PH/BH Integration Webinar: OMHSAS/OMAP Vision
MLTSS Subcommittee Meeting Handouts and September Meeting Information Available
The meeting handouts from the August 2, 2023, Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) Subcommittee meeting are available for review. The handouts include PowerPoint presentations and the transcript from the meeting. View the handouts below:
- July Follow-Up Items for August 2023
- Medicaid Research Center CHC Evaluation 2022 Update
- MLTSS Subcommittee August Meeting Transcript
- OLTL Updates
The next MLTSS Subcommittee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday,, September 6, 2023. The agenda for the meeting has been released, and registration is now open. The meeting will be held in person at the PA Department of Education Honors Suite, 1st floor, 333 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17126, and also via webcast. The call information is below:
Conference Line:
Bridge Number: 1-562-247-8422
PIN: 936690076#
Webinar Link
Remote Streaming Link
Comments and questions regarding the agenda should be sent via email.
Listening Sessions to Gather Input on State’s Master Plan for Seniors
RCPA Golf Outing Scheduled for October 9
RCPA will be hosting our golf outing to support the RCPA PAC on Monday, October 9, 2023, in conjunction with the Annual Conference. Conference attendees, exhibitors, sponsors, and presenters can now register to participate at the Dauphin Highlands Golf Course, 650 S Harrisburg St., Harrisburg, PA 17113. Registration starts at 10:00 am, lunch will be held at 11:00 am, and the shotgun start begins at 12:00 pm.
Not a golfer, but would still like to support the RCPA PAC? For your convenience, you can now make a personal online contribution, which will provide financial support to state legislators or representatives who have demonstrated a strong, consistent, and positive interest in our legislative priorities.
We would like to thank our tournament sponsor Erie County Care Management, Inc. for their support. Sponsorships are still available for this worthwhile cause. We hope you will consider becoming a golf outing sponsor; it is a great way for your organization to receive name recognition and an opportunity to support the RCPA fundraiser.
Many thanks to our beverage & hole sponsors to date:
- Novak Strategic Advisors
- Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
- Warfel Construction
- Firetree, Ltd.
- Christopher S. Lucas & Associates
- Ceisler Media & Issue Advocacy
- Pinnacle Treatment Centers, Inc.
- Salisbury Behavioral Health, a division of RHA Health Services
CMS Releases Video on Social Determinants of Health
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a short, animated explainer video, “Social Determinants of Health Items: Determining When a Proxy Response is Allowed,” for inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRF), home health (HH), and long-term care hospital (LTCH) providers. CMS developed this video to assist providers in accurately determining when the use of a proxy response is allowed for the following Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) items: A1005. Ethnicity, A1010. Race, A1110. Language, A1250. Transportation, B1300. Health Literacy, and D0700. Social Isolation.
If you have questions about accessing the resources or feedback regarding the trainings, please email the PAC Training Inbox. Content-related questions should be submitted to the HH QRP Help Desk, IRF QRP Help Desk, or the LTCH QRP Help Desk.
RCPA Member Goodwill Keystone Area Appoints Drew Iwaskow as Chief People Officer to Drive Workforce Growth and Development
HARRISBURG, Pa. (August 14, 2023) — Goodwill Keystone Area today announced the appointment of Drew Iwaskow as Chief People Officer, a new strategic leadership role that will oversee multiple functions within the organization.
As Chief People Officer, Iwaskow will focus on enhancing the hiring process, improving employee retention rates, fostering ongoing employee development and driving overall growth within Goodwill Keystone Area’s workforce. He will oversee Goodwill’s Employee Relations, Benefits Compensation, and Training and Organizational Development teams, and also direct the organization’s diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging initiatives.
“With more than 25 years of extensive experience leading human resources across corporate functions and field operations, Drew brings a wealth of expertise to this vital role,” Goodwill Keystone Area President and CEO Ed Lada said. “His proven track record in human resources leadership, coupled with his commitment to building inclusive workplaces, will be critical in driving the organization’s continued success.”
Prior to joining Goodwill Keystone Area, Iwaskow served as Vice President of Human Resources at Dollar Tree Corp. where he led the organization’s human capital strategies that resulted in dynamic and inclusive work environments. Previous roles included Executive Vice President of Human Resources at Tailored Brands (Men’s Wearhouse and Jos. A. Bank), Vice President of Marketplace Human Resources at Toys “R” Us, and human resources leadership positions at PetSmart, Party City and Staples.
Iwaskow holds a master’s degree in organizational behavior, systems and analytics from New York University, as well as a bachelor’s degree in organizational management from Alliance University.
About Goodwill Keystone Area
Goodwill Keystone Area serves 22 counties in central and southeastern Pennsylvania. As a nonprofit, revenue generated from the sale of donated goods in its retail stores and online auction site directly supports Goodwill’s mission to advance sustainability so that individuals and families can thrive and flourish. Goodwill fulfills this mission by recycling donations into training, paychecks and careers. Additionally, as America’s original recycler, environmental sustainability has been central to Goodwill’s mission since its founding. To learn more, visit yourgoodwill.org.
