DMH Begins Implementation of Conflict Free Case Management

The Mississippi Department of Mental Health (DMH) has begun the implementation of conflict-free case management services for the Intellectual Disabilities/Developmental Disabilities (ID/DD) Waiver.  Conflict-free case management is required for all states by the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services, and will result in the transfer of a number of DMH employees to other community providers as it is implemented at DMH programs throughout the state.

In March, 2014, CMS implemented the Final Rule for Home and Community Based Services (HCBS). This Rule requires states to ensure entities providing ID/DD Waiver Support Coordination services do not also provide other ID/DD Waiver services.  DMH has been coordinating the transition of these services with Community Mental Health Centers, which are already providing a number of the services. DMH state-run programs will no longer be providers of ID/DD Waiver services. This change is needed to ensure the ID/DD Home and Community Based Waiver can continue to be approved by CMS.

DMH believes the function of Support Coordination is within the mission of the agency.  IDD regional programs will continue to provide Support Coordination services and no longer provide other ID/DD Waiver services. This plan has been approved by the Mississippi Division of Medicaid and CMS. The first implementation of conflict-free case management began at Ellisville State School in August 2017 and will be taking place at other DMH regional programs by the end of 2018. A large number of employees affected by these transitions will continue to serve Mississippians who require support from the ID/DD Waiver. There will not be a change in the type or amount of service people currently enrolled in the program receive.

About the ID/DD Home and Community Based Waiver 

Mississippi’s ID/DD Waiver provides individualized supports and services to assist people in living successfully at home and in the community and are an alternative to care in institutional settings. These Medicaid funded supports and services are available as long as the cost of supporting individuals in the home or community does not exceed the cost of supporting individuals in institutional settings. The ID/DD Waiver includes an array of services aimed at assisting people to live as independently as possible in their home and community.  Services include:  Supported Employment, Home and Community Supports, Supervised Living, Day Services-Adult, In-Home Nursing Respite, Community Respite, Crisis Support, Prevocational Services, Specialized Medical Supplies, Behavior Support/Intervention Services, and Speech, Occupational and Physical Therapy.

About Support Coordination

Support Coordination is responsible for coordinating and monitoring all services a person on the ID/DD Waiver receives to ensure services meet the needs of the person, including protecting their health and welfare.  By maintaining Support Coordination, DMH will be able to monitor the quality and quantity of services a person receives. DMH believes the function of Support Coordination falls within the mission of the agency.