Nursing Services
In 2012, the New Mexico Developmental Disabilities Waiver was significantly redesigned. The following Nursing resources are based on the 2012 DDW Renewal. In 2016, an Outside Review process was initiated. New Mexico DDW is currently in a renewal process and updated information will be provided by July 1 of 2017. Please visit the Budget Submission Process in the DDW section of our website to learn more about the Outside Review process.
Persons with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (IDD) may apply for and receive allocation for services. Individuals and their families or decision makers may opt to receive services in an institutional setting such as an Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IID) or in a Home and Community Based Waiver setting (e.g. the DD Waiver). It is imperative for nurses who work in the New Mexico DDW to clearly understand the structure of nursing services in the Waiver and how nursing is authorized, delivered, and billed or reimbursed in each type of service. It is also important to understand the requirements of nursing in this type of service.
Standards
The current DDW Standards are the source document for rules regarding these services. Please visit the Services and Supports section of our website to access the most current DDW service standards.
Services
Supported Living
Individuals may live in a Supported Living home, residing with a group of other persons with IDD. Supported Living provides an array of nursing services based on the individual’s nursing assessment, acuity and needs. Nursing is fully bundled into this service and is not separately billed. No parameter tool is needed. The nurse will provide required documents for the Outside Review Process.
Intensive Medical Living Services
Individuals with complex medical needs may receive Intensive Medical Living Services that provide additional staffing and nursing visits. In both services, nursing hours are “bundled” into the daily billable rate for Supported and Intensive Medical Living Services.
Customized Community Supports
Nursing is also bundled into the daily rate for Customized Community Supports (CCS) group services. This is also commonly referred to as the “day program” or “day hab”. Services provided are based on the individual’s nursing assessment, acuity and needs while in the group day setting. Nursing is fully bundled into this service and is not separately billed. No parameter tool is needed. The nurse will provide required documents for the Outside Review Process.
Family Living
Family Living assists individuals to live with their biological family or with a non-related or surrogate family. Nursing hours are not “bundled” into this service. Adult Nursing Services are utilized to add nursing hours to the budget based on the needs of the person and who they live with. In Family Living, Adult Nursing Services provides a required annual nursing assessment package which is the platform for discussion for additional required or desired nursing services.
Adult Nursing
Adult Nursing Services are also accessed when someone has health related needs but does not receive funded residential services and for those who have health needs when in a community or work setting and need nursing services when in those settings. This includes assessment, creating plans and training Direct Support Staff and providing “on call” supports when in those settings. In these circumstances, Adult Nursing Services provides a required annual nursing assessment package which is the platform for discussion for additional required or desired nursing services.
Funding
Funding for nursing services is provided in several ways. It may be “bundled” into the reimbursement rate for specific residential or day services or may be added annually and as needed by using adult nursing services in settings where nursing is not part of the “bundled” package. It must be noted that persons on the DDW may choose to live in a variety of settings. They may live independently or with family or friends and not receive any funding for their residential services.
Training
Information about DDW Nursing is presented in the Nursing Orientation module that is part of required training for nurses. Please visit the Clinical Services Training section of our website for more information about required Nursing trainings. In addition to CSB staff, there are five DDSD Regional Offices which are staffed with at least one RN who is available to answer your questions about nursing issues.
Assessment
Nurses in all settings complete a nursing assessment package in Therap. The eCHAT nursing assessment is designed for use for persons with IDD. Companion assessment components are the Medication Administration Assessment Tool (MAAT) and the Aspiration Risk Screening Tool (ARST).
Learn More
DDSD Regional Nursing staff and the staff nurses at Clinical Services Bureau are available to Provider nurses at any time to answer questions. Please visit the Developmental Disabilities Waiver section of our website to learn more.