10A NCAC 71J .0109. OPTIONAL RESOURCES/COMPONENT 2

(a)  Installation of ramps, rails, and other safety measures may be provided to increase mobility and enable a person to follow gainful activity in his own home without the threat of seriously damaging or injuring his health.  Apparatuses in this category include bars, tub seats, grab bars, raised toilet seats, flexible shower heads, rails of all sorts, monkey bars, litters, drips, ramps, and other apparatuses which are affixed in a nonportable condition.

(1)           Reimbursement not to exceed reasonable and necessary costs is allowable for apparatuses and their installation and for periodic adjustment and repair.  Installations must conform with local and state building codes.

(2)           When the installation of an apparatus provided under this component involves substantial physical alteration or structural change to the premises, prior written approval must be obtained from the owner or authorized agent for the house in which the item is to be installed.

(3)           When satisfactory use of an apparatus depends upon adequate instructions to the individual, the provider agency must ensure the provision of such instructions.

(4)           Any apparatus provided through this component is purchased for the individual recipient.  Therefore, the provider agency holds no ownership and may not reclaim the item.  However, the recipient may make an agreement to donate the item to the agency for another client's use when he ceases to need it.

(5)           When a particular apparatus is donated back to the agency by a previous user, reimbursement for the cost of the item may not be claimed again when it is provided to another client.  However, reasonable and necessary charges for renovations and repairs may be claimed and reimbursed as a cost of service to the second recipient.

(b)  Escort service to health facilities and other needed resources is provided when aging, disabled or handicapped persons need to make use of a health or social resource but are either physically or mentally incapable of obtaining the service unaccompanied.

(1)           The specific reason it is believed that client is unable to travel and wait alone must be recorded in the case file.  For purposes of this service, "unable to travel and wait alone" means the client's well‑being would be endangered if he traveled and waited unaccompanied.

(2)           Escort service requires prior approval by the county department of social services or other provider agency as applicable including the rate of reimbursement.  In cases where service is needed on an on‑going basis, prior approval may cover a period of time not to exceed the client's period of eligibility.

(3)           Escort service may be provided through the use of volunteers.

(4)           Escort service is exempt from the minimum wage and overtime pay requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act; however, reimbursement for paid escort time is available up to the minimum hourly wage.

(5)           Reimbursement for the cost of escort travel incurred when accompanying a client to needed resources is allowable as a part of this service at the same maximum rate established by the Social Services Commission for transportation services.

 

History Note:        Authority G.S. 143B‑153;

Eff. July 1, 1984;

Amended Eff. July 1, 1990.