LEGAL NOTICE

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AMEND

(Pursuant to §1902(a)(13) of the Act (U.S.C. 1396a(a)(13))

THE VIRGINIA STATE PLAN FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

This Notice was posted on March 22, 2021

The Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) hereby affords the public notice of its intention to amend the Virginia State Plan for Medical Assistance to provide for changes to the Methods and Standards for Establishing Payment Rates — Other Types of Care (12 VAC 30-80).  

This notice is intended to satisfy the requirements of 42 C.F.R. § 447.205 and of § 1902(a)(13) of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1396a(a)(13).  A copy of this notice is available for public review from Emily McClellan, DMAS, 600 Broad Street, Suite 1300, Richmond, VA  23219, or via e-mail at:  Emily.McClellan@dmas.virginia.gov. 

DMAS is specifically soliciting input from stakeholders, providers and beneficiaries, on the potential impact of the proposed changes discussed in this notice.  Comments or inquiries may be submitted, in writing, within 30 days of this notice publication to Ms. McClellan and such comments are available for review at the same address.  Comments may also be submitted, in writing, on the Town Hall public comment forum attached to this notice.

This notice is available for public review on the Regulatory Town Hall (www.townhall.com), on the General Notices page, found at:  https://townhall.virginia.gov/L/generalnotice.cfm

In accordance with Amendment Item 313 #17c (link here) DMAS is increasing the rates for agency-directed and consumer-directed personal care services under the Early Periodic Screening, and Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) benefit by 6.4 percent, effective May 1, 2021.  (A corresponding rate increase of 6.4% will be provided for these services and for companion and respite services provided under home and community-based waivers, however, the increase is not included in a state plan amendment but via waiver documentation.)

The total expected increase in annual aggregate expenditures from increases in these rates paid for EPSDT and for home and community-based waiver services are $18,195,716 in general funds, $66,487 in special funds, and $18,824,918 in federal funds in federal fiscal year 2021.