Got a question on Waiver and you need an answer directly from DDS?  Here's a new forum for doing just that.  All answers on this page are provided, verbatim, by DDS.  Simply click on the email link below and enter your question.  DDS will respond to you individually and, where appropriate,  on this page within a couple days.  Families, guardians and waiver recipients are encouraged to participate. Questions and answers quoted on this page WILL NOT include your name, email address or other identifying information. Nor will your provider be identified.

Once questions & answers have been included in a formal Update, they will be removed from this page. Click on UPDATES at the top of this page for Q & A's prior to July 1, 2008.

This forum is for Waiver and Waiver related issues only. Questions on other DDS programs should be directed to that section within DDS. Please respect individual/client confidentiality as you phrase your question.

TO ASK A QUESTION, CLICK HERE

(NOTE: The above is a direct email to DDS. AWA does not get a copy.)

If you have an idea to make this page more useful to you, email your suggestions to webmaster@arkansaswaiver.com    Notices of new questions/answers will be posted to AWA's list serve AR-AWA (to subscribe to AR-AWA send an email to AR-AWA-Subscribe@Yahoogroups.com )

Questions and Answers

August 20. 2008

QUESTION: How long does it take to get approved for Medicaid Waiver? My daughter has been on a waiting list for almost two years. She is wanting to move to a group home, but is unable to because she does not have Medicaid Waiver. Isn't there a new law that people must be approved within two years?

RESPONSE: We are aware of no new law or no set time for individuals to be approved and begin receiving Waiver services. Movement from the wait list depends upon having a vacancy and general revenue to fund new positions. You or your daughter can call 501/683-0571 to get an update on her status on the waiting list. Group home admission depends on rules in place by the Group home as they are privately owned homes and admission criteria may include having funding from some source (like the Waiver) in order to care for the person.

August 18, 2008

Question: Who is responsible for getting estimates/bids for environmental supports such as bathroom rehab/remodels?

Answer: The Waiver Document defines Case Management as "Services which will assist individuals who receive waiver services in gaining access to needed waiver and other State plan services, as well as needed medical, social, educational and other services, regardless of the funding source for the services to which access is gained." Based on this definition, it is the Case Manager's responsibility. This includes getting estimates/bids which are to be independent of each other. It may be that the individual/parent/guardian, etc. gets all bids, etc. to the Case Manager but it is important that the Case Manager does not require them to do so. Certainly both parties can collaborate as needed for this or any other service request.

July 14, 2008

Question: Will waiver pay the registration for a participant to attend the AWA conference? Will waiver pay for the hotel expense for the participant to attend the AWA conference?

Answer: Yes to both questions, if the services were approved in the plan. Registration and hotel expense would fall under supplemental supports. So the answer is that Supplemental Supports would be the service to ask for. Regulations covering Supplemental Supports are in sections 222.000, 222.100 and 222.200 of the Medicaid Provider Manual for the waiver.