Missouri manual section 6.2
Assistive technology
Official service name: Assistive Technology
Assistive Technology can provide an assessment, equipment, ongoing service delivery, or training when technology is identified in the person-centered service plan and will help the person maintain or improve independence, functional abilities, vocational skills, or community involvement.
What the manual describes
What this service can help with
- Evaluating which technology could address a need or outcome in the person-centered service plan
- Leasing, purchasing, fitting, designing, customizing, or adapting approved equipment
- Using emergency-response, medication-reminder, sensor, identification, live-video, or live-audio systems when the approved plan supports them
- Providing monthly implementation and monitoring needed to keep approved technology working for the person
- Training the person and the people supporting them to use the technology effectively
Source-backed working pathway
To establish you'll probably need:
These steps translate the cited manual section into a practical review sequence. Confirm the current local process before acting.
Describe the need and intended result with the support coordinator.
Identify the task, safety issue, communication barrier, independence goal, vocational need, or community activity the technology should support and connect it to an outcome in the person-centered service plan.
Obtain the appropriate technology consultation or functional evaluation.
The consultation should evaluate the person's technology needs and available options. Confirm which qualified professional or technology specialist must complete it for the proposed equipment.
Confirm that Assistive Technology is the correct funding category.
Ask whether the request belongs under Assistive Technology, Environmental Accessibility Adaptations, Specialized Medical Equipment and Supplies, Medicaid state-plan coverage, or another source. The manual does not allow the same item to be shifted into Assistive Technology when it belongs to the other two waiver services.
Document informed choice, privacy, and backup plans.
The planning team should explain how the technology works, support informed consent, document privacy protections, decide who will monitor concerns, and record backup supports for outages, equipment failure, or other situations relevant to the person's needs.
Choose a qualified provider and confirm authorization.
Confirm the provider's Department of Mental Health contract and required business or professional qualifications, then verify the approved component, equipment, monthly service, training, amount, documentation, and start date before ordering or installation.
Important boundaries
Limits that may affect fit or authorization
- The technology must directly benefit the person and address an assessed need or outcome documented in the person-centered service plan.
- The planning team must document informed choice or consent, privacy protections, and backup service plans based on the person's needs.
- Video monitors or cameras cannot be purchased for bedrooms or bathrooms through this service.
- Items that belong under Environmental Accessibility Adaptations or Specialized Medical Equipment and Supplies are excluded from Assistive Technology.
- Current Division guidance lists one job or item per month per provider for Assistive Technology procedure codes A9999 UA, UB, UC, and U9, all included within a combined $9,000 limit per annual person-centered service-plan year, per individual. Current authorization and remaining funds must still be confirmed before ordering or beginning services.
- The manual describes a possible exception above the annual limit only when another funding source cannot meet the need, the increase reduces units of one or more other services, and the person-centered service plan documents that result. Approval is not automatic.
- Comprehensive and Community Support waivers remain under a temporary renewal extension through December 27, 2026, or until CMS grants final approval. Confirm the currently approved rules with the support coordinator; proposed renewal changes are not automatically active.
Do not assume this part
Questions to confirm locally
- Which technology component or combination of components is being requested?
- Who must complete the functional evaluation or consultation for this equipment?
- Does the item belong under Assistive Technology, Environmental Accessibility Adaptations, Specialized Medical Equipment and Supplies, the Medicaid state plan, or another funding source?
- What consent, privacy, information-access, monitoring, and backup protections must be written into the person-centered service plan?
- How much of the current annual limit is already committed, and is any exception being considered?
- Which enrolled providers can supply, install, monitor, maintain, repair, and train people to use the selected technology?