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Authors Posts by Carol Ferenz

Carol Ferenz

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 27, 2020

Harrisburg, PA – Today, Governor Tom Wolf issued a statement to reassure all Pennsylvanians that essential services critical to the lives, health and safety of vulnerable populations will continue regardless of actions taken to slow the spread of COVID-19.

“Under no circumstances will this administration withdraw life-sustaining services from Pennsylvanians who depend on these support systems,” Gov. Wolf said. “My commitment to maintaining essential services is uncompromised by the COVID-19 pandemic. We will not abandon older adults, individuals with disabilities, low-income families, children or any other vulnerable population during this challenging time. This administration will continue to do everything in our power to ensure that the most vulnerable among us continue to receive the services and supports they need and on which they depend.”

Specifically, the governor cited the following services and supports that will continue throughout the COVID-19 response regardless of mitigation strategies or the severity of the situation:

  • Food assistance through charitable food networks, which are life-sustaining, essential services;
  • Processing of applications and renewals for benefits, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Medical Assistance as well as the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) until the LIHEAP season ends on April 10.
  • Prompt investigations of abuse and neglect complaints involving children, adults with disabilities and older adults
  • Long-term care supports for older adults and individuals with disabilities served through providers licensed by the Department of Human Services’ Office of Long-Term Living, including personal care homes and in-home care providers;
  • Home and community-based supports for individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism who receive services through providers enrolled with or licensed by the Department of Human Services’ Office of Developmental Programs;
  • In-patient and out-patient behavioral health services for individuals with mental illness and substance use disorders through providers licensed by the Department of Human Services’ Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services;
  • High-quality care for individuals residing at state-operated facilities, including state centers, state hospitals, youth development centers and youth forestry camps;
  • All services of the child-welfare system – including foster care, adoption, child abuse reporting and investigation – provided by the Department of Human Services’ Office of Children, Youth and Families (OCYF) and OCYF-licensed providers, including county agencies;

This is not an exhaustive list of services that will continue regardless of circumstances.

“This is an all-hands-on-deck operation to save lives and maintain essential services. I want to thank the workers on the front lines of this crisis and acknowledge the personal sacrifice many of them are making because they are dedicated to serving vulnerable populations,” said Department of Human Services Secretary Teresa Miller.  “I also want to assure these workers that the Wolf Administration is focused on doing everything we can to support and protect you. Please know that your efforts are appreciated and we are committed to supporting you through this crisis.”

Visit the PA Department of Health’s dedicated Coronavirus webpage for the most up-to-date information regarding COVID-19.

Guidance to DHS providers related to COVID-19 is available here.

MEDIA CONTACT: Erin James, 717-425-7606

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To help providers manage the COVID-19 emergency, MITC is providing two easy-to-set up applications free of charge.

  • The existing offer to provide myCommunications free of charge has been extended to 6/30/2020
  • myMileage and Expenses is now available free of charge for 180 days

myCommunications helps providers maintain contact with their staff without relying on employees’ personal email addresses – very important right now. Download the fact sheet to learn more!

myMileage and Expenses allows staff to submit expense claims without having to come into the office. It also helps to make sure staff don’t suffer reimbursement delays for mileage, etc. – minimizes personal interactions. Download the fact sheet to learn more!

Unfortunately, MITC cannot provide the software without one-on-one training, as the surge in Software Requests would compromise our ability to respond at the level customers expect.

  • myCommunications one-on-one set up and training – $360.00 (3 hours).
  • myMileage and Expenses one-on-one set up and training – $360.00 (3 hours).

For more information, email McKenzieO@mitcsoftware.com.

Please join us for a special free webinar on Thursday, April 2 at 2:00 pm EDT to learn more about software that can help providers manage this emergency, and other more routine emergencies like snow days!
Register Here

Additionally, MITC is offering a webinar on Monday, March 30 at 2:00 pm as follows:

HR 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, has been signed. Join us for an emergency webinar on Monday, March 30 at 2:00 pm EDT to learn more about the Emergency Sick Pay Law and how to track sick and FLMA pay.

  • There are multiple rates of sick pay (paid at regular pay, paid at lower rate with a $ cap).
  • Impacts all organizations with less than 500 employees.

