On October 11, 2023, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved Missouri’s request to amend the 1915(c) Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers with the Emergency Preparedness and Response Appendix K in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and updated the following:
- Effective July 1, 2023, the maximum lifetime limitation will increase for the Community Transition service. The Community Transition services are non-recurring, set-up expenses for individuals who are transitioning from an institutional or provider-operated living arrangement to a living arrangement in a private residence.
- Effective July 1, 2023, the rate methodology is updated for Group Home Nursing. The billing methodology is changed to authorize group home nursing monthly oversight separately and not include in the group home rate.
- Effective July 1, 2023, the rate methodology is updated for Individualized Supported Living (transportation-agency modified vehicle) from per month to per mile.
COVID-19 has been on the rise again in Missouri, with cases reaching numbers last scene in March of 2023. According to information from the Department of Health and Human Services, local cases have increased by an average of 2.5% with Taney County seeing the largest increase in the area of 11.4%.
This Appendix K Addendum is effective from July 1, 2023, through six months after the end of the Public Health Emergency, and is additive to those previously approved. These items have also been requested in the waiver amendments that are under CMS review to continue after the flexibilities expires.
