A friendly reminder on the Service Amendment Request Tool process 

As of January 2024, Care Managers must complete the Service Amendment Request Tool (SART) in CHOICES when a Member wishes to start a new waiver service or change an existing one. For the SART to be processed, the Member must have an up-to-date Coordinated Assessment System (CAS) for adults or CANS (Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) for children under 18. These assessments are conducted by Maximus, a third party contracted by OPWDD (Office for People with Developmental Disabilities), not by the Care Manager.

If the Member needs an updated CAS or CANS, the Care Manager submits a request to a dedicated OPWDD mailbox and notes that the assessment is required as part of the Member’s SART submission. Providers should be aware that it may take up to three months for the CAS/CANS to be completed once the Care Manager submits the request, impacting the SART review timeline.

Once the SART is approved, OPWDD issues the NOD.09. This documents the newly approved or changed services and reauthorizes all existing services, including annual unit amounts. The Care Manager distributes the NOD.09 to all Providers, which is stored under the Member’s Supporting Documents in CHOICES.