Section 15-805 - Community attendant services and supports. - Maryland Statutes

§ 15-805. Community attendant services and supports.
 

(a)  Rights of consumer.-  

(1) To the extent possible, a consumer may select, manage, and control the consumer's community attendant services and supports. 

(2) A consumer may choose between a consumer-directed individual provider model or an agency-provider model. 

(3) Under a consumer-directed model, a consumer may use a fiscal agent to obtain services. 

(b)  Requirements.-  

(1) Attendant services and supports shall be designed to assist a consumer in accomplishing activities of daily living and health-related functions through: 

(i) Hands-on assistance; 

(ii) Supervision; or 

(iii) Cueing, prompting, or reminding the consumer about an activity. 

(2) Attendant services and supports shall be provided in a consumer's home or other independent or supported living environment, including school, work, recreational, and religious settings. 

(3) Attendant services and supports may not be provided in: 

(i) A nursing facility; 

(ii) An intermediate care facility for individuals with an intellectual disability; or 

(iii) A facility that provides food, shelter, and treatment services to four or more individuals unrelated to the proprietor. 

(c)  Availability.- Community attendant services and supports shall be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and provide backup and emergency community attendant services and supports when necessary. 

(d)  Personal assistant.-  

(1) A consumer may select or hire anyone, including a family member, as a personal assistant. 

(2) Based on consumer recommendations, the Department may waive certain qualifications required by regulation for a personal assistant, if the personal assistant is a family member or is known and chosen by the consumer. 

(3) A family member, except the consumer's spouse, may receive medical assistance payments for providing services. 

(4) The Department shall offer a consumer training on: 

(i) How to select, manage, and dismiss an attendant or personal assistant; and 

(ii) The financial management of community attendant services and supports. 
 

[2008, ch. 649, § 2; 2009, ch. 119.]