The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) reviewed payment rates and policies for services provided through the New Options and Comprehensive Supports Waivers. Burns & Associates, a division of Health Management Associates (HMA-Burns), assisted with the rate study.

Final Rate Models

Proposed rate models were released for public comment on December 12, 2022. The final rate models incorporate a number of changes made in response to these comments as well as updated benchmark data.

  • The Department’s responses to public comments can be found here.
  • The final rate models can be found here.
  • The final rate models for Specialized CRA can be found here.
  • A presentation outlining changes to the proposed rate models that have been integrated into the final rate models can be found here.

Public Review and Comment

The documents published and presented on December 12, 2022 to initiate the public comment period are archived for reference below.

  • Two recordings to explain the recommendations.
    • The first recording provided an overview of the project and process, and can be accessed here.
    • The second recording provided a detailed overview of the recommendations for each services, and can be accessed here.
  • The presentation used in the recordings provides background on the rate study, outlines the rate setting methodology, and highlights the results of the rate study, and can be accessed here. Note:  The presentation was updated on January 9, 2023 to include the following changes:
    • Slide 12: revised the rate study process flow to communicate that individual and family listening sessions are occurring as part of the draft rate model phase
    • Slide 31: corrected references to the SIS sections used to assign participant level of need
    • Slide 48: added clarification regarding the ‘first hour’ rate to specify that it can be billed for individuals working at least 40 hours per month, and clarified that the criteria for intensive services would be the same as for intensive support coordination
    • Slide 52: this new slide was added to emphasize that staffing ratio requirements would be 1:8 for center-based services and 1:5 for community-based services regardless of who is enrolled in the program
    • Slide 60: revised the public comment due date to January 20th, 2023
  • The draft rate models that were presented as part of the public comment process and detailed the specific assumptions related to direct worker wages, benefits, and productivity; mileage; program support; and other factors can be accessed here.
  • The results of the provider cost survey that was administered as part of the rate study can be accessed here.
  • The estimated fiscal impact of proposed rates based on Fiscal Year 2021 claims data can be accessed here.