Mechanical Ventilator Dependent Waiver Renewal

South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) gives notice that it intends to file a waiver renewal with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for the Mechanical Ventilator Dependent (SC.40181) Home and Community-based Services (HCBS) waiver operated through the Bureau of Policy. The proposed effective date of this waiver is Dec. 1, 2022.

Following is a summary of changes included in the proposed waiver renewal:

1. Section Main 1-G: 1932(a) state plan benefit operating authority de-selected and replaced with §1915(a)(1)(a) option to align with operation of the Medicaid management plan.
2. Section B-6-h: added certified geriatric case managers and certified case managers to the list of qualified individuals capable of performing level of care re-evaluations.
3. Section C-1 (a): modified service definitions to align with internal scopes of service and waivers across the agency. Updated frequency of validating provider qualifications. Added taxonomy codes.
4. Section C-1 (a): itemized waiver services (remove grouping) so that services are easily identified, and federal reporting requirements are met.
5. Section C-1 (a): transfer shower bench (regular and bariatric), shower chair (regular and bariatric), and raised toilet seat (regular and bariatric) have been transitioned from the specialized medical equipment and supplies service to the mandatory home health state plan benefit and removed from the waiver, as they otherwise constitute a duplication of services.
6. Section C-2 (b): added Certified Nurse Aide Registry information to the “Abuse Registry Screening” section. 
7. Section G-1 (b): added “infectious disease outbreak” and “elopements” to the list of critical incidents.
8. Section I-3-g-iii: added text aligning this response with selection of the 1915(a)(1)(a) option indicated in Main 1-G.

Current waiver participants will not be adversely impacted.

Communication:

On July 27, 2022, these changes to the waivers were shared during the monthly Indian Health Services conference call. On Aug. 9, 2022, these changes to the waivers will be presented to SCDHHS’ Medical Care Advisory Committee at 1801 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201.

In addition, information regarding the proposed changes in the renewals will be shared with the public during the following webinars:

Webinars:          Mechanical Ventilator Dependent Waiver Renewal

Monday, Aug. 15, 3 p.m.

Registration Link: https://scdhhs.webex.com/scdhhs/j.php?RGID=r79559a20b7852d16bbbc69c6908f3f46

Mechanical Ventilator Dependent Waiver Renewal

Monday, Aug. 22, 10:00 a.m.

Registration Link: https://scdhhs.webex.com/scdhhs/j.php?RGID=r89af60385f7c48c7b8c155e35cb2a2fa

Copies of this notice and the Mechanical Ventilator Dependent waiver application are available for review at the following locations:

1. Electronic Access: www.scdhhs.gov (under “Public Notice” and “Waiver” sections)
2. Hard Copies:
3. SCDHHS Central Office Lobby: 1801 Main Street, Columbia, SC, 29201
4. SCDHHS CLTC Regional Offices:

Greenville CLTC                                                                  Florence CLTC

620 North Main Street, Suite 301                                   2701 Alex Lee Boulevard, Suite 200

Greenville, South Carolina 29601                                   Florence, South Carolina 29506

Spartanburg CLTC                                                              Conway CLTC

101 North Pine Street, Suite 405                                    1201 Creel Street

Spartanburg, South Carolina 29302                               Conway, South Carolina 29527

GreenwoodCLTC                                                               Charleston CLTC

617 South Main Street                                                     4130 Faber Place Drive, Suite 303

Greenwood, South Carolina 29646                                North Charleston, South Carolina 29405

Rock Hill CLTC                                                                    Anderson CLTC

454 South Anderson Road, Suite 11                              3215 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard,

Rock Hill, South Carolina 29730                                      Suite H

                                                                                              Anderson, South Carolina 29625

Columbia CLTC

300 Arbor Lake Drive, Suite 900                                     Aiken CLTC

Columbia, South Carolina 29223                                    2361 S. Centennial Avenue

                                                                                              Building 2, Suite B

Orangeburg CLTC                                                             Aiken, South Carolina 29803

                     191 Regional Parkway, Building A

                     Orangeburg, South Carolina 29118                               

Sumter CLTC                                                                              Ridgeland CLTC

30 Wesmark Court                                                                   10175 South Jacob Smart Boulevard

Sumter, South Carolina 29150                                               Ridgeland, South Carolina 29936

Public Comments and Responses:

If you have a question or comment, please send it to the following mail or email address prior to Sept. 12, 2022:

Email:   comments@scdhhs.gov

Mail:     Attention: Mark Collins

       Office of Waiver and Facility Services

       South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services

       Post Office Box 8206

       Columbia, SC 29202-8206

Any written comments submitted may be reviewed by the public at SCDHHS, Division of Health Programs, 1801 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.