Webinar series for providers

The Housing Stabilization Services team invites you to join us for our webinar series beginning in July through October 2024. Webinars are scheduled for the second and fourth Thursdays of each month from 10:30am - 12:00pm. The purpose of the webinar series is to enhance providers’ effectiveness and deepen their understanding of the Housing Stabilization Services. Through these webinars, providers can stay updated on best practices and policies.

The Housing Stabilization Services: Housing Focused Person-Centered Plan (DHS-7307) Overview webinar is repeated each month and is the same content. This overview includes Housing Focused Person-Centered Plan (DHS-7307), Professional Statement of Need (DHS-7122) and how to submit a Housing Stabilization Request (DHS-7948). Providers can choose to attend more than one session. 

Please register for the webinars you plan to attend by clicking on the links.

July

August

September

October

Minnesota supports people with disabilities to live, work, and play in communities of their choice. Various challenges and barriers can make it hard to find housing, budget, interact with landlords and neighbors, and understand the rules of a lease. Finding and keeping stable affordable housing is important to the health of Minnesotans. Housing Stabilization Services is a new Medical Assistance benefit designed to help people with disabilities and seniors find and keep housing. Housing Stabilization Services is a home and community-based service.

The purpose of these services is to:

• Support an individual's transition into housing,
• Increase long-term stability in housing in the community, and
• Avoid future periods of homelessness or institutionalization.

For people looking for more information about the services, please visit Housing Benefits 101 and search “Housing Stabilization Services.”

Information on eligible recipients and enrolling eligible recipients can be found in the Minnesota Health Care Programs Housing Stabilization Services Provider Manual.

Supporting a person onto Housing Stabilization Services starts with the submission of a Housing Stabilization Services Eligibility Request Form (DHS-7948). Only enrolled Housing Stabilization Services providers may submit this form to DHS. All submitted forms are reviewed as soon as possible, in the order received. DHS will notify the provider submitting eligibility documentation of the person's eligibility determination through the MN-ITS mailbox.

Providers can look up to see if a person is on Housing Stabilization Services through the MN-ITs Eligibility Look-Up (270) search. To complete a search, providers will need to login into the MN-ITS Login page with their username and password. In order to look-up a person, staff will need to have at least two pieces of information, which may include first and last name, date of birth, Person Master Index (PMI), or Social Security Number. 

If a person is active on Housing Stabilization Services based on the search date, it will be shown under the "Other Eligibility Information," section just below the "County of Residence." The message will read, "This subscriber is approved for Housing Stabilization Services." 

To learn more about how a person goes through the process of getting Housing Stabilization Services, review the Person-Served Workflow (DHS-7347).

There are two ways to find providers:

• A searchable list of our providers may be found at MinnesotaHelp.info. In the “What are you looking for?" box, type “Housing Stabilization" and then include the city/county where services are to be received. Housing Stabilization providers can contact MinnesotaHelp to update their information.
  
  
• You can find also find the most current list of our providers in the MHCP Provider Directory by selecting "Home and Community Based Services (general)" for provider type and then selecting "Housing Stabilization Services" as the subtype.

All information regarding provider enrollment, including provider requirements, is located in the Minnesota Health Care Programs Housing Stabilization Services Provider Manual, under Housing Stabilization Services Enrollment Criteria and Forms. 

Questions may be directed to the Minnesota Health Care Programs Provider Call Center between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. at 651-431-2700 or 800-366-5411 (Press 3 for Provider Enrollment).

People who do not have waiver or targeted case management or a MSHO/MSC+ care coordinator, but need Housing Stabilization Services, can complete the person-centered planning needed through an enrolled housing consultant. Enrolled housing consultants help a person develop a Housing Focused Person-Centered Plan (DHS-7307) and support the person to select their housing transition or sustaining provider. This service must be distinct from all other services and not duplicate other services or assistance available to the person.

