SF2679 Summary

• Creates a Monitoring Technology Review Panel to review and approve residential service plans that include supervision using monitoring technology for disability waiver services.

• Modifies payment methodologies for home and community-based waiver services by establishing rate stabilization adjustments (banding periods) that limit individual reimbursement rate changes to specific percentages (0.5% to 1.0%) over defined time periods from January 1, 2014 through the implementation period.

• Defines new terminology and establishes uniform staffing standards including "individual staffing," "shared staffing," "nursing hours," and "staffing ratio" for calculating rates across residential services, day programs, and unit-based services.

• Requires the commissioner to conduct data collection and research on service cost differences across regions, transportation utilization, and rates for individuals with mental illness diagnoses, with reports to legislative committees on January 15, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2019.

• Establishes provider and individual appeal procedures allowing providers to challenge insufficient rates and individuals to appeal variable values used in rate calculations under specific conditions related to health/safety needs and licensing standards compliance.