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Although we will miss seeing everyone in person, this year’s 2021 RCPA-MDCBH-A.N.D. Virtual Conference is not to be missed! With general sessions, “think” sessions, workshops, and on-demand sessions, we have something for everyone. We are fortunate to have expert speakers sharing their knowledge regarding leadership, workforce development, managed care, measurement-based care, use of technology in service delivery, and regrouping during COVID-19.
Our speakers will cover all service areas supported by RCPA membership, including mental health, drug and alcohol, brain injury, children’s, and IDD services.
We also managed to work a little fun into the schedule as well – details coming soon! Don’t miss out on this great experience. Register now!
Thursday, September 16, 2021
Start time: 9:00 am
End time: 12:30 pm
This meeting will be held virtually via Zoom. The public is invited to call in to this meeting using the following information:
You are invited to a Zoom webinar:
When: September 16, 2021, 09:00 am Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: PA State Board of Vocational Rehabilitation Quarterly Meeting
Please visit this link to join the webinar:
Passcode: 815687
Or One Tap Mobile:
US: +13017158592,,81273334764#,,,,*815687# or +13126266799,,81273334764#,,,,*815687#
Or Telephone:
Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: 1-301-715-8592 or 1-312-626-6799 or 1-929-205-6099 or 1-253-215-8782 or 1-346-248-7799 or 1-669-900-6833
Webinar ID:
812 7333 4764
Passcode: 815687
CART and sign language interpreters will be available during this meeting via Zoom.
Those using a screen reader can connect here.
The agenda for this meeting is below. Anyone who would like to make public comment prior to the meeting may submit their comments via email.
Additional auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Please email your request.
PENNSYLVANIA STATE BOARD OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AGENDA
September 16, 2021
9:00 – 9:20
Welcome & Opening Remarks, Jennifer Berrier, Secretary, Labor & Industry
9:20 – 9:40
Executive Director’s Remarks, Shannon Austin, Executive Director, OVR
9:40 – 9:50
Deputy Director’s Remarks, Jeremiah Underhill, Deputy Executive Director, OVR
ACTION ITEM
9:50 – 10:00
Action: Approval of 2022 meeting dates and locations
OVR BUREAU DIRECTOR REPORTS
10:00 – 10:20
Hiram G. Andrews Center, Jill Moriconi, Director
Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services, Rod Alcidonis, Director
Bureau of Central Operations, Ralph Roach, Director
10:20 – 10:30
BREAK
STAKEHOLDER REPORTS
10:30 – 10:50
Statewide Independent Living Council, Matthew Seeley, Executive Director
PA Rehabilitation Council, Passle Helminski, Chair
Office for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing, Melissa Hawkins, Director
Client Assistance Program, Steve Pennington, Executive Director
TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION
10:50 – 11:05
Update on 2-Year Modification to the Combined State Plan, Lee Ann Stewart
11:05 – 11:30
Overview of the Client Assistance Program (CAP), Steve Pennington
11:30 – 11:50
Update on OVR Policy Workgroups
11:50 – 12:10
Review of Technical Support Provided to PA OVR, Rachel Anderson, VRTAC-QM
12:10 – 12:30
PUBLIC COMMENT
12:30
ADJOURNMENT
In an effort to assist Infant/Toddler Programs and their contracted EI service providers to clear suspended claims from the PROMISe™ system, the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has released guidance on the procedures for Early Intervention claim filing. Correct billing practices require adherence to correct filing procedures and time limits. All relevant information and instructions can be found in the PA PROMISe™ Provider Handbook for the 837 Professional/CMS-1500 Claim Form.
Time Limits for Claim Submission
DPW must receive claim forms for submissions, resubmissions, and adjustment of claim forms within specified time frames; otherwise, the claim will reject on timely filing related edits and will not be processed for payment.
Service providers (including service coordination entities) are required to submit original claims within 180 calendar days of the initial date of service. Claims which are received within 180-days of the date of service and subsequently denied may be resubmitted up to 365 calendar days from the original date of service.
Suspended Claims/180-Day Exception Request Process
ALL claims that are past the 180- or 365-billing day cycle AND directly associated to a reported PELICAN-EI systems issue are to be billed electronically through the PROMISe system. The claims filed will result in a “suspended” status. These suspended claims will be manually reviewed and approved by a Bureau of Early Intervention services staff member.
Approval of these suspended claims will require additional information submitted by the provider to the BEIS office via email. The email contents must include the following:
If the claim was suspended because it was past the filing limit and unrelated to a PELICAN-EI systems issue, you will need to provide an explanation for the delayed billing. Providing an explanation for the delayed billing will not automatically result in the claim being approved for payment. Each claim will be reviewed individually and considered for approval.
It is the responsibility of the billing entity to follow the requirements for timely billing as outlined in the PROMISe™ manual. Claims which have a suspended status will be denied unless the above procedures have been followed.
If you have any questions, please contact RCPA Children’s Policy Director Jim Sharp.
On Friday, September 10, 2021, the Department of Health and Human Services, through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), announced $25.5 billion in new funding for health care providers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding includes $8.5 billion in American Rescue Plan (ARP) resources for providers who serve rural Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), or Medicare patients and an additional $17 billion for Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Phase 4 for a broad range of providers who can document revenue loss and expenses associated with the pandemic.
Update from ANCOR:
Get Ready to Apply!
The application will open on September 29, 2021. In order to streamline the application process and minimize administrative burdens, providers will apply for both programs in a single application, and HRSA will use existing Medicaid/CHIP and Medicare claims data in calculating portions of these payments.
How Can I Prepare?
Phase 3 Reconsiderations!
As we announce the availability of Phase 4 funding, you may also have questions about how HRSA calculated your PRF Phase 3 payment. To promote transparency in the PRF program, HHS today released detailed information about the methodology utilized to calculate Phase 3 payments. Providers who believe their Phase 3 payment was not calculated correctly according to this methodology will now have an opportunity to request a reconsideration. Further details on this Phase 3 reconsideration process are forthcoming.
Grace Period for Reporting Period 1
In light of the challenges providers across the country are facing due to recent natural disasters and the Delta variant, HHS is also announcing today a final 60-day grace period to help providers come into compliance with their PRF Reporting requirements if they fail to meet the deadline on September 30, 2021, for the first PRF Reporting Time Period. While the deadlines to use funds and the Reporting Time Period will not change, HHS will not initiate collection activities or similar enforcement actions for noncompliant providers during this grace period. Several helpful resources can be found at on the PRF Reporting web page.
We know that provider relief funding is critical for health care providers across the country. We are committed to distributing it as equitably and transparently as possible to help providers respond to and ultimately defeat this pandemic.
Thank you for all you are doing during this difficult time.
Additional resources and information can be found on the PRF Reporting web page or by calling the Provider Support Line at (866) 569-3522, for TTY dial 711. Hours of operation are 8:00 am–10:00 pm CT, Monday through Friday.
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Donna Martin
American Network of Community Options and Resources
Alexandria, VA
(401) 965-9411
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