Current through Register Vol. 39, No. 6, September 16, 2024
(a) Installation of
ramps, rails, and other safety measures may be provided to increase mobility
and enable a person to follow gainful activity in his own home without the
threat of seriously damaging or injuring his health. Apparatuses in this
category include bars, tub seats, grab bars, raised toilet seats, flexible
shower heads, rails of all sorts, monkey bars, litters, drips, ramps, and other
apparatuses which are affixed in a nonportable condition.
(1) Reimbursement not to exceed reasonable
and necessary costs is allowable for apparatuses and their installation and for
periodic adjustment and repair. Installations must conform with local and state
building codes.
(2) When the
installation of an apparatus provided under this component involves substantial
physical alteration or structural change to the premises, prior written
approval must be obtained from the owner or authorized agent for the house in
which the item is to be installed.
(3) When satisfactory use of an apparatus
depends upon adequate instructions to the individual, the provider agency must
ensure the provision of such instructions.
(4) Any apparatus provided through this
component is purchased for the individual recipient. Therefore, the provider
agency holds no ownership and may not reclaim the item. However, the recipient
may make an agreement to donate the item to the agency for another client's use
when he ceases to need it.
(5) When
a particular apparatus is donated back to the agency by a previous user,
reimbursement for the cost of the item may not be claimed again when it is
provided to another client. However, reasonable and necessary charges for
renovations and repairs may be claimed and reimbursed as a cost of service to
the second recipient.
(b) Escort service to health facilities and
other needed resources is provided when aging, disabled or handicapped persons
need to make use of a health or social resource but are either physically or
mentally incapable of obtaining the service unaccompanied.
(1) The specific reason it is believed that
client is unable to travel and wait alone must be recorded in the case file.
For purposes of this service, "unable to travel and wait alone" means the
client's well-being would be endangered if he traveled and waited
unaccompanied.
(2) Escort service
requires prior approval by the county department of social services or other
provider agency as applicable including the rate of reimbursement. In cases
where service is needed on an on-going basis, prior approval may cover a period
of time not to exceed the client's period of eligibility.
(3) Escort service may be provided through
the use of volunteers.
(4) Escort
service is exempt from the minimum wage and overtime pay requirements of the
Fair Labor Standards Act; however, reimbursement for paid escort time is
available up to the minimum hourly wage.
(5) Reimbursement for the cost of escort
travel incurred when accompanying a client to needed resources is allowable as
a part of this service at the same maximum rate established by the Social
Services Commission for transportation services.
Authority
G.S.
143B-153;
Eff. July 1,
1984;
Amended Eff. July 1, 1990;
Pursuant to
G.S.
150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without
substantive public interest Eff. May 20,
2017.
