NH Choices for Independence Waiver Renewal and Amendments 2022-2027

New Hampshire’s Department of Health and Human Services requested input as the Bureau of  Adult and Aging  Services (BAAS) began the Choices for Independence (CFI) Waiver renewal process. Every five years the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) requires that the states renew their Home and Community Based Care 1915 (c) waivers.
 

Waiver Renewal Process

Pursuant to 42 C.F.R. §441.301(c)(6)(iii) notice is hereby given that the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, as the single state Medicaid agency, intends to submit a renewal of its Section 1915(c) Choices for Independence waiver to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

The renewal process is lengthy and included collaborative meetings with a wide range of stakeholders to gather input on the waiver. BAAS worked with the Institute on Disability (IOD) to deliver four statewide feedback session during May 2021. BAAS encouraged people to participate in the feedback sessions or to provide written input by email or mail. Sharing what has worked and what needs attention helped to inform waiver changes in the application that was available for public comment from November 1 - December 1, 2021.

This renewal is primarily a continuation of the current Choices for Independence Waiver and reflects:

• Compliance with recently updated federal regulations
• Service limits for selected services
• Updated Performance Measures
• Additional Covered Services

DHHS requested comments about the changes it is proposing in the draft 1915 (c) Choices for Independence Waiver. After receiving the public’s ideas and comments about the proposed changes, DHHS will make final decisions about what changes to make to the CFI Waiver renewal application and submit to CMS. 

• View the amended final Choices for Independence Waiver, Effective July 1,2022 - June 30, 2027, approved by CMS on 4/1/2023
• View the final Choices for Independence Waiver, Effective July 1,2022 - June 30, 2027, approved by CMS on 6/3/2022
• View the Department Response to Public Comment
• View the Choices for Independence Waiver Application that was submitted to CMS

Choices for Independence Waiver Amendment

Notice of Opportunity for Public Comment: 11/9/2022 - 12/9/2022

Notice of Amendment to the Home and Community Based Services, 1915(c), Choices for Independence Waiver

Pursuant to 42 C.F.R. §441.301(c)(6)(iii), notice is hereby given that the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), as the single state Medicaid agency, intends to submit an amendment adding an additional service, Removable Prosthodontic Services, to its Section 1915(c) Choices for Independence (CFI) Waiver to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). 

This amendment seeks to add the service, Removable Prosthodontic Services, to the current, CMS-approved CFI Waiver.

DHHS would like your comments about the changes it is proposing in the draft 1915(c) CFI Waiver amendment. After receiving the public’s ideas and comments about the proposed changes, DHHS will make final decisions about what changes to make to the CFI Waiver amendment application and submit to CMS. The summary of comments will be included in the waiver amendment when it is submitted to CMS, which will be posted online.

This notice contains links to materials developed by the Bureau of Adult and Aging Services (BAAS) regarding its 1915(c) CFI Waiver amendment. CFI Waiver amendment documents as well as dates, times, and links for opportunities for public input related to this amendment can be viewed at Choices for Independence Waiver, Effective July 1,2022 - June 30, 2027  , approved by CMS on 6/3/2022.

 
Opportunity for Public Input

The public is invited to review and comment on this draft waiver amendment. The draft amendment will be available for review on November 9, 2022.  View the NH Choices for Independence Waiver 2022-2027, Amendment 1. 

A hard copy of the draft waiver amendment document may also be picked up, with prior notice, at the BAAS from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Monday through Friday at:  Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Adult and Aging Services, 105 Pleasant Street, Main Building, Concord, NH  03301-3857.  

Public comments may be submitted from November 9, 2022 until 12:00 noon on December 9, 2022.  Comments may be submitted by email to CFIWaiver@dhhs.nh.gov or by regular mail to: Lyn Spain, NH Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Adult and Aging Services, 105 Pleasant Street, Main Building, Concord, NH  03301-3857.