Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1200-13-01-.05

Current through December 18, 2024

Section 1200-13-01-.05 - TENNCARE CHOICES PROGRAM

(1) Definitions. See Rule 1200-13-01-.02.

(2) Program components. The TennCare CHOICES Program is a managed LTSS program that is administered by the TennCare MCOs under contract with the Bureau. The MCOs are responsible for coordinating all covered physical, behavioral, and LTSS for their Members who qualify for and are enrolled in CHOICES. The program consists of two components:

(a) NF services, as described in this Chapter.

(b) CHOICES HCBS, as described in this Chapter.

(3) Eligibility for CHOICES.

(a) There are three (3) groups in TennCare CHOICES:

1. CHOICES Group 1. Participation in CHOICES Group 1 is limited to TennCare Members of all ages who qualify for and are receiving TennCare-reimbursed NF services. Eligibility for TennCare-reimbursed LTSS is determined by DHS. Medical (or LOC) eligibility is determined by the Bureau as specified in Rule 1200-13-01-.10. Persons in CHOICES Group 1 must be enrolled in TennCare Medicaid or in the CHOICES 1 and 2 Carryover Group and qualify for TennCare reimbursement of LTSS. Persons who qualify in the CHOICES 1 and 2 Carryover Group are enrolled in TennCare Standard.

2. CHOICES Group 2.

(i) Participation in CHOICES Group 2 is limited to TennCare Members who qualify for and are receiving TennCare-reimbursed CHOICES HCBS. To be eligible for CHOICES Group 2, Applicants must meet the following criteria:

(I) Be in one of the defined target populations;

(II) Qualify in one of the specified eligibility categories;

(III) Meet NF LOC; and

(IV) Have needs that can be safely and appropriately met in the community and at a cost that does not exceed their Individual Cost Neutrality Cap as defined in Rule 1200-13-01-.02.

(ii) Target Populations for CHOICES Group 2. Only persons in one of the target populations below may qualify to enroll in CHOICES Group 2:

(I) Persons age sixty-five (65) and older.

(II) Persons twenty-one (21) years of age and older who have one or more physical disabilities as defined in Rule 1200-13-01-.02.

(iii) Eligibility Categories Served in CHOICES Group 2. Participation in CHOICES Group 2 is limited to TennCare Members who qualify in one of the following eligibility categories:

(I) SSI eligibles, who are determined eligible for SSI by the Social Security Administration. SSI eligibles are enrolled in TennCare Medicaid.

(II) The CHOICES 217-Like Group, as defined in Rule 1200-13-01-.02. Financial and categorical eligibility are determined by DHS. Persons who qualify in the CHOICES 217-Like Group in accordance with Rule 1200-13-14-.02 are enrolled in TennCare Standard.

(III) The CHOICES 1 and 2 Carryover Group, as defined in Rule 1200-13-01-.02. Financial and categorical eligibility are determined by DHS. Persons who qualify in the CHOICES 1 and 2 Carryover Group are enrolled in TennCare Standard.

3. CHOICES Group 3, including Interim CHOICES Group 3.

(i) Participation in CHOICES Group 3 is limited to TennCare Enrollees who qualify for and are receiving TennCare-reimbursed CHOICES HCBS. To be eligible for CHOICES Group 3, Enrollees must meet the following criteria:

(I) Be in one of the defined target populations;

(II) Qualify in one of the specified eligibility categories;

(III) Be At Risk for Institutionalization as defined in Rule 1200-13-01-.02; and

(IV) Have needs that can be safely and appropriately met in the community and at a cost that does not exceed their Expenditure Cap as defined in Rule 1200-13-01-.02.

(ii) Target Populations for CHOICES Group 3. Only persons in one of the target populations below may qualify to enroll in CHOICES Group 3:

(I) Persons age sixty-five (65) and older.

(II) Persons twenty-one (21) years of age and older who have one or more Physical Disabilities as defined in Rule 1200-13-01-.02.

(iii) Eligibility Categories served in CHOICES Group 3. Participation in CHOICES Group 3 is limited to TennCare Enrollees who qualify in one of the following eligibility categories:

(I) SSI eligibles, who are determined eligible for SSI by the Social Security Administration. SSI eligibles are enrolled in TennCare Medicaid.

(II) For Interim CHOICES Group 3 only, the CHOICES At-Risk Demonstration Group, as defined in Rule 1200-13-01-.02. Financial and categorical eligibility are determined by the State. Persons who qualify in the CHOICES At-Risk Demonstration Group will be enrolled in TennCare Standard. This eligibility category was open for enrollment between July 1, 2012, and June 30, 2015. Members enrolled in Interim CHOICES Group 3 on June 30, 2015, may continue to qualify in this group after June 30, 2015, so long as they continue to meet NF financial eligibility criteria and the LOC criteria in place at the time of enrollment into Interim CHOICES Group 3, and remain continuously enrolled in the CHOICES At-Risk Demonstration Group, Interim CHOICES Group 3, and TennCare.

(III) Effective October 1, 2022, the CHOICES At-Risk Demonstration Group.

(b) Level of Care (LOC). All Enrollees in TennCare CHOICES must meet the applicable LOC criteria, as determined by the Bureau in accordance with Rule 1200-13-01-.10. Physician certification of LOC shall be required only for NF services.

1. Persons shall meet NF LOC in order to enroll in CHOICES Group 1 or CHOICES Group 2.

2. Persons shall be At Risk for Institutionalization, as defined in Rule 1200-13-01-.02, in order to enroll in CHOICES Group 3, including Interim CHOICES Group 3.

3. Members enrolled in CHOICES Group 1 on June 30, 2012, may continue to qualify in this group after June 30, 2012, so long as they continue to meet NF financial eligibility, continue to meet the NF LOC criteria in place on June 30, 2012, and remain continuously enrolled in CHOICES Group 1 and in TennCare.

4. Members enrolled in CHOICES Group 1 on June 30, 2012, who wish to begin receiving HCBS and transition to CHOICES Group 2 shall, for purposes of LOC, be permitted to do so, so long as they continue to meet the NF LOC criteria in place on June 30, 2012, and have remained continuously enrolled in CHOICES Group 1 and in TennCare since June 30, 2012. Should such Member subsequently require transition back to CHOICES Group 1, TennCare may grant an exception to the current NF LOC criteria, so long as the person continues to meet the NF LOC criteria in place on June 30, 2012, and has remained continuously enrolled in CHOICES Group 1 and/or Group 2 and in TennCare since June 30, 2012.

5. Members enrolled in CHOICES Group 2 on June 30, 2012, may continue to qualify in this group after June 30, 2012, so long as they continue to meet NF financial eligibility, continue to meet the NF LOC criteria in place on June 30, 2012, and remain continuously enrolled in CHOICES Group 2 and in TennCare.

6. Members enrolled in CHOICES Group 2 on June 30, 2012, who wish to be admitted to a NF and transition to CHOICES Group 1 shall be required to meet the NF LOC criteria in place at the time of enrollment into CHOICES Group 1 unless a determination has been made by TennCare that the Member's needs can no longer be safely met in the community within the Member's Individual Cost Neutrality Cap, in which case, the Member shall meet the NF LOC criteria in place on June 30, 2012, to qualify for enrollment into CHOICES Group 1.

(c) With respect to the PASRR process described in Rule 1200-13-01-.23:

1. Members in CHOICES Group 1 must have been determined through the PASRR process described in Rules 1200-13-01-.10 and 1200-13-01-.23 to be appropriate for NF placement.

2. Members in CHOICES Group 2 or CHOICES Group 3 are not required to complete the PASRR process unless they are admitted to a NF for Short-Term NF Care described in Paragraph (8) of this Rule and defined in Rule 1200-13-01-.02. Completion of the PASRR process is not required for Members of CHOICES Group 2 or CHOICES Group 3 who have elected the Inpatient Respite Care benefit described in Paragraph (8) of this Rule, since the service being provided is not NF services, but rather, Inpatient Respite Care, which is a CHOICES HCBS.

(d) All Members in TennCare CHOICES must be admitted to a NF and require TennCare reimbursement of NF services or be receiving CHOICES HCBS in CHOICES Group 2 or CHOICES Group 3.

(e) All Members in TennCare CHOICES Group 2 must be determined by the MCO to be able to be served safely and appropriately in the community and within their Individual Cost Neutrality Cap, in accordance with this Rule. If a person can be served safely and appropriately in the community and within their Individual Cost Neutrality Cap only through receipt of Companion Care services, the person may not be enrolled into CHOICES Group 2 until a qualified companion has been identified, an adequate backup plan has been developed, and the companion has completed all required paperwork and training and is ready to begin delivering Companion Care services immediately upon the person's enrollment into CHOICES. Reasons a person cannot be served safely and appropriately in the community may include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. The home or home environment of the Applicant is unsafe to the extent that it would reasonably be expected that HCBS could not be provided without significant risk of harm or injury to the Applicant or to individuals who provide covered services.

2. The Applicant refuses or fails to sign a Risk Agreement, or the Applicant's decision to receive services in the home or community poses an unacceptable level of risk.

3. The Applicant or his caregiver is unwilling to abide by the POC or Risk Agreement.

(f) All Members in TennCare CHOICES Group 3 must be determined by the MCO to be able to be served safely and appropriately in the community within the array of services and supports available in CHOICES Group 3, including CHOICES HCBS up to the Expenditure Cap of $18,000 (excluding the cost of Minor Home Modifications), non-CHOICES HCBS available through TennCare (e.g., home health), services available through Medicare, private insurance or other funding sources, and unpaid supports provided by family members and other caregivers. Reasons a person cannot be served safely and appropriately in the community may include, but are not limited to, the following:

2. The Applicant or his caregiver is unwilling to abide by the POC.

(4) Enrollment in TennCare CHOICES. Enrollment into CHOICES shall be processed by the Bureau as follows:

(a) Enrollment into CHOICES Group 1. To qualify for enrollment into CHOICES Group 1, an Applicant must:

1. Have completed the PASRR process as defined in Rules 1200-13-01-.10 and 1200-13-01-.23;

2. Have an approved unexpired PAE for NF LOC, including Level 1 reimbursement of NF services, Level 2 reimbursement of NF services, or Enhanced Respiratory Care Reimbursement for services in a NF. Eligibility for Enhanced Respiratory Care Reimbursement shall be established in accordance with Rule 1200-13-01-.10;

3. Be approved by DHS for TennCare reimbursement of NF services;

4. Be admitted to a NF. The Bureau must have received notification from the NF that Medicaid reimbursement is requested for the effective date of CHOICES enrollment (i.e., the individual is no longer privately paying for NF services and Medicare payment of NF services is not available). Enrollment into CHOICES Group 1 (and payment of a capitation payment for LTSS) cannot begin until the Bureau or the MCO will be responsible for payment of NF services.

(b) Enrollment into CHOICES Group 2. To qualify for enrollment into CHOICES Group 2:

1. An Applicant must be in one of the target populations specified in this Rule;

2. An Applicant must have an approved unexpired PAE for NF LOC;

3. An Applicant must be approved by DHS for TennCare reimbursement of LTSS as an SSI recipient, in the CHOICES 217-Like Group, or in the CHOICES 1 and 2 Carryover Group. To be eligible in the CHOICES 217-Like Group, an Applicant must be approved by TennCare to enroll in CHOICES Group 2;

4. The Bureau must have received a determination by the MCO that the Applicant's needs can be safely and appropriately met in the community, and at a cost that does not exceed his Individual Cost Neutrality Cap, as described in this Rule, except in instances where the Applicant is not eligible for TennCare at the time of CHOICES application, in which case, such determination shall be made by the MCO upon enrollment into CHOICES Group 2; and

5. There must be capacity within the established Enrollment Target to enroll the Applicant in accordance with this Rule which may include satisfaction of criteria for Reserve Capacity, as applicable; or the Applicant must meet specified exceptions to enroll even when the Enrollment Target has been reached.

(c) Individual Cost Neutrality Cap.

1. Each Member enrolling or enrolled in CHOICES Group 2 shall have an Individual Cost Neutrality Cap, which shall be used to determine:

(i) Whether or not he qualifies to enroll in CHOICES Group 2;

(ii) Whether or not he qualifies to remain enrolled in CHOICES Group 2; and

(iii) The total cost of CHOICES HCBS, HH Services, and PDN Services he can receive while enrolled in CHOICES Group 2. The Member's Individual Cost Neutrality Cap functions as a limit on the total cost of HCBS that can be provided to the Member in the home or community setting, including CHOICES HCBS, HH Services and PDN Services.

2. A Member is not entitled to receive services up to the amount of his Cost Neutrality Cap. A Member shall receive only those services that are medically necessary (i.e., required in order to help ensure the Member's health, safety and welfare in the home or community setting and to delay or prevent the need for NF placement). Determination of the services that are needed shall be based on a comprehensive assessment of the Member's needs and the availability of Natural Supports and other (non-TennCare reimbursed) services to meet identified needs which shall be conducted by the Member's Care Coordinator.

3. Calculating a Group 2 Member's Individual Cost Neutrality Cap.

(i) Each Group 2 Member will have an Individual Cost Neutrality Cap that is based on the average cost of the level of NF reimbursement that would be paid if the Member were institutionalized in a NF as set forth in Items (I) through (III) below. CHOICES Group 2 does not offer an alternative to hospital level of care.

(I) A Member who would qualify only for Level 1 NF reimbursement shall have a Cost Neutrality Cap set at the average Level 1 cost of NF care.

(II) A Member who would qualify for Level 2 NF reimbursement shall have a Cost Neutrality Cap set at the average Level 2 cost of NF care.

(III) A Member determined by TennCare to meet the medical eligibility criteria in Rule 1200-13-01-.10(5)(c) who would qualify for Chronic Ventilator Care or a Member determined by the Bureau to meet the medical eligibility criteria in Rule 1200-13-01-.10(5)(d) who would qualify for Secretion Management Tracheal Suctioning will have a Cost Neutrality Cap that reflects the higher payment that would be made to a NF for such care. For at least FY 2016-2017, the Cost Neutrality Cap for such CHOICES Group 2 member shall be based on the annualized cost of the applicable Enhanced Respiratory Care rate in effect as of June 30, 2016. Beginning July 1, 2017, the Cost Neutrality Cap for such CHOICES Group 2 member may be established based on the average annualized cost of the applicable level of Enhanced Respiratory Care Reimbursement using payments for such level of reimbursement during the FY 2016-2017 year. The Cost Neutrality Cap for such CHOICES Group 2 member shall be adjusted no more frequently than annually thereafter. There is no Cost Neutrality Cap based on the cost of Ventilator Weaning Reimbursement or Sub-Acute Tracheal Suctioning Reimbursement, as such services are available only on a short-term basis in a SNF or acute care setting.