Register Here​

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As public conversations around the COVID-19 virus have dramatically increased, anxiety and unrest about the disease has severely risen. This added stress and fear can take a toll on the body’s immune system. At Philadelphia Coordinated Health Care (PCHC), we understand those concerns and want to help ease unrest. We are continuously updating our website with new information that is available about this pandemic. We have new online resources covering Telemedicine, various mental health coping aids, and information on how families and individuals can adjust during this time of social distancing. As the days move forward, we hope you all continue to stay safe and healthy in these trying times!

Stay tuned for new online trainings about hand-washing for staff and COVID-19 for individuals coming soon!!

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The programs and initiatives in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that was just passed by Congress are intended to assist business owners with whatever needs they have right now. When implemented, there will be many new resources available for small businesses, as well as certain nonprofits and other employers. This guide provides information about the major programs and initiatives that will soon be available from the Small Business Administration (SBA) to address these needs, as well as some additional tax provisions that are outside the scope of SBA.

Do you need:

  • Capital to cover the cost of retaining employees? Then the Paycheck Protection Program might be right for you.
  • A quick infusion of a smaller amount of cash to cover you right now? You might want to look into an Emergency Economic Injury Grant.
  • To ease your fears about keeping up with payments on your current or potential SBA loan? The Small Business Debt Relief Program could help.
  • Just some quality, free counseling to help you navigate this uncertain economic time? The resource partners might be your best bet.

This guide provides detailed information and Q&A regarding:

  • Paycheck Protection Program Loans;
  • Small Business Debt Relief Program;
  • Economic Injury Disaster Loans & Emergency Economic Injury Grants;
  • Small Business Counseling;
  • Small Business Contracting; and
  • Small Business Tax Provisions.

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Please join National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) Medical Advisor Dr. Rick Rader for a brief update on developments since our previous webinar (March 11, 2020) in supporting people with disabilities during this pandemic. Specific information dedicated to direct support professionals will be reviewed. If you work in the disability services field, please share. They will also be recording it and posting on their YouTube page so busy DSPs can watch it later.

On Friday, April 3, NADSP will be hosting a live “Town Hall” with Dr. Rader to engage with your DSPs and others, answer their questions, and begin a dialogue. More information will be available about that shortly.

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ODP Announcement 20-031 provides information for Community Participation Support providers regarding retainer payments. The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) included Retainer Payments for Community Participation Supports (CPS) in Appendix K to help ensure the long-term stability of this essential service. The following details offer additional information to providers for planning purposes:

How will retainer payments be distributed?

  • Gross adjustments through PROMISe.
  • Begin the week of 3/30/2020.
  • Distributed monthly.
  • Will continue until further notice.
  • CPS providers do not need to request retainer payments. All CPS providers will receive monthly retainers.
  • The first retainer payment will cover 3/11/20 (pro-rated for effective date of Appendix K) through 3/31/20.
  • For providers with multiple service locations, gross adjustments will be applied to the service location which had the highest level of CPS billing this fiscal year through February 29.

How was the retainer payment calculated?
Retainer payments were calculated at 75% of the monthly average of the total CPS claims submitted 7/1/2019 – 2/29/2020.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requires that retainer payments are not duplicative of services provided during the timeframe covered by the retainer payment.

Reconciliation
Upon lifting the closure order for Older Adult, Adult Training, and Prevocational facilities, ODP is required to conduct an analysis and reconciliation where needed to ensure that no duplicate payments have been made.

  • Retainer payments are allowable in circumstances in which utilization for the CPS service location drops below 75% of the annual monthly average 7/1/19 to 2/29/2020.
  • Post COVID-19 response, ODP will ensure that no duplicative payments were made through the following logic:
  • For each month for which a retainer payment was made, providers (by MPI) that provided CPS at 25% or greater than the average monthly units billed between 7/2019 and 2/2020, will be subject to an adjustment/reconciliation.
  • Reconciliation calculation: Aggregate monthly units beyond 25% of prior monthly average utilization (7/1–2/28/2020) by MPI provided during the time period will be deducted from the total retainer payments at the rates in effect 7/1/19 – 3/10/2020.

Questions regarding these payments may be addressed via email to Rick Smith.

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