Friday, November 15, 2019

Michigan: 2019 Annual Home and Community Based Waiver Conference

Ian the Handsome
Home and community based Medicaid waivers are available for people with developmental disabilities who live in community settings but need an institutional level of care. Michigan's DD waiver is call the Habilitation Supports Waiver (HSW). 

The Children's Waiver Program allows minor children who live at home to qualify for Medicaid  services, regardless of the family's income. Services include an array of "medically necessary" social services and supports for both the child and the family that allow the child to continue to live at home. The CWP is also covered at this conference.

It never surprises me when parents of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities know next to nothing about these waivers and the services that they theoretically make available. This applies even to people whose children are currently covered by Medicaid Waivers. Unbeknownst to them, that paper that someone slid over the table to them at a recent person-centered planning meeting and asked them to sign, was giving permission to "waive" services ordinarily provided in an Intermediate Care Facility for people with intellectual disabilities, for home and community based services. 

Community Mental Health agencies are reluctant to provide parents with a comprehensive list of possible services (as long as they are "medically necessary") under Medicaid waivers for fear that an astute family member may find something that could fill a critical need for the disabled individual and therefore compel CMH to actually provide the service. You will notice that I did the best that I could to at least find a list of services included in Michigan's Medicaid Provider Manual, but it is hard to read and understand without knowing how these services are defined and who provides them.

I go to the Medicaid Waiver conference almost every year, partly to find out what the  Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is cooking up for my kids and whether it is something I need to applaud or stop in its tracks. [I am looking at this in terms of the effect on my sons; I do not make judgments for others.] I never know if I am going to be pleasantly surprised or appalled by the inspirational keynote speakers. In 2016, the keynote speaker appeared in a mermaid costume (I was prepared to find her talk appalling), but she was hilariously funny and if she did not make her living as a Rheumatology Nurse Practitioner in Lansing, she might have made it as a professional comedian.

Consider taking a chance on this two-day conference (it's only $20 for family members), including a buffet breakfast and lunch. I'll see you there.

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The 2019 Annual Home and Community Based Waiver Conference

Tuesday, November 19, 2019 and 

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center at Michigan State University
219 S Harrison Rd, East Lansing, MI 48824
View Google Map

Registration is open!

This conference will provide technical assistance and training on the implementation and maintenance of the Children’s Waiver Program (CWP) and the Habilitation Supports Waiver (HSW), clinical issues, and administrative functions relevant to these waivers. Additionally, this conference will provide training in ASD, evidence-based services, highlight programs across the state, and provide technical assistance on implementation of the Medicaid/MIChild Autism Benefit.
Overnight Accommodations:

The Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center is located in East Lansing adjacent to Michigan State University. The discounted room block of $85 per night plus tax has been filled. Other upgraded rooms choices are available for $145 group rate. For Room Reservations: Call 517-432-4000 and provide the discount code of 1911DCH&MA. The deadline for room discounts is October 10, 2019.

Rooms are available at other area hotels with special rates for the conference.

Documents
Save the Date Flyer Waiver Conference
Agenda C-Waiver Conf 2019

Who Should Attend

This conference contains content appropriate for case managers, supports coordinators, clinicians, behavior analysts, CMH administrative or clinical staff, providers, HCBS or waiver coordinators, individuals receiving services and family members and social workers at all levels of practice (beginning, intermediate and/or advanced).

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