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This notification updates guidance regarding COVID-19 flexibilities previously issued via a MHD Hot Tip on April 17, 2020 and the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) COVID-19 HCBS Provider Information page. The changes listed here reinstate various oversight measures and programmatic practices intended to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of participants.
Per the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) approval, the following amendments will be implemented:
Effective February 1, 2023:
- All services/tasks must be prior authorized. Billing codes established for use outside of the prior authorizations shall not be used for services delivered on or after February 1, 2023.
- Telehealth service delivery is no longer permitted. This includes telephone checks, service delivery and authorized nurse visits.
- Non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) shall return to pre-COVID practices.
Effective April 1, 2023
- Family members shall no longer be hired as an attendant to deliver agency model services. The additional transition period has been granted to ensure participants and providers have adequate time to transition participants utilizing this flexibility to a new attendant. All participants should be transitioned to their new attendant no later than April 1, 2023.
The DHSS COVID-19 HCBS Provider Information page has been updated to reflect these amendments. Please visit the page for additional guidance and details.