(ii) The PAE application shall be used to submit information to the Bureau that will be used to establish a Member's Individual Cost Neutrality Cap.

(iii) A Member's Individual Cost Neutrality Cap shall be the average Level 1 cost of NF care unless a higher Cost Neutrality Cap is established based on information submitted in the PAE application.

4. Application of the Individual Cost Neutrality Cap.

(i) The annual Cost Neutrality Cap shall be applied on a calendar year basis. The Bureau and the MCOs will track utilization of CHOICES HCBS, HH services, and PDN services across each calendar year.

(ii) A Member's Individual Cost Neutrality Cap must also be applied prospectively on a twelve (12) month basis. This is to ensure that a Member's POC does not establish a threshold level of supports that cannot be sustained over the course of time. This means that, for purposes of care planning, the MCO will always project the total cost of all CHOICES HCBS (including one-time costs such as Minor Home Modifications, short-term services or short-term increases in services) and HH and PDN Services forward for twelve (12) months in order to determine whether the Member's needs can continue to be safely and cost-effectively met based on the most current POC that has been developed. The cost of one-time services such as Minor Home Modifications, short-term services or short-term increases in services must be counted as part of the total cost of HCBS for a full twelve (12) month period following the date of service delivery.

(iii) If it can be reasonably anticipated, based on the CHOICES HCBS, HH and PDN services currently received or determined to be needed in order to safely meet the person's needs in the community, that the person will exceed his Cost Neutrality Cap, then the person does not qualify to enroll in or to remain enrolled in CHOICES Group 2.

(iv) Notwithstanding the Expenditure Cap specified in 1200-13-01-.05(4)(c) and (f), a person enrolled in CHOICES shall not be disenrolled, nor shall currently authorized CHOICES HCBS be reduced, if the sole reason the person's Individual Cost Neutrality Cap or Expenditure Cap would be exceeded is the targeted rate increases in CHOICES HCBS provided via Tennessee's HCBS Spending Plan under Section 9817 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

5. As the setting of an individual's Cost Neutrality Cap does not, in and of itself, result in any increase or decrease in a Member's services, notice of action shall not be provided regarding the Bureau's Cost Neutrality Cap calculation.

(i) A Member has a right to due process regarding his Individual Cost Neutrality Cap when services are denied or reduced, when a determination is made that an Applicant cannot be enrolled into CHOICES, or a currently enrolled CHOICES Member can no longer remain enrolled in CHOICES because his needs cannot be safely and effectively met in the home and community-based setting at a cost that does not exceed his Individual Cost Neutrality Cap.

(ii) When an adverse action is taken, notice of action shall be provided, and the Applicant or Member shall have the right to a fair hearing regarding any valid factual dispute pertaining to such action, which may include, but is not limited to, whether his Cost Neutrality Cap was calculated appropriately.

(I) Denial of or reductions in CHOICES HCBS based on a Member's Cost Neutrality Cap shall constitute an adverse action under the Grier Revised Consent Decree (Modified), as defined in Rules 1200-13-13-.01 and 1200-13-14-.01, and shall give rise to Grier notice of action and due process rights to request a fair hearing in accordance with Rules 1200-13-13-.11 and 1200-13-14-.11.

(II) Denial of enrollment and/or involuntary disenrollment because a person's Cost Neutrality Cap will be exceeded shall constitute an eligibility/enrollment action, and shall give rise to notice of action and due process rights to request a fair hearing in accordance with this rule.

(d) Enrollment Target for CHOICES Group 2.

1. There shall be an Enrollment Target for CHOICES Group 2. The Enrollment Target functions as a cap on the total number of persons who can be enrolled into CHOICES Group 2 at any given time.

(i) Effective July 1, 2012, the Enrollment Target for CHOICES Group 2 will be twelve thousand five hundred (12,500).

(ii) Once the Enrollment Target (including Reserve Capacity as defined in 1200-13-01-.02 and as described in 1200-13-01-.05(d)(2)) is reached, qualified Applicants shall not be enrolled into CHOICES Group 2 or qualify in the CHOICES 217-Like eligibility category based on receipt of HCBS until such time that capacity within the Enrollment Target is available, with the following exceptions:

(I) NF-to-Community Transitions. A Member being served in CHOICES Group 1 who meets requirements to enroll in CHOICES Group 2 can enroll in CHOICES Group 2 even though the Enrollment Target has been met. This Member will be served in CHOICES Group 2 outside the Enrollment Target but shall be moved within the CHOICES Enrollment Target at such time that a slot becomes available. A request to transition a Member from CHOICES Group 1 to CHOICES Group 2 in excess of the CHOICES Group 2 Enrollment Target must specify the name of the NF where the Member currently resides, the date of admission and the planned date of transition.

(II) CEA Enrollment. An MCO with an SSI-eligible recipient who meets all other criteria for enrollment into CHOICES Group 2, but who cannot enroll in CHOICES Group 2 because the Enrollment Target for that group has been met, has the option, at its sole discretion, of offering HCBS as a CEA to the Member. Upon receipt of satisfactory documentation from the MCO of its CEA determination and assurance of provider capacity to meet the Member's needs, the Bureau will enroll the person into CHOICES Group 2, regardless of the Enrollment Target. The person will be served in CHOICES Group 2 outside the Enrollment Target, but shall be moved within the CHOICES Group 2 Enrollment Target at such time that a slot becomes available. Satisfactory documentation of the MCO's CEA determination shall include an explanation of the Member's circumstances that warrant the immediate provision of NF services unless HCBS are immediately available. Documentation of adequate provider capacity to meet the Member's needs shall include a listing of providers for each HCBS in the Member's POC which the MCO has confirmed are willing and able to initiate HCBS within ten (10) business days of the Member's enrollment into CHOICES Group 2.

(III) If enrollment into CHOICES Group 2 is denied because the Enrollment Target has been reached, notice shall be provided to the Applicant, including the right to request a fair hearing regarding any valid factual dispute pertaining to the Bureau's decision. If the person otherwise qualifies for enrollment into CHOICES Group 2, but does not meet the exceptions specified in 1200-13-01-.05(4)(d) 1.(ii), the Applicant shall be placed on a Waiting List for CHOICES Group 2.

(IV) Once the CHOICES Group 2 Enrollment Target is reached, any persons enrolled in excess of the Enrollment Target in accordance with this Rule must receive the first available slots. Only after all persons enrolled in excess of the Enrollment Target have been moved under the Enrollment Target can additional persons be enrolled into CHOICES Group 2.

2. Reserve Capacity.

(i) The Bureau shall reserve three hundred (300) slots within the CHOICES Group 2 Enrollment Target. These slots are available only when the Enrollment Target has otherwise been reached, and only to the following:

(I) Applicants being discharged from a NF; and

(II) Applicants being discharged from an acute care setting who are at imminent risk of being placed in a NF setting absent the provision of HCBS.

(ii) Once all other available (i.e., unreserved) slots have been filled, Applicants who meet specified criteria (including new Applicants seeking to establish eligibility in the CHOICES 217-Like Group as well as current SSI-eligible individuals seeking enrollment into CHOICES Group 2) may be enrolled into reserved slots. TennCare may require confirmation of the NF or hospital discharge and in the case of hospital discharge, written explanation of the Applicant's circumstances that warrant the immediate provision of NF services unless HCBS are immediately available.

(iii) If enrollment into a Reserve Capacity slot is denied, notice shall be provided to the Applicant, including the right to request a fair hearing regarding any valid factual dispute pertaining to the Bureau's decision. If the person otherwise qualifies for enrollment into CHOICES Group 2, but does not meet the specified criteria for Reserve Capacity, the Applicant shall be placed on a Waiting List for CHOICES Group 2.

(e) Enrollment into CHOICES Group 3. To qualify for enrollment into CHOICES Group 3 (including Interim CHOICES Group 3):

1. An individual must be in one of the target populations specified in this Rule;

2. An individual must be At Risk for Institutionalization, as defined in Rule 1200-13-01-.02;

3. An individual must be approved by DHS for reimbursement of LTSS as an SSI recipient or for Interim CHOICES Group 3 only, in the CHOICES At-Risk Demonstration Group, as defined in Rule 1200-13-01-.02. To be eligible in the CHOICES At-Risk Demonstration Group, an individual must be enrolled in Interim CHOICES Group 3, subject to determination of categorical and financial eligibility by DHS;

4. The Bureau must have received a determination by the MCO that the individual's needs can be safely and appropriately met in the community, and at a cost that does not exceed his Expenditure Cap, as described in this Rule, except in instances where the person is not eligible for TennCare at the time of CHOICES application, in which case, such determination shall be made by the MCO upon enrollment into CHOICES Group 3; and

5. There must be capacity within the established Enrollment Target, as applicable, to enroll the individual in accordance with this Rule. Enrollment Targets shall be limited as necessary to ensure that program spending does not exceed the funding appropriated for the program. The Bureau will publish current Enrollment Target numbers for CHOICES Group 3 on the TennCare website at tn.gov/tenncare.

(f) Expenditure Cap for CHOICES Group 3.

1. Each Member enrolling or enrolled in CHOICES Group 3 shall be subject to an Expenditure Cap on CHOICES HCBS. The Expenditure Cap shall be used to determine:

(i) Whether or not an Applicant qualifies to enroll in CHOICES Group 3;

(ii) Whether or not a Member qualifies to remain enrolled in CHOICES Group 3; and

(iii) The total cost of CHOICES HCBS a Member can receive while enrolled in CHOICES Group 3, excluding the cost of Minor Home Modifications. The Expenditure Cap functions as a limit on the total cost of CHOICES HCBS, excluding Minor Home Modifications, that can be provided by the MCO to the Member in the home or community setting.

2. A Member is not entitled to receive services up to the amount of the Expenditure Cap. A Member shall receive only those services that are medically necessary (i.e., required in order to help ensure the Member's health, safety and welfare in the home or community setting and to delay or prevent the need for NF placement). Determination of the services that are needed shall be based on a comprehensive assessment of the Member's needs and the availability of Natural Supports and other (non-TennCare reimbursed) services to meet identified needs, which shall be conducted by the Member's Care Coordinator.

3. The Expenditure Cap for CHOICES HCBS provided to CHOICES Group 3 Members shall be $18,000 (eighteen thousand dollars) annually, excluding the cost of Minor Home Modifications.

4. Application of the Expenditure Cap.

(i) The annual Expenditure Cap shall be applied on a calendar year basis. The Bureau and the MCOs will track utilization of CHOICES HCBS excluding Minor Home Modifications, across each calendar year.

(ii) A Member's Expenditure Cap must also be applied prospectively on a twelve (12) month basis. This is to ensure that a Member's POC does not establish a threshold level of supports that cannot be sustained over the course of time. This means that, for purposes of care planning, the MCO will always project the total cost of CHOICES HCBS (excluding Minor Home Modifications) forward for twelve (12) months in order to determine whether the Member's needs can continue to be met based on the most current POC that has been developed. The cost of one-time services such as short-term services or short-term increases in services must be counted as part of the total cost of CHOICES HCBS for a full twelve (12) month period following the date of service delivery.

(iii) If it can be reasonably anticipated, based on the CHOICES HCBS currently received or determined to be needed (in addition to non-CHOICES HCBS available through TennCare, e.g., home health, services available through Medicare, private insurance or other funding sources, and unpaid supports provided by family members and other caregivers) in order to safely meet the person's needs in the community, that the person will exceed his Expenditure Cap, then the person does not qualify to enroll in or to remain enrolled in CHOICES Group 3.

(iv) Any Short-Term NF Care received by a Member enrolled in CHOICES Group 3 shall not be counted against his Expenditure Cap.

(v) Notwithstanding the Expenditure Cap specified in 1200-13-01-.05(4)(c) and (f), a person enrolled in CHOICES shall not be disenrolled, nor shall currently authorized CHOICES HCBS be reduced, if the sole reason the person's Individual Cost Neutrality Cap or Expenditure Cap would be exceeded is the targeted rate increases in CHOICES HCBS provided via Tennessee's HCBS Spending Plan under Section 9817 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

(g) Enrollment Target for CHOICES Group 3 (including Interim CHOICES Group 3).

1. The State may establish an Enrollment Target for CHOICES Group 3 which shall be at least ten (10) percent of the Enrollment Target established by the State for CHOICES Group 2.

2. Notwithstanding any Enrollment Target established for CHOICES Group 3 as described in this subparagraph, Interim CHOICES Group 3 which is open for enrollment between July 1, 2012, and June 30, 2015, shall not be subject to an Enrollment Target.

(5) Disenrollment from CHOICES. A Member may be disenrolled from CHOICES voluntarily or involuntarily.

(a) Voluntary disenrollment from CHOICES means the Member has chosen to disenroll, and no notice of action shall be issued regarding a Member's decision to voluntarily disenroll from CHOICES. However, notice shall be provided regarding any subsequent adverse action that may occur as a result of the Member's decision, including any change in benefits, cost-sharing responsibility, or continued eligibility for TennCare when the Member's eligibility was conditioned on receipt of LTSS. Voluntary disenrollment shall proceed only upon:

1. Discharge from a NF when the Member is not transitioning to CHOICES Group 2 or CHOICES Group 3, as described in these rules;

2. Election by the Member to receive hospice services in a NF, which is not a LTSS; or

3. Receipt of a statement signed by the Member or his authorized Representative voluntarily requesting disenrollment.

(b) A Member may be involuntarily disenrolled from CHOICES only by the Bureau, although such process may be initiated by a Member's MCO. Reasons for involuntary disenrollment include but are not limited to:

1. The Member no longer meets one or more criteria for eligibility and/or enrollment as specified in this Rule.

2. The Member's needs can no longer be safely met in the community. This may include but is not limited to the following instances:

(i) The home or home environment of the Member becomes unsafe to the extent that it would reasonably be expected that HCBS could not be provided without significant risk of harm or injury to the Member or to individuals who provide covered services to the Member.

(ii) The Member or his caregiver refuses to abide by the POC or Risk Agreement.

(iii) Even though an adequate provider network is in place, there are no providers who are willing to provide necessary services to the Member.

