ANCOR Shares Fact Sheet on Medicaid Enrollment and Eligibility Renewals for Individuals With I/DD
Carol Ferenz
ODP Issues Update on ARPA Grant Fund Reimbursement
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) providers with approved ARPA Grant applications should use the following survey to request reimbursement for expenses incurred.
Reimbursement for Technology Grants may consist of one progress payment and one final payment.
Reimbursement for Training/Credentialing and Business Associate Grants may include up to two progress payments and one final payment.
Prior to beginning the survey, providers should ensure that supporting documentation (paid invoices, cancelled checks, accounting records, etc.) is available and scanned into a PDF. These documents will need to be attached at the end of the survey. Providers should generally expect to see payments a few weeks following ODP review of submitted information. The deadline for submissions is October 31, 2024.
Please use the following link to access the survey: ARPA Grant Fund Reimbursement – Online Survey Software | QuestionPro Survey.
ODP Performance-Based Contracting Provider Quarterly Forum
ODP held a quarterly provider forum to discuss Performance-Based Contracting status. During the meeting, ODP staff reviewed the data regarding provider submissions to date, common errors, and the top 10 unmet measures among the 2024 provider submissions.
Additionally, technical assistance areas were discussed and a guide was provided for using the Incident Management overview dashboard to assess performance-based measurement data.
A total of 36 residential providers submitted their applications in August: 15 Primary, 6 Select, and 15 Clinically Enhanced. These tier submissions have all been scored, and the results will be emailed to those providers in November. The communication will include a list of measures that the provider did not meet and instructions for the data submission resolution process available if a provider believes ODP made an error in evaluating provider performance. These tier assignments will be in effect from 1/1/2025 to 6/30/2026.
For providers who will be submitting their data in February, ODP will update the tools and guidance to reflect review period timeframe. Measures will not change between August and February/March and additional communications and reminders will be sent closer to February. ODP has a web page dedicated to assisting providers through this process.
Recorded Training: CMS Incident Management Systems and Critical Incident Reporting Provisions of the Medicaid Access Final Rule Available
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) held a training session on the Incident Management Systems and Critical Incident Reporting Provisions of the Medicaid Access Final Rule on September 16, 2024. The webinar recording, transcript, and slides are now available on the Training Series: HCBS Provisions of the Medicaid Access Final Rule web page. Register for upcoming sessions in the training series here.
Performance-Based Contracting and Amendments to the Consolidated, Community Living, and P/FDS Waivers Approved by CMS
ODP Announcement 24-096 is to inform all interested parties that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved the 1915(b)(4) Performance-Based Contracting Waiver and the Consolidated, Community Living, and P/FDS Waiver amendments effective January 1, 2025.
As communicated in ODP Announcement 24-071, the waivers were submitted to CMS on July 26, 2024. Since that time, ODP has engaged in discussions with CMS. No substantive changes were made to the waivers based on those discussions. Information regarding Performance-Based Contracting for Residential Habilitation, Life Sharing, and Supported Living services delivered through the Consolidated and Community Living Waivers can be accessed at Performance-Based Contracting – MyODP. In addition to changes needed to implement Performance-Based Contracting, the following major changes were included in the Consolidated, Community Living, and P/FDS Waivers:
- American Sign Language – English Interpreter service will be added.
- Billable indirect activities will be added to the Benefits Counseling service and the fiscal year limit will increase from 15 to 24 hours.
- Clarification about evaluations will be added to the Assistive Technology service.
- The fiscal year limit for Music, Art and Equine Assisted Therapy will increase from 26 to 52 hours.
Each full waiver application, as well as a record of all substantive changes, is available online at:
ODP will be holding one webinar to provide a general overview of Performance-Based Contracting and additional major changes made in the approved waivers. There will be time during the session for presenters to answer questions submitted by participants during the webinar.
The date, time, and registration link for these webinars are as follows:
Consolidated, Community Living, and P/FDS Waiver Amendment Overview
Wednesday, October 30, 11:00 am to 12:00 pm — Register Here.
Amendments to the Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) Approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
ODP Announcement 24-097 is to inform all interested parties that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved amendments to the AAW, effective January 1, 2025. The updated waiver is available on the Department of Human Services (DHS) website.
The following major changes were included in Adult Autism Waiver:
- American Sign Language – English Interpreter service will be added;
- Clarification about evaluations will be added to the Assistive Technology service; and
- Revise and clarify the provider qualifications for Residential Habilitation: Residential Provider (Community Home) and Life Sharing.
The full waiver application, as well as a record of all substantive changes, is available online at: Adult Autism Waiver.
ODP will be holding one webinar to provide a general overview of the changes made in the approved waiver. There will be time during the session for presenters to answer questions submitted by participants.
The date, time, and registration link for the webinar is as follows:
AAW Amendments Overview, Friday, November 8, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am
Register Here
ODP will hold additional webinars and publish guidance and clarification specific to the new American Sign Language – English Interpreter service.
ID/A Associations Advocate for Ongoing Support From Governor Shapiro
RCPA joined with other ID/A Associations, including The Alliance of Community Service Providers, The Arc of Pennsylvania, PAR, MAX and TPA, in a letter to Governor Shapiro to thank him for recognizing the strain on individuals, families, and service providers across the intellectual disability and autism (ID/A) community and to discuss ongoing changes that are needed in the way service rates are updated. These changes are necessary so that our system can always meet its duty of care.
The full letter is available here, and we encourage our members to share this letter with your legislators in order to gain their understanding and support of our systemic needs.
For any questions, contact Carol Ferenz, IDD Division Director.
Reminder: RCPA IDD Member Webinar on Provider Rights for Rate Appeals to Be Held Sept. 19
Reminder: Webinar on PBC Transition to Be Hosted by iCareManager, The BI Collaborative, and Millin Sept. 19
RCPA IDD Member Webinar on Provider Rights for Rate Appeals to Be Held Sept. 19
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