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Dates and Deadlines
All states must submit to CMS a plan for transitioning their current HCBS system into compliance with the new rule by March 17, 2015. States submitting a 1915(c) waiver renewal or amendment before March 17, 2015 must include a transition plan in that submission. States then have 120 days from that submission date to submit a transition plan for the remainder of their HCBS system.
On October 15, 2014, the Office of MassHealth posted the Massachusetts Proposed Statewide Transition Plan to meet the requirements of the HCBS Community Rule. Comments on the plan are due November 15, 2014.
On November 6 and 12, 2014 the state held two public forums on the rules.
On March 2, 2015 MasHealth submitted a Statewide Transition Plan to CMS (see more documents and attachments below)
The Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) will discuss and receive public comments regarding the revised Statewide HCBS Transition Plan for compliance with the 2014 federal rule for Medicaid-funded residential and non-residential HCBS waiver services (also known as the “Community Rule” or the “HCBS Rule”). Members of the public can submit their input via e-mail, regular mail, or in person at the public forum being held on August 3, 2016. Details about this event are listed below:
- Public Forum Location: Worcester Public Library – 3 Salem Square Worcester, MA 01608
- Date: Wednesday, August 3rd, 2016
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Date: Wednesday, August 3rd, 2016
- Written comments regarding the Statewide HCBS Transition Plan may be submitted by email to: HCBSWaivers@State.MA.US
- Or by mail to
- HCBS Waiver Unit
1 Ashburton Place, 11th Floor
Boston, MA 02108
- HCBS Waiver Unit
Printed copies of the STP are available upon request. Use the email address or mailing address above to request a hard copy of the STP and related documents. Printed copies of the STP will also be available at the public forum.
Please Note: Comments regarding the Statewide HCBS Transition Plan must be submitted by August 10, 2016.
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NEW! Clarifications and/or Modifications required for Initial Approval (CMIA): This letter notifies states that public comment, input and summary requirements are met, but CMS has identified issues that must be resolved in the Statewide Transition Plan (STP) prior to initial approval. CMS sent this letter to Massachusetts on November 5, 2015
Plan Submitted to CMS March 2, 2014
Massachusetts Statewide HCBS Transition Plan
Attachment D – Responses to Comments Received on the Massachusetts Transition Plan (Massachusetts also submitted the attachments A-C above)
Summary of Revisions made to the Statewide HCBS Transition Plan
Comments were due November 15, 2014.
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HCBS ADVOCACY COALITION 