New Guidance for Alternative Adult Day Services Requirements

Posted on March 31, 2021 by Roni Falck

CMS has approved modifications to alternative adult day services effective immediately.  The modifications will:

• Increase the maximum daily service duration for alternative adult day services (delivered remotely and/or in person) to one person at a time from 4 hours per day to 6 hours per day
•  Increase the maximum number of people attending online events.

For people on AC and EW
Alternative adult day services providers may increase the number of people receiving remote adult day services in one online event from 6 people to 18 people, while maintaining the current staff ratio of 1:6. For example, if 18 people attend an online event, the provider must have a minimum of three staff members to maintain the staff-to-person ratio of 1:6.

For people on disability waivers
The current disability waiver policy does not include a cap for the number of people participating in online events. The authorized staffing ratio is based on the average staffing ratio for delivering the service. This policy aligns with temporary remote support for other disability waiver day services.

We will walk through this guidance at the ADS Huddle taking place on Thursday, April 1 at 3 p.m.