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Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Settings Community Rule

Federal requirements for HCBS waiver settings.

The CMS Home and Community Based Services Settings Community Rule ensures that HCBS waiver participants have access to the benefits of community living, and that they live and receive services in integrated, non-institutional settings.

CMS required each state to submit a Statewide Transition Plan (STP) for federal approval. The STP describes the state’s plan for coming into compliance with the Community Rule. You can find documents related to the Massachusetts STP in the Statewide Transition Plan link below.

If an HCBS waiver participant in Massachusetts believes that one of the settings where they live or where they receive services does not comply with the Community Rule, they may file a grievance with the state. The Community Rule Grievance Process below has more information and a form to file a grievance.

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