The Settings Rule was designed to enhance the quality of home and community-based services and increase opportunities for individuals with disabilities to have meaningful access to integrated community settings. The Settings Rule outlines specific regulatory changes that states must implement before March of year 2022 to continue to receive Medicaid funding. Specifically, all home and community-based settings must meet a number of qualifications including: (a) the setting be integrated in an support full access to the greater community, (b) the setting is selected by the individual among service options, (c) the setting ensures individual rights and privacy, dignity and respect, and freedom for coercion and restraint, and (d) the setting optimizes autonomy and independence in making life choices.
HCBS Resources
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Final Settings Rule (CMS2249-F/2296-F) in 2014.