Covered Services:

• Assisting the person to access documentation required for Housing Stabilization Services eligibility
• Developing a Housing Focused Person-Centered Plan based on assessment outcomes
• Supporting the person in identifying their strengths, needs and wants in housing including cultural requirements and/or preferences
• Supporting the person to make an informed choice in their housing transition or sustaining provider
• Offering resource information for services that support non-housing related goals as identified in the person-centered planning process
• Coordinating with other service providers currently working with the person
• Helping the person understand their rights to privacy and appeal information
• Annually updating the person-centered plan as it relates to housing

Not Covered Services:

• Housing-Focused Person-Centered Plans if the person has a Medicaid-funded case manager or MSHO/MSC+ care coordinator or is found ineligible for Housing Stabilization Services by DHS during the eligibility review process
• No-show appointments
• Documentation and verification gathering after the Housing Focused Person-Centered Plan’s completion
• Assessments

Housing Consultation Service Limitations:

• All consultation services must be provided through a Medical Assistance enrolled provider, even if the provider does not intend on billing Medical Assistance for the service.
• Housing consultation is not available to people who receive Medical Assistance-funded case management including home and community-based waiver case management, targeted case management including: Adult Mental Health, Children’s Mental Health, Vulnerable Adult/Developmental Disability, Child Welfare and Relocation Service Coordination or MSHO/MSC+ care coordination.
• If a person on MSHO or MSC+, and not on an elderly waiver, refuses care coordination , that person can receive Housing Consultation (which would then not be duplicative services). The provider must receive confirmation of care coordination refusal from the MCO and upload that information when completing the Housing Stabilization service eligibility application. A person on a disability or elderly waiver cannot refuse waiver case management therefore the waiver case manager/care coordinator must always complete the plan.
• A person cannot receive housing consultation services and receive housing transition or sustaining services from the same provider without an approved exception from DHS. Refer to the Conflict of Interest Requirements and Exception section below for more information about this requirement.
• A person must be living in, or planning to transition to, housing that meets home and community-based services (HCBS) settings requirements and is not a community residential setting or foster care (licensed under 245D). These services may be provided in any setting in the community if the person is moving into a setting that meets home and community-based setting requirements (excluding community residential settings or foster care settings) when the person moves in.
• For a person residing in an institutional setting, services may be furnished no more than 180 consecutive days prior to discharge and Housing Stabilization providers may not bill for services until the person has transitioned to a home that meets the home and community-based setting requirements (excluding community residential setting or foster care licensed under 245D). “Institution” is defined under Minn. Stat. 256B.0621, Subd. 2(3).
• Consultation services cannot exceed one session per year except under these circumstances:
  • A person requests an update to their Housing Focused Person-Centered Plan
  • A person requires a new plan due to unexpected housing changes (i.e. becomes homeless and wants to seek housing again within the annual plan year.)
  • A person wants to change their housing transition/sustaining provider.

*“Community residential settings” is defined in Minnesota Statutes, §§ 245D.02, subd. 4a, and 245D.23 to 245D.26, and includes foster care.

Services that assist a person to plan for, find, and move to a home in the community.

Covered Services:

Activities with an asterisk (*) can be provided directly (in person or remotely working directly with the person) or indirectly on behalf of the person. The expectation is that services are primarily provided as a direct service. Documentation must indicate whether the service was provided as a direct (in person or remotely working directly with the person) or an indirect service. Refer to the Housing Stabilization Direct, Indirect, and Remote Services Chart for more guidance.

• Developing a housing transition plan*
• Supporting the person in applying for benefits to afford their housing, including helping the person determine which benefits they may be eligible for*
• Assisting the person with the housing search and application process*
• Assisting the person with tenant screening and housing assessments*
• Providing transportation with the person receiving services present and discussing housing related issues
• Helping the person understand and develop a budget
• Helping the person understand and negotiate a lease
• Helping the person meet and build a relationship with a prospective landlord
• Promoting/supporting cultural practice needs and understandings with prospective landlords, property managers*
• Helping the person find funding for deposits*
• Helping the person organize their move*
• Researching possible housing options for the person*
• Contacting possible housing options for the person*
• Identifying resources to pay for deposits or home goods *
• Identifying resources to cover moving expenses*
• Completing housing applications on behalf of the service recipient*
• Working to expunge records or access reasonable accommodations*
• Identifying services and benefits that will support the person with housing instability*
• Ensuring the new living arrangement is safe for the person and ready for move-in*
• Arranging for adaptive house related accommodations required by the person*
• Arranging for assistive technology required by the person*

Moving Expenses 

Beginning April 1, 2024 

Services that supports a person to maintain living in their home in the community.

