Individuals with Mental Illness Now Have Access to the Aging and Attendant Care Waivers
Individuals with Mental Illness Now Have Access to the Aging and Attendant Care Waivers
DPW submitted to CMS Waiver Renewal applications for two Waivers that previously had excluded individuals whose primary diagnosis is mental illness. David Gingerich, the Department's Money Follows the Person Grant Manager, confirmed today that the renewal application for the Attendant Care Waiver and the Aging Waiver will no longer exclude an individual who has as their primary diagnoses, mental illness. They now can be served under these two Waivers as long as they meet the programs' eligibility requirements, just as any other applicant. This change is significant given the numerous individuals with mental illness who had been referred to nursing homes or left without necessary in-home services and supports due to exclusions written in the previous waivers. DPW is still awaiting CMS' approval of these Waivers. According to Mr. Gingerich, DPW will issue a policy clarification upon CMS' approval of the Waivers.
Judy A. W. Banks
Deputy Director
Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania
a merger of Pennsylvania Protection & Advocacy and the Disabilities Law Project
800 692-7443 x 305
717 236-0192 (Fax)
[email protected]