Mississippi Administrative Code
Title 23 - Division of Medicaid
Part 208 - Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Long Term Care
Chapter 2 - Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Independent Living Waiver
Rule 23-208-2.1 - General

A. The Division of Medicaid covers certain Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) as an alternative to institutionalization in a nursing facility through the Independent Living (IL) Waiver.

B. Waiver participants must reside in a private residence which is fully integrated with opportunities for full access to the greater community, and meet the requirements of a Home and Community-Based (HCB) setting.

C. The Division of Medicaid does not cover IL Waiver services to persons in congregate living facilities, institutional settings, on the grounds of or adjacent to institutions, or any other setting that has the effect of isolating persons receiving Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS).

D. The IL Waiver is administered by the Division of Medicaid and jointly operated by the Division of Medicaid and Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services (MDRS).

E. The Division of Medicaid maintains responsibility for the administration of the waiver and formulates policies, rules, and regulations. Under the direction of the Division of Medicaid, the fiscal agent is responsible for processing claims, issuing payments to providers, and notifications regarding billing. MDRS is responsible for operational functions and maintaining a current Medicaid provider number as outlined in an interagency agreement.

F. The average cost for a waiver applicant/person must not be above the average estimated cost for nursing facility level of care approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for the current waiver year. The State may refuse entrance to the waiver to any otherwise eligible individual when the State reasonably expects that the cost of the facility and community-based services furnished to that individual would exceed the cost of a level of care specified for the waiver up to an amount specified by the State.