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Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities

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ODP Announcement 21-059 is to inform stakeholders of the rate load timeline and to provide guidance for the temporary enhanced rates associated with Community Participation Supports (CPS) and Transportation Trip services.

The enhanced rates are anticipated to be visible on Individual Support Plans (ISPs) in the Home and Community Services Information System (HCSIS) on August 1, 2021 with an effective date of August 1, 2021. For the most part, services should auto-authorize, and there should be no need for manual intervention. However, if errors set, see the section of this communication titled “Manual Review Process in HCSIS For a Mass Rate Change,” which is found on the next page. Providers are strongly encouraged to review Service Authorization Notices or the Provider Service Detail report in HCSIS to confirm the enhanced rates were loaded and authorized before attempting to bill for any CPS or Transportation Trip services rendered August 1, 2021 and after.

Compensation for Temporary Enhanced Rates for the Period July 1, 2021 – July 31, 2021

The enhanced CPS and Transportation Trip rates will not be loaded in ISPs for the period July 1, 2021 through July 31, 2021. Instead, the current rate will remain for that period, and ODP will be compensating providers, via gross adjustments, for the difference between the rate billed and the temporary enhanced rate for CPS and Transportation Trip services that were rendered during the period July 1, 2021 through July 31, 2021. This is intended to eliminate the effort of voiding and re-billing claims. ODP anticipates processing gross adjustments during October 2021 to ensure all billing for the month of July 2021 has been completed. Providers are requested to bill in a timely manner to minimize the need for corrections.

Rate Load Impact on ISPs in Draft and Pending Approval Status

Plans in draft or pending approval status will be updated with the temporary enhanced rates for CPS and Transportation Trip services. If there are any exceptions that set on the draft or pending approval plan as a result of the rate load, these plans will be “locked” and the AEs must resolve the issue using the View Modifications screen found in the Mass Rate Change tab in HCSIS.

Two Service Segments on ISPs for CPS and Transportation Trip Services

Since the temporary enhanced rates for CPS and Transportation Trip services will have a begin the date of August 1, 2021, two service/rate segments in authorized status will be present on ISPs, assuming no errors set. One service/rate segment will reflect the period July 1, 2021 to July 31, 2021 and the second service/rate segment will reflect the period August 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022.

Rate Load Causing Cap Limitation to be Exceeded

It is possible that once the temporary enhanced rate load occurs in HCSIS, cap limitations may be exceeded for individuals not currently approved for a cap exception. Plans associated with individuals approved for a cap exception should not experience an enhanced rate load issue. If a cap limitation prevents the enhanced rate to update, the service will be in a pending authorization status until AEs modify the plan accordingly or a cap exception is put in place.

Manual Review Process in HCSIS for a Mass Rate Change

Once the rate change is initiated, if one or more plans are not updated automatically by HCSIS, AEs may review the errors that set the exception and fix the errors accordingly. Administrative Entities may view the impacted service contracts, impacted claims, impacted plans, and exceptions, resulting from a mass rate change, via the View Modifications screen in HCSIS. All line items with a status of “Updates in Progress” will need to be addressed by the AE before the rate change is finalized.

See ODP Announcement 21-059 for full details.

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A PA ABLE Savings Program account gives individuals with qualified disabilities (Eligible Individuals), and their families and friends a tax-free way to save for a wide range of disability-related expenses while maintaining government benefits. The state and federal tax-free investment options are offered to encourage Eligible Individuals and their families to save private funds to support health, independence, and quality of life.

To help you learn about the important features and benefits of PA ABLE, the Pennsylvania Treasury Department is hosting free webinars.

Some of the topics that will be discussed include eligibility requirements for opening a PA ABLE account, the federal and state tax benefits of PA ABLE, and how PA ABLE account interacts with current benefits.

Employers and HR professionals can participate in an overview webinar about the PA ABLE program, learning:

  • What PA ABLE is;
  • Who is eligible;
  • How employees use accounts; and
  • How to set up payroll deduction.

Offer PA ABLE Savings Program to Your Employees For FREE:

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From ACCSES:

The U.S. Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy has prepared a helpful fact sheet on Recent Funding Opportunities to Expand Access to Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) for Individuals with Disabilities. As the Introduction notes, “This fact sheet highlights exciting new funding and flexibilities under the Biden-Harris Administration that provide significant opportunities to increase access to competitive integrated employment (CIE) for youth and adults with disabilities in support of their desire to live and work in the most integrated setting in their communities. The increased funding and flexibilities are provided under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES); the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP); the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA); the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2020 (FCAA); and through the work of multiple federal agencies providing services to individuals with disabilities. These include the Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Administration for Community Living (ACL), and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); the Department of Education’s Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) and Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP); and the Social Security Administration.” You will find the multi-page fact sheet here.

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August 11, 2021 from 1:30 pm–3:00 pm ET

This training will explore the Direct Support Professional’s (DSP) experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through information gathered through the National Core Indicators (NCI) Staff Stability Survey, the presentation will highlight current research on the DSP workforce gathered before and during the pandemic. Information will be presented regarding the DSP workforce nationally and its growth and importance to those needing long-term services and supports. Results from two national surveys conducted with DSPs during the pandemic will be shared, reflecting the impacts the pandemic has had on individual DSPs. Finally, the training will share the personal stories of six DSPs as they navigated the pandemic.

Following the presentation, webinar participants will have the opportunity to take part in a question and answer session, receiving feedback from CMS and the presenters.

Register here. Contact HCBS-Learning with any questions.

