CLASS Adaptive Aids

Most CLASS supports are hourly services provided by a human.

Adaptive Aids is different – it provides a place for CLASS to pay for a service or device outside of the hourly service model.

CLASS Adaptive Aids are limited to $10,000 or less of your budget, and this total includes dental costs.

Adaptive aids are devices, controls, appliances or services that enable individuals with related conditions to:

  • increase their abilities to perform activities of daily living and decrease the need for paid staff;
  • prevent the risk of institutionalization;
  • control the environment in which they live;
  • modify or improve the individual’s ability to live successfully in the community;
  • increase the individual’s safety, security and accessibility; and
  • improve service accessibility and delivery.

Formerly, CLASS left this category wide open for any request.

Now, we have a list of categories that encompasses what we can request as an Adaptive Aid. Our request needs to fit somewhere in these categories. This is CLASS Provider Manual Appendix I.

Common Adaptive Aids Funded for My Clients

  • Dental is lumped under AA. There is a whole page dedicated to dental.
  • Metrolift Annual Pass (category 2. Mobility Aids – G. bus passes, metro transit services, taxi services for non-medical transportation only)
  • Taxi rides (category 2. Mobility Aids – G. bus passes, metro transit services, taxi services for non-medical transportation only)
  • Vehicle lifts (category 10. Modification/Additions to Primary Transportation Vehicles) (Checklist)
  • Stair lift (category 1. Lifts – C. stairway lifts)
  • Ceiling lifts (category 1. Lifts – A. ceiling lifts that transport the individual around the home via tracks)
  • Automatic door openers (category 2. Mobility Aids – I. automatic door openers)
  • Computer (category 5. Computers and Appropriate Accessories)
  • Nutritional supplements (category 8. Medically Necessary Supplies – G. Nutritional supplements)

Before you can request CLASS Adaptive Aid funds:

  1. Tell your Case Manager about the item you are requesting.
  2. It is the Case Manager’s role to know what funding sources cover each item. They will document you request and other funding sources that need to be accessed prior to starting the request with CLASS.
  3. Pursue the item through the other funding source until you can provide a denial to your CLASS Case Manager.
    • Private insurance must be accessed if you are insured. Documentation of a phone call with the represenative’s name, ID#, and the date of call can be provided as a denial.
    • Medicaid covers some items for individuals under 21 years only. Other items require an exceptional circumstances process be used to request them. Your STARKids or STAR+PLUS MCO Service Coordinator is to help you through this process.

Places to check what is covered by Medicaid & other programs:

Acute Medicaid List of Adaptive Aids and Medical Supplies 

Texas Medicaid Provider Procedures Manual

Home Health DME and Supplies Exceptional Circumstances Provision for Medicaid Clients 21 Years of Age and Older

STAP: categories covered by STAP; how to apply

Nutritional Supplements allowed by CLASS should be on this list.

Steps to request CLASS Adaptive Aid funds:

  1. Fill out Form 3660 Part A, and give both Form 3660 + denial of other funding source coverage to your Case Manager to start the CLASS AA request.
  2. Your Case Manager will complete Form 3660 Part B with:
    • Information about non-coverage by other sources
    • Documenting that this item falls into a category in Appendix I of the CLASS Provider Manual.
    • and forward it to your CLASS DSA.
  3. Your DSAs must arrange for the appropriate professional listed next to the item in Appendix I to complete Form 3660 Part C.
    • If you do not already have access to the appropriate professional to complete Form 3660 Part C, funds for an evaluation can be added to your CLASS Budget.
    • If requested items estimated cost is over $500, funds for appropriate professional to complete Form 3849-A Specifications can be added to your CLASS Budget.
    • If either of these additions are needed, these additional steps will occur:
      1. DSA will request funds for professional eval and/or specs be added to your budget.
      2. Your Case Manager will complete the budget change, send it to you to sign.
      3. Return the signed budget to your case manager.
      4. Your Case Manager will submit the budget and it will be effective in 30 days.
      5. Once the CLASS Budget is approved, your DSA will contract with professionals to complete the needed forms.
  4. For purchases over $500,
    • Your DSA will send Form 3849-A for you to sign to signify agreement with the specifications.
    • Return the signed Form 3849-A to your DSA.
    • Your DSA must obtain comparable bids for the requested adaptive aid from three vendors.
  5. Your DSA will complete Form 3660 Part D, bid(s), (and Form 3849-A if needed) and send a request to your Case Manager to add funds to CLASS budget.
  6. Your Case Manager will complete the budget change and send it to you to sign.
  7. Return the signed budget to your case manager.
  8. Your Case Manager will submit the budget and it will be effective in 30 days.
Print this Adaptive Aid ChecklistDownload
Print this Vehicle Lift checklistDownload
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