Compass Project

​​​​The Office of Developmental Disabilities Services (ODDS) created the Compass Project to improve the way people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) receive services.

This person-centered reorientation includes changes to waivers, the 1915(k) State Plan (K Plan), Oregon administrative rules (OARs) and policies to create a system that is easy to use, is transparent and provides quality supports so Oregonians with I/DD have a good life in the communities where they live, work and play.

K P​​lan

The K Plan — also called the 1915(k) State Plan or the Community First Choice Option — is a Medicaid state plan option authorized under the Affordable Care Act.

It allows states like Oregon to provide home and community-based attendant services and supports while receiving an increase in federal medical assistance funds for those services. Oregonians receiving K Plan benefits may still receive other Medicaid-funded and non-Medicaid-funded home and community-based supports and long-term care services. ​

Waiv​​​ers

A Medicaid waiver is a provision in Medicaid law through which the federal government “waives" certain rules that normally govern the Medicaid program. When a state applies for a waiver, it asks the federal government for permission to operate its Medicaid program in ways not normally allowed.

Waivers give states flexibility to:

• Design and operate their Medicaid programs.
  
• Deliver health care services in new ways.
• Reduce costs by using different service strategies.
• Expand coverage to groups of people usually not eligible. 

Oregon uses waivers and the K Plan to provide home and community-based services to people who need long-term care. This means they can stay in their own home or other community setting.​​​​

Approved​​ waivers

• Adult Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver
  
• Behavioral Waiver
  
• Children's Waiver
  
• Medically Fragile Waiver
  
• Medically Involved Waiver
  

Public notice and request for comment on 1915(c) waiver amen​dment

ODDS seeks public comment regarding the #0117 Children's and #0375 Adult 1915(c) Waiver renewals.

ODDS is proposing that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) renew the 1915 (c) #0117 Children's and #0375 Adult Waivers. The Children's waiver serves children experiencing a developmental or intellectual disability from birth through age 17. The Adult waiver serves people experiencing a developmental or intellectual disability from age 18. 

For both waivers, ODDS is proposing to revise performance measures based on CMS feedback and update the utilization and participant projections for the next 5 years. 

To provide your feedback, please read the proposed Children's and Adult Waiver renewal documents:

• Children's Application for 1915(c) Medicaid Home and Community Based Services Waiver #0117
• Adult Application for 1915(c) Medicaid Home and Community Based Services Waiver #0375​

For print versions, contact the Medicaid waiver and State Plan analyst at 503-507-2083 or odds.info@odhsoha.oregon.gov. 

The deadline to submit comments is July 22, 2023. Mailed comments must be received by this date.

You have two options to submit comments:

1. Send an email to odds.info@odhsoha.oregon.gov.
2. Send written comments addressed to ODDS Medicaid Waiver/State Plan Analyst, 500 Summer St NE E09, Salem, OR 97301.