Covered Services:

Activities with an asterisk (*) can be provided directly (in-person or remotely working directly with the person) or indirectly on behalf of the person. The expectation is that services are primarily provided as a direct service. Documentation must indicate whether the service was provided directly (in person or remotely working directly with the person) or as an indirect service. Refer to the Housing Stabilization Direct, Indirect, and Remote Services Chart for more guidance.

• Developing, updating and modifying the housing support and crisis/safety plan on a regular basis*
• Preventing and early identification of behaviors that may jeopardize continued housing
• Educating and training on roles, rights, and responsibilities of the tenant and property manager
• Transportation with the person receiving services present and discussing housing related issues
• Promoting/supporting cultural practice needs and understandings with landlords, property managers and neighbors*
• Coaching to develop and maintain key relationships with property managers and neighbors
• Advocating with community resources to prevent eviction when housing is at risk and maintain person’s safety*
• Assistance with the housing recertification processes*
• Continued training on being a good tenant, lease compliance, and household management
• Supporting the person to apply for benefits to retain housing*
• Supporting the person to understand and maintain/increase income and benefits to retain housing*
• Supporting the building of natural housing supports and resources in the community including building supports and resources related to a person’s culture and identity
• Working with property manager or landlord to promote housing retention*
• Arranging for assistive technology*
• Arranging for adaptive house related accommodations.*

Not Covered Services:

• Room and Board (including moving expenses)
• Deposits
• Food
• Furnishings
• Rent
• Utilities
• No-show appointments
• Staff travel time with a person not in the vehicle
• Direct or indirect services provision in a group setting
• Services provided outside of Minnesota

Housing sustaining services cannot duplicate other services or assistance available to the person.

Housing Sustaining Service Limitations:

• All housing sustaining services must be provided through a Medical Assistance enrolled provider.
• Housing sustaining services are limited to 150 hours annually. An additional 150 hours may be authorized by the Department for people who meet the exception requirements outlined in the Housing Stabilizations Eligibility Request form (DHS-7948).
• People must be living in one of the following settings:
  • Individual or family housing unit/homes; or
  • Provider-controlled settings, other than community residential settings and adult foster care that meet the home and community-based services settings requirements. Provider-controlled settings are those settings in which the provider of home and community-based services waiver or 1915(i) services owns, leases, or has a direct or indirect financial relationship with the property owner.
• Housing sustaining services are not covered when a person is concurrently receiving housing transition services.
• People receiving Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) services cannot also receive housing sustaining services.
• A provider cannot provide housing sustaining services for the same person with whom the person-centered plan was created (Coordinated Services and Support Plan, Housing Focused Person-Centered Plan, MSHO/MSC+ Coordinated [Collaborative] Care Plan) without a DHS-approved provider shortage exception.

Other Service Information:

• A person may change their housing sustaining service provider at any time. This change of provider must be reflected in their person-centered plan developed by a waiver case manager/care coordinator/targeted case manager/housing consultant and uploaded into the eligibility review system as a provider change request by the new provider. The new provider will be paid for services starting with the new effective date.
• A housing sustaining provider should share the service plan with the waiver case manager/care coordinator/targeted case manager/housing consultant who created the person-centered plan that covered Housing Stabilization Services within three months of service start.
• If the person currently receives Housing Stabilization Services, and at reassessment elects a new provider, the new provider will be paid for services starting with the new effective date.

Assessments and Plans:

Assessments for Housing Stabilization Services initial eligibility requests (PSN, MnCHOICES, and Coordinated Entry,) cannot be more than twelve months old. Renewals must be submitted with a new assessment. A person cannot use the prior year’s assessment from the previous approved eligibility request even if it is still within the annual time frame. Please note that for the PSN to be approved for HSS, in Sections 2 and 3 the first four boxes of the signature section (Name of Qualified Professional (QP), Type of QP, QP’s email/phone/or agency address, QP agency or organization) must be completed for the PSN to be approved.

When an agency has a conflict-of-interest exception in place, a different staff member must sign the Housing Focused Person-Centered Plan in the housing consultant section than signs the section for the ongoing transition/sustaining section of the plan.

At the time of submission, Housing Focused Person-Centered Plans cannot be more than 90 days old. Best practice is to submit the Housing Focused Person-Centered plan as soon as it is completed.

