DHS Updates Collocated Setting Policy for Disability Waivers

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) updated the collocated setting policy to include exceptions based on the status of the setting.

Home and community-based service providers should review two new exceptions to determine if they apply to their setting(s).

Collocated setting policy and exceptions apply to the following services through the BI, CAC, CADI, and DD waivers:

• Adult day services, including adult day bath and family adult day services
• Community residential services
• Customized living or 24-hour customized living
• Day support services
• Family residential services
• Integrated community supports
• Prevocational services

The current collocated policy has been that when a single provider leases or owns more than one service setting located on the same or adjoining property, the lead agency can only authorize services under the disability waivers in one of the settings.

New exceptions and course of action for providers

DHS updated its policies to add new exceptions:

Setting status: The provider maintains ownership/control of the setting, and the 2017/2018 HCBS attestation/validation process determined HCBS setting compliance. In this situation:

• The provider may continue to deliver services in collocated settings if waiver services have been continuously provided by the same provider that maintained ownership/control of the setting.
• The provider can confirm if 2017/2018 attestations were completed for collocated settings by using the DSD Contact Form to submit the provider’s name, setting address and provider identification number.

Setting status: There was a sale or transfer of ownership to a new provider, and the 2017/2018 HCBS attestation/validation process determined HCBS setting compliance. In this situation:

• The new provider/owner must complete an HCBS site-specific review to ensure the people living in these settings are not isolated from the community. The provider must use the DSD Contact Form to complete the site-specific review process.
• The provider can confirm if 2017/2018 attestations were completed for previously owned collocated settings by using the DSD Contact Form to submit the provider’s name, setting address and provider identification number.

For more information, refer to the full announcement from DHS.

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