Purpose

• Expand access to the Extended Employment Program (a component of vocational rehabilitation) for individuals who are on a medical assistance (MA) waiver, regardless of which waiver service they currently receive. The goal is to broaden eligibility and support more people with disabilities through extended employment services.

Main Provisions

• The commissioner of employment and economic development must adopt rules to allow MA waiver recipients (no matter which waiver service they get) to receive extended employment services through the Extended Employment Program.
• Participation in the program may be conditioned on submitting a form created by the commissioner. This form must document that the individual is receiving separate services from each program and that no services are being reimbursed by more than one program.
• The commissioner must adopt rules repealing Minnesota Rules part 3300.6005 subpart 1 item B.

Effects and Changes to Law

• Broadens eligibility to include MA waiver recipients, aligning extended employment services with individuals who rely on MA waivers.
• Introduces a coordination and verification mechanism to prevent duplication of funding across programs (ensuring services are separate and not reimbursed more than once).
• Removes or supersedes a specific existing rule (Minnesota Rules part 3300.6005 subpart 1 item B) to implement the new framework.

Implementation Details

• Rulemaking authority centralized with the commissioner of the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).
• A new form/process will be created to verify that services are separate and not double-billed across programs.

Potential Impacts

• More MA waiver recipients may access extended employment services.
• Administrative processes will increase to ensure proper coordination and avoid overlapping funding.
• Possible changes to how funds are allocated or reimbursed in relation to the Extended Employment Program and related waivers.

Summary of Key Changes

• Expanded eligibility for extended employment services to MA waiver recipients.
• New documentation requirement to confirm separate services and non-duplication of reimbursement.
• Repeal of a specific rule (3300.6005 subpart 1 item B) to implement the new policy.

Relevant Terms - Extended Employment Program - vocational rehabilitation - medical assistance waiver (MA waiver) - extended employment services - rulemaking - form developed by the commissioner - separate services - no duplication of reimbursement - Minnesota Rules part 3300.6005 subpart 1 item B - commissioner of employment and economic development