In recent years, telehealth has become increasingly popular across all modes of healthcare, including a wide range of mental health and therapeutic services. The same trend has emerged among recipients of DDS benefits. In particular, it has become more common for developmentally disabled individuals to include telehealth options for therapies and coaching in their broader treatment plans.
Does DDS Offer Telehealth Options?
The California Department of Developmental Services does not directly offer telehealth options. But, that doesn’t mean program participants cannot incorporate telehealth into their care plans. There are still ways for people participating in DDS to access telehealth services, primarily as part of a broader home or community-based care plan. Typically, this is available as part of a Home and Community-Based Services (“HCBS”) waiver.
HCBS Waivers and Telehealth
Beginning in 2024, individuals who receive home or community based care as part of an HCBS waiver can now add telehealth services into their care plan.
HCBS waivers allow DDS participants to receive care at home or in community-based settings by using federal funds to reimburse the cost of such care. Now, thanks to the recent amendment, this includes telehealth services.
What Telehealth Options are Available?
HCBS waivers can be used to fund telehealth services for following types of therapies and coaching:
- habilitation-day services,
- habilitation-behavioral intervention services,
- speech, hearing, and language services,
- psychology services.
This list covers a broad range of needs, many of which often apply to individuals with developmental disabilities. If you would like to incorporate telehealth into your care plan, reach out to your regional center. Work with your care coordinator to add telehealth into your Individual Program Plan (“IPP”). If needed, you may also need to apply for and secure an HCBS waiver.