Webinar to Discuss Moving Beyond the Carve-out/Carve-in Debate — January 25
US Officials Recommend Shorter COVID Isolation, Quarantine
Santa Delivers Gifts to RCPA Member CareLink Clients With Mental Illness and Developmental Disabilities
Changes to the Remote Supports Component of Assistive Technology in Waivers
Changes to the Remote Supports Component of Assistive Technology in the Consolidated, Community Living and Person/Family Directed Support (P/FDS) Waivers
ODP Announcement 21-094 notifies interested parties of changes to Remote Supports in the most recently approved waiver amendments, including the requirement to complete the Variance Form (DP 1086) when an individual needs more than $5,000 of Remote Supports per fiscal year.
Amendments to the Consolidated, Community Living, and P/FDS Waivers approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) effective November 22, 2021, contain changes to Remote Supports which are a component of the Assistive Technology service (all requirements contained in the waivers prior to the amendments continue to apply). The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has updated Variance Form DP 1086 and the related instructions originally found in Bulletin 00-18-06, Variance Form and Process, to reflect the requirements for intensive remote supports in these amendments.
ODP is holding a webinar on February 16, 2022, from 10:00 am–11:00 am to discuss requirements and best practices for the Remote Supports component of Assistive Technology in the Consolidated, Community Living and P/FDS waivers. The date, time, and link for registration to attend the webinar can be found here.
ODP Reminder Regarding Revalidation of Service Locations
ODP Announcement 21-093 is a reminder to all providers and vendors that provider revalidation occurs every 5 years from the initial enrollment date or most recent revalidation date of every service location. The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is seeing an increase in claim denials because providers fail to revalidate their service location(s) on time.
NOTE: If an MA or base provider does not complete revalidation by their revalidation date, they will not receive payment for service locations that are end dated and closed in PROMISe™. Claims will be denied and show as denied on their remittance advices. Reactivation of closed sites will be required prior to billing/payment resumption.
RCPA Workforce Survey Analysis Report
National Expansion Of Employment Opportunities Network
FDA Authorizes Merck’s Anti-Coronavirus Pill, a Second Treatment Option
PA L&I Soliciting Public Comment on the PA Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
[51 Pa.B. 7805]
[Saturday, December 11, 2021]
Some disability areas for possible commentary include:
- OVR: District Offices, Pre Employment Transition, Services, under/un served populations (specific disabilities of groups; ESL issues (Spanish, Chinese, Russian languages, etc.), collaboration with other state agencies (PA DHS for OLTL, OMHSAS and ODP populations; PDE-Bureau of Special Education);
- PA Career Links (including physical & programmatic accessibility, which are required under the Federal WIOA passed in 2014 with 2016 regulations put forth);
- Home or vehicle modifications (policies, process, and waiting lists);
- Deaf Blind Services (SSP), which are state funds only at this time (no federal funding); and
- Movement away from sheltered workshops and segregated employment settings towards competitive employment per Federal guidance put forth earlier this year.
You can also see more from the Federal Department of Education Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) on what they are looking for from states.
SSA Announces 2022 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA)
ODP Announcement 21-091 provides notice that the Federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payment will increase beginning January 2022. Effective January 2022, the SSA increased the SSI allotment by 5.9 percent to reflect an increase in the cost of living. This raises the maximum monthly income to $841 for an eligible individual, $1,261 for an eligible individual with an eligible spouse, and $421 for an essential person. There is no anticipated increase in the State Supplementary Payment (SSP) for 2022.
To account for the new COLA, Room and Board contracts should be reviewed to determine appropriate adjustment for those living in homes operated by Residential Habilitation or Life Sharing providers who collect room and board fees from individuals enrolled in the Consolidated, Community Living, and Adult Autism Waivers and providers of base-funded residential habilitation and life sharing services.
SSI is a federal program that provides benefits to adults and children who meet the SSA’s requirements for disability, income, and resources. This income benefit is designed to help qualified individuals meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter. Periodically, a COLA affects the maximum monthly allotment.
The Room and Board Contract (DP 1051) is found on MyODP.org at the following path: Resources > Intellectual Disability > Forms. Office of Developmental Programs. Beginning July 1, 2020, the requirements for Room and Board as established in 55 Pa. Code Chapter 6100 must be followed.
ODP is in the process of replacing the DP 1051 form to reflect Sections §§6100.681–6100.694 that providers will begin to use. The current DP 1051 will continue to be accepted as current until the annual due date or until a change requires that a new form is completed.
ODP will be releasing a bulletin to stakeholders regarding the new room and board requirements with the 6100 regulations. This bulletin will also inform stakeholders of the new form and where it can be found on myodp.org.
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