June IDD Committee Meeting Rescheduled to June 11
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REGISTRATION CLOSED for RCPA Virtual H.R. 1 Medicaid Summit on May 11
Registration is closed for this webinar.
On Monday, May 11, 2026, RCPA will be hosting a virtual H.R. 1 Medicaid Summit for all members, non-members, and stakeholders from 9:00 am – 10:00 am. This virtual summit will explore the role of providers, advocates, and stakeholders in the process of ensuring access and care for vulnerable Pennsylvanias. Panelists will include:
- Hoa Pham, Deputy Secretary, Office of Income Maintenance, Department of Human Services;
- Peter Delia, JD, Federal Policy & Advocacy Strategist, National Council for Mental Wellbeing;
- Dr. Matthew Hurford, President and CEO, Community Care Behavioral Health;
- Leesa Allen, CEO and Medicaid Consultant, Leesa Allen Consulting LLC; and
- Dr. Richard S. Edley, President and CEO, RCPA.
As part of the event, we will have a Q&A segment. If you have any questions you would like to ask during the Q&A segment, or if you have any general questions regarding the virtual summit, please forward them to RCPA Behavioral Health Policy Associate Emma Sharp.
Novitas Solutions Announces Webinar for Update on IRF RCD Cycle 3 Results/Prep for Cycle 4
Novitas Solutions, Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) for Pennsylvania, has announced an upcoming webinar for inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs). The webinar is scheduled for Wednesday, May 27, 2026, from 10:00 am – 11:30 am and will focus on the Cycle 3 results of the IRF Review Choice Demonstration (RCD). They will also provide guidance on transitioning from Cycle 3 to Cycle 4.
To register to participate in this webinar, please go to the Novitas Solutions IRF RCD website (scroll to the bottom of the page – Educational Opportunities).
States Scramble to Submit Medicaid ‘Provider Revalidation’ Plans to CMS
Source: Becker’s Hospital Review
and
CMS is requiring all 50 states to audit Medicaid providers and submit detailed plans to the agency by May 23, with hospital leaders eager to understand both the scope and the limits of what’s being asked.
CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz, MD, sent a letter April 23 to all state Medicaid directors directing them to develop and submit a comprehensive two-year provider revalidation strategy [read full article].
View JDSUPRA’s article on the same topic here.
Vote Today: Help Shape the National Council Board of Directors
There’s still time to vote in the National Council Board of Directors election!
You should have received an email from eBallot ([email protected]) on April 27 with instructions to review the candidates and cast your vote.
Can’t find it? Check your spam or contact [email protected] to have the link resent. All ballots are due by May 21 (11:59 pm ET).
Voting is a powerful member benefit — and you voice matters. Here’s Board member Heather Gates talking about the importance of being heard.
Thank you for shaping the future! Together, we will elect a Board that reflects the breadth of our field and the communities our members serve.
Warm regards,
David J. Ley, PhD
Executive Director, New Mexico Solutions
Chair, Nominating Committee
National Council for Mental Wellbeing Board of Directors
Virtual Institute: Advancing Behavioral Health Services for Community HealthChoices Members
About the Conference Sessions
The behavioral health needs of Community HealthChoices members require comprehensive and innovative approaches. Join the Community Care Behavioral Health Organization for updates from leaders in behavioral health strategies and interventions. The virtual institute will focus on the following themes:
- Lifestyle modifications to improve health and decrease cognitive decline;
- Relationship between chronic medical conditions and mental health; and
- How grief shows up across the lifespan.
Attendance is free of charge and includes continuing education credits. We encourage behavioral health and long-term care providers, administrators, primary contractors, county partners, members, families, and other interested professionals to attend [view flyer for details and to register].
Inside Aging: May 2026 Newsletter Now Available
Crisis Services Update: OMHSAS Regulatory Listening Session & RCPA Crisis Services Meeting
The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) will be hosting an hour-long virtual listening session on the 55 Pa. Code Chapter 5250 Crisis Licensing Regulations. The listening session is intended to provide an overview of selected updates currently being advanced and to gather provider perspectives on those specific areas.
The listening session will be offered on two different dates. Please mark your calendars for one of the following:
- Session 1: Tuesday, June 9 from 10:00 am – 11:00 am
- Session 2: Monday, June 15 from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Additional details, including registration information, will be coming soon.
Also, the RCPA 988 Crisis Services meeting will take place on Tuesday May 19, 2026 at 10:00 am. In addition to our regular updates, OMHSAS Crisis Services Specialist Steve Ross will be joining the call. Register for the meeting here.
For questions, please contact Jim Sharp.
REMINDER: ZMark Health to Host “Strengthening Self-Pay Collections” Webinar May 21
Please disregard this reminder if you have already registered.
Strengthening Behavioral Health Self‑Pay Collections: Best Practices & Strategies
Thursday, May 21, 2026 | 1:00 pm
Register Here
Join Heather Hearn, Chief Revenue Officer, RCPA Business Member ZMark Health, for a focused session on strengthening self‑pay collections through clear communication, consistent processes, and thoughtfully designed workflows for behavioral health settings. Co-hosting this webinar will be RCPA COO and Mental Health Services Division Director Jim Sharp.
During this session, ZMark Health will cover:
- Setting financial expectations early and with clarity;
- Normalizing collections at the point of service;
- Applying financial policies consistently; and
- Additional best practices.
As a leader in revenue cycle services for behavioral health organizations, ZMark Health will share practical insights and actionable strategies to help streamline self‑pay workflows and enhance the patient financial experience.
This session supports our ongoing efforts to improve operational efficiency, strengthen financial performance, and deliver service excellence. We hope you can join us!
Supports Coordination Organization Fiscal Year Renewal Process
The Office of Developmental Programs is asking SC Organizations to hold off on completing Fiscal Year Renewals for waiver enrolled individuals at this time. You may complete SC Only Fiscal Year Renewals. A revised communication with additional guidance will be distributed shortly. Please contact ODP directly with any questions.
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