Medication Administration Student Course Overview for Trainers Sept. 8
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Now Available: Recording of the HCBS Rule and PA’s Statewide Transition Plan Overview Presentation
ODP Announcement 22-100 is to announce the release of the Home and Community-Based Services Rule and Pennsylvania’s Statewide Transition plan webcast. The recording of this presentation is now available.
Pennsylvania’s Final Statewide Transition Plan and information about how to provide public comment, including during webinars specific to the Office of Child Development and Early Learning, Office of Developmental Programs, and Office of Long-Term Living, are available at the DHS website.
The Voices of People with Disabilities and Older Adults: Strengthening Advocacy in the HCBS Settings Rule — Webinar Sept. 23
Friday, September 23 | 2:00 pm ET
Register for the webinar.
The Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Settings Rule can improve community-based services and supports for people with disabilities and older adults for decades to come. A key requirement of the Settings Rule is that states hear from people with disabilities and older adults about how the state can best implement the rule.
The Administration for Community Living (ACL) is hosting this webinar to provide participants with an opportunity to learn when and how to invite and/or provide feedback on state efforts to comply with the rule. Presenters will share key dates, strategies, and examples of how powerful the voices of people with lived experiences can be in creating more opportunities for choice and control in service delivery and advancing the quality of services.
Live captioning will be provided. A video replay and transcript will be made available following the event.
Contact Shawn Terrell with questions.
ACCSES Matters — September 2, 2022
Now Available: Claim and Service Documentation Training
On August 4, 2022, a webinar was held that provided an overview of Bulletin 00-22-03, Technical Guidance for Claim and Service Documentation. The recording of this presentation is now available.
As a follow up to the August 4 webinar, a virtual office hour has been scheduled for Tuesday, October 4, 2022, from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm. The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) will address frequently asked questions and reserve time to answer additional questions. Attendees are encouraged to view the August webinar prior to the VOH.
Register for the Virtual Office Hour Tuesday, October 4, 2022, from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm.
Direct Support Professional Recognition Week: September 11–17, 2022
Governor Tom Wolf has signed an official proclamation dedicating the week of September 11–17, 2022, to Direct Support Professional (DSP) Recognition Week. The proclamation, available to read here, recognizes the vital contributions DSPs provide to address the physical and mental health of individuals with disabilities, as well as veterans and senior citizens. Furthermore, the Governor recognizes the immense care it takes for DSPs to develop close, respectful, and trusted relationships with those they support.
RCPA would love to share your celebration activities to recognize these valuable staff members. Please send any photos and/or stories to Carol Ferenz, and we will share them on our social media and daily news.
Three Hour Rule Bill Introduced to Expand Therapies
Last week, H.R.8746 — Access to Inpatient Rehabilitation Therapy Act of 2022 was introduced to ensure Medicare beneficiaries in inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) are able to access all skilled, medically necessary rehabilitation therapies that are most appropriate for their condition. This bill, also known as the “three hour rule bill,” would expand the current three hour rule in which Medicare requires IRF patients to be able to participate in, and benefit from, three hours of rehabilitation therapy per day, five days a week (or 15 hours over a seven day period). The current regulation only allows physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), speech therapy, and orthotics and prosthetics care to count towards the three hour requirement. As a result, many patients have difficulty accessing additional forms of therapy that may be more appropriate.
During the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), the three hour rule has been waived in its entirety. If the Access to Inpatient Rehabilitation Therapy Act is enacted, it would ensure that IRFs maintain flexibility after the expiration of the PHE. Most importantly, the legislation would allow certain therapies, including recreational therapy, cognitive therapy, and respiratory therapy, to count towards the three hour rule after the patient’s admission. These additional therapies and skilled modalities would be identified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). At the time of admission, the existing three hour rule would still apply, ensuring that IRF admissions do not increase (and thus add to underlying costs for the Medicare program) due to the new flexibility.
This legislative solution has been developed over several years with Members of Congress and a group of stakeholders, including the American Medical Rehabilitation Providers Association (AMRPA), the American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (AAPM&R), the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA), and the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA).
For additional information, please refer to Congressman Courtney’s press release.
Gov. Wolf Announces Effort to Pardon Pennsylvanians From Marijuana-Related Convictions
Gov. Tom Wolf yesterday announced a coordinated effort for a one-time, large-scale pardoning project for people with select minor, non-violent marijuana criminal convictions.
The Pennsylvania Board of Pardons will accept applications for the PA Marijuana Pardon Project from Thursday, September 1, 2022, through Friday, September 30, 2022.
Read the entire press release.
OCYF Trauma Team September Newsletter
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