(Revised 01/01/2024 ML #3789)
Purpose
Reduces social isolation in older adults and individuals with physical disabilities who are eligible for the home and community-based services waiver, SPED, or EX-SPED and live alone or with an individual who is not capable or obligated to provide care. Companionship services reduce social isolation which can have a negative impact to physical and mental health that can lead to institutional placement.
Service Description
Non-medical care, supervision and socialization, provided to an eligible recipient who is experiencing negative effects of social isolation (e.g. anxiety or depression). The provision of companion services does not entail hands-on nursing care or medication administration. Providers may only perform light housekeeping tasks that are directly related to the companionship activity (example: if the caregiver completes an art project, the caregiver may assist with the cleanup from this companionship activity). This service must be provided in accordance with a therapeutic goal in the care plan and/or service authorization.
Socialization that is therapeutic is directly tied to the individual's goal(s) in the person-centered plan. An example of therapeutic activity could be a game or activity that enhances fine motor skills to help the participant recover from a stroke.
Activities that support therapeutic socialization could also be associated with a care plan goal to reduce social isolation, or help the individual maintain the most inclusive community life.
Service Eligibility, Criteria for
The individual receiving companionship services will meet the following criteria:
The care needs of the individual must fall within the scope of companionship services as described in this service chapter.
If an individual requires companionship services, the case manager must justify in the narrative/case note why the individual needs the support.
Service Location
Services will be administered in the most integrated setting consistent with the Person-Centered Plan of Care, including (checked if allowable):
ü The individual's home
□Workplace
ü Other community service settings
Service Tasks/Activities
Allowable companionship tasks include but are not limited to supervision which means having the knowledge of, and account for, the activity and whereabouts of the recipient at all times to allow immediate provider intervention as necessary to safeguard the individual from harm. During the time that the provider is providing companionship services to the recipient and is not actively providing Medicaid State Plan (MSP) personal care, SPED personal care, Waiver personal care, or homemaker tasks etc., they may play games, visit, read, go for walks, and participate in activities with the individual. If the individual is physically able, they may also participate in activities within the local community or trade area that supports an identified goal on the person-centered plan.
If the activity is outside of the recipient’s local community or trade area and the recipient must travel to the event etc., contact the program administrator for prior approval.
The following tasks are not considered allowable tasks under this chapter because they would be provided under MSP personal care, SPED personal care, Waiver personal care, or homemaker etc. unless they are incidental to the companionship activity:
Bathing, dress/undress, eye care, feeding/eating, hair/care/shaving, incontinence, mobility, nail (finger) care, skin care, teeth/mouth care, toileting, transferring/turning/ positioning. The global endorsements of exercise, hoyer lift/mechanized bath chair, indwelling catheter, medical gases, prosthetic, orthotics, suppository, bowel program, TED socks, Temp/BP/pulse/respiration rate. The client specific endorsements of apnea monitor, JOBST stockings, ostomy care, postural /bronchial drainage, RIK bed care. Communication, housework, laundry, meal preparation money management, shopping, and medication assistance are not allowable service tasks under this service unless are incidental to the companionship service.
Companionship services provided outside of the individual's home
Payment can be made for time performing authorized companionship tasks outside of the individual's home/grounds. Non-medical transportation is an allowable service combination.
Service Activity Limits
For unusual or unique circumstances, approval from the HCBS Program Administrator must be obtained.
Authorizing Service
Providers
Companionship Services may NOT be provided by the following individual QSP's or employees of a QSP agency:
Standards for Providers
All individual companionship providers and the employees of agency providers must also have the global endorsement for cognitive/supervision. Organization employees/ volunteers do not need this endorsement.