Overview
Questions and comments about the Demonstration may be sent to ct-sud-demo@ct.gov.
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Submission to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) - Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Section 1115 Demonstration Waiver
On August 9, 2021, the Department of Social Services (DSS) formally submitted to CMS the following documents for review:
- Cover Letter - (posted 08/09/2021)
- Waiver Application - (posted 08/09/2021)
- Implementation Plan - (posted 08/09/2021)
The State’s application, implementation plan and SUD Health Information Technology (HIT) plan were approved by CMS on April 14, 2022 with an effective period through March 31, 2027. The approval document contains the CMS approval letter as well as the special terms and conditions (STCs) for the demonstration. The State’s Acceptance of Award and STCs was sent to CMS on April 28, 2022.
Responses to Public Comments – Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Section 1115 Demonstration Waiver
After completion of the public comment period and public hearings described below, DSS has issued formal responses to comments and has revised the draft waiver application. These documents are posted here:
- Responses to Public Comment (posted 04/30/2021)
- Waiver Application – Updated Draft (posted 04/30/2021)
Public Comment & Public Hearings – Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Section 1115 Demonstration Waiver
The Department of Social Services (DSS), in collaboration with the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), proposes a SUD demonstration waiver under section 1115 of the Social Security Act (Demonstration), described below. For public review and comment, please see the following documents:
- Public Notice (posted 02/02/2021)
- Waiver Application – Draft for Public Comment (posted 02/02/2021)
- Implementation Plan – Draft for Public Comment (posted 02/02/2021)
Public Comments: Written comments are accepted from February 2, 2021 through March 4, 2021. Please send comments to: Public.Comment.DSS@ct.gov
Public Hearings: There will be two electronic public hearings (accessible by electronic device and telephone). Links and call-in information below. Please check this webpage regularly for updates before logging onto the public hearing.
- Public Hearing at a meeting of the Behavioral Health Partnership Oversight Council (BHPOC) on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Zoom Meeting: https://beaconhealthoptions.zoom.us/j/94763921094?pwd=OTlGNmtiaXBQZUU1SUN0Z05RcE42QT09 Meeting ID: 947 6392 1094; Passcode: 339399
One tap mobile: +13017158592,,94763921094#,,,,*339399# US (Washington D.C)
Dial by your location:
+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 947 6392 1094; Passcode: 339399
Join by SIP: 94763921094@zoomcrc.com
Join by H.323: 162.255.37.11 (US West); 162.255.36.11 (US East)
Meeting ID: 947 6392 1094; Passcode: 339399
- DSS Public Hearing on Thursday, February 18, 2021, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/99666874256?pwd=K2NKZEkycEdmR2dMRGkvakEwL2c3QT09
Meeting ID: 996 6687 4256; Passcode: 457gYU
One tap mobile: +13126266799,,99666874256#,,,,*058267# US (Chicago)
+19292056099,,99666874256#,,,,*058267# US (New York)
Dial by your location:
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago);
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York);
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 996 6687 4256
Passcode: 058267
Section 1115 Demonstration Waiver for Substance Use Disorder Treatment
As part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ effort to combat the ongoing opioid crisis, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) created an opportunity under the authority of section 1115(a) of the Social Security Act for states to demonstrate and test flexibilities to improve the continuum of care for beneficiaries with substance use disorders (SUD) including Opioid Use Disorder (OUD).
The Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) is requesting an 1115 Demonstration Waiver for SUD inpatient and residential treatment for adults and children under fee‑for‑service (FFS). Connecticut also requests this Demonstration to ensure a complete American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) levels of care (LOCs) service array is available as part of an essential continuum of care for Medicaid‑enrolled individuals with OUD and other SUDs. Connecticut requests the Demonstration amendment be effective immediately upon approval to use Institutions for Mental Diseases (IMDs) as a Medicaid‑covered setting.
Connecticut Medicaid covers all ambulatory ASAM LOCs 0.5 through 2.5, as well as inpatient withdrawal management (ASAM level 4-WM). Connecticut will be submitting a Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) in conjunction with this Demonstration to cover residential and inpatient treatment, as well as all levels of withdrawal management (ASAM levels 1-WM, 2-WM, 3.1, 3.2-WM, 3.3, 3.5, 3.7, 3.7-WM, 4). The Demonstration will permit DSS to provide critical access to medically necessary SUD treatment services in the most appropriate setting for the member as part of a comprehensive continuum of SUD treatment services.
Additional information about SUD 1115 demonstrations, including a list of other states that have already established a SUD 1115 demonstration, is posted to the CMS website at this link: https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/section-1115-demonstrations/1115-substance-use-disorder-demonstrations/section-1115-demonstrations-substance-use-disorders-serious-mental-illness-and-serious-emotional-disturbance/index.html. In addition, after it has been formally submitted to CMS (which will not occur until after the state’s public comment process and any additional analysis has been completed), Connecticut’s SUD 1115 application will be accessible from this webpage: https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/section-1115-demo/demonstration-and-waiver-list/index.html (select the appropriate filters within the webpage to find the relevant waiver application).