Public input forums for WV's Olmstead Plan

In 1999 the US Supreme Court decided in Olmstead v. LC that services must be provided in the most integrated setting. This decision has become the symbol and the the legal basis for the movement of demanding expansion of services for people with disabilities away from institutions and toward community-based supports, and to help people remain in their own homes as long as possible.

Our state Department of Health and Human Resources is responsible for administering our state's Olmstead Plan. You can learn more about those efforts and the resources available pursuant to the Olmstead decision here http://www.wvdhhr.org/bhhf/olmstead/olmstead%20resources.htm.

Our state Olmstead Council now seeks your input on what should be included in our state Olmstead Plan, and has planned 4 public forums for stakeholders to express their suggestions and concerns. Each forum will be held from 5:30p to 7:30p and light refreshments will be provided.

Clarksburg - June 26, 2012
Hilton Garden Inn
606 Emily Drive

South Charleston - June 28, 2012
Holiday Inn and Suites
400 and 402 Second Avenue

Vienna - July 10, 2012
Grand Pointe Conference Center
1500 Grand Central Avenue

Martinsburg - July 12, 2012
Holiday6 Inn
301 Foxcroft Avenue

The forums are open and accessible to the public. Requests for sign language interpreters, alternate formats, or other accommodations to participate in the meetings must be made one week prior to the meeting. However, accommodations can still be requested after the one week deadline.

Contact:
Olmstead Office
State Capitol
Building 6, Room 817-B
Charleston WV 25305

304.558-3287
866.761.4628
Fax 304.558-1992
tina.e.maher@wv.gov

Social Security Statement Now Available Online

On May 1, 2012 the Commissioner of Social Security announced an online version of the Social Security Statement is now available at www.socialsecurity.gov/mystatement. The new online Statement provides eligible workers with secure and convenient access to their Social Security earnings and benefit information.

In addition to helping with financial planning, the online Statement also provides workers a way to determine whether their earnings are accurately posted to their Social Security records. This feature is important because Social Security benefits are based on average earnings over a person's lifetime. If the earnings information is not accurate, the person may not receive all the benefits to which he or she is entitled. The online Statement also provides the opportunity to save or print the personalized Statement for financial planning discussions with family or a financial planner.

To get a personalized online Statement, people age 18 and older must be able to provide information about themselves that matches information already on file with Social Security. In addition, Social Security uses Experian, an external authentication service provider, for additional verification. People must provide their identifying information and answer security questions in order to pass this verification. Social Security will not share a person's Social Security number with Experian, but the identity check is an important part of this new, robust verification process.

Once verified, people will create a "My Social Security" account with a unique user name and password to access their online Statement. In addition, the portal also includes links to information about other online services, such as applications for retirement, disability and Medicare.

It is important to note, however, Social Security anticipates some members of the public will not be able to be verified through this process. Some people may not correctly answer the security questions based on information on file with Experian, and others may supply identifying information that does not match their Social Security records. In instances where this occurs, people will have the option to request a paper Social Security Statement be mailed to them. People who cannot verify online initially also may visit their local Social Security office and present an identity document in order to create an account and gain access to the online version of the Statement.

In February 2012, Social Security resumed mailing paper Statements to workers age 60 and older if they are not already receiving Social Security benefits. Later this year, the agency plans to mail paper Statements to workers in the year they reach age 25.

For more information about the new online Statement, please go to www.socialsecurity.gov/mystatement.

Happy Older Americans Month!

Community First Choice option regs released

The federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released final regulations for the Community First Choice option (CFC). CFC, as authorized under the Affordable Care Act, increases the federal Medicaid match by 6 percent for home and community-based services that meet these new standards. CFC services are not offered through waivers, but rather are integrated as an option under the state Medicaid plan. Therefore they must be statewide and cannot have slot limits, unlike waivers.

Although the CFC rule is final, the revised definition of HCBS settings is not final. CMS will issue another proposed rule to solicit additional public comment on the revised definition of settings. Will assisted living facilities be considered an HCBS setting? CMS will issue another proposed rule on this and will solicit comments, we will keep you posted.