2024-2025 Winter Edition

2025 LEGISLATIVE CHANGES (Effective 1.1.2025)

The Minnesota Legislature, MN Department of Human Services (DHS), and the SEIU Union signed a bargaining agreement between 7/1/23-6/30/25 to increase wages and budgets for those on CDCS. Following is a list of changes happening on January 1, 2025. There are also increases for some licensed services that affect CDCS wage rates and may need to be updated if these are in your CDCS plan. Some of these changes will be made automatically and some will require you to take action. Please be patient as it will take time to complete these changes for every CDCS participant in Anoka County. 

• CDCS Budget Increase (Automatic/No action needed):
  1. 4.53% increase for DD, CADI, BI, and CAC 
  2. 4.53% increase for AC/EW monthly CDCS case mix budgets

NOTE: Your new budget amount will be prorated through the remainder of your span and will be updated in the state system by the end of January 2025. 

• Mandatory Changes the FMS Will Initiate (Automatic/May require further action)                                        
  1. Any current staff with a wage under $20/hour will be increased to $20/hour.
  2. After this change has been applied, the FMS will send the team a new budget worksheet. 
  3. If these changes result in being overbudget, work with your team to move funds from other budget line(s) to cover the overage.
• Increasing Wages or Support Planner Hours (Requires approval by case manager):

1. Work with your team using an Addendum or Revised CDCS Plan (with new signature page) to request wage increases up to the maximum rates listed below or to increases Support Planner hours. Your case manager must approve these requests and the budget updated in the state system before the changes can be formally applied. 
   • PPOM/Spouse maximum wages (no backdating allowed):
     • 1:1 waiving PTO $24.84/hour or 1:1 with PTO $23.74/hour.
     • 1:2 waiving PTO $37.36/hour or 1:2 with PTO $35.70/hour.
     • 1:3 waiving PTO $49.08/hour or 1:3 with PTO $46.90/hour.
     • Increasing Support Staff wages up to $24.84/hour. Wage increase requests higher than this, require further explanation and Waiver Advisory Team (WAC) approval.
     • Increasing Support Planner funds used to assist with making changes.
2. Note: Any change requests beyond what is listed above such as increasing the number of staff hours or adding goods/services must follow the typical change process, meet all requirements, and be prior approved by the Waiver Advisory Committee (WAC).  

• Other Key Information:
  1. For best results throughout this process, it is important to communicate with the entire team (FMS, Case Manager, Support Planner) so ALL are on the same page.
  2. If you do not request any changes, the increased funds will be placed by the FMS in the unallocated budget line to be used later.
  3. The increased budget amount cannot be carried over into the next waiver span.
  4. Continue to monitor your budget/expense summaries carefully to ensure changes were made correctly and that you are not overspending. 
  5. There cannot be any new requests made within the last 30 days of your waiver span. Be planful!

CDCS Unbundling Project Beginning in 2025!

On December 10, 2024, DHS sent out the E-list notification linked above. Effective February 1, 2025 “rolling implementation” of the CDCS unbundling project will begin. “Rolling Implementation” means these changes will occur for you after your next MnChoices Assessment (2.1.2025 or later).

This project will:

• More accurately categorize goods and services into eight categories instead of four.
• Clarify provider qualifications.
• More clearly define goods and services.
• Provide updated policy pages in the CDCS Manual.

Watch the NEW Training!

CDCS: Is it right for you?  This training will help you understand whether the CDCS option is the best for you and introduce you to all eight expense categories. 

New CDCS Forms Required (upon renewal):

• New CDCS Plan: CDCS CSP, DHS-5788A. 
  1. For new participants beginning on or after Feb. 1, the new form must be used.
  2. For participants renewing their plan, the new form must be used if your assessment was done on or after February 1, 2025.
• If requesting the following services, your medical assistance provider (MHCP - physician, physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner) MUST complete the new forms (links to forms can be found above in December 10, 2024 E-list link): 
  • Behavioral Supports (DHS 5788B)
  • Specialized Therapy (DHS 5788C)
  • Special Diets (DHS 5788D)

Unbundling will NOT effect:

CDCS Budget Methodology Notification

Beginning January 1, 2025, your case manager will send you a letter/email with information about your confirmed annual CDCS budget amount for your initial and/or  renewal CDCS plan each year. This letter will include links to the Consumer Directed Community Supports (CDCS) Manual regarding how your CDCS budget was determined. If you have further questions, discuss this with your case manager.  

               Happy Holidays! See you in 2025!