Section 750. In-home residential support services

Article 2. Covered Services and Limitations and Related Provider Requirements

A. Service description. In-home residential support services shall be based primarily in the individual's home. The service shall be designed to enable individuals enrolled in the IFDDS Waiver to be maintained in their homes and shall include: (i) training in or engagement and interaction with functional skills and appropriate behavior related to an individual's health and safety, personal care, activities of daily living and use of community resources; (ii) assistance with medication management and monitoring the individual's health, nutrition, and physical condition (iii) life skills training; (iv) cognitive rehabilitation; (v) assistance with personal care activities of daily living and use of community resources; and (vi) specialized supervision to ensure the individual's health and safety. Service providers shall be reimbursed only for the amount and type of in-home residential support services included in the individual's approved plan of care. In-home residential support services shall not be authorized in the plan of care unless the individual requires these services and these services exceed services provided by the family or other caregiver. Services are not provided by paid staff of the in-home residential services provider for a continuous 24-hour period.

1. This service must be provided on an individual-specific basis according to the plan of care, supporting documentation, and service setting requirements.

2. Individuals may have in-home residential, personal care, and respite care in their plans of care but cannot receive these services simultaneously.

3. Room and board and general supervision shall not be components of this service.

4. This service shall not be used solely to provide routine or emergency respite care for the parent or parents or other unpaid caregivers with whom the individual lives.

B. Criteria.

1. All individuals must meet the following criteria in order for Medicaid to reimburse providers for in-home residential support services. The individual must meet the eligibility requirements for this waiver service as defined. The individual shall have a demonstrated need for supports to be provided by staff who are paid by the in-home residential support provider.

2. A functional assessment must be conducted to evaluate each individual in his home environment and community settings.

3. Routine supervision/oversight of direct care staff. To provide additional assurance for the protection or preservation of an individual's health and safety, there are specific requirements for the supervision and oversight of direct care staff providing in-home residential support as outlined below. For all in-home residential support services provided under a DBHDS license or Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission accreditation:

a. An employee of the provider, typically by position, must be formally designated as the supervisor of each direct care staff person providing in-home residential support services.

b. The supervisor must have and document at least one supervisory contact with each direct care staff person per month regarding service delivery and direct care staff performance.

c. The supervisor must observe each direct care staff person delivering services at least semi-annually. Staff performance, service delivery in accordance with the plan of care, and evaluation of and evidence of the individual's satisfaction with service delivery by direct care staff must be documented.

d. The supervisor must complete and document at least one monthly contact with the individual or his family/caregiver, as appropriate, regarding satisfaction with services delivered by each direct care staff person.

4. The in-home residential support supporting documentation must indicate the necessary amount and type of activities required by the individual, the schedule of in-home residential support services, the total number of hours per day, and the total number of hours per week of in-home residential support. A formal, written behavioral program is required to address behaviors, including self-injury, aggression or self-stimulation.

5. Medicaid reimbursement is available only for in-home residential support services provided when the individual is present and when a qualified provider is providing the services.

C. Service units and service limitations. In-home residential supports shall be reimbursed on an hourly basis for time the in-home residential support direct care staff is working directly with the individual. Total monthly billing cannot exceed the total hours authorized in the plan of care. The provider must maintain documentation of the date, times, the services that were provided, and specific circumstances preventing the provision of any scheduled services.

D. Provider requirements. In addition to meeting the general conditions and requirements for home and community-based waiver services participating providers as specified in 12VAC30-120-730 and 12VAC30-120-740, each in-home residential support service provider must be licensed by DBHDS as a provider of supportive residential services or have Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission accreditation. The provider must also have training in the characteristics of individuals with related conditions and appropriate interventions, strategies, and support methods for individuals with related conditions and functional limitations.

1. For DBHDS licensed programs, a plan of care and ongoing documentation of service delivery must be consistent with licensing regulations.

2. Documentation must confirm attendance and the individual's amount of time in services and provide specific information regarding the individual's response to various settings and supports as agreed to in the supporting documentation objectives. Assessment results must be available in at least a daily note or a weekly summary. Data must be collected as described in the plan of care, analyzed, summarized, and then clearly addressed in the regular supporting documentation.

3. The supporting documentation must be reviewed by the provider with the individual, and this written review submitted to the case manager, at least semi-annually, with goals, objectives, and activities modified as appropriate.

4. Documentation must be maintained for routine supervision and oversight of all in-home residential support direct care staff. All significant contacts described in this section must be documented. A qualified developmental disabilities professional must provide supervision of direct service staff.

5. Documentation of supervision must be completed, signed by the staff person designated to perform the supervision and oversight, and include the following:

a. Date of contact or observation;

b. Person or persons contacted or observed;

c. A summary about direct care staff performance and service delivery for monthly contacts and semi-annual home visits;

d. Semi-annual observation documentation must also address individual satisfaction with service provision;

e. Any action planned or taken to correct problems identified during supervision and oversight; and

f. Copy of the most recently completed DMAS-225 form. The provider must clearly document efforts to obtain the completed DMAS-225 form from the case manager.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 17, Issue 18, eff. July 1, 2001; amended, Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 20, eff. July 11, 2007; Volume 30, Issue 14, eff. April 10, 2014.

Statutory Authority

§ 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia; 42 USC § 1396.