In a Self-Determination arrangement, you can hire your own workers and manage your services within a set budget determined by LifeWays according to your level of need:
It starts with your Individual Plan of Service! At your next Individual Plan of Service meeting, tell your Case Manager or Supports Coordinator that you are interested in Self-Determination and they can give you more information or help you begin the process.
Medicaid rules still apply under Self-Determination. That means:
Consumers can request to receive services via a self-determined arrangement upon entry into services or at any time during the course of treatment. If a new consumer is interested in self-determination, the LifeWays Access Center will follow the normal procedures for eligibility and service referral and specify self-determination. For current consumers, LifeWays Network Providers shall, at the time of person-centered planning or when interest is expressed by the consumer, assist the consumer in making an informed decision to receive services through a self-determined arrangement.
Consumer/guardians as employers and their employees must receive certain trainings that are required by LifeWays and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services' Medicaid rules. Consumers can hire any willing and qualified provider, which is defined as an individual that meets the following:
For more information please contact LifeWays Customer Services at 517.780.3332.
Self-determination embodies the values of person-centered planning and is based on the following four guiding principles that should apply to people with disabilities:
All consumers choosing self-determination must have a Fiscal Intermediary (FI). An FI is an accountant. For a fee, the FI handles payroll responsibilities for the consumer-employer (pays providers, handles Worker's Compensation and payroll taxes, supplies employee payroll forms, etc.) The FI is responsible for paying consumer providers based on the Employment Agreement signed by the consumer and provider and time sheets submitted by the provider. The Fiscal Intermediary also provides each self-determined consumer with a monthly budget status report.
The self-determined consumer (and guardian if there is one) meet with their Fiscal Intermediary at the start. At this meeting, the consumer/guardian will review and sign needed paperwork. The Fiscal Intermediary will explain the services they provide and how much those services cost. The Fiscal Intermediary can help the consumer negotiate service rates with their providers. Lower rates allow the consumer to make the most of their service benefit using available budget dollars.
Community Alliance 301 West Michigan Ave, Suite 102 Ypsilanti, MI 1-734-482-3300