(iv) The Member refuses or fails to sign a Risk Agreement, or the Member's decision to continue receiving services in the home or community poses an unacceptable level of risk.

3. The Member's needs can no longer be safely met in the community at a cost that does not exceed the Member's Cost Neutrality Cap or Expenditure Cap, as applicable and as described in this Rule.

4. The Member no longer needs or is no longer receiving LTSS.

5. The Member has refused to pay his Patient Liability. The MCO and/or its participating providers are unwilling to serve the Member in CHOICES because he has not paid his Patient Liability, and/or no other MCO is willing to serve the Member in CHOICES.

(6) Safety Determination Requests for CHOICES and ECF CHOICES.

(a) For purposes of the Need for Inpatient Nursing Care, as specified in TennCare Rule 1200-13-01-.10(4)(b) 2.(i)(II) and 1200-13-01-.10(4)(b) 2.(ii)(II)-(IV), a Safety Determination by TennCare shall be made upon request of the Applicant, the Applicant's Representative, or the entity submitting the PAE, including the AAAD, DIDD, MCO, NF, or PACE Organization if an Applicant for CHOICES is in the target population for CHOICES as specified in Rule 1200-13-01-.05 and is At Risk for Institutionalization as defined in Rule 1200-13-01-.02, or an Applicant for ECF CHOICES is in the target population for ECF CHOICES as specified in Rule 1200-13-01-.31 and is At Risk for Institutionalization as defined in Rule 1200-13-01-.02, and at least one of the following criteria are met.

1. The Applicant has an approved total acuity score of at least five (5) but no more than eight (8);

2. The Applicant has an approved individual acuity score of at least three (3) for the Orientation measure and the absence of frequent intermittent or continuous intervention and supervision would result in imminent and serious risk of harm to the Applicant and/or others (documentation of the impact of such deficits on the Applicant's safety, including information or examples that would support and describe the imminence and seriousness of risk shall be required);

3. The Applicant has an approved individual acuity score of at least two (2) for the Behavior measure; and the absence of intervention and supervision for behaviors at the frequency specified in the PAE would result in imminent and serious risk of harm to the Applicant and/or others (in addition to information submitted with the PAE, information or examples that would support and describe the imminence and seriousness of risk resulting from the behaviors shall be required);

4. The Applicant has an approved individual acuity score of at least three (3) for the mobility or transfer measures or an approved individual acuity score of at least two (2) for the toileting measure, and the absence of frequent intermittent assistance for mobility and/or toileting needs would result in imminent and serious risk to the Applicant's health and safety (documentation of the mobility/transfer or toileting deficits and the lack of availability of assistance for mobility/transfer and toileting needs shall be required);

5. The Applicant has experienced a significant change in physical or behavioral health or functional needs or the Applicant's caregiver has experienced a significant change in physical or behavioral health or functional needs which impacts the availability of needed assistance for the Applicant;

6. The Applicant has a pattern of recent falls resulting in injury or with significant potential for injury or a recent fall under circumstances indicating a significant potential risk for further falls;

7. The Applicant has an established pattern of recent emergent hospital admissions or emergency department utilization for emergent conditions or a recent hospital or NF admission or episode of treatment in a hospital emergency department under circumstances sufficient to indicate that the person may not be capable of being safely maintained in the community (not every hospital or NF admission or emergency department episode will be sufficient to indicate such).

8. The Applicant's behaviors or a pattern of self-neglect has created a risk to personal health, safety and/or welfare that has prompted intervention by law enforcement or Adult Protective Services (APS). A report of APS or law enforcement involvement shall be sufficient by itself to require the conduct of a Safety Determination (but not necessarily the approval of a Safety Determination).

9. The Applicant has recently been discharged from a community-based residential alternative setting (or such discharge is pending) because the Applicant's needs can no longer be safely met in that setting.

10. The Applicant is a CHOICES Group 1 or Group 2 member or PACE member enrolled on or after July 1, 2012 (pursuant to level of care rules specified in 1200-13-01-.10(4)(b) 2.(i) and (ii)) and has been determined upon review to no longer meet nursing facility level of care based on a total acuity score of 9 or above.

11. The applicant has diagnosed complex acute or chronic medical conditions which require frequent, ongoing skilled and/or rehabilitative interventions and treatment by licensed professional staff.

12. The Applicant's MCO has determined, upon enrollment into Group 3 based on a PAE submitted by another entity, that the Applicant's needs cannot be safely met within the array of services and supports available if enrolled in Group 3 (see 1200-13-01-.02), such that a higher level of care is needed.

13. An Applicant who has an intellectual or developmental disability has a General Maladaptive Index value of -21 or lower, as determined on the Maladaptive Behavior Index (MBI) portion of the Inventory for Client and Agency Planning (ICAP).

14. An Applicant under age 18 who has an intellectual or developmental disability will not qualify financially for TennCare unless the deeming of the parent's income to the child is waived, and absent the availability of benefits in ECF CHOICES Group 4, the child is at imminent risk of placement outside the home.

(b) Any of these criteria shall be sufficient to warrant review of a Safety Determination request by the Bureau; however except as provided in Subpart (f)1.(i) below, no criterion shall necessarily be sufficient, in and of itself, to justify that such Safety Determination request (and NF LOC) will be approved. The Bureau may also, at its discretion, review a Safety Determination request when none of the criteria in (a) above have been met, but other safety concerns have been submitted which the Bureau determines may impact the person's ability to be safely served in CHOICES Group 3, or ECF CHOICES Group 5, as applicable, along with sufficient medical evidence to make a safety determination. The Bureau's Safety Determination shall be based on a review of the medical evidence in its entirety, including consideration of the Applicant's medical and functional needs, and the array of services and supports that would be available if the Applicant was enrolled in CHOICES Group 3 or ECF CHOICES Group 5 (for adults age twenty-one (21) and older), as applicable for the target population in which the Applicant will be enrolled, if eligible, including CHOICES HCBS or ECF CHOICES HCBS up to the Expenditure Cap, and one-time emergency assistance up to $6,000, as applicable; non-CHOICES HCBS available through TennCare (e.g., home health); cost effective alternative services (as applicable); services available through Medicare, private insurance or other funding sources and unpaid supports provided by family members and other caregivers who are willing and able to provide such care.

(c) PAEs may be submitted by more than one entity on behalf of an applicant. If Entity #1 (e.g., the MCO) believes that an applicant's needs can be safely met if enrolled in Group 3 and a Safety Determination is not needed for the applicant, but Entity #2 (e.g., the NF) believes that a Safety Determination is appropriate, then Entity #2 (e.g., the NF) may also submit a PAE on behalf of the applicant, along with a completed Safety Determination request, to the Bureau for review.

(d) If one or more of the criteria specified in (a) above are met and the medical evidence received by the Bureau is insufficient to make a Safety Determination, the Bureau may request a face-to-face assessment by the AAAD or DIDD (for non Medicaid-eligible Applicants), the MCO (for Medicaid-eligible Applicants), or other designee in order to gather additional information needed by the Bureau to make a final Safety Determination. In such instances, the PAE shall be deemed incomplete, and the time for disposition of the PAE shall be tolled for a reasonable period of time (not to exceed 10 business days, except when such delay is based on the reasonable needs or request of the Applicant, and only for a specific additional period not to exceed a total period of 30 calendar days, occasioned by the Applicant's needs or request) while such additional evidence is gathered.

(e) Except as specified in Subpart (f)1.(i) below, documentation required to support a Safety Determination request shall include all of the following:

1. A completed PAE, including detailed explanation of each ADL or related deficiency, as required by the Bureau, a completed Safety Determination request, and medical evidence sufficient to support the functional and related deficits identified in the PAE and the health and safety risks identified in the Safety Determination request;

2. A comprehensive needs assessment which shall include all of the following:

(i) An assessment of the Applicant's physical, behavioral, and psychosocial needs not reflected in the PAE, including the specific tasks and functions for which assistance is needed by the Applicant, the frequency with which such tasks must be performed, and the Applicant's need for safety monitoring and supervision;

(ii) The Applicant's living arrangements and the services and supports the Applicant has received for the six (6) months prior to submission of the Safety Determination request, including unpaid care provided by family members and other caregivers, paid services and supports the Applicant has been receiving regardless of payer (e.g., non-CHOICES HCBS available through TennCare such as home health and services available through Medicare, private insurance or other funding sources); and any anticipated change in the availability of such care or services from the current caregiver or payer; and

(iii) Detailed explanation regarding any recent significant event(s) or circumstances that have impacted the Applicant's need for services and supports, including how such event(s) or circumstances impact the Applicant's ability to be safely supported within the array of covered services and supports that would be available if the Applicant were enrolled in CHOICES Group 3 or ECF CHOICES Group 5, as applicable.

3. A person-centered plan of care or support plan, as applicable, developed by the MCO Care Coordinator or Support Coordinator, NF, or PACE Organization (i.e., the entity submitting the Safety Determination request) which specifies the tasks and functions for which assistance is needed by the Applicant, the frequency with which such tasks must be performed, the Applicant's need for safety monitoring and supervision; and the amount (e.g., minutes, hours, etc.) of paid assistance that would be necessary to provide such assistance; and that would be provided by such entity upon approval of the Safety Determination. (A plan of care or support plan is not required for a Safety Determination submitted by the AAAD or DIDD.) In the case of a Safety Determination request submitted by an MCO or AAAD for a NF resident, the plan of care shall be developed in collaboration with the NF, as appropriate; and

4. An explanation regarding why an array of covered services and supports, including CHOICES HCBS up to the Expenditure Cap, ECF CHOICES HCBS up to the Expenditure Cap, and one-time emergency assistance up to $6,000; and non-CHOICES or non-ECF CHOICES HCBS (e.g., home health); services available through Medicare, private insurance or other funding sources; and unpaid supports provided by family members and other caregivers would not be sufficient to safely meet the Applicant's needs in the community.

(f) Approval of a Safety Determination Request.

1. A Safety Determination request shall be approved if there is sufficient evidence, as required and determined by the Bureau, to demonstrate that the necessary intervention and supervision needed by the Applicant cannot be safely provided within the array of services and supports that would be available if the Applicant was enrolled in CHOICES Group 3 or ECF CHOICES Group 5, as applicable for the target population in which the Applicant will be enrolled, if eligible, including CHOICES HCBS or ECF CHOICES HCBS up to the Expenditure Cap, and onetime emergency assistance up to $6,000, as applicable; non-CHOICES HCBS available through TennCare (e.g., home health); cost-effective alternative services (as applicable); services available through Medicare, private insurance or other funding sources; and unpaid supports provided by family members and other caregivers who are willing and able to provide such care.

(i) An applicant with I/DD whose GMI score is at or below -31 (categorized as "Serious" or "Very Serious") shall qualify for NF LOC on the basis of the safety determination, regardless of their score on the PAE Acuity Scale. No minimum acuity score and no other information shall be required as part of the safety determination.

(ii) A maladaptive behavior index value of -21 to -30 (categorized as "Moderately Serious") shall be sufficient to warrant a Safety Determination review upon request, but shall not automatically qualify for approval of NF LOC on the basis of safety. The decision shall be based on a review of the entirety of the person's needs and circumstances and in accordance with documentation requirements specified herein.

(iii) For applicants with I/DD who have a maladaptive behavior index value of -20 and above, the problem behavior assessment and the life skills assessment shall be taken into account along with other documentation requirements specified herein in determining whether any safety determination request submitted should be approved.

2. When a Safety Determination request is approved, the Applicant's NF LOC eligibility shall be approved (see Rule 1200-13-01-.10(4)(b) 2.(i)(II) and 1200-13-01-.10(4)(b) 2.(ii)(II)-(IV)).

3. If enrolled in CHOICES Group 1 or 2, PACE, or in ECF CHOICES, based upon approval of a Safety Determination request, the NF, MCO, or PACE Organization, respectively, shall implement any plan of care or initial support plan developed by such entity and submitted as part of the Safety Determination request to demonstrate the services needed by the Applicant, subject to changes in the Applicant's needs which shall be reflected in a revised plan of care or person-centered support plan and signed by the Applicant (or authorized representative).

4. The lack of availability of suitable community housing, the need for assistance with routine medication management, discharge from another service system (e.g., state custody or a mental health institute), or release from incarceration shall not be sufficient by itself to justify approval of a Safety Determination request.

(g) Denial of a Safety Determination Request for CHOICES or ECF CHOICES.

1. Pursuant to Rule 1200-13-01-.10(7)(b), when a PAE is denied, including instances where a Safety Determination has been requested and denied, a written Notice of denial shall be sent to the Applicant and, where applicable, to the Designated Correspondent. In instances where such denial is based in part on a Safety Determination that has been requested and denied, such Notice shall advise the Applicant of the Bureau's LOC decision, including denial of the Safety Determination request. This notice shall advise the Applicant of the right to appeal the PAE denial decision, which includes the Safety Determination, as applicable, within 30 calendar days,

2. If enrolled in CHOICES Group 3 or in ECF CHOICES Group 5 based upon denial of a Safety Determination Request, the MCO shall implement any plan of care or initial support plan, as applicable, developed by the MCO and submitted as part of the Safety Determination process to demonstrate that the Applicant's needs can be safely met in CHOICES Group 3 or ECF CHOICES Group 5, as applicable, including covered medically necessary CHOICES HCBS or ECF CHOICES HCBS, and non-CHOICES or non-ECF CHOICES HCBS available through TennCare and cost-effective alternative services upon which denial of the Safety Determination was based, subject to changes in the Applicant's needs which shall be reflected in a revised plan of care or person-centered support plan and signed by the Applicant (or authorized representative).

(h) Duration of Nursing Facility Level of Care Based on an Approved Safety Determination Request.

1. Pursuant to 1200-13-01-.10(2)(h), Nursing Facility level of care based on an approved Safety Determination request may be approved by the Bureau for an open ended period of time or a fixed period of time with an expiration date based on an assessment by the Bureau of the Applicant's medical condition and anticipated continuing need for inpatient nursing care, and how long it is reasonably anticipated that the Applicant's needs cannot be safely and appropriately met in the community within the array of services and supports available if enrolled in CHOICES Group 3 or ECF CHOICES Group 5, as applicable. This may include periods of less than 30 days as appropriate, including instances in which it is determined that additional post-acute inpatient treatment of no more than 30 days is needed for stabilization, rehabilitation, or intensive teaching as specified in the plan of care following an acute event, newly diagnosed complex medical condition, or significant progression of a previously diagnosed complex medical condition in order to facilitate the Applicant's safe transition back to the community.

