State PolicyWAFCA maintains strong relationships with, and serves as a resource to, state agency leaders, legislators, counties and coalitions throughout Wisconsin. In service to our members, we curate information that impacts the sector so that it's easier for them to stay informed, navigate shifts in policy, and take action. Below you will find current state updates, WAFCA advocacy priorities, and select resources. Consider membership if you are interested in becoming part of a network dedicated to improving policy and lives! December State Updates
Budget Listening Session. Join Governor Evers for the virtual Budget Listening Session, occurring Monday, December 16th at 4pm. The 90-minute listening session will provide the Governor and his Administration with an opportunity to hear directly from Wisconsinites to inform them on priority areas in the 2025-2027 biennial budget. Register to join. If you are unable to participate in the virtual session, you may submit your written comments via the Governor's online form as an alternative. Learn more about WAFCA priority issues for the coming session. New Medicaid Housing Benefit. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is launching a significant initiative under 1915(i) of the Social Security Act to provide an extensive array of housing support services to individuals experiencing housing insecurity. With benefits starting February 1, 2025, Wisconsin proudly stands as one of the first states to provide housing support services through a 1915i Medicaid State Plan Amendment. Key details include:
View and share the flyers regarding this new initiative, available in English, Spanish, and Hmong. Public Hearing on DHS Rules. DHS will hold a public hearing on a permanent rule to create Wis. Admin. Code ch. DHS 72 and amend Wis. Admin. Code chs. DHS 105 and 107 relating to peer recovery service providers and their reimbursement under the Medical Assistance program. View the analysis of the proposed rule text. The virtual public hearing will take place on December 18, 2024, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Public comments may be submitted any time in writing from December 2, 2024, until 11:59 p.m. on December 18, 2024. Family Care Waivers Renewed. On November 1, 2024, the Family Care and Family Care Partnership 1915(b) and 1915(c) waiver renewals were approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for a five-year period with effective dates from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2029. The 1915(b) waiver (PDF) describes how Family Care works. This includes service delivery and provider choice. The 1915(c) waiver (PDF) describes Family Care and Family Care Partnership eligibility, services, member rights, and finances. Changes made to the programs were designed to expand access to services and providers, allow for more use of technology, and improve inclusion. View a summary of the changes on Family Care Waiver Renewal webpage. November State UpdatesUpdates to the Ongoing Standards. In April, the Department of Children and Families updated the Ongoing Standards to reflect practice changes brought about by the implementation of Qualified Residential Treatment Programs (QRTPs) in Wisconsin. This memo, which was just released this week, clarifies the timelines and documentation requirements for public and private child placing agencies when a child or youth is placed in a QRTP. These requirements have been in place for some time; this notice is simply to highlight that the changes are now reflected in the Standards. New Guidance Emerging from Wisconsin Medicaid. DHS Division of Medicaid Services has been busy issuing an array of guidance as we wrap up 2024 and look ahead to the coming year. Items of interest emerging in the past month via ForwardHealth Updates and administrative memos in recent weeks include:
As providers have been gearing up for the new payer changes in CLTS, additional information from DHS emerged this month establishing that there is no longer a need for county/provider contracts for CLTS service delivery. Providers may add counties to their service areas via the provider registry and county waiver agencies will still be responsible for issues service authorizations for participant needs before a provider may submit claims for service. WAFCA is continuing to assess the impact of this new DHS directive on providers and participants. 2025-27 Biennial Budget
WAFCA Bills of Interest 2023-2024 Legislative SessionPOLICY RESOURCES/COALITION PARTNERSWISCONSIN LEGISLATIVE RESOURCESLATEST FROM WISCONSIN STATE AGENCIES |