Committee hears DAIL plan for conflict-free case management and payment reform, full federal compliance due April 2026

The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability on Feb. 11 heard a detailed briefing from officials at the Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living about implementing federally required conflict‑free case management and a new payment model tied to standardized assessments.

Committee Chair Lloyd opened the session by noting the committee would “take up conflict free case management and payment reform at the Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living.” The presentation traced the changes back to Act 186 of 2020 and to a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services corrective action plan that requires Vermont to separate case management from service provision and to standardize assessments and budgets.

The changes matter because they affect how people with developmental disabilities and brain injury services are assessed, how budgets are set, and which organizations provide intake, case management and direct services. Dr. Gilbohan, Commissioner for DAIL, and payment‑reform staff said the aim is federal compliance while preserving individualized planning and minimizing service disruption.

Jessica Bernard, deputy director of payment reform with the Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living, told the committee the state’s current developmental‑services payment system “doesn’t have a standardized rate or needs…