2. Pursuant to Rule 1200-13-01-.10(7)(f), when a PAE for NF LOC is approved for a fixed period of time with an expiration date based on an assessment by the Bureau of the Applicant's medical condition and anticipated continuing need for inpatient nursing care, and how long it is reasonably anticipated that the Applicant's needs cannot be safely and appropriately met in the community within the array of services and supports available if enrolled in CHOICES Group 3 or ECF CHOICES Group 5, the Applicant shall be provided with a Notice of appeal rights, including the opportunity to submit an appeal within 30 calendar days of receipt of this notice. Nothing in this section shall preclude the right of the Applicant to submit a new PAE (including a new Safety Determination request) establishing medical necessity of care before the Expiration Date has been reached or anytime thereafter.

(7) Transitioning Between CHOICES Groups.

(a) Transition from Group 1 to Group 2.

1. An MCO may request to transition a Member from Group 1 to Group 2 only when the Member chooses to transition from the NF to an HCBS setting. Members shall not be required to transition from Group 1 to Group 2. Only an MCO may submit to TennCare a request to transition a Member from Group 1 to Group 2.

2. A Member that has already been discharged from the NF shall not be transitioned to CHOICES Group 2. Once a Member has discharged from the NF, he has voluntarily disenrolled from CHOICES Group 1 and must be newly enrolled into CHOICES Group 2. A new PAE shall be required for enrollment into CHOICES Group 2.

3. When Members move from Group 1 to Group 2, DHS must recalculate the Member's Patient Liability based on the Community PNA.

(b) Transition from Group 2 to Group 1. An MCO may request to transition a Member from Group 2 to Group 1 only under the following circumstances:

1. Except as provided in TennCare Rule 1200-13-01-.05(3)(b) 6., the Member meets the NF LOC criteria in place at the time of enrollment into CHOICES Group 1, and at least one (1) of the following is true:

(i) The Member chooses to transition from HCBS to NF, for example, due to a decline in the Member's health or functional status, or a change in the Member's natural caregiving supports; or

(ii) The MCO has made a determination that the Member's needs can no longer be safely met in the community and at a cost that does not exceed the average cost of NF services for which the Member would qualify, and the Member chooses to transition to the more appropriate institutional setting in order to safely meet his needs.

2. When Members move from Group 2 to Group 1, DHS must recalculate the Member's Patient Liability based on the Institutional PNA.

(c) At such time as a transition between CHOICES Groups 1 and 2 is made, the MCO shall issue notice of transition to the Member. Because the Member has elected the transition and remains enrolled in CHOICES, such transition between CHOICES groups shall not constitute an adverse action. Thus, the notice will not include the right to appeal or request a fair hearing regarding the Member's decision.

(d) Transition from Group 1 or Group 2 to Group 3.

1. The Bureau or the MCO shall, subject to eligibility and enrollment criteria set forth in TennCare Rule 1200-13-01-.05(3) and (4), initiate a transition from Group 1 or from Group 2 to Group 3 when a Member who was enrolled in CHOICES Group 1 or Group 2 on or after July 1, 2012, no longer meets NF LOC, but is At Risk for Institutionalization as defined in Rule 1200-13-01-.02.

2. A Member that has already been discharged from the NF shall not be transitioned from CHOICES Group 1 to CHOICES Group 3. Once a Member has discharged from the NF, he has voluntarily disenrolled from CHOICES Group 1 and must be newly enrolled into CHOICES Group 3. A new PAE shall be required for enrollment into CHOICES Group 3.

3. When a Member transitions from CHOICES Group 1 to Group 3, DHS must recalculate the Member's Patient Liability based on the Community PNA.

(e) Transition from Group 3 to Group 1 or Group 2.

1. The Bureau or the MCO shall initiate a transition from Group 3 to Group 1 or Group 2, as appropriate, when the Member meets NF LOC in place at the time of the transition request and satisfies all requirements for enrollment into the requested Group.

2. When a member transitions from Group 3 to Group 1, DHS must recalculate the Member's Patient Liability based on the Institutional PNA.

(8) Benefits in the TennCare CHOICES Program.

(a) CHOICES includes NF care and CHOICES HCBS benefits, as described in this Chapter. Pursuant to federal regulations, NF services must be ordered by the treating physician. A physician's order is not required for CHOICES HCBS.

(b) Members of CHOICES Group 1 who are Medicaid eligible receive NF care, in addition to all of the medically necessary covered benefits available for Medicaid recipients, as specified in Rule 1200-13-13-.04. While receiving NF care, Members are not eligible for HCBS.

(c) Members of CHOICES Group 1 who are eligible for TennCare Standard in the CHOICES 1 and 2 Carryover Group receive NF care, in addition to all of the medically necessary covered benefits available for TennCare Standard recipients, as specified in Rule 1200-13-14-.04. While receiving NF care, Members are not eligible for HCBS.

(d) Members of CHOICES Group 2 who are Medicaid eligible receive CHOICES HCBS as specified in an approved POC, in addition to medically necessary covered benefits available for TennCare Medicaid recipients, as specified in Rule 1200-13-13-.04. While receiving HCBS, Members are not eligible for NF care, except for Short-Term NF care, as described in this Chapter.

(e) Members of CHOICES Group 2 who are eligible for TennCare Standard in the CHOICES 217-Like Group or in the CHOICES 1 and 2 Carryover Group receive CHOICES HCBS as specified in an approved POC, in addition to medically necessary covered benefits available for TennCare Standard recipients, as specified in Rule 1200-13-14-.04. While receiving HCBS, Members are not eligible for NF care, except for Short-Term NF care, as described in this Chapter.

(f) Members of CHOICES Group 3 who are SSI Eligible receive CHOICES HCBS as specified in an approved POC, in addition to medically necessary covered benefits available for TennCare Medicaid recipients, as specified in Rule 1200-13-13-.04. While receiving HCBS, Members are not eligible for NF care, except for Short-Term NF care, as described in this Chapter.

(g) Members of CHOICES Group 3 who are eligible for TennCare Standard in the CHOICES At-Risk Demonstration Group receive CHOICES HCBS as specified in an approved POC, in addition to medically necessary covered benefits available for TennCare Standard recipients, as specified in Rule 1200-13-14-.04. While receiving HCBS, Members are not eligible for NF care, except for Short-Term NF care, as described in this Chapter.

(h) Members are not eligible to receive any other HCBS during the time that Short-Term NF services are provided. CHOICES HCBS such as Minor Home Modifications or installation of a PERS which are required to facilitate transition from the NF back to the home or community may be provided during the NF stay and billed with date of service being on or after discharge from the NF.

(i) Members receiving CBRA services, other than Companion Care, are eligible to receive only Assistive Technology services, since other types of support and assistance are within the defined scope of the 24-hour CBRA benefit and are the responsibility of the CBRA provider.

(j) Members receiving Companion Care are eligible to receive only Assistive Technology, Minor Home Modifications, and Pest Control, since all needed assistance with ADLs and IADLs are within the defined scope of the 24-hour CBRA benefit.

(k) All LTSS, NF services as well as CHOICES HCBS, must be authorized by the MCO in order for MCO payment to be made for the services. An MCO may elect to accept the Bureau's PAE determination as its prior authorization for NF services. NF care may sometimes start before authorization is obtained, but payment will not be made until the MCO has authorized the service. CHOICES HCBS must be specified in an approved POC and authorized by the MCO prior to delivery of the service in order for MCO payment to be made for the service.

(l) CHOICES HCBS covered under TennCare CHOICES and applicable limits are specified below. The benefit limits are applied across all services received by the Member regardless of whether the services are received through CD and/or a traditional provider agency. Corresponding limitations regarding the scope of each service are defined in Rule 1200-13-01-.02 and in Subparagraphs (a) through (k) above.

Service	Benefits for CHOICES 2 Members	Benefits for Consumer Direction ("Eligible HCBS")
1. Adult Day Care	Covered with a limit of 2080 hours per calendar year, per CHOICES Member.	No
2. Assistive Technology	Covered with a limit of $900 per calendar year, per Member.	No
3. Attendant Care	Covered only for persons who require hands-on assistance with ADLs when needed for more than 4 hours per occasion or visits at intervals of less than 4 hours between visits.	Yes
	For Members who do not require Homemaker Services as defined in Rule 1200-13-01-.02 in addition to hands on assistance with ADLs, covered with a limit of 1080 hours per calendar year, per Member.
	For Members who require Homemaker Services as defined in Rule 1200-13-01-.02 in addition to hands on assistance with ADLs, covered with a limit of 1240 hours for calendar year 2012, per Member.
	For Members who require Homemaker Services as defined in Rule 1200-13-01-.02 in addition to hands on assistance with ADLs, beginning January 1, 2013, covered with a limit of 1400 hours per calendar year, per Member.
	Not covered (regardless of payer), when the Member is living in an ACLF, Adult Care Home, Residential Home for the Aged or other group residential setting, or receiving any of the following HCBS: Adult Day Care, CBRA services (including Companion Care), or Short-Term NF Care.
4. CBRA	Companion Care. Not covered (regardless of payer), when the Member is living in an ACLF, Critical Adult Care Home, Residential Home for the Aged or other group residential setting, or receiving any of the following HCBS: Adult Day Care, CBRA services, or Short-Term NF Care.	Yes
4. CBRA	CBRA services (e.g., ACLFs, Critical Adult Care Homes, CLS, and CLS-FM).	No
5. Enabling Technology	Covered with a limit of $5,000 per calendar year, per Member through March 31, 2025.	No
6. Home-Delivered Meals	Covered with a limit of 1 meal per day, per Member. Not covered (regardless of payer), when the Member is living in an ACLF, Adult Care Home, Residential Home for the Aged or other group residential setting, or receiving CBRA services (including Companion Care) or Short-Term NF Care, provided however, that an MCO may authorize Home-Delivered Meals for a CHOICES Member receiving Companion Care or Community Living Supports (not Community Living Supports-Family Model) in their own home (not a provider-controlled residence) when such service is medically necessary in order to 1) address health risks related to food insecurity; 2) support improved management of chronic health conditions; 3) reduce risk of hospital readmissions related to such chronic health conditions; 4) improve physical or mental health outcomes; or 5) delay or prevent nursing home placement.	No
7. Homemaker Services	*Covered only for Members who also need hands-on assistance with ADLs and as a component of Attendant Care or Personal Care Visits as defined in these rules. Not covered as a stand-alone benefit. Not covered for persons who do not require hands-on assistance with ADLs. Not covered (regardless of payer), when the Member is living in an ACLF, Adult Care Home, Residential Home for the Aged or other group residential setting, or receiving CBRA services (including Companion Care) or Short-Term NF Care.	*
8. In-Home Respite Care	Covered with a limit of 216 hours per calendar year, per Member. Not covered (regardless of payer), when the Member is living in an ACLF, Adult Care Home, Residential Home for the Aged or other group residential setting, or receiving CBRA services (including Companion Care) or Short-Term NF Care.	Yes
9. Inpatient Respite Care	Covered with a limit of 9 days per calendar year, per Member. PASRR approval not required. Not covered (regardless of payer), when the Member is living in an ACLF, Adult Care Home, Residential Home for the Aged or other group residential setting, or receiving CBRA services (including Companion Care) or Short-Term NF Care.	No
10. Minor Home Modifications	Covered with a limit of $6,000 per project, $10,000 per calendar year, and $20,000 per lifetime. Not covered (regardless of payer), when the Member is living in an ACLF, Adult Care Home, Residential Home for the Aged or other group residential setting. Not covered when the Member is receiving Short-Term NF Care, except when provided to facilitate transition from a NF to the community. See Rule 1200-13-01-.05(8)(h).	No
11. Personal Care Visits	Covered with a limit of 2 intermittent visits per day, per Member; visits limited to a maximum of 4 hours per visit and there shall be at least four (4) hours between intermittent visits. Not covered (regardless of payer), when the Member is living in an ACLF, Adult Care Home, Residential Home for the Aged or other group residential setting, or receiving any of the following HCBS: Adult Day Care, CBRA services (including Companion Care), or Short-Term NF Care.	Yes
12. PERS	Not covered (regardless of payer), when the Member is living in an ACLF, Adult Care Home, Residential Home for the Aged or other group residential setting, or receiving CBRA services (including Companion Care) or Short-Term NF Care, provided however, that an MCO may authorize PERS for a CHOICES Member receiving Companion Care, Community Living Supports, or Community Living Supports-Family Model services when such service provides less than 24-hour staff support and PERS is medically necessary in order help sustain or increase the Member's independence in the home, reduce risk of safety concerns, and delay or prevent nursing home placement.	No
13. Pest Control	Covered with a limit of 9 treatment visits per calendar year, per Member. Not covered (regardless of payer), when the Member is living in an ACLF, Adult Care Home, Residential Home for the Aged or other group residential setting, or receiving Short-Term NF Care.	No
14. Short-Term NF Care	Covered with a limit of 90 days per stay, per Member. Approved PASRR required. Members receiving Short-Term NF Care are not eligible to receive any other HBCS except when permitted to facilitate transition to the community. See Rule 1200-13-01-.05(8)(h).	No