Housing Stabilization Services will accept an electronic health record Housing Focused Person-Centered plan when:

• The electronic health record Housing Focused Person-Centered plan mirrors the DHS eDoc 7307 version of the form.
• The electronic health record Housing Focused Person-Centered plan formatting is clear and all questions and answers are easily readable and identifiable.
• The electronic health record Housing Focused Person-Centered plans are updated as DHS eDoc 7307 is updated.

If the electronic health record system cannot design a form that mirrors eDoc 7307, the provider must continue to use the eDoc 7307.

If the plan is missing information or is not formatted in a readable manner the plan will be denied.

Providers are encouraged to submit an electronic health record Housing Focused Person-Centered template to hss.eligibility.dhs@state.mn.us to ensure the electronic health record meets the requirements for DHS eDoc 7307.

Initial Eligibility Request:

• A person’s Housing Stabilization Services eligibility start date is the date the approved application is submitted into the Housing Stabilization Services Eligibility Request Form. If the person is found eligible, services may be billed back to the eligibility start date listed on the approval form.
• Please note that if a person’s application is denied, services provided before the HSS eligibility start date are not billable even if a future submitted application is approved. Services provided before an eligibility start date are never billable.

Renewals:

• A person must have both an active person-centered plan and eligibility span to receive Housing Stabilization Services. A person's Housing Stabilization Services must be renewed when the person's housing plan or service eligibility date expires. To renew services a provider must complete a "Renewal Request" in the Housing Stabilization Services Eligibility Request Form (DHS-7948) (PDF). The provider uploads a new assessment, proof of disability, and a new person-centered plan (renewals require the same information as an Initial Request).
• Renewal applications can be submitted 60 days before the housing plan expires or within 30 days after the housing plan/service date expires. When submitted within this timeframe, the renewal eligibility and plan dates start one day after the previous plan expires.
• The Housing Focused Person-Centered plan, Community Services and Support Plan (CSSP), or Coordinated Care plan submitted for renewal should be dated one day after the current plan expires. If there is a gap in the date from the old plan to the new plan date, there could be a gap in services.
• If the provider submits the Renewal Request 31 days (or more) after the plan expires or service date expires, the request must be an Initial Request. When this happens, there will be a gap in Housing Stabilization Services from the date the plan expires to the date the new request is submitted.

Provider Change:

• A person can only have one Housing Stabilization provider at a time and that provider must be named in their person-centered plan (CSSP, Coordinated Care Plan, Housing Focused Person-Centered Plan).
• To change provider, the plan must be updated with the new provider and submitted as a “Provider Change Request” in the Housing Stabilization Services Eligibility Request Form (DHS-7948).
• The new provider start date is the date the HSS Eligibility Review Staff at DHS review and approve the Provider Change Request. The new provider will have 600 units for the remainder of the person’s eligibility span. A change in provider does not change a person’s eligibility span and services will need to be renewed by the original plan or service eligibility end date, whichever is sooner. The service end date will be shown in your provider change notification.
• DHS will notify the previous provider via email when a provider change occurs. The previous provider can bill until the date before the “Provider Change Request” was reviewed and approved.

Transition and sustaining additional hour request:

To qualify for an additional 150 hours of housing transition (per transition) or housing sustaining (annually), a person must have two of the following barriers listed below. An “Additional Transition or Sustaining Unit Request”  must be submitted via the secure, online Housing Stabilization Services Eligibility Request Form (DHS-7948). Documentation for each select barrier must be provided at the time of request. Use the “Allowable Documentation for Additional Requests” guide to see what documentation is allowed for each barrier.

• Criminal Background. Individual has a documented criminal background that shows up on background checks and is a barrier to receive housing. If a person has a felony conviction within the last 7 years, this is the only category and documentation required to access additional hours.
• Three or more police calls to residence in the last 6 months (report from police station)
• Three or more past due bills: Rent, gas, electric, and water in the past year
• Destruction of property at the apartment or complex they live at
• Three or more calls from landlords with identified problem to maintaining housing in the past 4 months
• One or more unlawful detainers/evictions in the past ten years
• Increased risk of institutionalization: have unstable living situations due to the age, incapacity, or sudden loss of the primary caregivers; experience a sudden closure of their current living arrangement; require protection from confirmed abuse, neglect, or exploitation; experience a sudden change in need
• Sudden change in support needs
• Domestic Abuse: Individual has stated they have a past history of domestic abuse that has been a barrier to housing; individual is currently in a relationship with someone who threatens their housing stability.
• A person has resided in one of these settings in the last 6 months for over 3 days: a nursing home, hospital, institution for mental disease (IMD), intensive residential treatment services (IRTS), substance abuse residential treatment facility
• Experiencing long-term homelessness (new as of January 2021)

If the documentation submitted does not appear sufficient to warrant an extension, the request for additional units will be denied.

