New Mexico Register / Volume XXXII, Issue 18 / September 28, 2021

 

 

NOTICE OF RULEMAKING / NEWSPAPER NOTICE

 

The Human Services Department (the Department), through the Medical Assistance Division (MAD), is proposing to amend the New Mexico Administrative Code (NMAC)rule 8.314.5 NMAC, Developmental Disabilities Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver.

 

Section 9-8-6 NMSA 1978, authorizes the Department Secretary to promulgate rules and regulations that may be necessary to carry out the duties of the Department and its divisions.

 

Notice Date:  September 28, 2021

Hearing Date:  October 29, 2021

Adoption Date:  Proposed as January 1, 2022

Technical Citations: 42 CFR 438 subparts A through J; 42 CFR 441 subpart G

 

The Department is proposing to amend the rule as follows:

Throughout the rule

Language has been edited throughout the document to align with the Developmental Disabilities (DD) waiver application submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on April 1, 2021, as well as with other 1915(c) HCBS waivers in the state of New Mexico.

Section 7

                Definitions are amended as follows:

 

Subsection A - Activities of daily living (ADLs): to include “oral care.”

 

Subsection F - Clinical justification: (2) to include “and to maintain current level of function or minimize current level of function or minimize risk of further decline.”

 

Subsection H - New definition added “Electronic Visit Verification (EVV):  A telephone and computer-based system that electronically verifies the occurrence of selected services, as required by the 21st Century CURES Act.  The EVV system verifies the occurrence of authorized service visits electronically by documenting the precise time and location where service delivery visit begins and ends.  EVV is implemented according to federal requirements and timelines.  The 21st Century CURES Act requires EVV for personal care services (PCS), defined as services that provide assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) or instrumental activities for daily living (IADLs) effective January 1, 2020 and for home health services effective January 1, 2023.”

 

Section 8

                New section added “Safeguards Concerning Restraints, Restrictions and Seclusion”.

 

Section 9

Subsection F - Language is updated to include that all providers have a responsibility to monitor settings to ensure that the setting supports health and safety based upon the individual’s needs, decisions or desires.

 

Section 10

Subsection D - Qualifications of case management provider agency is updated to require case managers to hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work, psychology, sociology, counseling, nursing, special education, or a closely related field or to have a minimum of 6 years of direct experience related to the delivery of social services to people with disabilities.

 

Subsection O - Revised qualifications for a non-medical transportation provider agency to include the requirement for a business license and drivers must have a valid driver’s license and not have a disqualifying conviction after submitting to the Caregiver Criminal History Screening (CCHS).

 

Subsection P - Revised qualifications for assistive technology provider agencies to allow providers to also be direct vendors of approved technology.

 

Subsection T - Revised qualification to allow additional certification types for socialization and sexuality education providers.

 

Subsection U - Language added requiring customized in-home supports provider agencies to comply with Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) requirements and allowance for legal guardians who are also natural or adoptive family members, relatives, or natural family members to provide Customized In-Home Supports service if they meet the DOH/DDSD requirements.

 

Section 14

Subsections A and B - The children’s annual resource allotment (ARA) was removed as were references to services available with the ARA and those available to children outside of the ARA.  A combined list of services was added.

 

Section 15

Subsection C

Language added to therapy services and behavioral support consultation to allow for greater use of telehealth and remote service delivery in specified circumstances and as appropriate.

 

Paragraph 5 of Subsection C - Definition of living supports is revised to clarify the scope of service and provider requirements to provide recipients services from a registered dietician or licensed nutritionist as needed and to have a licensed nurse on staff or under contract available on call as needed.

 

Paragraph 7 of Subsection C - Revised community integrated employment services to clarify supports may not duplicate services available through the New Mexico Public Education Department or the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

 

Paragraph 16 of Subsection C - Personal Support Technology renamed “Remote” Personal Support Technology.

 

Paragraph 17 of Subsection C - Revised definition for Preliminary Risk Screening and Consultation to include that this service is designed to assess continued risk of sexually inappropriate or offending behavior in persons who exhibit or have a history of exhibiting risk factors for these types of behaviors.  This service is part of a variety of support services that promotes community safety and recues the impact of interfering behaviors that compromises the individual’s quality of life.

 

Paragraph 18 of Subsection C - Revised definition for Socialization and Sexuality Education to include the Friends & Relationships Course that is a comprehensive lifelong adult education program.

 

Paragraph 19 of Subsection C - Service description of customized in-home supports is revised to clarify the service is provided in the individual’s own home or family home, services may include an on-site response plan with use of remote support technology, and the service is intended to be intermittent support.

 

The register and the proposed rule are available on the HSD website at: https://www.hsd.state.nm.us/lookingforinformation/registers/  and https://www.hsd.state.nm.us/public-information-and-communications/opportunity-for-public-comment/public-notices-proposed-waiver-changes-and-opportunities-to-comment/comment-period-open/.  If you do not have internet access, a copy of the proposed register and rule may be requested by contacting MAD at (505) 827-1337.

 

The Department proposes to implement this rule effective January 1, 2022.  A public hearing to receive testimony on these proposed rule changes will be held via conference call on Friday, October 29, 2021 at 10:00 a.m., Mountain Time (MT).  Conference Number:  1-800-747-5150.  Access Code:  2284263.

 

Interested parties may submit written comments directly to:  Human Services Department, Office of the Secretary, ATT: Medical Assistance Division Public Comments, P.O. Box 2348, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504-2348.

 

Recorded comments may be left at (505) 827-1337.  Interested persons may also address comments via electronic mail to: madrules@state.nm.us.  Written mail, electronic mail and recorded comments must be received no later than 5 p.m. MT on October 29, 2021.  Written and recorded comments will be given the same consideration as oral testimony made at the public hearing.  All written comments received will be posted as they are received on the HSD website at https://www.hsd.state.nm.us/public-information-and-communications/opportunity-for-public-comment/public-notices-proposed-waiver-changes-and-opportunities-to-comment/comment-period-open/ along with the applicable register and rule.  The public posting will include the name and any contact information provided by the commenter.

 

If you are a person with a disability and you require this information in an alternative format or require a special accommodation to participate in the public hearing, please contact MAD in Santa Fe at 505-827-1337.  The Department requests at least ten (10) days advance notice to provide requested alternative formats and special accommodations.

 

Copies of all comments will be made available by the MAD upon request by providing copies directly to a requestor or by making them available on the MAD website or at a location within the county of the requestor.