Service	Benefits for CHOICES 3 Members	Benefits for Consumer Direction ("Eligible HCBS")
1. Adult Day Care	Covered with a limit of 2080 hours per calendar year, per CHOICES Member.	No
2. Assistive Technology	Covered with a limit of $900 per calendar year, per Member.	No
3. Attendant Care	Covered only for persons who require hands-on assistance with ADLs when needed for more than 4 hours per occasion or visits at intervals of less than 4 hours between visits.	Yes
	For Members who do not require Homemaker Services as defined in Rule 1200-13-01-.02 in addition to hands on assistance with ADLs, covered with a limit of 1080 hours per calendar year, per Member.
	For Members who require Homemaker Services as defined in Rule 1200-13-01-.02 in addition to hands on assistance with ADLs, covered with a limit of 1240 hours for calendar year 2012, per Member.
	For Members who require Homemaker Services as defined in Rule 1200-13-01-.02 in addition to hands on assistance with ADLs, beginning January 1, 2013, covered with a limit of 1400 hours per calendar year, per Member.
	Not covered (regardless of payer), when the Member is living in an ACLF, Adult Care Home, Residential Home for the Aged or other group residential setting, or receiving any of the following HCBS: Adult Day Care, CBRA services (including Companion Care), or Short-Term NF Care.
4. CBRA	CBRA services (e.g., ACLFs, CLS, and CLS-FM as specified below). CBRAs available to individuals in Group 3 include only Assisted Care Living Facility services, CLS, and CLS-FM that can be provided within the limitations set forth in the expenditure cap as defined in Rule 1200-13-01-.02 and further specified in Rule 1200-13-01-.05(4)(f), when the cost of such services will not exceed the cost of CHOICES HCBS that would otherwise be needed by the Member to 1) safely transition from a nursing facility to the community; or 2) continue being safely served in the community and to delay or prevent nursing facility placement.	No
5. Enabling Technology	Covered with a limit of $5,000 per calendar year, per Member through March 31, 2025.	No
6. Home-Delivered Meals	Covered with a limit of 1 meal per day, per Member. Not covered (regardless of payer), when the Member is living in an ACLF, Adult Care Home, Residential Home for the Aged or other group residential setting, or receiving CBRA services (including Companion Care) or Short-Term NF Care, provided however, that an MCO may authorize Home-Delivered Meals for a CHOICES Member receiving Companion Care or Community Living Supports (not Community Living Supports-Family Model) in their own home (not a provider-controlled residence) when such service is medically necessary in order to 1) address health risks related to food insecurity; 2) support improved management of chronic health conditions; 3) reduce risk of hospital readmissions related to such chronic health conditions; 4) improve physical or mental health outcomes; or 5) delay or prevent nursing home placement.	No
7. Homemaker Services	*Covered only for Members who also need hands-on assistance with ADLs and as a component of Attendant Care or Personal Care Visits as defined in these rules.	*
	Not covered as a stand-alone benefit.
	Not covered for persons who do not require hands-on assistance with ADLs.
	Not covered (regardless of payer), when the Member is living in an ACLF, Adult Care Home, Residential Home for the Aged or other group residential setting, or receiving CBRA services (including Companion Care) or Short-Term NF Care.
8. In-Home Respite Care	Covered with a limit of 216 hours per calendar year, per Member.	Yes
8. In-Home Respite Care	Not covered (regardless of payer), when the Member is living in an ACLF, Adult Care Home, Residential Home for the Aged or other group residential setting, or receiving CBRA services (including Companion Care) or Short-Term NF Care.	Yes
9. Inpatient Respite Care	Covered with a limit of 9 days per calendar year, per Member.	No
	PASRR approval not required. NF LOC not required.
	Not covered (regardless of payer), when the Member is living in an ACLF, Adult Care Home, Residential Home for the Aged or other group residential setting, or receiving CBRA services (including Companion Care) or Short-Term NF Care.
10. Minor Home Modifications	Covered with a limit of $6,000 per project, $10,000 per calendar year, and $20,000 per lifetime.	No
10. Minor Home Modifications	Not covered (regardless of payer), when the Member is living in an ACLF, Adult Care Home, Residential Home for the Aged or other group residential setting. Not covered when the Member is receiving Short-Term NF Care, except when provided to facilitate transition from a NF to the community. See Rule 1200-13-01-.05(8)(h).	No
11. Personal Care Visits	Covered with a limit of 2 intermittent visits per day, per Member; visits limited to a maximum of 4 hours per visit and there shall be at least four (4) hours between intermittent visits. Not covered (regardless of payer), when the Member is living in an ACLF, Adult Care Home, Residential Home for the Aged or other group residential setting, or receiving any of the following HCBS: Adult Day Care, CBRA services (including Companion Care), or Short-Term NF Care.	Yes
12. PERS	Not covered (regardless of payer), when the Member is living in an ACLF, Adult Care Home, Residential Home for the Aged or other group residential setting, or receiving CBRA services (including Companion Care) or Short-Term NF Care, provided however, that an MCO may authorize PERS for a CHOICES Member receiving Companion Care, Community Living Supports, or Community Living Supports-Family Model services when such service provides less than 24-hour staff support and PERS is medically necessary in order help sustain or increase the Member's independence in the home, reduce risk of safety concerns, and delay or prevent nursing home placement.	No
13. Pest Control	Covered with a limit of 9 treatment visits per calendar year, per Member. Not covered (regardless of payer), when the Member is living in an ACLF, Adult Care Home, Residential Home for the Aged or other group residential setting, or receiving Short-Term NF Care.	No
14. Short-Term NF Care	Covered with a limit of 90 days per stay, per Member. Approved PASRR required. Member must meet NF LOC. Members receiving Short-Term NF Care are not eligible to receive any other HCBS except when permitted to facilitate transition to the community. See Rule 1200-13-01-.05(8)(h).	No

(m) Transportation.

1. Emergency and non-emergency transportation for TennCare covered services other than CHOICES services is provided by the MCOs in accordance with Rules 1200-13-13-.04 and 1200-13-14-.04.

2. Transportation is not provided to HCBS covered by CHOICES, except in the circumstance where a Member requires Adult Day Care that is not available within 30 miles of the Member's residence.

For CHOICES Members not participating in CD, provider agencies delivering CHOICES HCBS may permit staff to accompany a Member outside the home. In circumstances where the Member is unable to drive, assistance by provider agency staff in performing IADLs (e.g., grocery shopping, picking up prescriptions, banking) specified in the POC may include transporting the Member when such assistance would otherwise be performed for the Member by the provider staff, and subject to the provider agency's agreement and responsibility to ensure that the Worker has a valid driver's license and proof of insurance prior to transporting a Member. The decision of whether or not to accompany the Member outside the home (and in the circumstances described above, to transport the Member) is at the discretion of the agency/Worker, taking into account such issues as the ability to safely provide services outside the home setting, the cost involved, and the provider's willingness to accept and manage potential risk and/or liability. In no case will additional hours of service and/or an increased rate of reimbursement be provided as a result of an agency/Worker decision to accompany or transport a Member outside the home.

3. For CHOICES Members participating in CD, the Member may elect to have his Consumer-Directed Workers (including Companion Care workers) to accompany and/or transport the Member if such an arrangement is agreed to by both the Member and the Workers and specified in the Service Agreement; however, no additional hours or reimbursement will be available. Consumer-Directed Worker(s) must provide to the FEA a valid driver's license and proof of insurance prior to transporting a Member.

(n) Freedom of Choice.

1. CHOICES Members who meet NF LOC as defined in Rule 1200-13-01-.10 shall be given freedom of choice of NF care or CHOICES HCBS, so long as the Member meets all criteria for enrollment into CHOICES Group 2, as specified in this Chapter and the Member may be enrolled into CHOICES Group 2 in accordance with requirements pertaining to the CHOICES Group 2 Enrollment Target as described in this Chapter.

2. CHOICES Members shall also be permitted to choose providers for CHOICES HCBS specified in the POC from the MCO's list of participating providers, if the participating provider selected is available and willing to initiate services timely and to deliver services in accordance with the POC. The Member is not entitled to receive services from a particular provider. A Member is not entitled to a fair hearing if he is not able to receive services from the provider of his choice.

(o) Transition Allowance. For CHOICES Members moving from CHOICES 1 to CHOICES 2 or CHOICES 3, the MCO may, at its sole discretion, provide a Transition Allowance not to exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000) per lifetime as a CEA to facilitate transition of the Member from the NF to the community. An MCO shall not be required to provide a Transition Allowance, and Members transitioning out of a NF are not entitled to receive a Transition Allowance, which is not a covered benefit. Items that an MCO may elect to purchase or reimburse are limited to the following:

1. Those items which the Member has no other means to obtain and which are essential in order to establish a community residence when such residence is not already established and to facilitate the person's safe and timely transition;

2. Rent and/or utility deposits; and

3. Essential kitchen appliances, basic furniture, and essential basic household items, such as towels, linens, and dishes.

(p) Community Based Residential Alternatives (CBRAs).

1. Intent. This subparagraph describes requirements for CBRAs in the CHOICES program necessary to ensure compliance with federal HCBS obligations, including those set forth in 42 C.F.R. §§ 441.301, et seq. These requirements supplement requirements set forth in the licensure rules applicable to the specific CBRA provider, requirements for Managed Care Organizations who administer CBRAs in the CHOICES program, requirements set forth in MCO provider agreements with CBRA providers, and other applicable state laws and regulations, and program policies and protocols applicable to these services and/or providers of these services.

2. Requirements for CBRAs.

(i) Member Choice. A Member shall transition into a specific CBRA setting and receive CBRA services only when such services and setting:

(I) Have been selected by the Member;

(II) The Member has been given the opportunity to meet and to choose to reside with any housemates who will also live in the CBRA setting, as applicable; and

(III) The setting has been determined to be appropriate for the Member based on the Member's needs, interests, and preferences, including (as applicable) the member's preferred community and/or proximity to family and other natural supports. A CLS or CLS-FM provider shall not admit a Member and CLS or CLS-FM services shall not be authorized for a CHOICES Member unless the CLS or CLS-FM provider is able to safely meet the Member's needs and ensure the Member's health, safety and well-being.

(ii) A Member may choose to stop receiving services in a CBRA setting or from a particular CBRA provider at any time, and shall be supported in choosing and transitioning within a reasonable period to a different service, setting, or provider as applicable, that is appropriate based on the Member's needs and preferences.

(iii) Member Rights. Providers of CBRA services shall ensure that services are delivered in a manner that safeguards the following rights of persons receiving CBRA services:

(I) To be treated with respect and dignity;

(II) To have the same legal rights and responsibilities as any other person unless otherwise limited by law;

(III) To receive services regardless of gender, race, creed, marital status, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity or age;

(IV) To be free from abuse, neglect and exploitation;

(V) To receive appropriate, quality services and supports in accordance with a comprehensive, person-centered written plan of care;

(VI) To receive services and supports in the most integrated and least restrictive setting that is appropriate based on the individualized needs of the Member;

(VII) To have access to personal records and to have services, supports and personal records explained so that they are easily understood;

(VIII) To have personal records maintained confidentially;

(IX) To own and have control over personal property, including personal funds, as specified in the plan of care;

(X) To have access to information and records pertaining to expenditures of funds for services provided;

(XI) To have choices and make decisions, and to be supported by family members, an advocate or others, as appropriate, to exercise their legal capacity;

(XII) To have privacy;

(XIII) To be able to associate, publicly or privately, with friends, family and others;

(XIV) To practice the religion or faith of one's choosing;

(XV) To be free from inappropriate use of physical or chemical restraint;

(XVI) To have access to transportation and environments used by the general public; and

(XVII) To seek resolution of rights violations or quality of care issues without retaliation.

(iv) The rights to be safeguarded by providers described in this rule do not limit any other statutory and constitutional rights afforded to all CHOICES Members or their legally authorized representatives, including those rights provided by the HCBS Settings Rule and Person-Centered Planning Rule in 42 C.F.R. § 441.301, and all other rights afforded to residents of CBRAs specific to the licensure authority for that CBRA.

(v) A Member who does not have a legally authorized representative may be supported by family members, an advocate or others as needed to exercise their legal capacity in a supported decision making model.

(vi) A Member may include family members and/or other representatives in the planning and decision-making processes.

(vii) A provider may serve as the Member's representative payee and assist the Member with personal funds management only as specified in the plan of care. Providers who assist the Member with personal funds management in accordance with the plan of care shall comply with all applicable policies and protocols pertaining to personal funds management, and shall ensure that the Member's bills have been paid timely and are not overdue, and that there are adequate funds remaining for food, utilities, and any other necessary expenses.

3. CLS Ombudsman.

(i) TennCare shall arrange for all Members choosing to receive CLS or CLS-FM services, including Members identified for transition to CLS or CLS-FM, to have access to a CLS Ombudsman. The CLS Ombudsman shall be employed and/or contracted with an agency that is separate and distinct from the TennCare Bureau.

(ii) The CLS Ombudsman will:

(I) Help to ensure Member choice in the selection of their CLS or CLS-FM benefit, provider, setting, and housemates;

(II) Provide Member education, including rights and responsibilities of Members receiving CLS or CLS-FM, how to handle quality and other concerns, identifying and reporting abuse and neglect, and the role of the CLS Ombudsman and how to contact the CLS Ombudsman;

(III) Provide Member advocacy for individuals receiving CLS or CLS-FM services, including assisting individuals in understanding and exercising personal rights, assisting Members in the resolution of problems and complaints regarding CLS or CLS-FM services, and referral to APS of potential instances of abuse, neglect or financial exploitation; and

(IV) Provide systems level advocacy, including recommendations regarding potential program changes or improvements regarding the CLS or CLS-FM benefit, and immediate notification to TennCare of significant quality concerns.

(iii) CLS and CLS-FM providers shall ensure that every CHOICES Member receiving CLS or CLS-FM services knows how to contact the CLS Ombudsman and that contact information for the CLS Ombudsman is available in the residence in a location of the Member's preference.

(iv) CLS and CLS-FM providers shall ensure access to telephones and/or computers for purposes of communication, and shall respect and safeguard the member's right to privacy, including the Member's ability to meet privately with the CLS Ombudsman in the residence.

4. Person-centered Delivery of CLS and CLS-FM Services. A CLS or CLS-FM provider shall be responsible for the following:

(i) A copy of the plan of care for any Member receiving CLS or CLS-FM services shall be accessible in the home to all paid staff;

(ii) Staff shall meet all applicable training requirements as specified in applicable licensure regulations, TennCare regulations, contractor risk agreements with managed care organizations, provider agreements with managed care organizations, or in TennCare policy or protocol. Staff shall be trained on the delivery of person-centered service delivery, and on each Member's plan of care, including the risk assessment and risk agreement, as applicable, prior to being permitted to provide supports to that Member;

(iii) The CLS or CLS-FM provider shall implement the Member's plan of care and shall ensure that services are delivered in a manner that is consistent with the Member's preferences and which supports the Member in achieving his or her goals and desired outcomes;

(iv) The CLS or CLS-FM provider shall support the Member to make his or her own choices and to maintain control of his or her home and living environment;

(v) The Member shall have access to all common living areas within the home with due regard to privacy and personal possessions;

(vi) The Member shall be afforded the freedom to associate with persons of his/her choosing and have visitors at reasonable hours;

(vii) The CLS or CLS-FM provider shall support the Member to participate fully in community life, including faith-based, social, and leisure activities selected by the Member; and

(viii) There shall be an adequate food supply (at least 48 hours) for the Member that is consistent with the Member's dietary needs and preferences.