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FEMA/CDC have emergency planning videos with ASL interpretation available for public use:
FEMA CDC Accessible: Flood Waters During and After a Disaster
FEMA Accessible: CDC Helping Adults Cope During an Emergency
FEMA Accessible: CDC Helping Children With Disabilities During an Emergency

FEMA Social Stories:
FEMA’s Flood Insurance Advocate Explains Flood Claims
FEMA’s Flood Insurance Advocate Explains When Flood Insurance is Required

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A free webinar is being sponsored by the PA Department of Health Bureau of Emergency Preparedness and Response, PA Department of Human Services Division of Emergency Planning and Safety Operations, and the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.

DATE: Monday, August 9, 2021
TIME: 10:00 am–11:30am
Register through TRAINPA
LOCATION: Zoom

For more information, see the flier.

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Did you know that StationMD provides Behavioral Health services through scheduled Psychiatry and Psychology telemedicine appointments?

And just like our medical doctors, our staff psychiatrists have specialized training and years of experience working with individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD). They are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health and behavioral illnesses effecting people with disabilities.

According to the CDC, a recent study showed that adults with disabilities report experiencing mental distress more frequently than those without disabilities. Due to the high prevalence of mental health issues in those with I/DD, the ability to offer this service is critical in taking care of the whole individual. And because we offer our service via telemedicine the individual can be seen and treated without ever leaving the comfort and safety of their home.

Contact us to learn more.

StationMD is a healthcare solution that delivers sophisticated medical care through telemedicine, offering immediate access at any time to high-quality, board-certified doctors who are specially trained in the care of individuals with IDD. Through HIPAA compliant two-way video technology, and with the use of Bluetooth medical tools, StationMD physicians can assess individuals in their home setting. They can provide treatment plan recommendations and quality medical care to keep patients safe, healthy and in place whenever possible. Learn more at StationMD.com and follow along via Twitter (@StationMD) and on Facebook and LinkedIn (StationMD).

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The Center of Excellence for Protected Health Information (COE PHI) and SAMHSA have created one-page resources to assist practitioners and consumers on guidance for telehealth visits and encounters. The tips provide an overview of best practices for appointments to assist in creating a safe environment for treatment.

COE PHI: Tips for Telehealth Privacy
SAMHSA: How to Prepare for a Video Appointment

Please feel free to share these resources with your staff and stakeholders. If you have any questions, please contact RCPA Policy Director Jim Sharp.

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Microscope, laboratory, monitor, quarantined, virus COVID-19

We’re learning more about COVID-19 all the time. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) looks at the latest available evidence to make the best science-based public health recommendations. Because of new information on the Delta variant currently circulating in the United States, CDC has updated the information for fully vaccinated people.

More About the Delta Variant

Viruses constantly change through mutation. Slightly different forms of a virus are called variants.

Delta is one such variant, and it’s caused more than 80% of recent COVID-19 cases in the United States – according to estimates – and will likely cause more. Delta spreads more easily than other variants. In fact, COVID-19 cases have increased over 300% nationally from June 19 to July 23, 2021, driven by Delta variant.

The best way to stop the spread of Delta is to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Vaccines are preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death, and are effective against the Delta variant. High vaccination coverage will reduce spread of the virus in your community and elsewhere – and help prevent new variants from emerging.

What Has Been Updated?

CDC is constantly reviewing new data and evidence on the Delta variant. This update is based on recent evidence both here in the United States and in other countries. It shows a small number of fully vaccinated people may be infected with Delta and may infect others.

The highest spread of cases and severe outcomes is happening in places with low vaccination rates. Most vaccinated people are protected from the virus. However, the evidence shows that vaccinated people can get Delta in a breakthrough infection and may be contagious. Even so, breakthrough cases are being seen in a small number of vaccinated people and the vast majority are avoiding serious illness, hospitalization, or death. Virtually all hospitalizations and deaths continue to be in those who are not vaccinated.

The Delta variant is much more contagious than previous versions of the virus. Therefore, CDC now recommends the following for people who are fully vaccinated (more than 2 weeks from the last dose of the vaccine):

  • To reduce the risk of being infected with the Delta variant and possibly spreading it to others, wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission.
  • Fully vaccinated people might choose to wear a mask regardless of the level of transmission, especially if you have a weakened immune system or if, because of your age or an underlying medical condition, you are at increased risk for severe disease, or if a member of your household has a weakened immune system, is at increased risk for severe disease, or is not vaccinated.
  • If you’ve been around someone who has COVID-19, you should get tested 3-5 days after your exposure, even if you don’t have symptoms. You should also wear a mask indoors in public for 14 days following exposure or until your test result is negative. You should isolate for 10 days if your test result is positive.

CDC recommends universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status. Children should return to full-time in-person learning in the fall with layered prevention strategies in place.

Learn more about these updates. At this time, recommendations for travel have not changed.

How to Protect Yourself and Your Community

Getting vaccinated is the most important thing you can do to end the COVID-19 pandemic. But some people may still need to take steps to protect themselves against COVID-19, such as children too young to get vaccinated or people with weakened immune systems.

In addition to wearing masks indoors in public, consider the following:

  • Choose safer activities, like those outdoors
  • Stay 6 feet apart from people not in your household
  • Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces
  • Wash your hands often
  • Cover coughs and sneezes
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces
  • Monitor your health daily

Find a Vaccine Near You. With the Delta variant, getting vaccinated is more urgent than ever. Please send this information to your colleagues, networks, friends, and family.

Additional Resources

Contact Us

Email: EPIC@cdc.gov
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Rd
Atlanta, GA 30333

Questions?
Contact CDC-INFO
800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) TTY: 888-232-6348

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