Reminder: there are two weeks left to make an official public comment on the Home and Community Based (HCB) and Model II (MIIW) waivers. The Department for Medicaid (DMS) released updated HCB and MIIW applications for review and official public comment on October 5, 2020. The official public comment period runs until 11:59 p.m. Eastern on November 6, 2020.

This official public comment period is part of the process for renewing the HCB and MIIW applications with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). 1915(c) Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver applications must be renewed every five years.

DMS made some updates to both waiver applications. The full amended HCB and MIIW waiver applications are available for review online.

Amended HCB waiver application
Amended MIIW waiver application

Additionally, DMS released the following resources to highlight updated areas of the waiver application and assist stakeholders with their review.

Summary of HCB and MIIW Updates
Public Comment Webinar – Presentation Recording
Public Comment Webinar – Question and Answer Session Recording
Public Comment Webinar – Presentation Slides

How to Make a Public Comment

To submit an official public comment during the formal public comment period, please use one of the following methods of submission:

1. Email: Please submit comments by email to [email protected].
2. Phone: Please contact the 1915(c) Waiver Help Desk at (844) 784-5614. A DMS staff member will record your comments for review.
3. Mail: Department for Medicaid Services
            275 E. Main St., 6W-B
            Frankfort, KY 40621

For the official public comment period, please provide the following information with your submission.

Contact Information

• If you are commenting as an individual, please submit contact information.
• If you are commenting on behalf of a provider, please include the provider name and your contact information.
• If you are commenting on behalf of an organization or association, include the organization’s name and your contact information. 

Waiver
Please indicate which waiver(s) you are commenting on.

Comment
You may submit comments on the waiver as a whole or on specific parts of the waiver. When providing specific comments, please be clear on which areas you are commenting on. Please, do not include personal health information in your comments. Your comments may be shared publicly.

What Happens After I Make A Public Comment?

DMS will review and publicly respond to comments received between October 5, 2020, and November 6, 2020, as part of the process of having the HCB and MIIW applications renewed by CMS.

DMS is dedicated to recognizing and considering stakeholder input at any time. It is important to note that DMS is continuously accepting comments about the waiver programs. Comments submitted before October 5, 2020, and after November 6, 2020, are addressed through DMS staff interaction.

You can request a copy of this announcement, the amended waiver applications, or other resources in paper form by contact the 1915(c) Waiver Help Desk at [email protected] or by calling (844) 784-5614.