5. Requirements for Community Living Supports (CLS).

(i) Providers of CLS services in the CHOICES program shall:

(I) Be contracted with the Member's MCO for the provision of CLS services, and licensed by the DIDD in accordance with T.C.A. Title 33 and TDMHSAS Rules 0940-05-24, 0940-05-28 or 0940-05-32 as applicable;

(II) Maintain an adequate administrative structure necessary to support the provision of CLS services;

(III) Demonstrate financial solvency as it relates to daily operations, including sufficient resources and liquid assets to operate the facility;

(IV) Maintain adequate, trained staff to properly support each CLS resident; the provider must comply with minimum staffing standards specified in licensure regulations, and ensure an adequate number of trained staff to implement each resident's plan of care, and meet the needs and ensure the health and safety of each resident, including the availability of back-up and emergency staff when scheduled staff cannot report to work;

(V) Comply with all background check requirements specified in T.C.A Title 33;

(VI) Comply with all critical incident reporting and investigation requirements set forth in state law, contractor risk agreements with managed care organizations, provider agreements with managed care organizations, or in TennCare policy or protocol; and

(VII) Cooperate with quality monitoring and oversight activities conducted by the DIDD under contract with TennCare to ensure compliance with requirements for the provision of CLS and to monitor the quality of CLS and CLS-FM services received.

(ii) A home where CLS services are provided shall have no more than four (4) residents, or fewer as permitted by the applicable licensure requirements.

(iii) The Member or the Member's representative (legally authorized or designated by Member) shall have a contributing voice in choosing other individuals who reside in the home where CLS services are provided, and the staff who provide the Member's services and supports.

(I) The CLS provider shall notify the Member and the Member's representative (as applicable) of changes of extended or permanent duration in the regularly assigned staff who will provide the Member's support. Such notification may be verbal or in writing. When practicable, such notification shall occur in advance of the staffing change.

(II) The CLS provider shall ensure that the Member and/or Member's representative has the opportunity to help choose new staff who will be regularly assigned to support the Member; however, this may not be possible in the short-term for situations where the change in staffing is of limited duration or is unexpected, e.g., due to illness, termination of employment, or abuse or neglect.

(iv) A CLS provider may deliver CLS services in a home where other CHOICES members receiving CLS reside. A CLS provider may also deliver CLS services in a home where CHOICES members receiving CLS reside along with individuals enrolled in a Section 1915(c) HCBS waiver program operated by the DIDD, when the provider is able and willing to provide supports in a blended residence, comply with all applicable program requirements, and meet the needs and ensure the health, safety and welfare of each resident.

(v) In instances when the CLS provider owns the Member's place of residence, the provider must sign a written lease/agreement pursuant to the Tennessee Uniform Landlord and Tenant Act (T.C.A. §§ 66-28-101, et seq.) as applicable per the county of residence. If the Tennessee Uniform Landlord and Tenant Act is not applicable to the county of residence, the provider must sign a written lease/agreement with the Member that provides the Member with the same protections as those afforded under the Tennessee Uniform Landlord and Tenant Act.

(vi) Unless the residence is individually licensed or inspected by a public housing agency utilizing the HUD Section 8 safety checklist, the residence shall be inspected, as required by TennCare, prior to the Member's transition to CLS services; the home where CLS services are provided must have an operable smoke detector and a second means of egress, and all utilities must be working and in proper order.

(vii) The provider shall be responsible for the provision of all assistance and supervision required by program participants. Services shall be provided pursuant to the Member's person-centered plan of care and may include assistance with the following:

(I) Hands-on assistance with ADLs such as bathing, dressing, personal hygiene, eating, toileting, transfers and ambulation;

(II) Assistance with instrumental activities of daily living necessary to support community living;

(III) Safety monitoring and supervision for Members requiring this type of support as outlined in their person-centered plan of care; and

(IV) Managing acute or chronic health conditions, including nurse oversight and monitoring, administration of medications, and skilled nursing services as needed for routine, ongoing health care tasks such as blood sugar monitoring and management, oral suctioning, tube feeding, bowel care, etc., by appropriately licensed nurses practicing within the scope of their licenses, except as delegated in accordance with state law.

(viii) Medication administration shall be performed by appropriately licensed staff or by unlicensed staff who are currently certified in medication administration and employed by an HCBS waiver provider who is both licensed under T.C.A. Title 33 and contracted with DIDD to provide services through an HCBS waiver operated by DIDD, as permitted pursuant to T.C.A. §§ 68-1-904 and 71-5-1414.

(ix) Self-administration of medications is permitted for a person receiving CLS services who is capable of using prescription medication in a manner directed by the prescribing practitioner without assistance or direction. Staff intervention must be limited to verbal reminders as to the time the medication is due. The plan of care must document any training the person needs in order to self-administer medications and how it will be provided; storage, labeling and documentation of administration; oversight to ensure safe administration; and how medication will be administered during any time the person is incapable of self-administration.

(x) Services and supports for a Member receiving CLS shall be provided up to 24 hours per day based on the Member's assessed level of need as specified in the plan of care and approved level of CLS reimbursement. Members approved for 24 hours per day of CLS are not prohibited from engaging in independent activities.

(xi) Members approved for 24 hour support who are assessed to be capable of independent functioning may participate in activities of their choosing without the support of staff as specified in the plan of care and risk assessment and risk agreement.

(xii) Regardless of the level of CLS reimbursement a Member is authorized to receive, a Member may choose to be away from home without support of staff, e.g., for overnight visits, vacations, etc. with family or friends.

(xiii) The CLS provider shall be responsible for community transportation needed by the Member. The CLS provider shall transport the Member into the community or assist the Member in identifying and arranging transportation into the community to participate in activities of his choosing.

(xiv) The provider shall be responsible for assisting the Member in scheduling medical appointments and obtaining medical services, including accompanying the Member to medical appointments, as needed, and shall either provide transportation to medical services and appointments for the Member or assist the Member in arranging and utilizing NEMT, as covered under the TennCare program.

6. Requirements for Community Living Supports Family Model (CLS-FM) Services.

(i) Providers of CLS-FM services in the CHOICES program shall:

(I) Be contracted with the Member's MCO for the provision of CLS-FM services, and licensed by the DIDD in accordance with T.C.A. Title 33 and TDMHSAS Rule 0940-05-26;

(II) Maintain an adequate administrative structure necessary to support the provision of CLS-FM services;

(III) Demonstrate financial solvency as it relates to daily operations, including sufficient resources and liquid assets to operate the facility;

(IV) Ensure CLS-FM family caregivers are adequately trained to properly support each CLS resident; the provider must comply with minimum staffing standards specified in licensure regulations, and ensure an adequate number of family caregivers and trained staff as needed to implement each resident's plan of care, and meet the needs and ensure the health and safety of each resident, including the availability of back-up and emergency staff when scheduled staff cannot report to work;

(V) Comply with all background check requirements specified in T.C.A. Title 33;

(ii) A home where CLS-FM services are provided shall serve no more than three (3) individuals, including individuals receiving CLS-FM services and individuals receiving Family Model Residential services, and must be physically adequate to allow each participant to have private bedroom and bathroom space unless otherwise agreed upon with residents to share, in which case each participant must have equal domain over shared spaces.

(iii) The Member or the Member's representative (legally authorized or designated by Member) shall have a contributing voice in choosing other individuals who reside in the home where CLS-FM services are provided, caregivers whose home the Member will move into, and any staff hired by the CLS-FM provider to assist in providing the Member's services and supports.

(iv) A CLS-FM provider may deliver CLS-FM services in a home where other CHOICES Members receiving CLS-FM reside. A CLS-FM provider may also deliver CLS services in a home where CHOICES Members receiving CLS-FM reside along with individuals enrolled in a Section 1915(c) HCBS waiver program operated by the DIDD, when the provider is able and willing to provide supports in a blended residence, comply with all applicable program requirements, and meet the needs and ensure the health, safety and welfare of each resident. In instances of blended homes, there shall be no more than three (3) service recipients residing in the home, regardless of the program or funding source.

(v) The family caregiver and Member must sign a written lease/agreement pursuant to the Tennessee Uniform Landlord and Tenant Act (T.C.A. §§ 66-28-101, et seq.) as applicable per the county of residence. If the Tennessee Uniform Landlord and Tenant Act is not applicable to the county of residence, the provider must sign a written lease/agreement with the Member that provides the Member with the same protections as those afforded under the Tennessee Uniform Landlord and Tenant Act.

(vi) Unless the residence is individually licensed or inspected by a public housing agency utilizing the HUD Section 8 safety checklist, the residence shall be inspected, as required by TennCare, prior to the Member's transition to CLS services; the home where CLS-FM services are provided must have an operable smoke detector and a second means of egress.

(vii) The CLS-FM provider shall be responsible for the provision of all assistance and supervision required by program participants. Services shall be provided pursuant to the Member's person-centered plan of care and may include assistance with the following:

(I) Hands-on assistance with ADLs such as bathing, dressing, personal hygiene, eating, toileting, transfers and ambulation;

(II) Assistance with instrumental activities of daily living necessary to support community living;

(III) Safety monitoring and supervision for Members requiring this type of support as outlined in their person-centered plan of care; and

(ix) Self-administration of medications is permitted for a person receiving CLS-FM services who is capable of using prescription medication in a manner directed by the prescribing practitioner without assistance or direction. Staff intervention must be limited to verbal reminders as to the time the medication is due. The plan of care must document any training the person needs in order to self-administer medications and how it will be provided; storage, labeling and documentation of administration; oversight to ensure safe administration; and how medication will be administered during any time the person is incapable of self-administration.

(x) Services and supports for a Member receiving CLS-FM shall be provided up to 24 hours per day based on the Member's assessed level of need as specified in the plan of care and approved level of CLS reimbursement. Members approved for 24 hours per day of CLS-FM are not prohibited from engaging in independent activities.

(xii) Regardless of the level of CLS-FM reimbursement a Member is authorized to receive, a Member may choose to be away from home without support of staff, e.g., for overnight visits, vacations, etc. with family or friends.

7. Reimbursement of CLS and CLS-FM Services.

(i) Reimbursement for CLS and CLS-FM services shall be made to a contracted CLS or CLS-FM provider by the Member's MCO in accordance with the Member's plan of care and service authorizations, and contingent upon the Member's eligibility for and enrollment in TennCare and CHOICES.

(ii) Reimbursement for CLS and CLS-FM services shall be made only for dates of service that the member actually receives CLS and CLS-FM services. CLS and CLS-FM services shall not be reimbursed for any date on which the member does not receive any CLS or CLS-FM services because the member is in a hospital or other inpatient setting, or for therapeutic leave, e.g., overnight visits, vacations, etc. with family or friends when the Member is not accompanied by staff.

(iii) Rates of reimbursement for CLS and CLS-FM services shall be established by TennCare.

(iv) Rates of reimbursement for CLS and CLS-FM services may take into account the level of care the person qualifies to receive (Nursing Facility or At-Risk as determined by TennCare), and the person's support needs, including skilled nursing needs for ongoing health care tasks.

(v) The rate of reimbursement for CLS or CLS-FM, as applicable, shall not vary based on the number of people receiving CLS, CLS-FM or HCBS Waiver services who live in the home.

(vi) A licensed and contracted CLS or CLS-FM provider selected by a person to provide CLS or CLS-FM services shall determine whether the provider is able to safely provide the requested service and meet the person's needs, and may take into consideration the rate of reimbursement authorized.

(vii) Neither a Member nor a CLS or CLS-FM provider may file a medical appeal or receive a fair hearing regarding the rate of reimbursement a provider will receive for CLS or CLS-FM services.

(viii) The rate of reimbursement for CLS or CLS-FM services is inclusive of all applicable transportation services needed by the Member, except for transportation authorized and obtained under the TennCare NEMT benefit.

(ix) Reimbursement for CLS or CLS-FM services shall not be made for room and board. Residential expenses (e.g., rent, utilities, phone, cable TV, food, etc.) shall be apportioned as appropriate between the Member and other residents in the home.

(x) Family members of the individual receiving services are not prohibited from helping pay a resident's Room and Board expenses.

(xi) Reimbursement for CLS or CLS-FM services shall not include the cost of maintenance of the dwelling.

(xii) Reimbursement for CLS or CLS-FM services shall not include payment made to the Member's immediate family member as defined in Rule 1200-13-01-.02 or to the Member's conservator.

(xiii) Except as permitted pursuant to Rule 1200-13-01-.05(8)(l), Personal Care Visits, Attendant Care, and Home-Delivered Meals shall not be authorized or reimbursed for a Member receiving CLS or CLS-FM services.

(xiv) In-home Respite shall not be authorized or reimbursed for a Member receiving CLS or CLS-FM services.

(xv) CLS and CLS-FM services shall not be provided or reimbursed in nursing facilities, ACLFs, hospitals or ICFs/IID.

(9) Consumer-Direction (CD).

(a) CD is a model of service delivery that affords CHOICES Group 2 and CHOICES Group 3 Members the opportunity to have more choice and control with respect to Eligible CHOICES HCBS that are needed by the Member, in accordance with this Rule. CD is not a service or set of services.

1. The model of CD that will be implemented in CHOICES is an employer authority model.

2. The determination regarding the services a Member will receive shall be based on a comprehensive needs assessment performed by a Care Coordinator that identifies the Member's needs, the availability of family and other caregivers to meet those needs, and the gaps in care for which paid services may be authorized.

3. Upon completion of the comprehensive needs assessment, CHOICES Members determined to need Eligible CHOICES HCBS may elect to receive one or more of the Eligible CHOICES HCBS through a Contract Provider, or they may participate in CD. Companion Care is available only through CD.

4. CHOICES Members who do not need Eligible CHOICES HCBS shall not be offered the opportunity to enroll in CD.

(b) CHOICES HCBS eligible for CD (Eligible CHOICES HCBS).

1. CD is limited to the following HCBS:

(i) Attendant Care.

(ii) Companion Care (available only to Members electing CD and in CHOICES Group 2; not available to CHOICES Group 3 members).

(iii) In-Home Respite Care.

(iv) Personal Care Visits.

2. CHOICES Members do not have budget authority. The amount of a covered benefit available to the Member shall not increase as a result of his decision to participate in CD, even if the rate of reimbursement for the service is lower in CD. The amount of each covered benefit to be provided to the Member is specified in the approved POC.

3. HH Services, PDN Services, and CHOICES HCBS other than those specified above shall not be available through CD.

(c) Eligibility for CD. To be eligible for CD, a CHOICES Member must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Be a Member of CHOICES Group 2 or CHOICES Group 3.

