Disability waiver rate system unit-based services with programming limits modified.
Summary
HF3375 amends Minnesota’s disability waiver rate system for “unit-based services with programming,” which includes employment-related supports, individualized home supports with training, individualized home supports with family training, and certain positive support services. The bill keeps the existing rate-setting framework and component values largely intact, but it updates the payment formula and makes a targeted change to billing limits for individualized home supports with training and individualized home supports with family training.
Under the bill, providers would be prohibited, effective January 1, 2027 or upon federal approval, from billing more than three consecutive hours and more than six total hours per day for individualized home supports with training, and more than six total hours per day for individualized home supports with family training. The bill also adds a separate annual cap of 2,190 hours per service authorization year for individualized home supports with training. These limits do not restrict a person’s use of other disability waiver services on the same day, and they do not apply to individuals who meet residential support services criteria under the cited statutes.
Impact
The bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 256B.4914, subdivision 8, which governs how payment rates are calculated for certain disability waiver services. It affects providers and recipients of waiver-funded services by changing billing rules for individualized home supports with training and individualized home supports with family training, while preserving the broader rate methodology for unit-based services with programming. The commissioner retains authority to apply regional cost adjustments and to implement the changes only after federal approval if required.
Sentiment
No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate or formal support/opposition in the available record. Based on the bill text, the measure appears administrative and technical in nature, aimed at clarifying payment limits and controlling utilization rather than expanding or reducing eligibility. The overall posture is neutral, with the bill focused on rate-setting and billing parameters within the disability waiver system.
Contention
The main point of potential contention is the new billing cap on individualized home supports with training, especially the limit on consecutive hours and the annual service cap, which could be viewed by providers or advocates as restricting service flexibility. Another possible concern is whether the limits adequately account for individuals with higher support needs, although the bill expressly exempts people who qualify for residential support services and allows other waiver services to be provided the same day. No specific opposing or supporting groups were identified in the provided materials.
Policies related to establishing rates for home and community-based waiver services modified, and room and board rates for individuals receiving home and community-based services increased.
Home and community-based service standards modifications and disability waiver regulations interpretive guidelines issuance by the commissioner requirement provision