Documentation for each select barrier must be provided at the time of request. Use the Allowable Documentation for Additional Requests guide (PDF) to see what documentation is allowed for each barrier.

Remote support is real-time, two-way communication between the provider and the person. The support meets intermittent or unscheduled needs for a person to live and work in the most integrated setting. Remote support supplements in person service delivery.

Remote support is limited to check-ins (e.g. reminders, verbal cues, prompts) and consultations (e.g. counseling, problem solving) within the scope of Housing Stabilization Services. Remote support may be used when it is chosen by the person as a method of service delivery. To meet the real-time, two-way communication definition, remote support includes the following methods: telephone, secure video conferencing, and secure written electronic messaging (text messages), excluding e-mail and facsimile. All transmitted electronic written messages must be retrievable for review. Providers must document the staff who delivered services, the date of service, the start and end time of service delivery, length of time of service delivery, method of contact, and place of service (i.e. office or community) when remote support service delivery occurs.

Remote Support- housing consultation

• Must be real-time, two way communication between the provider and the person. For Housing Consultation, remote support can only be performed through telephone or secure video conferencing.
• Remote support must be chosen by the person
• Providers must document that the plan was completed remotely and why it was a remote planning session. The case notes must also identify the staff member who completed the plan, the method of contact and the place of service delivery (i.e. office or community).

Remote support- transition and sustaining services

• Remote support cannot be used for more than one-half of direct service provided annually.
• Remote support cannot have the effect of isolating a person or reducing their access to the community. If remote support has such an effect, it is not allowed.
• Remote support must be chosen by the person. A person has a right to refuse, stop, or suspend the use of remote support at any time.
• A person on transition or sustaining services may use remote support in a flexible manner that meets his/her/their needs within the total yearly authorized units.

Remote support exception

• A person requiring a higher level of transition or sustaining remote support annually may be granted an exception through a provider request for prior authorization for up to 75% of the direct service provision.
• Prior authorization for higher remote support is not required during the period of a federal or state public health emergency or disaster declaration affecting the person or the person’s geographic area.

In order for providers to provide more than half of the direct service hours annually remotely, DHS must provide authorization. Providers request authorization through an Additional Remote Support Exception Request form DHS-8165-ENG. Reasons an exception may be granted include:

• a person engages more readily with the provider via remote means due to their disabling condition
• the person is difficult to physically locate but remains in contact remotely
• the person works during regular business hours so remote support enables the person to remain employed and receive needed supports to find or keep housing.
• the person and provider are physically distant from one another and the person consents to additional remote support

For all transition and sustaining remote support services provided:

• Providers need to outline remote support delivery methods agreed upon with the person. The housing support plan completed by the provider (separate from the person-centered plan) must also document:
  • why those methods were chosen and detail why remote support better meets the person’s needs,
  • how remote support will support the person to live and work in the most integrated community settings
  • the needs that must be met through in-person support
  • a plan for providing in-person and remote supports based on the person’s needs to ensure their health and safety.
• The direct staff or caregiver responsible for responding to a person’s health, safety, and other support needs through remote support must:
  • Respect and maintain the person’s privacy at all times, including when the person is in settings typically used by the general public;
  • Respect and maintain the person’s privacy at all times, including when scheduled or intermittent/as-needed support includes responding to a person’s health, safety and other support needs for personal care;
  • Ensure the use of enabling technology complies with relevant requirements under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
• It is the provider’s responsibility to develop record keeping systems which identify when a service was provided remotely, and track the number of remote hours utilized.
• Providers may not:
  • Bill direct support delivered remotely when the exchange between the person and the provider is social in nature;
  • Bill direct support delivered remotely when real-time, two-way communication does not occur (e.g. leaving a voicemail; unanswered electronic messaging);
  • Bill for the use of Global Positioning System (GPS), Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) and video surveillance to provide remote check-ins or consultative supports.