2. Be determined by a Care Coordinator, based on a comprehensive needs assessment, to need one or more Eligible CHOICES HCBS.

3. Be willing and able to serve as the Employer of Record for his Consumer-Directed Workers and to fulfill all of the required responsibilities for CD, or he must have a qualified Representative who is willing and able to serve as the Employer of Record and to fulfill all of the required responsibilities for CD. Assistance shall be provided to the Member or his Representative by the FEA.

4. Any additional risks associated with a Member's decision to participate in CD must be identified and addressed in a signed Risk Agreement, as applicable, and the MCO must determine that the Member's needs can be safely and appropriately met in the community while participating in CD.

5. The Member or his Representative for CD and any Workers he employs must agree to use the services of the Bureau's contracted FEA to perform required Financial Administration and Supports Brokerage functions.

(d) Enrollment in CD.

1. A CHOICES Group 2 or CHOICES Group 3 Member assessed to need one or more Eligible CHOICES HCBS may elect to participate in CD at any time.

2. If the Member is unable to make a decision regarding his participation in CD or to communicate his decision, only a legally appointed Representative may make such decision on his behalf. The Member, or a family member or other caregiver, must sign a CD participation form reflecting the decision the Member has made.

3. If the Member is unable to make a decision regarding CD or to communicate his decision and does not have a legally appointed Representative, the Member cannot participate in CD since there is no one with the legal authority to assume and/or delegate the Member's CD responsibilities.

4. Self-Assessment Tool. If a Member elects to participate in CD, he must complete a self-assessment tool developed by the Bureau to determine whether he requires the assistance of a Representative to perform the responsibilities of CD.

5. Representative. If the Member requires assistance in order to participate in CD, he must designate, or have appointed by a legally appointed Representative, a Representative to assume the CD responsibilities on his behalf.

(i) A Representative must meet all of the following criteria:

(I) Be at least eighteen (18) years of age;

(II) Have a personal relationship with the Member and understand his support needs;

(III) Know the Member's daily schedule and routine, medical and functional status, medication regimen, likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses; and

(IV) Be physically present in the Member's residence on a regular basis or at least at a frequency necessary to supervise and evaluate each Consumer-Directed Worker.

(ii) If a Member requires a Representative but is unwilling or unable to appoint one, the MCO may submit to the Bureau, for review and approval, a request to deny the Member's participation in CD.

(iii) If a Member's Care Coordinator believes that the person selected as the Member's representative for CD does not meet the specified requirements (e.g., the Representative is not physically present in the Member's residence at a frequency necessary to adequately supervise Workers), the Care Coordinator may request that the Member select a different Representative who meets the specified requirements. If the Member does not select another Representative who meets the specified requirements, the MCO may, in order to help ensure the Member's health and safety, submit to the Bureau, for review and approval, a request to deny the Member's participation in CD.

(iv) A Member's Representative shall not receive payment for serving in this capacity and shall not serve as the Member's Worker for any Consumer-Directed Service.

(v) Representative Agreement. A Representative Agreement must be signed by the Member (or person authorized to sign on the Member's behalf) and the Representative in the presence of the Care Coordinator. By completing a Representative agreement, the Representative confirms that he agrees to serve as a Member's representative and that he accepts the responsibilities and will perform the duties associated with being a Representative.

(vi) A Member may change his Representative at any time by notifying his Care Coordinator and his Supports Broker that he intends to change Representatives. The Care Coordinator shall verify that the new Representative meets the qualifications as described above. A new Representative Agreement must be completed and signed, in the presence of a Care Coordinator, prior to the new Representative assuming his respective responsibilities.

(e) Employer of Record.

1. If a Member elects to participate in CD, either he or his Representative must serve as the Employer of Record.

2. The Employer of Record is responsible for the following:

(i) Recruiting, hiring and firing Workers;

(ii) Determining Workers' duties and developing job descriptions;

(iii) Scheduling Workers;

(iv) Supervising Workers;

(v) Evaluating Worker performance and addressing any identified deficiencies or concerns;

(vi) Setting wages from a range of reimbursement levels established by the Bureau;

(vii) Training Workers to provide personalized care based on the Member's needs and preferences;

(viii) Ensuring that Workers deliver only those services authorized, and reviewing and approving hours worked by Consumer-Directed Workers;

(ix) Reviewing and ensuring proper documentation for services provided; and

(x) Developing and implementing as needed a Back-up Plan to address instances when a scheduled Worker is not available or fails to show up as scheduled.

(f) Denial of Enrollment in CD.

1. Enrollment into CD may be denied by the Bureau when:

(i) The person is not enrolled in TennCare or in CHOICES Group 2 or CHOICES Group 3.

(ii) The Member does not need one or more of the HCBS eligible for CD, as specified in the POC.

(iii) The Member is not willing or able to serve as the Employer of Record for his Consumer-Directed Workers and to fulfill all of the required responsibilities for CD, and does not have a qualified Representative who is willing and able to serve as the Employer of Record and to fulfill all of the required responsibilities for CD.

(iv) The Member is unwilling to sign a Risk Agreement which identifies and addresses any additional risks associated with the Member's decision to participate in CD, or the risks associated with the Member's decision to participate in CD pose too great a threat to the Member's health, safety and welfare.

(v) The Member does not have an adequate Back-up Plan for CD.

(vi) The Member's needs cannot be safely and appropriately met in the community while participating in CD.

(vii) The Member or his Representative for CD, or the Consumer-Directed Workers he wants to employ are unwilling to use the services of the Bureau's contracted FEA to perform required Financial Administration and Supports Brokerage functions.

(viii) Other significant concerns regarding the Member's participation in CD which jeopardize the health, safety or welfare of the Member.

2. Denial of enrollment in CD gives rise to notice and due process including the right to a fair hearing, as set forth in this rule.

(g) Fiscal Employer Agent (FEA).

1. The FEA shall perform the following functions on behalf of all Members participating in CD:

(i) Financial Administration functions in the performance of payroll and related tasks; and

(ii) Supports Brokerage functions to assist the Member or his Representative with other non-payroll related tasks such as recruiting and training workers.

2. The FEA shall:

(i) Assign a Supports Broker to each CHOICES Member electing to participate in CD of HCBS.

(ii) Provide initial and ongoing training to Members and their Representatives (as applicable) on CD and other relevant issues.

(iii) Verify Worker qualifications, including conducting background checks on Workers, enrolling Workers into TennCare, assigning Medicaid provider ID numbers, and holding TennCare provider agreements.

(iv) Provide initial and ongoing training to workers on CD and other relevant issues.

(v) Assist the Member and/or Representative in developing and updating Service Agreements.

(vi) Withhold, file and pay applicable federal, state and local income taxes; employment and unemployment taxes; and worker's compensation.

(vii) Pay Workers for authorized services rendered within authorized timeframes.

(h) Back-up Plan for Consumer-Directed Workers.

1. Each Member participating in CD or his Representative is responsible for the development and implementation of a Back-up Plan that identifies how the Member or Representative will address situations when a scheduled Worker is not available or fails to show up as scheduled.

2. The Member or Representative may not elect, as part of the Back-up Plan, to go without services.

3. The Back-up Plan for CD shall include the names and telephone numbers of contacts (Workers, agency staff, organizations, supports) for alternate care, the order in which each shall be notified and the services to be provided by contacts.

4. Back-up contacts may include paid and unpaid supports; however, it is the responsibility of the Member electing CD and/or his Representative to secure paid (as well as unpaid) back-up contacts who are willing and available to serve in this capacity, and for initiating the back-up plan when needed.

5. The Member's Back-up Plan for Consumer-Directed Workers shall be integrated into the Member's Back-up Plan for services provided by Contract Providers, as applicable, and the Member's POC.

6. The Care Coordinator shall review the Back-up Plan developed by the Member and/or his Representative to determine its adequacy to address the Member's needs. If an adequate Back-up Plan cannot be provided to CD, enrollment into CD may be denied, as set forth in this Rule.

7. The Back-up Plan shall be reviewed and updated at least annually, and as frequently as necessary if there are changes in the type, amount, duration, scope of eligible CHOICES HCBS or the schedule at which such services are needed, changes in Workers (when such Workers also serve as a back-up to other Workers) and changes in the availability of paid or unpaid back-up Workers to deliver needed care.

8. A Member may use Contract Providers to serve as back-up to Consumer Directed Workers only upon prior arrangement by the Member (or Representative for CD) with the Contract Provider, inclusion in the Member's back-up plan, verification by the Supports Broker, prior approval by the MCO and subject to the Member's Individual Cost Neutrality Cap as described in Rule 1200-13-01-.05(4)(c). If the higher cost of services delivered by a Contract Provider would result in a Member's Cost Neutrality Cap being exceeded, a Member shall not be permitted to use Contract Providers to provide back-up workers. A Member's MCO shall not be required to maintain Contract Providers on "stand-by" to provide back-up for services delivered through Consumer Direction.

(i) Consumer-Directed Workers (Workers).

1. Hiring Consumer-Directed Workers.

(i) Members shall have the flexibility to hire individuals with whom they have a close personal relationship to serve as Workers, such as neighbors or friends.

(ii) Members may hire family members, excluding spouses, to serve as Workers. However, a family member shall not be reimbursed for a service that he would have otherwise provided without pay. A Member shall not be permitted to employ any person who resides with the Member to deliver Personal Care Visits, Attendant Care, or In-Home Respite Care. A Member or his Representative for CD shall not be permitted to employ either of the following to deliver Companion Care services:

(I) An Immediate Family Member as defined in Rule 1200-13-01-.02.

(II) Any person with whom the Member currently resides, or with whom the Member has resided in the last five (5) years.

(iii) Members may elect to have a Worker provide more than one service, have multiple Workers, or have both a Worker and a Contract Provider for a given service, in which case, there must be a set schedule which clearly defines when Contract Providers will be used.

2. Qualifications of Consumer-Directed Workers. Workers must meet the following requirements prior to providing services:

(i) Be at least eighteen (18) years of age or older;

(ii) Complete a background check that includes a criminal background check (including fingerprinting), or, as an alternative, a background check from a licensed private investigation company;

(iii) Verification that the person's name does not appear on the State abuse registry;

(iv) Verification that the person's name does not appear on the State and national sexual offender registries and licensure verification, as applicable;

(v) Verification that the person has not been excluded from participation in Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP, or any Federal health care programs (as defined in Section 128B(f) of the Social Security Act);

(vi) Complete all required training;

(vii) Complete all required applications to become a TennCare provider;

(viii) Sign an abbreviated Medicaid agreement;

(ix) Be assigned a Medicaid provider ID number;

(x) Sign a Service Agreement; and

(xi) If the Worker will be transporting the Member as specified in the Service Agreement, a valid driver's license and proof of insurance must also be provided.

3. Disqualification from Serving as a Consumer-Directed Worker. A Member (or Representative for CD) cannot waive a background check for a potential Worker. A background check may reveal a potential Worker's past criminal conduct that may pose an unacceptable risk to the Member. Any of the following findings may place the Member at risk and may disqualify a person from serving as a Worker:

(i) Conviction of an offense involving physical, sexual or emotional abuse, neglect, financial exploitation or misuse of funds, misappropriation of property, theft from any person, violence against any person, or manufacture, sale, possession or distribution of any drug; and/or

(ii) Entering of a plea of nolo contendere or when a jury verdict of guilty is rendered but adjudication of guilt is withheld with respect to a crime reasonably related to the nature of the position sought or held.

4. Individualized Assessment of a Consumer-Directed Worker with a Criminal Background.

(i) If a potential Worker's background check includes past criminal conduct, the Member (or Representative for CD) must review the past criminal conduct with the help of the FEA. The Member (or Representative for CD), with the assistance of the FEA, will consider the following factors:

(I) Whether or not the evidence gathered during the potential Worker's individualized assessment shows the criminal conduct is related to the job in such a way that could place the Member at risk;

(II) The nature and gravity of the offense or conduct, such as whether the offense is related to physical or sexual or emotional abuse of another person, if the offense involves violence against another person, or the manufacture, sale, or distribution of drugs; and

(III) The time that has passed since the offense or conduct and/or completion of the sentence.

(ii) After considering the above factors and any other evidence submitted by the potential Worker, the Member (or Representative for CD) must decide whether to hire the potential Worker.

(iii) If a Member (or Representative for CD) decides to hire the Worker, the FEA shall assist the Member (or Representative for CD) in notifying the Member's MCO of this decision and shall collaborate with the Member's MCO to amend the Member's risk agreement to reflect the Member's (or CD Representative's) decision to voluntarily assume risk associated with hiring an individual with a criminal history and that the Member (or Representative for CD) is solely responsible for any negative consequences stemming from that decision.

5. Service Agreement.

(i) A Member shall develop a Service Agreement with each Worker, which includes, at a minimum:

(I) The roles and responsibilities of the Worker and the Member;

(II) The Worker's schedule (as developed by the Member and/or Representative), including hours and days;

(III) The scope of each service (i.e., the specific tasks and functions the Worker is to perform);

(IV) The service rate; and

(V) The requested start date for services.

(ii) The Service Agreement must be in place for each Worker prior to the Worker providing services.

(iii) The Service Agreement shall also stipulate if a Worker will provide one or more Self-Directed Health Care Tasks, the specific task(s) to be performed, and the frequency of each Self-Directed Health Care Task.

6. Payments to Consumer-Directed Workers.

(i) Rates.

With the exception of Companion Care Services, Members participating in CD have the flexibility to set wages for their Workers from a range of reimbursement levels established by TennCare.

(I) Monthly Companion Care rates are only available for a full month of service delivery and will be pro-rated when a lesser number of days are actually delivered.

(II) The back-up per diem rate is available only when a regularly scheduled companion is ill or unexpectedly unable to deliver services, and shall not be authorized as a component of ongoing Companion Care Services.

(ii) Payments to Consumer-Directed Workers. In order to receive payment for services rendered, all Workers must:

(I) Deliver services in accordance with the schedule of services specified in the Member's POC and in the MCO's service authorization, and in accordance with Worker assignments determined by the Member or his Representative.

(II) Use the EVV system to log in and out at each visit.

(III) Provide detailed documentation of service delivery including but not limited to the specific tasks and functions performed for the Member at each visit, which shall be maintained in the Member's home.

(IV) Provide no more than forty (40) hours of services within a consecutive seven (7) day period, unless explicitly permitted by program guidelines and in accordance with service authorizations.

