2001: Medicaid Waivers: Open Enrollment Increases Caseload by 50%
In response to 1999 legislative requirements, the Department of Human Services instituted "open enrollment," a three-month period from late March through June 2001, when the state opened the DD Waiver Program to all eligible applicants.
Counties, waiver program applicants, their families, and advocates for persons with developmental disabilities responded in an unprecedented fashion to inform and then enroll eligible individuals.
About 5,500 new recipients enrolled according to DHS, which was more than a 50% increase in the caseload.
Many of the children currently served by the DD Waiver Program joined the program during open enrollment. In fiscal year 2002, some 3,500 children, about two-thirds of whom started during open enrollment, were enrolled in the DD Waiver Program.
Garrett Edberg was on a waiting list for 12 years (STARTRIBUNE)