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OLTL to Convene Call With CHC-MCO on August 23
During a recent Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) provider call, a number of issues and concerns were raised specific to AmeriHealth Caritas/Keystone to the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) staff. OLTL decided to schedule a call with staff from AmeriHealth Caritas/Keystone and providers that utilize them as their Community HealthChoices (CHC) Managed Care Organization (MCO). Some of the topics to be discussed include the CHC-MCO scorecard, timeliness and length of time for authorizations, terminations, and issues about HHA.
The call is scheduled for August 23, 2023, from 9:00 am – 10:00 am. To join in this discussion, the call information is provided below:
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join on your computer, mobile app or room device
Visit here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 250 176 587 490
Passcode: GJwBmd
Download Teams | Join on the web
Or Call In (Audio Only)
+1 267-332-8737,,463224577# United States, Philadelphia
Phone Conference ID: 463 224 577#
Find a local number | Reset PIN
MedPAC Publishes 2023 Data Book Focusing on Health Care Spending
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) has published the 2023 Data Book Health Care Spending and the Medicare Program, which provides information on national health care and Medicare spending as well as Medicare beneficiary demographics, dual-eligible beneficiaries, quality of care in the Medicare program, and Medicare beneficiary and other payer liability. It also examines provider settings — such as hospitals and post-acute care — and presents data on Medicare spending and beneficiaries’ access to care in the setting (measured by the number of beneficiaries using the service, number of providers, volume of services, length of stay, or through direct surveys). Specifically of interest is information on dual-eligible beneficiaries, including individuals with disabilities, and information on alternative payment models.
Save on RCPA Conference Registration Fees With Early Bird Rates
Summer is flying by, and so, too, is the opportunity for early bird registration rates for the 2023 RCPA Annual Conference A Decade of Unity! Early bird rates end Friday, September 8, so be sure to register today and claim your seat, your hotel room, and your discount! View the full brochure for details as well as information on our roster of workshops, keynote speakers, and plenary sessions. You’ll be able to earn CEs from workshops such as:
- Getting Past the First Meeting to the Contract Negotiation
- Learn how to present a solution in health and human services to health plan payors based on what the payor needs and looks for.
- Bridging Generational Differences in the Workplace
- Explore the generational diversity in your workforce and how to leverage each generation’s strengths to your competitive advantage.
- Transforming Organizational Wellness and Self-Advocacy Through an Evidenced-Based Practice: Improving the Lives of Employees and Individuals in Our Care
- Identify the benefits of and methods for implementing a wellness program to improve employee wellness and support consumers and families served in MH/IDA.
- Revealing the Potential of Smart Home Technologies for People With Disabilities Through Research and Resources
- Examine smart home technologies, their uses for people with disabilities, and the expanding field of research and resources for the tech.
- Our HAIR (Health Access Initiative for Recovery): Making a Difference With Health Equity
- Listen to an in-depth overview of Community Care’s “Our HAIR” program, which was developed as a targeted intervention to address racial disparities in access to behavioral health care.
- Implementing and Sustaining Evidence-Based Practices
- Develop evidence-based practices for childhood trauma via CenClear’s Healing After Trauma program.
- Selective Contracting or Managed Care: Either One Will Change Your World
- Learn about the impact selective contracting and managed long-term services & supports will have on the IDD community.
- Findings on Stakeholder Engagement for the PA Master Plan for Older Adults
- Discuss what the Master Plan is intended to accomplish and learn of preliminary findings from the stakeholder engagement process.
Register today!
In addition to an impressive roster of speakers, our 2023 Conference will have an exciting array of sponsors and exhibitors. We thank those who have signed on thus far! If you are interested in sponsoring or exhibiting, visit here for more details or contact Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinator, with any questions you may have. Keep up-to-date and register today for #rcpaconf!
PDA Releases Dates for Virtual Listening Sessions on Master Plan for Older Adults
The Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA) has announced that they will host four virtual listening sessions to present an overview of the Master Plan for Older Adults, with a concentration on the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) 8 Domains of Livability for Age-Friendly Communities. The dates and times for the virtual listening sessions are:
- August 8, 2023, from 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm;
- August 17, 2023, from 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm;
- August 22, 2023, from 10:00 am – 11:30 am; and
- August 25, 2023, from 8:30 am – 10:00 am.
To participate in a listening session, registration is required. Visit here to register.
The 52 Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) will also host in-person listening sessions, where the public can learn about the plan and submit input. Visit here to find a listening session by county.
Visit the PDA website for additional information on the plan. Individuals who would like to submit input on the plan can email, provide feedback through an online form, or mail the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, c/o Master Plan, 555 Walnut St., 5th Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17101.
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