Waiver Reimagine

In 2019, the Minnesota Legislature authorized the Department of Human Services (DHS) to make system-level improvements to Minnesota’s disability waiver programs. The Waiver Reimagine project will accomplish the following:

Ensure equal access and benefits across disability waiver programs. The programs will be responsive to a person’s needs, circumstances and preferences.
Align benefits across waiver programs for people with disabilities, including consistent limits and allowable services
Provide flexible and predictable benefit changes that recognize life changes and an increased use of technology
Allow simplified administration that make waivers easier to understand for people who receive services, county and tribal administrators and service providers.

DHS looks forward to receiving input from people with disabilities and their families served by the waivers, lead agencies, providers and advocates during the length of this work.

Background
News and updates
Reports
Feedback

Background

In 2017, The Minnesota Legislature authorized DHS to conduct two studies to identify system level improvements for the following disability waiver programs:
These studies:
- Examined current service structures in Minnesota
- Reviewed services in other states
- Identified possible improvements, such as:
  - Consolidating the four waiver programs into a single program
  - Offering additional 1915(c) waivers
  - Reforming waiver processes
  - Providing additional HCBS options
We also studied how we might develop an individual budgeting model for people who receive HCBS waiver services that would tie a person’s assessed needs to service costs.

Click the Reports tab above for links to the Waiver Reimagine project legislative report and subject matter reports for waiver reconfiguration and an individualized budget methodology.
News and updates

2019 Legislature authorizes Waiver Reimagine

The Minnesota Legislature authorized DHS to make system-level improvements to Minnesota’s disability waiver programs. DHS plans to accomplish the following:
- Phase 1 (2019-2020): Consolidate services and create singular service definitions for all waiver services
- Phase 2 (2020): Consolidate waivers and seek federal authority to implement
- Phase 3 (2020-2021): Develop individual budget methodologies that include support ranges and service mix values
- Phase 4 (2022-2023): Transition people from current waiver to new waiver
Waiver Reimagine legislative report submitted

Feb. 12, 2019

DHS has published the findings from the individual budgeting and waiver reconfiguration studies in the Waiver Reimagine Project legislative report (PDF). Feedback from stakeholders and research findings informed the report’s recommendations.

The report recommends consolidating the four existing waiver programs into two waivers, based on residential setting. DHS also recommends replacing the current lead agency budget allocation system with an individual support range budget methodology. We recommend that these changes take place over several years.

We have delivered the report to the Legislature.

Waiver Reimagine focus groups

May 1, 2018

DHS and its research partners are hosting three online focus groups as part of the Waiver Reimagine project. We want to hear your ideas about what we can do to improve the system.

You may participate in online focus groups until May 15, 2018. Please follow the most appropriate link below to participate in an online focus group:
March 22, 2018

DHS and its research partners are conducting focus groups with people and families who use waiver services in Minnesota. We want to hear your ideas about what we can do to improve the system.

We will hold focus groups between March and May 2018. Please visit the Waiver Reimagine Focus Groups website to learn more and register to participate.
Reports

DHS has published the findings from the Waiver Reimagine project in the Waiver Reimagine Project legislative report (PDF). This report is the summary of the work done during 2018. The report presents a complete picture of the recommendations for both the individual budget and waiver reconfiguration studies. Below you will find more detailed reports on the work that was done throughout the study that ultimately resulted in the recommendations included in the legislative reports, organized by study. We will add more reports to this page as they are completed.

Individual budgeting
Waiver reconfiguration
- Analysis of Federal Authorities & Research Into Other State Activities: a comparison of waiver authorities and structure, and how they are used in other states (PDF) (4/13/18)
- Stakeholder Focused Discussions: a summary of the stakeholder engagement effort (PDF) (6/4/18)
Feedback

DHS is eager for you to participate in Waiver Reimagine.

Sign up for DSD eLists to stay updated on feedback opportunities.
To sign up for eList updates or to add to or change the lists you've already signed up for, please enter your contact information below.
1. Email Address
Email DHS at Waiver.Reimagine@state.mn.us with questions or input about Waiver Reimagine at any time.