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P007: Developmental Disabilities Supports Division

P007: Number of individuals on the developmental disabilities waiver waiting list

Current Value

6,455#

FY 2018

Definition

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Story Behind the Curve

  • The wait time for home and community-based Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) waiver services varies widely. In New Mexico, registrants are offered waiver services as allocation slots become available. The current average wait time is 10.7 years. Persons that meet the requirements can receive standard Medicaid benefits while on the waiting list.
  • The DD Waiver Program is designed to provide services to allow individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live as independently as possible. The capacity of the Program depends on combined state and Medicaid funding. This measure is important in gauging and responding to the need for services.
  • The number of individuals on the Central Registry decreased from 6,479 at the end of FY18-Q2 to 6,455 at the end of FY18-Q3. This decrease is due to the work being done to address the backlog of applications.
  • The Central Registry Unit received 418 new registrations for waiver services. They determined 164 applications met the DD definition and were moved onto the waiting list. They also closed 291 applications for reasons other than allocation.
  • The Central Registry Unit will develop an allocation plan for the FY19 allocations. Once the allocations are complete and the individuals are in service, their applications will be removed from the waiting list and their status changed to “Placed into program requested.”

Partners

  • Healthcare providers
  • Community providers
  • Advisory and support groups
  • Case management and consultant agencies
  • Managed care organizations
  • Pre-k through 12 statewide educational institutions
  • New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) Family, Infant, Toddler (FIT) Program
  • FIT Provider Agencies  

What Works

  • Continuous review of Central Registry status reports to determine if systemic or case-specific problems exist during the eligibility determination process.
  • Maintaining current contact information for registrants.
  • Regular outreach to and communication with registrants, families, community providers, and others to make sure they know about the DD Waiver eligibility and documentation that assists in the determination process.
  • Continuous evaluation of the methods used in processing applications and allocations.
  • Reallocation of unit resources to allow eligibility caseworkers to focus on backlogged applications.

Strategy

  • Maintain focus on reducing the backlog and the completion of current applications.
  • Monitor efforts to refer individuals with mental and behavioral health issues to the appropriate behavioral health system.
  • Increase applicant awareness of other Medicaid, State General Fund, and community-based service options.
  • Increase applicant and community provider awareness of DD Waiver requirements  by doing outreach to community agencies in each Developmental Disabilities and Supports Division region.

Action Plan

  • Q1 to Q4: Utilize Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) principles to constantly access the registration, application and DD definition determination process. Make adjustments where necessary.  Met.
  • Q1 to Q4: Continue working on the backlog plan, which should reduce the backlog by approximately 200 applications per quarter.  Met.
  • Q1 to Q4: Refer individuals with mental and behavioral health issues to the appropriate behavioral health system. Met.
  • Q1 to Q4: Provide training and collaborate with providers and partners to help reduce the number of applications for individuals who do not qualify for the program.

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Scorecard Container Measure Action Actual Value Target Value Tag S A m/d/yy m/d/yyyy