New ANCOR Research Examines Direct Support Professional Wage Assumptions in Rate Setting
Save the Date: September Employment Training Webinars
RCPA will be hosting two webinars in September with Jeannine Pavlak of New England Business Associates through the NEON project. These meetings will be held on:
Thursday, September 8, 2022, at 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Training Assisting Individuals to Pursue Self-Employment
Thursday, September 29, 2022, at 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Training Will be Providing Meaningful Day Experiences
More detailed information will be forthcoming. Any questions, contact Carol Ferenz, Director, IDD Division.
A Framework for Community Engagement — A Pathway to Competitive Integrated Employment
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services is pleased to release “A Framework for Community Engagement – A Pathway to Competitive Integrated Employment.” Developed in partnership with ODEP and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Community Living as well as the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, this paper, targeted at both policymakers and service providers, explains what community engagement means along with its benefits. In addition, it contains information about the wide variety of services that, when provided together, expand opportunities for youth and adults with disabilities to achieve competitive integrated employment.
August 4 SCO Subcommittee Meeting Summary
ODP Health Alert: Monkeypox Virus Facts
On August 4, 2022, the Biden administration declared monkeypox a public health emergency due to rising cases across the United States. The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) created this Health Alert based on information available from the PA Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help create awareness about monkeypox.
Medication Administration Platform Overview for Trainer Candidates & Primary Contacts — Webinar August 10
Wednesday, August 10, 2022
10:00 am – 11:00 am
REGISTER
This webinar will provide an overview of the new Medication Administration Platform for Trainer Candidates and Primary Contacts that launches on August 8, 2022. You will learn how to create an account, enroll in the Train-the-Trainer course, submit payment, view the lessons and exams, and register for the face-to-face session.
*Trainer facilitated Student Courses will be available on September 6, 2022, and a separate training will be held for certified trainers closer to that date.
Open for Public Comment — Additional ARPA Initiatives in ODP
ODP Announcement 22-088 reports that ODP is seeking public comment on the proposed initiatives specific to programs and services for individuals with an intellectual disability and/or autism (ID/A) for which ARPA funds will be used.
ARPA provides a temporary 10% increase to the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for certain Medicaid expenditures for home and community-based services (HCBS). The funding must be used to enhance, expand, or strengthen HCBS beyond what is available under Medicaid programs, including ODP’s waivers.
ODP is proposing additional initiatives in the following areas:
- Data Management Enhancements;
- Targeted Program Recovery; and
- Expansion Supplemental Payments.
Interested persons are invited to submit written comments regarding the proposed ODP ARPA initiatives. Comments should be addressed to: Department of Human Services, Office of Developmental Programs, Division of Provider Assistance and Rate Setting, 4th Floor, 625 Forster Street, Harrisburg, PA 17120.
Comments may also be submitted to the Department via email using the subject header “ODP ARPA Initiatives.” Comments received by 11:59 pm on August 19, 2022, will be reviewed and considered for final implementation.
ODP Claim and Service Documentation Updates
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) presented updated details regarding requirements for providers regarding claim and service documentation in a webinar on August 4, 2022. Bulletin 00-22-03 “Technical Guidance for Claim and Service Documentation” was reviewed along with the following documents:
- Claim and Service Documentation for Programs Funded by the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP);
- Attachment 1: Technical Guidance for Claim and Service Documentation; and
- Attachment 2: Technical Guidance for Claim and Service Documentation for Providers of Services in the Adult Autism Waiver.
CMS Releases RFI Seeking Public Comments on Medicare Advantage Program
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released a Request for Information (RFI) requesting public comments on the Medicare Advantage program. CMS is asking for input on ways to achieve the agency’s vision so that all parts of Medicare are working towards a future where people with Medicare receive more equitable, high quality, and person-centered care that is affordable and sustainable, essentially asking for ways to strengthen this program.
CMS’s intent is to better align the Medical Assistance (MA) program with the agency’s vision for Medicare and the CMS Strategic Pillars. CMS is strongly emphasizing the importance of stakeholder comments for this process. This openness to feedback presents MA plans, providers, and other stakeholders an opportunity to inform the agency’s early thinking as it considers potential regulatory actions impacting supplemental benefits, value-based contracting arrangements, risk adjustment, prior authorization, and marketing among other issues.
CMS will accept comments on the RFI until August 31, 2022.
Budget Reconciliation Deal Reached
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