STATE OF WASHINGTON



318706577343000STATE OF WASHINGTONDEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICESAging and Long-Term Support AdministrationHome and Community Services DivisionPO Box 45600, Olympia, WA 98504-560018764252365375HCS MANAGEMENT BULLETIN00HCS MANAGEMENT BULLETINH18-076 – InformationDecember 21, 2018 TO:Area Agency on Aging (AAA) DirectorsHome and Community Services (HCS) Division Regional AdministratorsFROM:Bea Rector, Director, Home and Community Services DivisionSUBJECT:Increase in MAC/TSOA step 3 benefit levels and TSOA income standardPURPOSE:To inform MTD staff of the following increase in the:Step 3 benefit level for MAC & TSOA dyads and TSOA individuals without a caregiver;Gross monthly income standard for TSOA applicantsBACKGROUND:As of July 1, 2018, the maximum Step 3 benefit levels allowed per WAC 388-106-1920 were as follows:MAC and TSOA dyads: average of $573 per month not to exceed $3,438 in a six month period;TSOA individual w/o a caregiver: $573 per monthSince January 1, 2018, the TSOA gross monthly income standard has been $2250.WHAT’S NEW, CHANGED, OR CLARIFIED:Step 3 Benefit Level Amount Increase due to hourly rate increase:Per approved legislation, the hourly rate for services provided by home care agencies (respite and personal care) will increase on January 1, 2019. In order to ensure that caregivers and care receivers in MAC and TSOA who utilize respite or personal care services on a regular schedule will be able to maintain that level of support after the provider rate increases, the department has increased the maximum Step 3 benefit level as follows:MAC and TSOA dyads - an average of $594 per month not to exceed $3,564 in a six month period;TSOA individual w/o a caregiver - $594 per monthEmergency rule has been filed to include this increase in WAC 388-106-1920. These new benefit levels will be published on the HCS Rates website found at . TSOA gross monthly income increase:The gross monthly income standard for TSOA applicants will increase to $2313 as of January 1, 2019 due to the Medicaid Special Income Level (SIL) increase. This change has been made in both the GetCare and CARE Presumptive Eligibility screening tools. ACTION:AAA MTD staff authorizing MAC and TSOA services will ensure that monthly service authorizations for Step 3 dyads/individuals do not exceed the Step 3 benefit levels unless there is an approved exception to rule (ETR).AAA and HCS MTD Intake staff will ensure they are using the correct income standard for PE screenings completed beginning January 1, 2019.RELATED REFERENCES: FORMTEXT ?????ATTACHMENT(S): FORMTEXT ?????CONTACT(S):Debbie Johnson, MTD Program Manager360-725-2531Debbie.Johnson2@dshs.Adrienne Cotton, MAC & TSOA Program Manager360-725-3292Adrienne.Cotton@dshs. ................
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