COVID-19 CBAS services

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The California Department of Aging has issued guidance about changes to Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS) because of COVID-19.  CBAS centers have temporary flexibility to reduce day center activities and to provide services in the home, telephonically or by videoconference, including professional nursing care, personal care services, behavioral health services and therapeutic activities.  CBAS center may provide physical therapy and occupational therapy at the beneficiary’s home.

CBAS centers can provide for home-delivered meals in the absence of meals provided at CBAS centers, and may continue to provide transportation services.

Centers can provide individual in-center services such as individual meetings to receive services, indivuduals comont to the center to pick up supplies, meals, receive wound care assistance or receive assistance with a shower.  Participants assembling and receiving services in groups of more than one or being served in the same space at the same time is prohibited.  (All Center Letter 20-06, March 27, 2020.)

COVID-19 APS investigation and visits

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The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued information about modifying Adult Protective Services investigations and monitoring visits because of COVID-19.  Face-to-face investigations continue to be required when an elder or dependent adult is imminent danger or immediate or 10-day in-person response is necessary to protect the individual’s health or safety.  Counties may collect and review information by phone prior to a home visit.

30-day in person monitoring visits remain mandatory unless the written visitation plan justifies why it is not necessary to visit the client once every 30 days and it is approved by a supervisor.  The mandatory visits can only be substituted by telephone calls with supervisor approval.  (Program Manager Letter, March 13, 2020.)

COVID-19 IHSS submission of SOC 873 during COVID-19 response

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The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued guidance regarding an exception to IHSS applicants submitting the SOC 873 Health Care Certification prior to authorization of IHSS services.

Counties can consider all new IHSS applicants who are unable to obtain a SOC 873 from their licensed heath care provider because of COVID-19 to be considered at imminent risk of out of home placement and therefore have good cause for not submitting the SOC 873 prior to authorization of services.  These applicants should have good cause to submit the SOC 873 up to 90 days from the date it is requested by county.  Counties may authorize IHSS services pending receipt of the SOC 873 for 90 days from the date of the county request for applicants who meet all eligibility requirements.  (ACIN I-28-20, March 30, 2020.)

COVID-19 IHSS social worker overtime and outreach

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The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued guidance regarding social worker outreach and overtime.  CDSS will augment IHSS administrative fund to support social worker overtime.  Social workers’ primary work during overtime should be initial face-to-face assessment, answering and returning phone calls, assessments because of a change in condition or circumstances that would increase hours and assistance with provider enrollment.

In addition, IHSS and Adult Protective Services social workers should identify and outreach to program recipients who may need additional support during the COVID-19 emergency.  Counties should prioritize recipients who are most at-risk for outreach.  For example, recipients who are over 80 years old, living alone, or do not have an active provider can be prioritized.  Counties will receive funding for these activities.  (ACL 20-30, March 30, 2020.)

COVID-19 IHSS back-up providers

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The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued guidance regarding the need for back-up In Home Supportive Services (IHSS) providers because of COVID-19.  Each county must implement a system in which providers can be quickly assigned to IHSS recipients when their provider can no longer work because of COVID-19.   Counties should work with their public authorities to implement the system.  CDSS will augment IHSS administrative funding to implement the system.  Providers referred to provide emergency back-up services will be paid $2 more per hour than the current county wage rate.  (ACL 20-29, March 30, 2020.)

COVID-19 IHSS provider overtime

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The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued guidance about flexibility available to counties because of COVID-19.  Counties should allow recipients flexibility in assigning weekly service hours to their IHSS providers so that recipients may receive adequate and timely services.  When providers incur overtime violations while performing services that are “in critical need,” CDSS will remove the violations through June 30, 2020.  (Program Manager Letter, March 19, 2020.)