Housing Stabilization Services are state plan Medical Assistance services and impact other services that may be available to a person. This includes:

• Housing Support (formerly Group Residential Housing) supplemental service rate will be reduced by 50% for people enrolled in HSS and  living in certain community-based settings.
• Where a person has both targeted case management and waiver case management or MSHO/MSC+ care coordination, the waiver case manager or MSHO/MSC+ care coordinator is responsible to complete the person-centered plan required for the person to receive Housing Stabilization Services. In this instance, there is no agency conflict of interest with the targeted case manager as long as the agency did not perform the assessment (Professional Statement of Need, Coordinated Entry Assessment, MnCHOICES Assessment/Long-term Care Consultation) for Housing Stabilization Services.

If a person has a disability waiver case manager and a MSHO/MSC+ care coordinator, the disability waiver case manager is responsible to complete the required plan.

The state must assure the independence of people performing evaluations, assessments, and plans of care from the people delivering services to support the safety of people receiving home and community-based services. People performing evaluations, assessments, and plans of care cannot:

• be related by blood or marriage to the individual, or any paid caregiver of the individual
• have direct or indirect financial interest in the delivery of services
• be empowered to make financial or health-related decisions on behalf of the individual
• be a provider of Housing Stabilization Services for the individual, or those who have interest in or are employed by a provider of Housing Stabilization Services. This is to ensure a person has an outside entity to approach if the home and community-based services are unsafe or are not meeting the person’s needs.

There are exceptions to the conflict of interest requirements for geographic and cultural provider shortage areas. A Housing Stabilization provider agency who has the required firewalls and protections in place and an approved exception and can perform assessments, develop care plans, and provide housing transition or sustaining services for the same person.

 Provider shortages are defined by the following situations:

• Shortage of willing and qualified providers in certain geographic areas, as determined by the Department.
• Shortage of providers with experience and knowledge to provide services to people who share a common language or cultural background

In order to ensure federal conflict of interest exception standards are met, providers must demonstrate how they accomplish the following:

• Assure the same professional within an agency doesn’t conduct the assessment or develop the person-centered plan and provide housing transition or sustaining services to the same person.
• The use of different professionals must be documented.
• Providers must receive a provider agency exception approval from DHS before providing the assessment, plan, and housing transition or sustaining services to the same person. The care plan must indicate that a person was notified of the conflicts and dispute resolution process, as well as indicate that the person exercised their right in free choice of provider after notification of the conflict.
• A person who receives housing transition or sustaining services from the same agency that provided the assessment or care plan development is protected by the following safeguards: fair hearing rights, the ability to change providers, and the ability to request different professionals from within the same agency.

DHS will evaluate gaps in capacity and provider shortages annually. Once a provider shortage no longer exists in a given area, DHS will notify providers who can no longer assess or develop the person care plan and also provide housing transition or sustaining services for the same person.

• Housing Stabilization Geographic Provider Shortage Area Map - Updated June, 2021

Application Instructions

Providers complete the appropriate form when they feel they meet geographic or cultural/common language shortage area criteria in order to waive the conflict of interest standards required for Housing Stabilization Services. Providers seeking an exception must not only satisfy the shortage area criteria, but also demonstrate that safeguards are in place to protect against conflicts of interest.

Conflict of interest request forms are now available:

• Conflict of Interest- Geographic Exception Request
• Conflict of Interest – Cultural and Common Language Request

Once the form is complete, e-mail it to the Housing Stabilization Services Exception Request Review Team at: dhs.hss.exceptionrequest@state.mn.us

The subject line of the e-mail should read: [Provider name – Conflict of Interest Exception Request]

DHS will process the e-mail and review exception requests as soon as possible, in the order received. Once a decision has been made, you will receive a copy of the form with the DHS section completed for your records.

For more information on how to submit this form, review the Conflict of Interest Webinar –March 2021 (PDF).

Switching from Transition and Sustaining Services:

• A person can choose to move at any time to find housing that better fits their needs, and can switch between housing transition and sustaining services to do so. DHS authorizes both housing transition and housing sustaining services to allow a person the flexibility to move between the services, as needed.
• A person can only receive one service at a time, and a provider can only bill for one service at a time. If a person wants to move, the services should be billed as housing transition.
• If the person needs support to maintain their housing while transitioning, that will also be billed as housing transition services because maintaining their current housing supports their ability to access new housing.
• Once the person moves or if they decide to stay in their current housing, the services switch to housing sustaining.

