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Novitas Solutions, the Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) for Pennsylvania, has announced the introduction of a new and improved Medicare Navigator program for providers.

The program includes webinars focused on supporting providers so they can successfully navigate Medicare program requirements and submit complete, accurate transactions. March’s Medicare Navigator Program also spotlights the Foundations of Compliance:

  • March 24, Foundations of Compliance: Locating and Utilizing Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs)
  • March 26, Foundations of Compliance: Purposeful Documentation

Members are encouraged to review Novitas’s event calendar for the full listing of events and opportunities to register.

In addition to the OLTL updates, key items presented included the trends in PAS Person-Centered Plans and ensuing reductions in hours. This highlighted significant differences between the three CHC-MCOs.

The in-depth presentation of Assisted Living Facilities as an “in lieu of” service provides the platform for potentially introducing this setting as part of the acceptable community settings, where other waiver services may be delivered. This would also be a departure from Pennsylvania’s definition of HCBS settings, but aligns with 23 other states where Assisted Living is included in the HCBS waivers.

If you have any questions, please contact Fady Sahhar.

Businessman and team work using a Laptop Computer with Webinar E-business Browsing Connection and cloud online technology webcast concept, business concept

The Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education, is pleased to announce the following training opportunity: From Questions to Confidence: Connecting Students and Families to Benefits Counseling. As students with disabilities plan for life after high school, questions about how employment impacts public benefits can create uncertainty and hesitation for students and their families. Benefits counseling plays a critical role in helping individuals understand how work, earnings, and career advancement interact with benefits such as SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, and related programs, supporting informed decision-making and reducing fear around employment. This session will combine a brief foundational presentation with a panel discussion featuring educators and partners who have implemented strategies to connect students and families to benefits counseling in their schools and communities.

Audience:
Special Educators, Transition Coordinators, School Counselors, School Psychologists, Related Service Providers, Administrators, Rehabilitation counselors or professionals working in vocational rehabilitation/transition

Registration Information:
You may register online at PaTTAN’s website.

For content-related information and questions, please contact Hillary Mangis via email or at 412-826-6878.

For general registration information and questions, please contact Roanne Bush via email or at 412-826-6829.

An Overview of Sexuality & Disability in Pediatrics
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm EST; 11:00 am – 12:00 pm CST;
10:00 am – 11:00 am MST; 9:00 am – 10:00 am PST
Register Here

A Discipline Specific Approach to Sexuality & Disability in Pediatrics
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm EST; 11:00 am – 12:00 pm CST;
10:00 am – 11:00 am MST; 9:00 am – 10:00 am PST
Register Here

Presenters:
Amanda Appel, MD, MPH (Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine)
Amanda Chestnut, MS, OTR/L, BCP (Occupational Therapy)
Alison Colbert, PhD (Neuropsychology)
Caroline Freer, CCC-SLP (Speech Therapy)
Carolyn Kelley, DPT, PCS (Physical Therapy)
Ann Lantagne, PhD (Rehab Psychology)
Christine Petranovich, PhD (Neuropsychology)

Led by Amanda Appel, MD, MPH, a pediatric rehabilitation medicine physician at Children’s Hospital Colorado, this engaging team will discuss the multi-disciplinary facets of discussing sexuality with children with disabilities.

Objectives — Part 1: At the end of this session, the learner will:

  • Understand disparities in reproductive health care and sexual health education for individuals with disabilities;
  • Understand the importance of addressing reproductive health and sexual dysfunction for patients with disabilities; and
  • Apply the information and feel empowered to start conversations with patients and their families about sex.

Objectives — Part 2: At the end of this session, the learner will:

  • Have an increased awareness of sexuality as a component of holistic care;
  • Understand discipline-specific considerations related to sexuality and disability;
  • Learn practical guidance to promote interdisciplinary collaboration; and
  • Apply the information and feel empowered to start conversations with patients and their families about sex.

Audience: This webinar is intended for all interested members of the rehabilitation team.

Level: Beginner-Intermediate

Certificate of Attendance: Certificates of attendance are available for all attendees. No CEs are provided for this course.

Complimentary webinars are a benefit of membership in IPRC/RCPA. Registration fee for non-members is $179. Not a member yet? Consider joining today.

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (PA DHS) has developed a communications toolkit available at DHS’s website to help Pennsylvanians understand SNAP work and reporting requirements as well as how to meet them.

SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) services are important for Pennsylvanians who are applying for or receiving SNAP and who must meet federal work and reporting requirements because these services will help them meet the requirements.

SNAP recipients must work, volunteer, or participate in an education or training program for at least 20 hours a week (or 80 hours each month) AND report to PA DHS they are meeting this requirement. If SNAP recipients do not meet the work and reporting requirements, they can only receive three months of SNAP benefits in a three-year period.

Please contact RCPA Policy Associate Emma Sharp with any questions.