Marcie Wuitschick Chief Human Resources Officer | North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services
Marcie Wuitschick Chief Human Resources Officer | North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services
North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) is inviting public feedback on the proposed five-year renewal of the state's Medicaid 1915(i) State Plan Amendment. This amendment permits Medicaid to fund additional in-home and community-based services for eligible children and adults with mental health conditions, substance use disorders, or brain injuries. The deadline for submitting comments is March 28 at noon CT.
The renewal includes updates to align language with behavioral health best practices and introduces improved quality measurements supporting Medicaid's quality improvement strategy. No changes are proposed to general provider policies under Medicaid 1915(i).
"The Medicaid 1915(i) program provides a pathway for qualifying Medicaid members with behavioral health needs to access in-home and community-based services and supports closer to home. This aligns with our agency’s strategic priorities," stated Sarah Aker, HHS Medical Services Division director.
As of January 2025, nearly 900 individuals received services under this program, which includes housing, educational and employment supports; community transition services; peer support; care coordination; respite care; among other supportive services. Approximately 500 individual and agency providers are enrolled to deliver these services.
"We continue to work on strengthening this program and its impact on the health and well-being of our members," Aker added.
The draft renewal document is accessible online at hhs.nd.gov/1915i, with copies available upon request.
To submit comments, individuals can email stanleycody@nd.gov, call 701-239-8987 or 711 (TTY), fax at 701-328-1544, or mail them to North Dakota Health and Human Services, Medical Services Division, Attn: Cody Stanley, 600 E. Blvd. Ave., Dept. 325, Bismarck, ND, 58505-0250.
Once the comment period concludes, the amendment will be submitted for review and approval by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The effective date is anticipated as October 1, 2025.
The initiative began during the legislative session in 2019 when North Dakota lawmakers authorized creating a Medicaid 1915(i) State Plan Amendment to address gaps in behavioral health services. CMS approved it in December 2020. Since then, CMS has sanctioned several modifications including lowering eligibility scores using the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) to expand service accessibility and streamlining provider enrollment processes.
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