Many resources are available to help survivors of the Southern California wildfires. Visit ca.gov/LAfires/ for more information.
In response to the Southern California wildfires, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved a 1915(c) Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver modification under Appendix K authority, for the Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP). Modifications allow temporary flexibilities, such as the ability to expand the settings in which services may be provided, for MSSP.
The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and the California Department of Aging (CDA) are pleased to announce the approval of the 1915(c) Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP), Home and Community-Based Services Waiver, Control Number CA.0141.R07.00. On September 26, 2024, DHCS received official notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that the MSSP Waiver was approved for the period July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2029. The renewal application includes the expansion of the MSSP Waiver to all remaining California counties; decreases the minimum age from 65 to 60; further defines the Target Group of eligible individuals, including that participants may not be simultaneously enrolled in another Medi-Cal HCBS waiver or receive other state plan Enhanced Care Management services; and changes the responsibility for performing evaluations and reevaluations of level of care to CDA, the operating agency. MSSP will continue to provide social and health care management services and purchased waiver services for frail older adults as a cost-effective alternative to institutionalization.
The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has released a Statewide Transition Plan (STP) as required by new Federal regulations. These regulations, effective March 17, 2014, establish requirements for settings eligible for Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services funding. On June 30, 2023, DHCS received final approval from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on the STP to bring settings into compliance with federal HCBS Setting Final rule regulations. Additional information is available on the DHCS website.