RCPA Submits Comments on Aging Our Way Draft Master Plan
Fady Sahhar
Fady is responsible for policy and regulatory matters related to Physical Disabilities and Aging, with primary focus on personal assistance, employment services, and service coordination. Emphasis is placed on engaging the Office of Long-Term Living and the Community HealthChoices Managed Care Organizations, coordination of care with Behavioral HealthChoices MCOs, and collaborations with other advocacy and provider associations. Fady is also the President / CEO of ProVantaCare, an RCPA-affiliated company focused on contracting with MCOs, and is the President of XtraGlobex, a consulting firm focused on Value-Based Payment contracting. He brings extensive experience in the advocacy and operations of human services providers in physical disabilities and aging, from his role at Liberty Resources, Inc., and his service with a number of nonprofit services providers. He earned an MBA in Marketing from The University of Tennessee and a PhD in Organizational Leadership from Capella University.
Federal Response to Cyberattack: Support for Health Care Providers and Suppliers
Message from The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS):
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is continuing to monitor and assess the impact that the cyberattack on UnitedHealth Group’s subsidiary Change Healthcare has had on all provider and supplier types. Today, CMS is announcing that, in addition to considering applications for accelerated payments for Medicare Part A providers, we will also be considering applications for advance payments for Part B suppliers.
Over the last few days, we have continued to meet with health plans, providers and suppliers to hear about their most pressing concerns. As announced previously, we have directed our Medicare Administrative Contractors (MAC) to expedite actions needed for providers and suppliers to change the clearinghouse they use and to accept paper claims if providers need to use that method. We will continue to respond to provider and supplier inquiries regarding MAC processes.
CMS also recognizes that many Medicaid providers are deeply affected by the impact of the cyberattack. We are continuing to work closely with States and are urging Medicaid managed care plans to make prospective payments to impacted providers, as well.
All MACs will provide public information on how to submit a request for a Medicare accelerated or advance payment on their websites as early as today, Saturday, March 9.
CMS looks forward to continuing to support the provider community during this difficult situation. All affected providers should reach out to health plans and other payers for assistance with the disruption. CMS has encouraged Medicare Advantage (MA) organizations to offer advance funding to providers affected by this cyberattack. The rules governing CMS’s payments to MA organizations and Part D sponsors remain unchanged. Please note that nothing in this statement speaks to the arrangements between MA organizations or Part D sponsors and their contracted providers or facilities.
If you have any questions, please contact Fady Sahhar.
AmeriHealth Caritas/Keystone First Issues Billing Clarifications for PAS and Non-PAS Providers
Reuters: UnitedHealth to Restore Hacked Medical Claims and Payment Services Mid-March
DHS Shares Resources for Providers Affected by Change Healthcare Outage
The Department of Human Services (DHS) has shared several available resources to address providers’ concerns regarding the Change Healthcare outage. The system remains unavailable due to a current cyber-attack. You can read the full press release, which details resources and short-term solutions.
If you have any questions, please contact Fady Sahhar.
AARP: Credit for Caring Act Offers Relief for Financially Strained Family Caregivers
Bloomberg: Change Healthcare Cyberattack Is Still Disrupting Pharmacies, Other Providers
Inglis’s SDHP Announce RFP for 2024 Conference Open Until Feb. 26
Inglis’s Self-Determination Housing of PA (SDHP) 2024 Conference aims to further the SDHP’s mission of bridging the information gap between providers and connecting with others in the accessible housing community while continuing to advocate for the vulnerable populations we serve, specifically those with disabilities and seniors. The goal of the 2024 Conference is to bring together individuals to advance change and impact the way we support people in finding accessible housing solutions to gain independence and increase their quality of life.
The conference will take place June 11 and 12. The RFP will remain open until end of the day February 26. For more information, view the Request for Proposal announcement. You can also submit your proposals on Inglis’s website.
If you have any questions, please contact Fady Sahhar.
Second Draft of Aging Our Way, PA Open for Public Comment
The Department of Aging has released the second draft of Aging Our Way, PA, the department’s name for Pennsylvania’s 10-year strategic plan to support improvement in infrastructure and services for older adults. This second draft is open for a 30-day comment period until March 20. Visit here for details and instructions on submitting comments, and please consider providing feedback on the plan.
If you have any questions, please contact RCPA Policy Director Fady Sahhar.
McKnights: Provider Groups Applaud Millions in Proposed Investments in Older Adults but Say Plans Fall Short
Prev