Sun, Jan 17th, 2021 - 3:47pm
August 28, 2019 - 4:48pm | By Chris Larson
Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder, providers and other interested stakeholders are invited to provide public comments on proposed amendments to the Medicaid autism spectrum disorder waiver. The North Dakota Department of Human Services is seeking federal approval to amend the waiver to reflect recent state legislative changes. Comments will be accepted through Sept. 26, 2019, at 5 p.m. Central Time.
The Medicaid autism spectrum disorders waiver provides services to eligible children and supports parents in their efforts to maximize their child’s development, while also preventing out-of-home placements.
The waiver is being amended to increase the qualifying age of children who can be served from through age 11 to through age 13. The waiver is also being amended to add provider rate increases. The North Dakota legislature granted providers a 2 percent increase in 2019 and a 2.5 percent increase in 2020. The services affected by these increases are service management and respite care.
The draft waiver amendments are online at www.nd.gov/dhs/autism/index.html. Copies will also be provided upon request.
Individuals can submit comments by emailing dhsautism
nd [dot] gov
, or calling 800-755-2604 or 701-328-8912, or 711 (TTY), or by fax at 701-328-1544. Comments can also be mailed to the North Dakota Department of Human Services’ Medical Services Division, Attn: Autism Services, 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Dept. 325, Bismarck, N.D., 58505-0250.
After the public comment period ends, the waiver will be submitted to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Based on the CMS timeframes for review and approval, the waiver is expected to be effective in early 2020.