(iii) Termination of Consumer-Directed Workers' Employment.

(I) A Member may terminate a Worker's employment at any time.

(II) The MCO may not terminate a Worker's employment, but may request that a Member be involuntarily withdrawn from CD if it is determined that the health, safety and welfare of the Member may be in jeopardy if the Member continues to employ a Worker but the Member and/or Representative does not want to terminate the Worker.

(j) Self-Direction of Health Care Tasks.

1. A Competent Adult, as defined in this Chapter, with a functional disability living in his own home, enrolled in CHOICES Group 2 or CHOICES Group 3, and participating in CD, or his Representative for CD, may choose to direct and supervise a Consumer-Directed Worker in the performance of a Health Care Task as defined in this Chapter.

2. For purposes of this rule, home does not include a NF or ACLF.

3. A Member shall not receive additional amounts of any service as a result of his decision to self-direct health care tasks. Rather, the Health Care Tasks shall be performed by the Worker in the course of delivering Eligible CHOICES HCBS already determined to be needed, as specified in the POC.

4. The Member or Representative who chooses to self-direct a health care task is responsible for initiating self-direction by informing the health care professional who has ordered the treatment which involves the Health Care Task of the individual or caregiver's intent to perform that task through self-direction. The provider shall not be required to prescribe self-direction of the health care task.

5. When a licensed health care provider orders treatment involving a Health Care Task to be performed through self-directed care, the responsibility to ascertain that the Member or caregiver understands the treatment and will be able to follow through on the Self-Directed Health Care Task is the same as it would be for a Member or caregiver who performs the Health Care Task for himself, and the licensed health care provider incurs no additional liability when ordering a Health Care Task which is to be performed through self-directed care.

6. The Member or his Representative for CD will identify one or more Consumer-Directed Workers who will perform the task in the course of delivery of Eligible CHOICES HCBS. If a Worker agrees to perform the Health Care Tasks, the tasks to be performed must be specified in the Service Agreement. The Member or his Representative for CD is solely responsible for identifying a Worker who is willing to perform Health Care Tasks, and for instructing the paid personal aide on the task(s) to be performed.

7. The Member or his Representative for CD must also identify in his Back-up Plan for CD who will perform the Health Care Task if the Worker is unavailable, or stops performing the task for any reason.

8. Ongoing monitoring of the Worker performing self-directed Health Care Tasks is the responsibility of the Member or his Representative. Members are encouraged to use a home medication log as a tool to document medication administration. Medications should be kept in original containers, with labels intact and legible.

(k) Withdrawal from Participation in Consumer Direction (CD).

1. General.

(i) Voluntary Withdrawal from CD. Members participating in CD may voluntarily withdraw from participation in CD at any time. The Member's request must be in writing. Whenever possible, notice of a Member's decision to withdraw from participation in CD should be provided in advance to permit time to arrange for delivery of services through Contracted Providers.

(ii) Voluntary or involuntary withdrawal of a Member from CD of Eligible CHOICES HCBS shall not affect a Member's eligibility for LTSS or enrollment in CHOICES, provided the Member continues to meet all requirements for enrollment in CHOICES as defined in this Chapter.

(iii) If a Member voluntarily withdraws or is involuntarily withdrawn from CD, any Eligible CHOICES HCBS he receives, with the exception of Companion Care, shall be provided through Contract Providers, subject to the requirements in this Chapter. Companion Care is only available through CD.

2. Involuntary Withdrawal.

(i) A person may be involuntarily withdrawn from participation in CD of HCBS for any of the following reasons:

(I) The person is no longer enrolled in TennCare.

(II) The person is no longer enrolled in either CHOICES Group 2 or CHOICES Group 3.

(III) The Member no longer needs any of the Eligible CHOICES HCBS, as specified in the POC.

(IV) The Member is no longer willing or able to serve as the Employer of Record for his Consumer-Directed Workers and to fulfill all of the required responsibilities for CD, and does not have a qualified Representative who is willing and able to serve as the Employer of Record and to fulfill all of the required responsibilities for CD.

(V) The Member is unwilling to sign a Risk Agreement, as applicable, which identifies and addresses any additional risks associated with the Member's decision to participate in CD, or the risks associated with the Member's decision to participate in CD pose too great a threat to the Member's health, safety and welfare.

(VI) The health, safety and welfare of the Member may be in jeopardy if the Member or his Representative continues to employ a Worker but the Member or Representative does not want to terminate the Worker.

(VII) The Member does not have an adequate Back-up Plan for CD.

(VIII) The Member's needs cannot be safely and appropriately met in the community while participating in CD.

(IX) The Member or his Representative for CD, or Consumer-Directed Workers he wants to employ are unwilling to use the services of the Bureau's contracted FEA to perform required Financial Administration and Supports Brokerage functions.

(X) The Member or his Representative for CD is unwilling to abide by the requirements of the CHOICES CD program.

(XI) If a Member's Representative fails to perform in accordance with the terms of the Representative Agreement and the health, safety and welfare of the Member is at risk, and the Member wants to continue to use the Representative.

(XII) If a Member has consistently demonstrated that he is unable to manage, with sufficient supports, including appointment of a Representative, his services and the Care Coordinator or FEA has identified health, safety and/or welfare issues.

(XIII) A Care Coordinator has determined that the health, safety and welfare of the Member may be in jeopardy if the Member continues to employ a Worker but the Member or Representative does not want to terminate the Worker.

(XIV) Other significant concerns regarding the Member's participation in CD which jeopardize the health, safety or welfare of the Member.

(ii) The Bureau must review and approve all MCO requests for involuntary withdrawal from CD of HCBS before such action may occur. If the Bureau approves the request, written notice shall be given to the Member at least ten (10) days in advance of the withdrawal. The date of withdrawal may be delayed when necessary to allow adequate time to transition the Member to Contract Provider services as seamlessly as possible.

(iii) The Member shall have the right to appeal involuntary withdrawal from CD.

(iv) If a person is no longer enrolled in TennCare or in CHOICES, his participation in CD shall be terminated automatically.

(10) Nursing Facilities (NFs) in CHOICES.

(a) Conditions of participation. NFs participating in CHOICES must meet all of the conditions of participation and conditions for reimbursement outlined in their provider agreements with the TennCare MCOs.

(b) Level 1 reimbursement methodology for NF care: See Rule 1200-13-01-.03(6).

(c) Level 2 reimbursement methodology for NF care: See Rule 1200-13-01-.03(7).

(d) Enhanced Respiratory Care reimbursement methodology for NF care: See Rule 1200-13-01.03(8).

(e) Non-participating providers. NFs that wish to continue serving existing residents without entering into provider agreements with TennCare MCOs will be considered non-participating providers.

1. Non-participating NF providers must comply with Rules 1200-13-01-.03, 1200-13-01-.06, and 1200-13-01-.09.

2. Non-participating providers must sign a modified contract (called a case agreement) with the MCO to continue receiving reimbursement for existing residents, including residents who may become Medicaid eligible.

3. Non-participating NF providers will be reimbursed eighty percent (80%) of the lowest rate paid to any participating NF provider in Tennessee for the applicable level of NF services.

(f) Bed holds. See Rule 1200-13-01-.03(9).

(g) Other reimbursement issues. See Rule 1200-13-01-.03(10).

(11) HCBS Providers in CHOICES.

(a) HCBS providers delivering care under CHOICES must meet specified license requirements and shall meet conditions for reimbursement outlined in their provider agreements with the TennCare MCOs.

(b) Non-participating HCBS providers will be reimbursed by the Member's MCO at eighty percent (80%) of the lowest rate paid to any HCBS provider in the state for that service.

(12) Appeals.

(a) Appeals related to determinations of eligibility for TennCare Medicaid or TennCare Standard are processed by DHS, in accordance with Chapters 1200-13-13 and 1200-13-14.

(b) Appeals related to the denial, reduction, suspension, or termination of a covered service are processed by the Bureau in accordance with Rules 1200-13-13-.11 and 1200-13-14-.11.

(c) Appeals related to the PAE process (including decisions pertaining to the PASRR process) are processed by the Bureau's Division of Long-Term Services and Supports in accordance with Rule 1200-13-01-.10(7).

(d) Appeals related to the enrollment or disenrollment of an individual in CHOICES or to denial or involuntary withdrawal from participation in CD are processed by the Division of Long-Term Services and Supports in the Bureau, in accordance with the following procedures:

1. If enrollment into CHOICES or if participation in CD is denied, notice containing an explanation of the reason for such denial shall be provided. The notice shall include the person's right to request a fair hearing within thirty (30) days from receipt of the written notice regarding valid factual disputes pertaining to the enrollment denial decision.

2. If a Member is involuntarily disenrolled from CHOICES, or if participation in CD is involuntarily withdrawn, advance notice of involuntary disenrollment or withdrawal shall be issued. The notice shall include a statement of the Member's right to request a fair hearing within thirty (30) days from receipt of the written notice regarding valid factual disputes pertaining to the decision.

3. Appeals regarding denial of enrollment into CHOICES, involuntary disenrollment from CHOICES, or denial or involuntary withdrawal from participation in CD must be filed in writing with the TennCare Division of Long-Term Services and Supports within thirty-five (35) days of issuance of the written notice if the appeal is filed with the Bureau by fax, and within forty (40) days of issuance of the written notice if the appeal is mailed to the Bureau. This allows five (5) days mail time for receipt of the written notice and when applicable, five (5) days mail time for receipt of the written appeal.

4. In the case of involuntary disenrollment from CHOICES only, if the appeal is received prior to the date of action, continuation of CHOICES benefits shall be provided, pending resolution of the disenrollment appeal.

5. In the case of involuntary withdrawal from participation in CD, if the appeal is received prior to the date of action, continuation of participation in CD shall be provided, unless such continuation would pose a serious risk to the Member's health, safety and welfare, in which case, services specified in the POC shall be made available through Contract Providers pending resolution of the appeal.

Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1200-13-01-.05

Original rule filed November 17, 1977; effective December 19, 1977. Amendment filed January 31, 1979; effective March 16, 1979. Amendment filed April 8, 1981; effective May 26, 1981. Amendment filed August 31, 1981; effective October 15, 1981. Amendment filed November 4, 1981; effective December 21, 1981. Amendment filed January 29, 1982; effective March 15, 1982. Amendment filed May 14, 1982; effective July 1, 1982. Amendment filed May 26, 1983; effective June 27, 1983. Amendment filed June 23, 1983; effective July 25, 1983. Amendment filed June 27, 1984; effective July 27, 1984. Amendment filed November 30, 1984; effective December 30, 1984. Amendment filed September 18, 1985; effective October 18, 1985. Amendment filed February 12, 1986; effective March 14, 1986. Amendment filed February 23, 1987; effective April 9, 1987. Amendment filed March 25, 1987; effective May 9, 1987. Amendment filed July 30, 1987; effective September 13, 1987. Amendment filed September 30, 1987; effective November 14, 1987. Amendment filed October 22, 1987; effective December 6, 1987. Amendment filed October 12, 1987; effective January 27, 1988. Amendment filed August 17, 1988; effective October 1, 1988. Amendment filed July 26, 1989; effective September 10, 1989. Amendment filed February 23, 1990; effective April 9, 1990. Amendment filed May 10, 1990; effective June 24, 1990. Amendment filed June 8, 1990; effective July 23, 1990. Amendment filed August 17, 1990; effective October 1, 1990. Amendment filed September 28, 1990; effective November 12, 1990. Amendment filed November 5, 1990; effective December 20, 1990. Amendment filed November 27, 1990; effective January 11, 1991. Amendment filed January 9, 1991; effective February 23, 1991. Amendment filed February 12, 1991; effective March 29, 1991. Amendment filed February 21, 1991; effective April 7, 1991. Amendment filed February 22, 1991; effective April 9, 1991. Amendment filed February 27, 1991; effective April 13, 1991. Amendment filed April 1, 1991; effective May 16, 1991. Amendment filed June 12, 1991; effective July 27, 1991. Amendment filed November 22, 1991; effective January 6, 1992. Amendment filed April 29, 1992; effective June 13, 1992. Amendment filed May 1, 1992; effective June 15, 1992. Amendment filed October 8, 1992; effective November 22, 1992. Amendment filed October 26, 1992; effective December 10, 1992. Amendment filed November 17, 1993; effective January 31, 1994. Amendment filed March 11, 1994; effective May 25, 1994. Amendment filed March 18, 1994; effective June 1, 1994. Amendment filed May 2, 1994; effective July 16, 1994. Amendment filed November 10, 1994; effective January 24, 1995. Amendment filed March 3, 1995; effective June 15, 1995. Amendment filed June 29, 2000; effective September 12, 2000. Amendment filed August 21, 2001; effective November 4, 2001. Emergency rule filed March 1, 2010; effective through August 28, 2010. Amendment filed May 27, 2010; effective August 25, 2010. Emergency rule filed September 23, 2011; effective through March 21, 2012. Amendment filed December 15, 2011; effective March 14, 2012. Emergency rules filed June 29, 2012; effective through December 26, 2012. Amendments filed September 26, 2012; effective December 25, 2012. Numbering errors were found with the rules for 1200-13-01-.05 by the Secretary of State's office. On December 20, 2012, the Attorney General's office approved the legality of the correctly renumbered rule 1200-13-01-.05 as presented by TennCare. Amendments filed September 26, 2013; effective December 25, 2013. Amendments filed July 28, 2014; effective October 26, 2014. Amendment filed April 14, 2015; effective July 13, 2015. Emergency rule filed July 27, 2015; effective through January 23, 2016. Amendment filed October 22, 2015; effective January 21, 2016. Amendment filed March 22, 2016; effective June 20, 2016. Emergency rules filed July 1, 2016; effective through December 28, 2016. Amendments filed September 30, 2016; effective December 29, 2016. Emergency rules filed November 20, 2020; effective through May 19, 2021. Amendments filed February 17, 2021; effective May 18, 2021. Emergency rules filed October 3, 2022; effective through April 1, 2023. Amendments filed November 1, 2022; effective January 30, 2023; Amendments filed December 13, 2022; effective 3/13/2023.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-5-202, 4-5-208, 71-5-105, 71-5-106, 71-5-107, 71-5-109, 71-5-110, 71-5-111, 71-5-112, and 71-5-164; Executive Order Nos. 11 and 23; and TennCare II/III Section 1115(a) Medicaid Demonstration Waiver Extension.