Self-determination Guide for Parents

DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY TERMINOLOGY

Tefra Option

Tefra Options allow children under 19 to qualify for Medicaid medical coverage by waving the parent’s income. Think if this as “medical insurance”. Tefra options provide regular Medicaid only.

Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment Program (EPSDT)

EPSDT is a federally sponsored, comprehensive health care benefits package  for Medicaid-enrolled children up to age 21.

It helps families access early identification and treatment of medical, dental, vision, mental health, and developmental problems for their children. All Medicaid families are encouraged to use these services.

Medicaid Waivers

This is an agreement between the State an d the Federal government to “waive” the usual eligibility requirement for Medicaid services. Waivers provide regular Medicaid plus access to traditional home and community based services. Alaska has four such waivers. They are:

• MRDD Wavier – (Mental Retardation/ Developmental Disabilities). For persons with developmental disabilities who meet an ICF/MR level of care requirements.
• CCMC Waiver - (Children with Complex Medical Conditions) For children who require extensive medical supports who would otherwise require a skilled nursing level of care.
• APD Waiver - (Adults with Physical Disabilities) This is for adults (21-64) who may or may not meet DD eligibility but must met an intermediate care facility or skilled nursing level or care.
• Older Alaskans Waiver - For senior citizens (age 65 and over) to live in the community who would otherwise need to receive those services in an intermediate care facility or nursing level of care facility.

Inventory for Client and Agency Planning (ICAP) 

The ICAP is used by Division of Senior and Disability Services to determine if someone is eligible (called “meeting the Level of Care”, or LOC) to receive services under the Medicaid Mental Retardation/Developmental Disability waiver.   The ICAP assesses “adaptive and maladaptive behavior” and gathers additional information to determine the type and amount of community-based assistance that people with disabilities may need. The ICAP contrasts with a “functional assessment” (what many IEPs are based on), which looks at what kinds of support a person needs in the context that the skills are needed.

AMHTA – Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority 

The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority consists of seven Trustees who manage the assets of the Trust to the benefit of the Trust’s beneficiaries. They are required to work with the Department of Health and Human Services to submit an annual Comprehensive Integrated Mental Health Plan to the governor and the legislature. They have the authority to spend earnings from the Trust investments. The MHTA are trustees for four groups of individuals: Persons with developmental disabilities, individuals with chronic mental illness, chronic alcoholics with psychosis, and individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.