DHS Works to Align Customized Living with Assisted Living Licensure

Posted on March 3, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry

On Feb. 18, DHS sent a communication to all enrolled customized living providers about new assisted living facility licensure requirements and how they affect providers’ ability to provide customized living services. The communication was sent to each provider’s MN-ITS.

The change in requirements applies to people who receive EW, BI and CADI customized living services, and requires that effective Aug. 1, providers be either licensed as an assisted living facility or be a specifically excluded setting as listed in statute. The amendments also facilitate the continued allowance for respite services to be delivered in an AL licensed setting and prohibits the availability of Consumer Directed Community Supports (CDCS), such as monitoring technology, to be available to individuals receiving customized living services.

To facilitate these changes, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) opened the public comment period yesterday on a proposed amendment to Minnesota's Elderly Waiver Plan (PDF) before submitting the amendment to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for approval. For information on how to access the full versions of Minnesota’s approved waiver plans, see Community Based Services Manual (CBSM) — How to get a copy of a federally approved waiver plan.

DHS provided initial guidance on updating an enrollment record with Provider Eligibility and Compliance, which is of significant interest to providers of customized living who will transition to an assisted living license on Aug. 1. After receiving an assisted living facility license from MDH, the provider must submit a copy to Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) Provider Eligibility and Compliance. DHS will provide further instructions for customized living service providers regarding this process in spring 2021.

Providers are also reminded of tomorrow’s MDH call featuring DHS and customized living services under assisted living licensure. The call is from 10 - 11:30 a.m., Thursday, March 4.