Learn Your Rights as a Waiver Recipient at August 12 Webinar

It’s essential that those receiving Medicaid Home- and Community-Based Services understand the rules that govern these services so they can advocate for themselves and others. With the help of national advocacy organizations, FL SAND’s Breaking Barriers Training Academy (BBTA) will present “HCBS Rules & You -- This Rule Rules!”  August 12 via ZOOM.

This webinar was developed by the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN), from its Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) rules tool kit. The webinar will be presented by the FL SAND Fellows, along with support from the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council.

The purpose of the webinar is to educate iBudget and other long-term care waiver recipients who receive HCBS about their rights and the rules that providers must follow in order to be paid for the services. Knowing these rules will ensure that consumers are treated fairly.

Contributed by Ability Ministry

The webinar will focus on the following topics:

·     The difference between community and institutional living. Community living means that you choose where you want to live, including in communities alongside people who don’t have disabilities. Institutional living removes these choices.

·     Your rights under the HCBS rules. You have the right to change providers, have a person-centered plan, have freedom, and not be restrained or secluded.

·      Rules for providers and provider-owned settings. You can have privacy, set your own schedule, have accessible housing, have visitors, and get food as you choose under these rules.

·      What to do if you feel like your rights are being violated. There are a variety of people and agencies one can contact if they think they are receiving unfair treatment.

“HBCS Rules & You” is part of Breaking Barriers Training Academy’s Self-Advocacy Essentials webinar series. Click here to register for this webinar. This article gives more information about the HCBS settings rules.