home and community based.  The ones the state are unsure about…CMS has instructed them to either work to get the sites into compliance or determine them NOT to be Home and Community Based.  This is confusing, I know…even in talking to Lynne after the meeting, she seemed frustrated by it.  I urge you to attend or participate in one of the upcoming stakeholder workshops (9/23 or 9/30.)  
• Benefind eligibility was a huge topic.  Commission member ,representing KAPP, Brandon Griffith expressed the plight of participants and providers struggling with ineligibility and non-payment issues, including being inappropriately assigned to MCO’s.
• During public comment, Johnny Callebs addressed the Commission, praising the Cabinet for making leadership changes in DMS, particularly in the appointment of Debbie Anderson to her new role.  He thanked and acknowledged her for listening to providers and working to alleviate administrative burden as well as committing to fix the fundamentally flawed SCL waiver.