Remote monitoring support services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Abstract

While remote monitoring supports have many benefits and the use of remote supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) is increasing, they are a relatively new technology for IDD service provision and yet to be widely available. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a rapid uptake in technology in Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) for people with IDD, including the expansion of telehealth and remote supports. The aim of this study was to examine if, and, how, remote monitoring support services were provided to people with IDD in HCBS across the United States in fiscal year (FY) 2021. To do so, we analyzed Medicaid HCBS 1915(c) waivers for people with IDD. In FY 2021, 10 states (22.22%) provided remote support services to people with IDD through 19 HCBS waivers (17.76%); they provided a total of 36 different remote monitoring services. A total of $22.4 million was allocated for remote support services for 3039 people with IDD. We found states often provided remote support services to people with IDD in HCBS to promote independence, health, and welfare, and reduce and/or replace services. States implemented a number of rules and requirements to help keep people with IDD safe while remote support services were being used, including informed consent, encryption, emergency backup plans, and the prohibition of use in private spaces. Further attention to remote supports in HCBS is necessary to ensure that people with IDD who want to utilize these services are able to do so.