General Information
Home & Community-Based Services
Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) are long-term services & supports provided in home and community-based settings, as recognized under the federal Medicaid (Medi-Cal) Program. These services can be a combination of standard medical services and non-medical services. Standard services can include, but are not limited to, case management (i.e., supports and service coordination), homemaker, home health aide, personal care, adult day health services, habilitation (both day and residential), and respite care. States can also propose “other” types of services that may assist in diverting and/or transitioning individuals from institutional settings into their homes and community.
HCBS Final Rule
In 2014, new federal rules were released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), requiring homes and programs where HCBS are delivered to meet new criteria. The Department and its partners are working to implement the requirements for home and community-based settings in accordance with this Final Rule.
Everyone who receives, or provides, HCBS services may be affected by the CMS Final Rule. Activities are happening now to help California meet these new requirements.
CMS issued guidance to states on July 14, 2020, indicating that the transition period for ensuring compliance with the HCBS Final Rule has been extended one year to March 17, 2023, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidance can be found here: https://www.medicaid.gov/Federal-Policy-Guidance/Downloads/smd20003.pdf.
The purpose of the rules is to ensure that individuals receive services in settings that are integrated in and support full access to the greater community. This includes opportunities to seek employment and work in competitive and integrated settings, engage in community life, control personal resources, and receive services to the same degree as individuals who do not receive regional center services. It means that settings need to focus on the nature and quality of individuals’ experiences and not just about the buildings where the services are delivered. Individuals have an active role in the development of their plan, the planning process is person-centered, and the plan reflects the individual’s service and supports and what is important to them.
What does this mean to service providers?
If you are a Service Provider who provides services to multiple consumers in the same location, we must make sure these services do not isolate individuals from the community. It means that you may need to make changes in how you operate in order to meet the new federal rules by modifying policies and program designs, where and how your service is delivered, and providing training to assure that your staff members understand the expectations of the rules.
HCBS Final Rule Compliance Information
In accordance with Welfare and Institutions Code section 4519.2(b), each regional center shall post Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Final Rule compliance information on its website and shall update the information no less frequently than every six months. The below compliance information is based on provider self-assessment data.
HCBS Manager – Kristina Zerhusen – via phone at (310) 258-4276 or via email at Kristinaz@WestsideRC.org.
Office Hours Via Microsoft Teams (call 310-258-4276 for an appointment):
Wednesdays 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Wednesdays 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM