Promising Practices

Building a systemic approach to financing a statewide system of services is a complex process that includes the identification, understanding, and full utilization of all existing funding resources. The following are examples of ways that states have been successful at forming a framework for a financing system that is based upon a common vision of a community-based, family-centered, and culturally competent foundation of services and supports to meet individual needs.

Medicaid Waiver
A Medicaid waiver is when the Federal Government allows or grants States permission to waive certain Federal requirements in order to operate a specific kind of program. In general, Federal law allows States to enact two types of Medicaid waivers – Program waivers and research and demonstration waivers.

Centralized Billing and Reimbursement Systems
Centralized billing and reimbursement systems allow for a centralized pooling of funds to maximize utilization of multiple fund sources and lowers distribution cost, and eliminates distribution formulas and other grant contracting difficulties.

• Illinois - Early Intervention - Central Billing Office (CBO)
• Indiana - Overview of the Central Reimbursement Office (CRO)
• Kentucky's Central Billing and Information System

Financial Case Management
As states become increasingly invested in assisting families in all aspects of accessing the system of services, more states are finding that financial case management is key to successfully paying for a given type or category of services.

• Indiana's Financial Case Management Tool (PDF: 116kb)