In 2014, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published final regulations that pertain to Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) programs.  The regulations require that any setting that provides Medicaid services demonstrate that characteristics of a community-based, rather than an institutional setting, and the regulations provide guidance to distinguish the two.  While every person gets different services that are unique to them, the new rules emphasize that community participation and integration should be the standard and that everyone should have access to more than one community.  Illinois is one of five states that still does not have approved statewide transition plan and per the federal government, the HCBS Settings Rule must be implemented by March 2022.  Background on the rule and resources for self-advocates can be found at this link:  https://www.illinois.gov/hfs/SiteCollectionDocuments/PNforTransitionPlan2020FINAL.pdf 

The revised Statewide Transition Plan is accessible through the HFS website:  https://www.illinois.gov/hfs/MedicalClients/HCBS/Transition/Pages/TransitionPlan.aspx#Subhead6 

WE NEED YOUR HELP to ensure that the settings rule is implemented fully and the state provides funding to support transition of HCBS services to meet the settings rule. 

Step 1:  Listen to the recorded webinar hosted by the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities and the Arc of IL.  

Keeping the Community in HCBS Funded Services:  

Understanding and Commenting on the Statewide Transition Plan

Here is a link to the recording of the webinar: 

Step 2:  Attend a listening session and share your comments with the IL Department of Healthcare and Family Services and the IL Division of Developmental Disabilities.  They want to hear from you! 

March 3, 2020, 10am to 11:30am, Springfield – Location TBD, No RSVP necessary

Step 3:  Submit public comment

The deadline to submit a public comment is March 5, 2020.  Comments may be submitted online HFS.SWTransitionPlan@illinois.gov or written comments may be mailed to:

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, Attn:  Waiver Management 

201 South Grand Ave East, FL 2 

Springfield, IL 62763z

Persons who are unable to access the Internet may request a hard copy of the revised draft plan by calling HFS at (217) 524-4148.  The state NEEDS to hear your voice.

BELOW IS A LINK TO A GREAT RESOURCE TO ASSIST YOU WITH BUILDING OUT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.  

Visit:  https://bit.ly/2VENP0f to download the ICDD Public Comment Builder Guidance Document