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AVAILABILITY OF IN HOME SERVICES FOR KIDS!
A reminder from Maryland Developmental Law Center (MDLC) about AVAILABILITY OF IN HOME SERVICES for kids! Children who receive Medicaid services (includes REM, DD Waiver Services, Autism Waiver, Katie Beckett Waiver (also known as Model Waiver for Disabled Children), Children's Health Insurance Program (MCHP), and general Medicaid) are entitled to certain services. These types of services must be provided if they are medically necessary; no waiting lists can be maintained. Two in home services that appear to have been under-utilized are in home one to one behavioral supports and in home personal care assistance. ONE TO ONE IN HOME BEHAVIORAL SUPPORTS Requirements Children or adults under 21 years old with developmental disabilities and/or serious emotional disturbance Benefits Can Include: Development of a behavior management plan Provision of One to One In Home Behavioral Aide Services There is no limit on the number of hours per day for services that can be requested; however the hours requested must be shown to be "medically necessary." Criteria for defining this need are currently being developed by DHMH; however, MDLC has identified "likely criteria," and listed them in the attached sample referral letter. How to Apply Any Maryland "licensed professional of the healing arts" (doctor, psychologist, social worker, nurse, counselor) can make a referral for a child s/he is treating. The referral must state that the child needs the one to one aide (and/or the development of a behavior management plan), specify the child's diagnoses, provide the history of treatment and placements, describe the child's difficult behaviors, and state that the aide is necessary to assist the family manage the child's behaviors in the home. The referral should indicate if the child is at risk of requiring an out-of-home residential placement without this service. The referral should be made by phone to Maryland Health Partners at 1-800-888-1965 and followed up with a written referral. MDLC has written a sample written referral that has resulted in services being provided (see attached). IDENTIFICATION OF PROVIDERS To MDLC's knowledge, only Developmental Services Group (DSG), now called Humanim, currently is providing these services. Other agencies are eligible to become providers (i.e. DDA licensed providers, Mental Health Psychiatric Rehabilitation Programs (PRPs), outpatient mental health providers and respite providers). If an agency or individual is interested in becoming a provider, they can contact Mariellen North, Ph.D., at MHP, P.O. Box 3190, Columbia, MD 21045-7190, (410) 953-1804, (410) 953-1856 (fax). The reimbursement rate will be $20.80 per hour. PERSONAL CARE SERVICES Requirements Children or adults under 21 years old with developmental disabilities, requiring assistance with activities of daily living such as feeding, toileting, bathing, dressing and mobility Benefits Can Include In Home Personal Care Services of up to 24 hours per day. HOW TO APPLY Anyone, (including a family member, service coordinator, or other person) can make a referral. Contact the County Personal Care Program within the local County Health Department for an application. Note from Maryland Disability Law Center Despite approval for services, families may experience problems finding someone to provide the personal care services at the state reimbursement rate. If a family knows of a person willing to provide the personal care, that person can apply to become a Medicaid approved personal care provider by contacting the local county's personal care program. The rate for provision of services is not an hourly rate but a flat rate of $20 per day if an individual is approved for level 2 services by virtue of needing a substantial number of hours of assistance each day. Currently, under Maryland law, family members other than a spouse, child, parent or sibling of the recipient can become a provider. If a child is approved for services but can't get the services because of the lack of providers, the family can contact MDLC. MDLC is willing to assist families of children with developmental disabilities who are seeking personal care services to obtain the services they need. If you or they have questions, need assistance with the application, or are approved for services but cannot locate providers, contact Cathy Surace or Gayle Hafner at MDLC for further assistance (410-727-6352 or 1-800- 233-7201 or by email at cathys@mdlcbalto.org). They are also happy to answer questions from service coordinators, support coordinators, and others working with families who may have children eligible for these services. Sample Service Request Form |
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