DDSD Waiver Services

DDSD Waiver Services

^* and growing...

is the number of people on the waiting list
for waivered services in Oklahoma

^*Data current as of August 14, 2007

Where are you on the Waiting List?

As of August 14, 2007 - applicants being served applied for services March 10th, 2004. The counter below reflects how long these families have been waiting for services in days, hours, minutes & seconds (each figure is separated by a ":" symbol). How long have you been waiting?

Visit the DDSD website to view the most up to date information regarding the waiting list.

Waiting List Meetings

Please join us for the next DDSD waiting list meeting in the Sequoyah Memorial Building (Room C-47), State Capitol Complex, 2400 N. Lincoln Blvd, Oklahoma City. Sign-in with the receptionist when you enter the building & she can tell you where the meeting will be held.

View Agenda

What is "The Waiting List"?

e are frequently asked "What is the DDSD waiting list? What are DDSD services?"

he most thorough & accurate explanation of DDSD services can be found on their own website at http://www.okdhs.org/programsandservices/dd/.

will attempt to provide a brief explanation* here in layman's terms; however, you should refer to the DDSD website if you have questions about eligibility. States are required to provide certain services to people with developmental disabilities. These services are provided through a system of Medicaid waivers. Unfortunately, due to the lack of funding by the legislature, there is a long waiting list to obtain these much needed services. Anyone applying for services is placed on a waiting list which is sequenced according to the date they applied for services. Applicants are not given a number which would tell them where they rank on the waiting list in relation to other applicants because the states are not allowed to maintain numbered waiting lists. The states are mandated by federal law to provide services to anyone identified as needing the services AND eligible for services. So, even though states are prohibited from having a numbered waiting list, they are allowed to have unnumbered waiting lists provided they move at a "reasonable pace" and allow applicants to move up on the list based on need. For this purpose, "need" is defined as an emergency. For example, if an applicant's primary caregiver dies or becomes unable to care for them, then the applicant may be eligible to move up on the list. Determination of an emergency is decided by the Developmental Disabilities Services Division (case worker, supervisor, division chief & other staff) and then the request is sent to the Oklahoma Health Care Authority for review.

When a person applies for services, their application is taken and entered into the system, but they are not reviewed for eligibility at that time. It's important that applicants understand that eligibility determination is not made when they submit the application. Their case will not be reviewed for eligibility until their name is reached on the waiting list (which has been known to take years). Once the state determines that a person is eligible for services, then the state must also acknowlege the need for services and consequently provide services. No visit is made to the applicant's home until eligibility is determined. The applicant can turn down services at any time, but they will then have to reapply if they want services later and they will be placed at the end of the waiting list.

Once a person's name is reached on the waiting list and eligibility is determined, then they or thier representative may begin the process of trying to hire someone to provide services (thus, the term "provider" refers to anyone who provides services). At this time (Feb 2006), anyone you hire to provide HTS services, or any other direct care, must be employed by a provider agency. First, you select the provider agency that you want to use. Then if the agency doesn't have a staff member available, they will most likely tell you to find your own staff and have them sign on with their agency. Or, if you already have someone in mind that you would like to use, you can ask that person to sign on with the provider agency.

If you're in need of more than about 20-30 hours of care per week, then you or your family will most likely have to pay for the additional hours yourself, but if the person you hire is willing, you may be able to arrange to pay them privately for the additional hours.

SB-1015 Self-Directed Care Act was passed in 2005 and will enable families to hire providers without going through an agency. The act provides for a fiscal intermediary to manage the funds, pay the worker(s), etc. The state plan to implement the Self-Directed Care Act is currently under development and a pilot project is set for some time in 2007.

An excellent article on Medicaid waivered services as it applies across the United States can be found at http://www.healthlaw.org/pubs/200005FactSheet_hcbw.html and is also available as a pdf file titled Addressing Home and Community-Based Waivered Waiting Lists Through the Medicaid Program.

Additional information on waivered services may be found on the Oklahoma Developmental Disabilities Council website.

Are you on the Oklahoma DDSD Waiting List for Waivered Services?
Click here to tell us your story.

* DISCLAIMER: The information regarding the DDSD waiting list is subject to interpretation and may become outdated by current legislation or changes in DDSD policy, so you should always refer to their website for the most current information. If you find any information on this page to be inaccurate or incorect, please email me so I can update this page. Thank you!

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