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Medical Rehab

The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Public Policy Institute has released a series of new research insights that highlights American adults’ views on a variety of issue areas. One of the recent releases focuses on brain health and includes the following resource topics:

  • Healthy Eating
  • Dementia
  • Hearing and Brain Health
  • Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Music and Brain Health
  • Mental Health, Emotional Well-Being, and Resiliency
  • Delirium

Visit here to read more about each of these resource topics.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the final rule that implements requirements of the Administrative Simplification subtitle of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, enacted on March 30, 2010.

Specifically, this final rule adopts standards for health care claims attachments transactions, which will support health care claims transactions and a standard for electronic signatures to be used in conjunction with health care claims attachments transactions.

The final rule will slash wasteful spending and antiquated paperwork by swapping out faxing and mailing for streamlined electronic transactions. This action lets providers spend less time on administrative hassle and more time caring for patients and is projected to save the healthcare industry approximately $781 million on an annual basis.

The final rule will be published in tomorrow’s (March 24, 2026) Federal Register and will become effective on May 19, 2026. Covered entities must comply by May 19, 2028.

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.

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.

RCPA is excited to once again host our Annual Conference from September 29 – October 2 at the Hershey Lodge. Our 2026 Annual Conference, Power in Purpose: Promoting Possibilities, will be a highlight for the Pennsylvania behavioral health, brain injury, children’s, early intervention, intellectual and developmental disabilities, medical rehabilitation, and physical disabilities and aging provider communities.

RCPA staff and the Conference Committee have released this year’s Sponsors, Exhibitors, and Advertiser Brochure, which features many opportunities to get in on the action and network with providers. Booth self-selection will also be available for exhibitors and exhibiting sponsors. In order to be considered for self-selection, a completed contract with payment must be submitted.

Network and Compete in Connections Hall
Connections Hall activities take place during the two busiest days of the conference, and many networking opportunities are available throughout the event. You’ll also be able to compete and have a chance to win “Best of Show!”

Exciting Sponsorship Opportunities
RCPA is privileged to have the backing of the finest organizations in the field for our conference. Through the use of sponsorship circles, RCPA is able to honor all supporting organizations.

Sign Up Now!
Sponsors, exhibitors, and advertisers who wish to be listed on the website, on the mobile app, and in the conference program must submit all materials by Tuesday, September 8.

The association looks forward to welcoming you at the conference! Space and opportunities are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis, and no reservation is considered complete without payment. If questions remain, please contact Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinator.