Today, the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration's (FSSA) Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS) issued a public reminder of several Priority Criteria that allows individuals with disabilities to bypass the waiting list and make application for an Indiana Home and Community-Based Medicaid Waiver. Those meeting the criteria should contact their local Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services (BDDS) as soon as possible to determine eligibility and begin the application process.
"We have identified certain life situations that put people with developmental disabilities at immediate risk for institutionalization," said DDRS Director, Peter Bisbecos. "The Priority Criteria enable us to serve these individuals earlier and potentially avert the need for more restrictive, higher cost services in the future."
Last year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved FSSA's request to add new Priority Criteria making individuals eligible to receive a waiver and bypass the wait list if they meet one or more of the following conditions:
· Individuals between the ages 18 and 24 years old as of September 1, 2006 who officially finished their education or graduated with the class of 2007.
· Individuals with a primary caregiver who is age 80 or older.
· Individuals who have lost a primary caregiver (through death, long term institutionalization or long term incapacitation), where there is no other caregiver available.
· Individuals transitioning to the community from nursing facilities, extensive support needs (ESN) homes, or state operated facilities.
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For a list of local BDDS offices and information about FSSA, go to www.in.gov/fssa.
Link to this event: http://www.in.gov/newsroom.htm?detailContent=121_16065.htm