- What Programs Are Available To Assist People With Disabilities in Vermont?
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Is there a Medicaid waiver program in Vermont? Vermont has two waivers:
- Global Commitment to Health (1115(a) includes all State Plan Medicaid services, developmental disabilities services, etc.)
- Choices For Care (1115(a) Long-Term Care Medicaid for physical disabilities and older Vermonters)
What state department operates the Medicaid waiver program in Vermont? The Developmental Disabilities Services Division (DDSD) within the Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living (DAIL) plans, coordinates, administers, monitors, and evaluates state and federally funded services for people with developmental disabilities and their families within Vermont. This division also administers services for people with traumatic brain injuries. DAIL’s Adult Services Division administers the Choices for Care Long-Term Care Medicaid Waiver serving Vermont residents who are 65 years of age or older as well as people 18 years of age older with a physical disability who have met financial and clinical criteria. In addition, the Department of Mental Health administers state and federally funded services for people with mental health needs.
What programs assist people who have developmental disabilities in Vermont? Developmental Disabilities Services Program assists persons with developmental disabilities who live in Vermont. This is part of the Global Commitment to Health 1115 Medicaid Waiver.
What is the best number to call to get started? Individuals interested in applying for developmental disabilities services are advised to contact the Designated Agency that serves the area in which the person resides. Individuals interesting in applying for Choices for Care services are advised to contact an Area Agency on Aging that serves the areas in which the person resides. You can also call the Senior Help Line at 1-800-642-5119.
Is there a website? http://dail.vermont.gov/ - Who Qualifies For Assistance?
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What is considered a developmental disability in Vermont? For the purposes of accessing developmental disabilities services in Vermont, the Regulations Implementing The Developmental Disabilities Act of 1996 define developmental disabilities and recipient criteria. Sections 2-4 will provide helpful information. See the regulations. In addition, the current Developmental Disabilities System of Care Plan (SOCP) for SFY 11 –14, Updated SFY 14, outline the SOCP criteria that must be met in addition to the clinical and financial criteria for DDS.Section Two B of the SOCP describe the steps for determining eligibility.
Are there income limits to receive services? In order to receive developmental disabilities services through the 1115 Global Commitment Medicaid Waiver or Choices for Care Waiver, a person must be eligible for Medicaid. The Department for Children and Families Economic Services Division oversees eligibility determinations for people applying for Medicaid. Call 1.800.479.6151 to access the Economic Services Division.
How old do you have to be to start receiving services? Age requirements vary by waiver. You must be 65 years of age or older or 18 years of age with a physical disability to qualify for Vermont's Choices For Care waiver. There are no age requirements in order to receive developmental disabilities home-and community-based services in Vermont. There are additional services that may be available to individuals with developmental disabilities, such as targeted case management and flexible family funding, the Bridge Program and Children’s Personal Care Services Program. Information about these programs can be found on the Department website.
- Is There a Waiting List For Services?
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How long is the waiting list in Vermont? Vermont does not have a waiting list for waiver services for developmental disability services. For DDS HCBS, people who do not meet a System of Care Plan priority can be placed on a waiting list for services at the local designated agency level.
At this time, there is not a waiting list for Choices for Care participants determined to be highest/high needs for clinical eligibility standards, but At this time, there are approximately 500 people on the wait list for participants with moderate needs. The wait list fluctuates substantially throughout the year. Vermont does not have a waiting list for waiver services for people with the highest level of need.How many people are on the waiting list in Vermont? Vermont does not have a waiting list for waiver services for developmental disability services.
How many people are currently receiving waiver services in Vermont? In State Fiscal Year 2013 2,767 people received DDS home-and community-based services. In State Fiscal Year 2013, 4,954 people were served by the Choices for Care waiver, in both nursing home and home-and-community-based settings.
What assistance is available while you wait? For the Choices for Care program, a participant who has met criteria may be able to access services under Waiver While Waiting.
Is there priority preference for people who are in crisis? N/A - There is not a waiting list for Choices for Care participants determined to be highest/high needs for clinical eligibility standards,
- What Services Are Offered & What Are The Service Limitations?
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What services does the Medicaid waiver program offer?
Developmental Disabilities Services include: service coordination, community supports, employment supports, respite, clinical services, crisis services, home supports and transportation.
Choices for Care offers the following services: Case Management; Personal Care; Respite; Companion; Adult Day; Assistive Device; Home Modifications; and Personal Emergency Response System.Does Vermont offer community group homes? Yes. The Choices for Care Options offers an Enhanced Residential Care option and an Adult Family Care home option. The ERC home may bill Medicaid for Assistive Community Care Services (ACCS) payments. Adult Family Care serves no more than two people in the home. The individual pays for room and board.
Under the DDS HCBS, there are a very small number of “group homes.” Most people receive services in living arrangements with no more than one or two people with developmental disabilities in the home.Does Vermont offer supported living? No. Vermont does not offer supported living services. Vermont does offer limited support to live in your own home such as Intermittent Personal Care. Supported living can be defined differently from state to state. For DDS HCBS, a number of the home supports available could be considered “supported living,” depending on how that is defined.
Are there still state owned institutions in Vermont? There are no state institutions to seclude those with developmental disabilities in Vermont. There is one 6-bed ICF/DD in Vermont
- How Do You Select A Provider?
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Do providers work for the state? There are 15 private non-profit developmental disability services providers in Vermont, contracted by DAIL through a grant administered by the Vermont Agency of Human Services, who offer a variety of services to people with developmental disabilities. In addition, there is one Supportive Intermediary Services Organization that assists people who chose to self- or family- manage their services., The Choices for Care waiver contracts with multiple providers in the state; they are not directly employed by the state.
About how many providers are there in Vermont? There are 15 private non-profit developmental disability services providers in Vermont, contracted by DAIL, who offer a variety of services to people with developmental disabilities. Choices for Care providers include Adult Day (14), Home Health Agencies (12), Area Agencies on Aging (5), Enhanced Residential Care (62), and Nursing Facilities (40).
Do you have a choice in providers? For DDS HCBS, your choice is limited to 15 private non-profit developmental disability services providers in Vermont. Choices for Care participants choose a Case Management agency to facilitate their choice of provider as indicated in their care plan.
- How Do You Become A Provider?
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Call (802) 871-3065 to learn how to become a Vermont Medicaid waiver DDS provider.
Call (802) 871-3047 for information about becoming a Choices for Care provider. - Additional Information
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You can also call Vermont's Benefits Service Center at (800) 479-6151 to access the Benefits Service Center.