The Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living (DAIL), in partnership with the Department of Vermont Health Access (DVHA), is working on a major Payment Reform initiative for Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS) Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS). The overall goal of this project is to create a transparent, effective, and administrable payment model for developmental disabilities (DD) services that aligns with the Agency of Human Service's (AHS) broader payment reform and health care reform goals. One of the major objectives of the reform is to comply with the State's agreement with the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to develop a plan to coordinate payment and delivery of Medicaid HCBS services within the State's delivery reform efforts for health care. Another major objective is to increase transparency and accountability of DD services, as recommended by the Office of the Vermont State Auditor.
A group of provider agencies and other stakeholders (recipients of services, family members, and representatives of advocacy organizations) have been meeting with the State since January 2018 to redesign how to pay and account for services. The DDS Payment Reform Statewide Advisory Committee is the conduit of information from the DDSD Payment Reform project to and from the people they represent. More information on the DDS Payment Reform Statewide Advisory Committee
In November 2018, three new workgroups were added to this effort:
Standardized Assessment Workgroup: This workgroup is focused on the adoption of a uniform, standardized assessment tool for determining what services individuals need. The workgroup reviewed assessment tool options, advised on transitioning to a new tool and the process for implementation. More information for the DDS Payment Reform Standardized Assessment Workgroup.
Payment Model Workgroup: This workgroup focused on designing the payment mechanism by which providers are paid to provide services. They considered payment model options and implications for providers and people receiving services. They provided input for planning and implementation of a new payment model. More information for the DDS Payment Reform Payment Model Workgroup
Encounter Data Workgroup: This workgroup was focused on how provider agencies report to the State information about services delivered to individuals. It has been determined that the provider agencies will be reporting services through the Medicaid Management Information System. This workgroup provided input into the implementation of this new process and conlcuded after agencies began reporting encounter data in 2021. More information for the DDS Payment Reform Encounter Data Workgroup
DDS Payment Reform Initiative - Webinar of 11/06/18
Meeting Schedule and Locations
All meetings of the DDS Payment Reform Statewide Advisory Committee and workgroup meetings will be held virtually, any in person or hybrid meetings will be held at the Waterbury State Office Complex, 280 State Drive, Waterbury VT. Meeting attendees may attend in person or may call into the conference call number for that workgroup. Members of the public are welcome to attend; a public comment period will be available at the end of each meeting.
Meeting Participants attending the meetings in person:
- Must confirm their attendance with the State representative at least 5 days prior to the meeting date, but no earlier than 2 weeks prior.
- Must bring State issued ID to show to the complex security (such as a driver’s license)
- Plan to arrive at least 10-15 minutes early to allow time for check-in with security. This is very important for meetings that are held in the secured areas of the complex, as a staff person will meet everyone in the lobby of the complex and escort them to the conference room.
Note: Meetings are subject to change; verification of upcoming meetings is recommended.