Service Restriction:

• Providers who have the capacity cannot refuse service to a person who selects them.
• A provider cannot create restrictions to access the service, such as criteria based on a person’s access to public services, level of need, etc.
• If a provider has a waitlist for providing Housing Stabilization Services, the provider must inform the person seeking their services that there is a waitlist and how long it will be before services can be provided. Waitlist information must also be given to the provider/case manager completing the person-centered plan so they can support the person in making an informed choice of provider.

Service Tracking and Billing:

• The provider is responsible for developing internal tracking mechanisms to ensure that the 150-hour limit is not exceeded for either housing transition or housing sustaining services. If a provider attempts to bill more than 150 hours without an approved Additional Transition/Sustaining Unit Request, the provider’s claim will not be processed.
• Administrative tasks, such as paying rent and utilities on behalf of a person, are not billable under Housing Stabilization Services. Documentation and case noting activities are also considered administrative activities and not billable.
• If a person is institutionalized, the person’s Housing Stabilization Service span remains open as DHS has edits in place to block payment during this time. When a person leaves the hospital, they can begin HSS again without a new enrollment if they are still within their eligibility period.

Ending services:

• If a person no longer wants Housing Stabilization Services and decides to end services, the person must sign the Notice of Choice to End Housing Stabilization Services form (DHS-8110). The provider must keep the form in the person’s file and document in case notes that the person chose to end services on a specified date.
• If a person chooses to start Housing Stabilization Services again with the same provider within the current eligibility span, no information needs to be sent to DHS to resume services, but the case notes must reflect the date the person requested to resume services. If the person’s circumstances require an update to their person-centered plan and the person is within their current eligibility span, the provider should submit the updated plan as a Person-Centered Plan (PCPlan) Change Request (DHS-7948). If the person requests to resume services and their eligibility has expired, the provider must submit an Initial Eligibility Request (DHS-7948) (PDF).
• If a Housing Stabilization Services provider decides to stop providing service to the person, all steps should be taken to make sure the person does not lose housing. This includes helping the person meet with their MA-funded case manager, MSHO/MSC+ care coordinator or enrolled housing consultant to update their person-centered plan and select a new housing sustaining provider. Providers should maintain information about the service termination in the person’s record.
• If remaining in a provider-controlled setting is not possible, or if continuing to provide services to a person in their own home is no longer possible and the person’s housing is at risk because of service disruption, the following best practices are strongly encouraged:

• Help the person set up a meeting with their MA-funded case manager, MSHO/MSC+ care coordinator or enrolled housing consultant to update their person-centered plan and identify a different provider,
• If the person is not connected with other county or tribal services but requires more support, help them connect with the county or tribe to access a mental health or MNCHOICES assessment, and cash/food support programs, and;

• If the person is in a provider-controlled setting:

• i. Provide the person with a 14 day notice to vacate with steps to attempt to remedy the situation before filing a court action eviction (if the person is in a provider-controlled setting);
• ii. Make sure the person has information to legal aid organizations in the area, and;
• iii. Connect the person with the coordinated entry system in their area.

Tenant Rights:

• The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and DHS requires people who receive home and community-based services to have a lease, residency agreement, or other form of written agreement that provides protections and addresses eviction processes and appeals comparable to those provided under landlord-tenant law. Housing Stabilization Services providers operating provider-controlled or managed settings must abide by any/all applicable landlord-tenant laws.

Moving out of state:

• A person can receive transition services to find housing, including visiting properties, in local trade areas (areas near Minnesota a person may drive to for goods and services) in another state. If a person is moving to another state outside of a local trade area, transition services can still be provided with the exception of visiting properties with services again ending when the person moves.
• Once the person moves to the other state, they would no longer be on MN Medicaid and are no longer able to receive Housing Stabilization Services.

• When a person needs Housing Stabilization Services, Rule 185 case managers that are funded through TCM-VA/DD should support a person to access the required assessment (LTCC, PSN or Coordinated Entry) and complete a Community Services and Support Plan (CSSP) or a Housing Focused Person-Centered Plan. Once the plan is complete the case manager should forward the assessment and plan to the chosen Transition/Sustaining provider to submit for an eligibility review. The case manager for a Rule 185 TCM-VA/DD must state in the CSSP or the Housing Focused Person-Centered Plan that the person has TCM-VA/DD funded case management or the plan will be denied. 
• Rule 185 case managers that are not funded through TCM-VA/DD should support a person to access the required assessment (LTCC, PSN or Coordinated Entry) and help the person connect with an enrolled Housing Consultant to complete the Housing Focused Person Centered Plan. Rule 185 case management without TCM-VA/DD cannot complete a CSSP or a Housing Focused Person-Centered Plan because Rule 185 is not a Medicaid funded case management service. 
• A person on Rule 185 (with or without TCM-VA/DD) must have an annual assessment to receive Housing Stabilization Services. This assessment can be a LTCC, Professional Statement of Need or Coordinated Entry.

