DHS Seeks Public Comments on Revised HCBS Transition Plan

Posted on September 11, 2018 by Bobbie Guidry

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) plans to submit a revised State Transition Plan for the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Settings rule to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) after a 30-day public comment period. The comment period is now open and comments are due by 4 p.m. on Oct. 10. 

The statewide transition plan describes how Minnesota will meet the new federal rule for HCBS settings. 

We are reviewing the State Transition Plan, as well as changes from the version that received initial approval in 2017, for potential comment. We have also been active participants on the HCBS Settings Rule Advisory Group. 

Only eight states have received final approval of their State Transition Plans at this time. CMS has two levels of approval: 

• Initial approval: CMS granted initial approval of Minnesota’s State Transition Plan on June 2, 2017. This approval was based on Minnesota’s assessment of the state's HCBS system and its plans for making sure that settings that offer HCBS services comply with the new rules. 
• Final approval: DHS is now seeking final approval for its 2018 State Transition Plan. To receive final approval, states must assess the level of compliance of each site, validate compliance and describe the plan to fix areas of noncompliance. 

The revised version of the State Transition Plan may be viewed at Minnesota’s Home and Community-Based Services Rule Statewide Transition Plan. Comments must be submitted to HCBS.Settings@state.mn.us no later than 4 p.m. on Oct. 10. 

Additional information on the HCBS Settings Rule can be found at:

• Transition plan for home and community-based settings website
• Statewide transition plan - Dec. 2, 2016, initial approval granted (PDF)
• Federally approved waiver plans