Case study released by PCG Public Partnerships on the Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD) program.

1. www.publicpartnerships.com
case study:
Financial Administration and Support Brokerage
Services for a Medicaid Waiver Program in Tennessee
THE PPL APPROACH
Along with The Arc, the PPL team provided services including
• Statewide launch of PPL services with on-site consumer information
sessions to explain the transition, program requirements, and tax
requirements to consumers, their employees, and their representatives;
• Development of program rules with DIDD and IT staff members;
THE CLIENT
• Enforcement of state and federal program requirements;
Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental
Disabilities (DIDD)
• Configuration of PPL information technology platforms to fit the
state’s unique program requirements;
THE PROJECT
• Development of materials and processes to support program
participants;
Financial administration and supports brokerage services to
individuals participating in the Self-Determination waiver
program.
“I like being able to chose who I want to hire and fire
and be empowered to have control over my services. I like
being the boss and responsible one.”
-Self-directing consumer in Tennessee
“I can continue to live my life style without any
ongoing stress and be able to be with family and a familiar
environment that I am accustomed to.”
-Self-directing consumer in Tennessee
• Customization of reports to fit the state’s program requirements;
• Monthly meetings and quarterly on-site meetings with the state to
improve program efficiency; and
• Electronic timesheets and 24/7 Web-based access to the system for
case managers, consumers, providers, and supports brokers.
THE RESULT
• Since January 2007, the number of consumers in the program has
increased by 350% from 89 to more than 400 consumers. Although
the waiver is closed to new participants, the program continues to
grow each month by about 5 participants.
• On average, PPL customer service staff members field 900 calls per
month.
• TennCare, the state’s Medicaid agency, used this program as a model
for a new waiver program for elders.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Self-Determination waiver self direction program was implemented
in 2006 and because of its popularity DIDD anticipated that the program
would double in size within a year. The state of Tennessee sought a
vendor with experience managing similar large projects and also needed
a contractor that could provide statewide support brokerage.
In January 2007, DIDD awarded PCG Public Partnerships, LLC
(PPL) a three-year contract (with two option years) to provide fiscal
administration services and supports brokerage services to
individuals participating in the self-direction portion of the SelfDetermination waiver. PPL subcontracted with The Arc of Tennessee,
and together we developed a system specific to the state’s needs.
• Estimated savings to DIDD of $1.5 million over traditional agency
services.
• Vital employment of over 300 FTEs providing personal care services.
• 97% of consumers report good or excellent satisfaction with the
program.
• DIDD exercised two option years for the program.
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