P007: Developmental Disabilities Supports Division

P007: Number of individuals on the developmental disabilities waiver waiting list

Current Value

4,834#

FY 2018

Definition

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Story Behind the Curve

The Developmental Disabilities (DD) Waiver Program is designed to provide home and community-based services to allow individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live as independently as possible. The capacity of the program depends on the availability of state and federal funding.
As of October 1, 2018 there were 4,934 individuals on the DD Waiver waiting list. These individuals have been determined to meet the definition of developmental disability.
Of the 4,934 individuals on the waiting list, 355 are on hold. This means these individuals were offered DD Waiver services, but have chosen to continue on the waiting list for now.
Persons that meet the requirements can receive standard Medicaid benefits and other services while on the waiting list.
The NMDOH Developmental Disabilities and Supports Division (DDSD) closely monitors the number of individuals on the waiting list and allocates services as funding becomes available. The current average wait time for DD Waiver services is over 12 years.
The number of individuals on the waiting list increased from 4,834 at the end of FY18-Q4 to 4,934 at the end of FY19-Q1. This increase in part reflects increased demand for DD Waiver services. During FY19-Q1 the DDSD Central Registry Unit received 128 new registrations from individuals meeting the clinical eligibility for DD Waiver services.
As provided for by the FY19 budget appropriation, 80 individuals were allocated to receive waiver services this fiscal year. Twenty-eight of those individuals started receiving services during this quarter.

What Works

Continuous review of Central Registry status reports to determine if systemic or case‐specific problems exist during the eligibility determination process.
Maintaining current contact information for registrants.
Regular outreach to and communication with registrants, families, community providers, and others to ensure knowledge of DD Waiver eligibility and the documentation necessary for the determination process.
Continuous evaluation of the methods used in processing applications and allocations.
Reallocation of unit resources to allow eligibility caseworkers to focus on backlogged applications.

Strategy

Maintain focus on reducing the backlog and completing current applications.
Monitor efforts to refer individuals with mental health issues to the appropriate system.
Increase applicant awareness of other Medicaid, State General Fund, and community‐based services.
Increase applicant and community provider awareness of DD Waiver requirements through outreach activities.

Action Plan

Q1:
- Utilize Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) principles to constantly assess the registration, application, and DD definition determination process and make adjustment for improvement. Completed.
- Continue working on the backlog plan, which should reduce the backlog by approximately 150 applications per quarter. Completed.
- Refer individuals with mental and behavioral health issues to the appropriate behavioral health system. Completed.
- Provide training and collaborate with providers and partners to help reduce the number of applications for individuals who do not qualify for the program. Completed.
Q2:
- Utilize Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) principles to assess and standardize outreach material and form letters and make adjustments for improvement.
- Continue working on the backlog plan, which should reduce the backlog by approximately 150 applications per quarter.
- Continue partnering with the Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics to remove deceased individuals from the Wait List.
- Reduce the size of the Wait List by offering at least 6 allocations per month.
Q3:
- Continue working on the backlog plan, which should reduce the backlog by approximately 150 applications per quarter.
- Provide education and information, as needed, during the 2019 legislative session about the Wait List, the definition of intellectual/developmental disability (I/DD), and other pre-service activities within the Central Registry Unit.
- Reduce the size of the Wait List by offering at least 6 allocations per month.
Q4:
- Complete backlog plan with ongoing work to process current applications.
- Initiate contact with the next 200 individuals on the Wait List to confirm or update contact information.
- Reduce the size of the Wait List by offering at least 6 or more allocations.

FY18 Annual Progress Summary

Statewide, 4,834 individuals were determined to meet the clinical definition of developmental disability and were awaiting allocation at the end of FY18.
The number of individuals on the wait list increased during FY18. End of quarter counts were as follows:
- Q1: 4,387
- Q2: 4,372
- Q3: 4,681
- Q4: 4,834

FY19 Annual Progress Summary

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