Fall 2022: Diving Deep on DWRS

When:  Oct 26, 2022

The Disability Waiver Rate System (DWRS) is one of the most critical resources for providers of home and community based services in Minnesota because it breaks open the “black box” and reveals how service rates are determined. And yet it is often underutilized and perhaps not well understood by providers. Knowing the details of how rates are constructed can help providers work with lead agencies and case managers to advocate for the needs of the individuals they support, and provide the necessary documentation to the Department of Human Services for exception requests. This half-day seminar will present key milestones and definitions in the development of the DWRS, discuss the enabling legislation and evolution of the statute, and will walk participants through the nuts and bolts of how the system works.

Participants in this seminar will learn:

  • The factors that lead to the development and adoption of the DWRS
  • The specific statutes that govern the operation of the system and the importance of advocacy
  • How the system works, including key business rules and required documentation
  • Where to locate the service frameworks and how they are used
  • The purpose of rate exceptions, procedures for applying for them, and best practices
  • Recent and upcoming changes to certain provisions of rate setting