Emergency COVID-19 Pandemic Changes to Home- and Community-Based Services for People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The aim of this study was to examine the emergency amendments states made to their HCBS waivers for people with IDD during the COVID-19 pandemic. To do so, we analyzed 294 Appendix K: Emergency Preparedness and Response Waivers, which states used to amend HCBS 1915(c) waivers for people with IDD. States’ waiver amendments fell into the following categories: access and eligibility, assessments and person-centered planning, services, settings, providers, reimbursement rates, and safeguards and oversight. These temporary changes made to HCBS IDD waivers aimed to ensure people with IDD’s access to services and maintain the quality of those services during the pandemic.