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P007: Developmental Disabilities Supports Division

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

Current Value

4,834#

FY 2018

Definition

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Story Behind the Curve

  • The Developmental Disabilities (DD) Waiver Program is designed to provide home and community-based services to allow individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live as independently as possible. The capacity of the program depends on the availability of state and federal funding.
  • Individuals who apply for DD Waiver services are place on the Developmental Disabilities Supports Division (DDSD) Central Registry, which is a database of all applicants who have not yet been allocated funding for services under the DD Waiver. When an applicant is determined to meet the definition of developmental disability and has completed the registration process, the applicant is considered to be awaiting allocation or "on the waiting list" for services.
  • The wait time for DD Waiver services varies widely. In New Mexico, registrants are offered waiver services as allocation slots become available. The current average wait time is over 12 years. Anyone who meets the requirements can receive standard Medicaid benefits while on the waiting list.
  • The NMDOH Developmental Disabilities and Supports Division (DDSD) closely monitors the number of individuals on the waiting list and allocates services as funding becomes available.
  • The number of individuals awaititing DD Waiver services increased from 4,266 at the end of FY17 to 4,834 at the end of FY18.

Partners

  • Health care providers
  • Community providers
  • Advisory and support groups
  • Case management and consultant agencies
  • Managed care organizations
  • Pre‐K through Grade 12 statewide educational institutions
  • 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 ensure knowledge of DD Waiver eligibility and the documentation necessary for 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 completing current applications.
  • Monitor efforts to refer individuals with mental health issues to the appropriate system.
  • Increase applicant awareness of other Medicaid, State General Fund, and community‐based services.
  • Increase applicant and community provider awareness of DD Waiver requirements through outreach activities.

Action Plan

  • Q1 to Q4: Utilize Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) principles to constantly assess the registration, application, and DD definition determination process and make adjustment for improvement. Completed.
  • Q1 to Q4: Continue working on the backlog plan, which should reduce the backlog by approximately 200 applications per quarter. Completed.
  • Q1 to Q4: Refer individuals with mental and behavioral health issues to the appropriate behavioral health system. Completed.
  • 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. Completed.

FY18 Annual Progress Summary

  • Statewide, 4,834 individuals were determined to meet the clinical definition of developmental disability and wereawaiting allocation at the end of FY18.
  • The number of individuals on the wait list increased during FY18. End of quarter counts were as follows:
    • Q1: 4,387
    • Q2: 4,372
    • Q3: 4,681
    • Q4: 4,834

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