NC Innovations Waiver: Supports Intensity Scale-Adult Version® 2nd Edition

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requires individuals in the NC Medicaid Innovations waiver program to have a valid and comprehensive assessment.

NC Medicaid uses the Supports Intensity Scale-Adult Version (SIS-A) for this requirement for individuals age 16 and older and the Supports Intensity Scale-Children’s Version (SIS-C) for individuals ages 5 through 15. The SIS-A is used to determine and measure the supports a person needs to be successful in life.  

Upcoming Changes

Beginning July 1, 2025, NC Medicaid will transition to a new version of the SIS-A for individuals ages 16 and older.  

  • Individuals will receive the new version of the assessment at their regularly scheduled time (every three years for the SIS-A).  
  • Children ages 5 through 15 will continue to complete the SIS-C based on their regular assessment scheduled (every two years for the SIS-C).  

More information about the SIS-A 2nd edition can be found on the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD)’s website.

What to Expect?  

  • The new SIS-A allows for a more detailed assessment  
  • You may notice new information in the final assessment report. We do not expect this to change the supports budget you get. It will take approximately three years for all eligible individuals to transition to the SIS-A 2nd Edition and receive a new supports budget. The supports budget is a guideline and not a final limit.  

Contact

If you have questions, contact your Tailored Plan or Local Management Entity/Managed Care Organization at the phone number listed below.

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