Medically Complex Children and Youth Guidebook

The frequency of home visits may be adjusted when reductions to the SHCN staff occur and in the event of local or natural disasters including weather events, bioterrorism attacks, and other threatening situations.

The HCY PM, taking into consideration input from the RC, and other Bureau Management as necessary, will determine when a specific Regional Office changes the home visit requirements. In addition, the HCY PM will determine the duration of the implementation of this process. 

The HCY PM will assess the situation in the affected Regional Office and investigate all other possible alternatives prior to initiation of this process. Upon initiation of Emergency Status, SHCN Staff will comply with measures outlined below.

Private Duty Nursing (PDN)

Quarterly Home Visits

• Routine quarterly home visits may be suspended for each participant receiving PDN services.
• The SC will make phone calls to the participant, parent(s), and/or responsible party(ies) to gather information required to complete the home visit template. Documentation of the contact will be completed using the home visit template and utilizing contact type of “HCY Home Visit Exception Contact” in the SHCN Information System.
• If there are significant concerns regarding the participant at the time the quarterly visit is due (i.e., medical status, caregiver availability, and/or provider issues), the quarterly visit must be made. If there are issues identified during home visit exception contact phone call, the SC will discuss the situation with the RC and a determination will be made if a home visit needs to be made.
• Requests for increases in services indicate a change in the current status, therefore, a home visit is required.
• If there are no problems identified by either the participant, parent(s), and/or responsible party(ies), the home visit may be suspended and the authorization shall remain unchanged.
• Participants receiving PDN services must have a home visit at least every six months.
• The Good Faith Effort process is used when completing required contacts.

Personal Care Aide (PCA)/Advanced Personal Care Aide (APCA)

• Semi-annual home visits may be suspended for each participant receiving PCA/APCA services.
• The SC will make phone calls to the participant, parent(s), and/or responsible party(ies) to gather information required to complete the home visit template. Documentation of the contact will be completed using the home visit template and utilizing contact type of “HCY Home Visit Exception Contact” in the SHCN Information System.
• If there are significant concerns regarding the participant at the time the semi-annual visit is due (i.e., medical status, caregiver availability, and/or provider issues), the semi-annual visit must be made. If there are issues identified during home visit exception contact phone call, the SC will discuss the situation with the RC and a determination will be made if a home visit needs to be made.
• Requests for increases in services indicate a change in the current status, therefore, a home visit is required.
• If there are no problems identified by either the participant, parent(s), and/or responsible party(ies), the home visit may be suspended and the authorization shall remain unchanged.
• Participants receiving PCA/APCA services must have a home visit at least every 12 months.
• The Good Faith Effort process is used when completing required contacts