The Maryland Department of Health consolidated three Medicaid waivers for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) into a single “Community Pathways” program on Oct. 6. The change comes as the department faces a class action lawsuit over its eligibility redetermination process for Medicaid coverage.

Community Pathways allows access to residential, support and day services programs outside of institutional settings. Maryland Secretary of Health Meena Seshamani said in a press release that the department aimed to enhance the efficiency of its programs.

“Each Marylander has unique needs and experiences that we appreciate and value in this work,” Seshamani said. “[Community Pathways] demonstrates our commitment to making it easier for the intellectual and developmental disabilities community to access services that empower their growth.”

Maryland is required to review Medicaid eligibility annually. In September, four Maryland residents sued the department, claiming the Eligibility Determination Division unlawfully removed individuals with IDDs from waiver programs during the annual redetermination. The plaintiffs allege that the division sent termination notices to incorrect addresses or cited regulations that do not exist.

Attorney Kevin Docherty, who represents the plaintiffs, said although the consolidated waiver may have a positive impact, it will not ensure easier access to benefits as the department claims.

“There are still challenges present in the system that need to be addressed, and they’re the issues that have been raised in the lawsuit,” Docherty said.

The Arc Montgomery County, which provides housing and other support to individuals with IDDs, joined the lawsuit alleging breach of contract. The organization stated the department failed to reimburse it for the $8 million in services provided. CEO Daria Cervantes said its co-plaintiffs’ concerns are critical.

“The broken eligibility redetermination process continues to harm hundreds of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the state,” Cervantes said. “These delays and inefficiencies are not just bureaucratic failures. They are life-altering.”

More than 18,000 Marylanders with IDDs rely on waivers from the department’s Developmental Disabilities Administration. Recipients in any of the three previous programs will be automatically enrolled in Community Pathways.

Whitman special education teacher Ryan Mullin said the school encourages families to apply for benefits as early as possible. Students with disabilities may remain in school until age 21 due to the long waiting process, and Mullin said he hopes the streamlined program will help.

“When you consolidate multiple processes into one, it makes it a lot easier on the family,” Mullin said. “If you have a need, you deserve to get what you need.”