• Frequently Asked Questions - August 2023 (PDF)
• HB101 Housing Stabilization Services Article - November 2020
• HB101 Partners Page – Housing Stabilization Webinars and Roadshows
• Housing Stabilization Guide for Coordinated Entry Assessors and Staff (PDF)
• Housing Stabilization Services Eligibility Request Form (DHS-7948)
• Person-Served Workflow (DHS-7347)
• Professional Statement of Need Form (DHS-7122) Guidance for Qualified Professionals
• Waiver Case Manager Support for Additional Housing Stabilization Hours (DHS-8204)

• Allowable Documentation for Eligibility Requests - October 2021 (PDF)
• Allowable Documentation for Additional Requests Guide – March 2022 (PDF)
• HCBS Rights Modification Support Plan Guide for Housing Stabilization Services - April 2021 (PDF)
• Helpful Tips for Housing Stabilization Services Eligibility Requests (PDF) - July 2021
• Housing Stabilization Services Provider Training (PDF) - June 2020
• Housing Toolkit | Disability Hub Minnesota
• Information for Targeted Case Managers (PDF) - September 2020
• Information for Waiver Case Managers – March 2022 (PDF)
• Informed Choice Toolkit | Disability Hub Minnesota

• ELIGIBILITY REQUESTS
• MOVING EXPENSES 
• PSN, MNCHOICES, AND COORDINATED ENTRY ASSESSMENTS
• MEDICAID FUNDED CASE MANAGERS (Targeted/waiver/Moving Home Minnesota case management/MSHO-MSC+ care coordinators) 
• REMOTE SUPPORT 
• CONFLICT OF INTEREST 
• HOUSING SUPPORT AND OTHER HOUSING SERVICES 
• TRIBES AND COUNTIES 
• MANAGED CARE ORGANIZATIONS (MCO) AND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE 
• GENERAL BILLING QUESTIONS
• PROVIDER ENROLLMENT 
• GENERAL PROVIDER QUESTIONS
• GENERAL HOUSING STABILIZATION SERVICES QUESTIONS

Providers must contact each managed care organization in its area to inquire about the MCO's specific provider enrollment and/or contracting process and billing details and information. To find out more information about managed care organizations, please review the MCO Contacts for MHCP Providers website. Any additional information DHS receives about managed care organizations and Housing Stabilization Services will be posted to DHS' Housing Stabilization Services Policy website.

Blue Plus

• Claims, authorizations, and billing issues: MHCPPROVIDERS@BLUECROSSMN.COM
• Provider contracting: Blue Plus forms

HealthPartners

• Patricia Carter 952-883-5492 patricia.a.carter@healthpartners.com
• HealthPartners forms
  
• Claims issues: rvscproviderinquiry@healthpartners.com 952-883-7699 / 888-663-6464

Hennepin Health

• Provider Services team, 612-596-1036, option 2
• Network Management team, hhnetworkmanagement@hennepin.us
• Complete registration as a non-contracted provider for Hennepin Health

IMCare

• General Contact, 218-327-6188 IMCareClaims@CO.ITASCA.mn.us
  
• IMCare forms
  

Medica

• Mai Yang, 952-992-3834 MedicaHSS@medica.com
• General provider service center: 1-800-458-5512
• Medica forms
  

PrimeWest

• Emily Roering emily.roering@primewest.org
• PrimeWest forms
• Claims issues: please contact the PrimeWest Provider Contact Center 1-866-431-0802

SouthCountry

• General Contact 888-633-4055 providerinfo@mnscha.org
• SouthCountry forms
  
  

UCare

• Provider Assistance Center pac@ucare.org
• Use this link to complete forms for UCare forms

United Healthcare

• Patricia Lacayo – placayo@uhc.com 
• United Healthcare forms