Effective January 1, 2023 The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved the Consolidated, P/FDS and Community Living waivers renewals with some noted significant changes.  This information was communicated by the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) per ODP Announcement 23-002.

The waivers were approved for the next five years. The current Consolidated, Community Living and P/FDS Waivers expired June 30, 2022, but were extended twice as discussions continued between ODP and CMS.

The most notable change being that Remote Supports has been added as a separate, discrete service in all three waivers. Remote Supports is no longer covered as a component of the Assistive Technology service.

Some additional updates of note are listed below:

• Individuals in Residential Habilitation, Life Sharing, or Supported Living can now also have Music, Art, & Equine Assisted Therapy as a separate service.
• Individuals receiving Residential Habilitation, Life Sharing or Supported Living may receive in-person Companion services (not teleservices) to support an individual at their place of community integrated employment.
• Community Participation Teleservices may now be rendered in Residential Habilitation homes when the participant:
  • Routinely participates in CPS services in-person outside the home.
  • Has a medical or behavioral condition that precludes their in-person participation for a temporary period of time not to exceed 26 consecutive weeks.
• Companion Services are now permitted as a separate service.  Individuals receiving Residential Habilitation, Life Sharing or Supported Living may receive in-person Companion services (not teleservices) to support an individual at their place of community integrated employment.

For further clarification the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) held a webinar on February 9, 2023, to review the approved Consolidated, P/FDS and Community Living Waiver renewals. The webinar recording and accompanying PowerPoint are now available on the My ODP website by using the link https://home.myodp.org/resources/waiver-implementation/

A list of all major changes made in the renewals is available in the record of change document and each full waiver application approved by CMS which are available at:

Consolidated Waiver  

Community Living Waiver

P/FDS Waiver