The "What's Happening" page is designed to keep us all up to date as to what's going on in the DD world. We'll do our best to provide accurate, unbiased information. It's often important, however, to provide some analysis of what the facts mean, and that results in editorial comment. When we're commenting instead of reporting, the passage will be labeled as "Editorial Comment" and displayed in green. It's our opinion and you should read it as just that.
AWA To Host a Provider Workshop to Address New Waiver Implementation Issues
Frequently Asked Questions for New Waiver
More Waiver Forms Now Available
Waiver to be Implemented March 1, 2010
Waiver Providers Discuss Companionship Exception
AWA Conference Another Sell Out
AWA To Host a Provider Workshop to Address New Waiver Implementation Issues
AWA is on the way to help with the waiver renewal!
If you are struggling with the new rules and regs and want to hear how others are going to handle it, join us Monday March 15th, 2010, at 10am at the Agora Center in Conway for a providers' brainstorming and sharing session. Judy Routon and Terrell Wade will be in attendance to answer questions, and other providers will be there to share what they are doing. Come for the day and save yourself hours of time and loads of headaches by sharing with others! If you have areas you want on the agenda, please email to the AWA list serve at AR-AWA@Yahoogroups.com (list members only) or cindy.alberding@icm-inc.org or arnold.hurst@comcast.net and we will get them on the agenda for discussion. Bring your questions and your ideas! A $15 donation will be requested to cover the cost of the meeting room and lunch will be provided. Checks payable to AWA.
DIRECTIONS
Agora Conference Center
705 E Siebenmorgen Rd
Conway, AR 72032
501-327-3377
From I-40 take exit 127 to US-64 East (same as E Oak St)
Turn left at N Museum Rd 0.5 mi
Turn left at E Siebenmorgen Rd
Destination will be on the left 0.2 mi
Frequently Asked Questions for New Waiver
DDS has provided an FAQ for the new waiver implementation. Click Here for a copy.
More Waiver Forms Now Available
Additional waiver forms made available by DDS on Feb 11, 2010:
ACS 112 Consent to Act As Authorized Representative
Revised Waiver Implementation To Be Mar 1, 2010
In a Feb 4, 2010 email, DDS advises:
"The promulgation has been completed for implementation of the ACS Waiver renewal with an effective date of March 1, 2010.
The waiver renewal is currently posted on the DDS website. The DDS website is http://www.state.ar.us/dhs/ddds . Click on waiver services for access to waiver documents.
DDS is in the process of posting a copy of the following documents on the DDS website and will notify you through email when they are available on the DDS website.
1) Waiver Training – PowerPoint’s that will be covered in training sessions
a) ACS Waiver Renewal Training PowerPoint
b) ACS Waiver Renewal Form Changes
2) Waiver Forms - All forms have been changed to add number and effective date. The following forms have changes to content and are attached to this email for use in development of new plans or revisions:
a) DDS ACS 108 ACS Waiver Person Centered Service Plan and Continued Stay Review Narrative Form
b) DDS ACS 109 Risk Assessment
c) DDS ACS 110 Pro-Rated Supportive Living Staff Worksheet
d) DDS ACS 703 Person Centered Service Plan
3) FY 2010 ACS Waiver Maximum Rates Effective March 1, 2010
The revised Waiver Renewal forms must be used for all plans of care submitted March 1, 2010 and after. Please note that the DDS ACS 109 Risk Assessment must be submitted with all new plans and continued stay reviews.
EDS is in the process of making the necessary updates to allow for the changes made in the waiver renewal. All the changes will be effective March 1, 2010. The changes being made by EDS include the following:
1) *Stop transportation as a billable service for dates of service March 1, 2010 forward.
2) *Stop community experiences as a billable service for dates of service March 1, 2010 forward.
3) Add transitional case management as an allowable service for dates of service March 1, 2010 forward.
4) Add community transition services as an allowable service for dates of service March 1, 2010 forward.
5) Change audits on services effective March 1, 2010 to the new maximums in the waiver renewal.
* The provider choice list will be revised to delete community experience and transportation effective March 1, 2010.
DMS is in the process of posting the promulgated DDS ACS Waiver Provider Manual to their website. The DMS website is https://www.medicaid.state.ar.us/ click on provider manuals then click on DDS Alternative Community Services (ACS) Waiver.
DMS is in the process of updating the Level III file to show the revised maximum rates for dates of service March 1, 2010 forward.
Please note that no plan of care will automatically be bumped up to the new rates. Based on all the problems with the unbundling, waiver plan and prior authorization adjustments will not be made without a plan revision. As continued stay reviews or revisions are done, the new rates can be requested.
For the services with fixed rates (case management, supported employment, consultation, and crisis intervention) you can bill for the new rates for any services March 1, 2010 forward. You will be required to do a revision to add dollars to your plans. You can either request to modify the existing prior authorization or request a new prior authorization.
If you have a plan with community experience or transportation, please note that you will need to add them to supportive living service billing for dates of service March 1, 2010 forward. Community experience and transportation will be stopped as a payable service for any services provided after February 28, 2010. Please note that if you have an approved plan with community experience or transportation you will have to submit a revision to request additional money to be added to supportive living or your prior authorization will run out of money before the end of the plan year. As you do the revision you can either request to modify the existing prior authorization or request a new prior authorization. The increase in transportation cannot be billed without a revision to add additional money to the approved plan.
It is each provider’s option whether to submit revisions for the rate increases. You have the option to not submit a revision and forego the approved increases until the individual’s next continued stay review. However, if you later want to recoup the difference, you will have to submit a revision with justification, do adjusted billing, have EDS staff adjust your prior authorization paid amount (used), and then resubmit billing according to the Division of Medical Services guidelines. Note that DDS will not certify paper claims for billing issues related to this. All revisions must be done within the plan year.
DDS will cover this information in more detail during the training sessions that have been scheduled.
If you have questions regarding waiver renewal implementation, please email question to judy.routon@arkansas.gov. This will give us an opportunity to compile a list of questions and answers related to the waiver renewal implementation and share with providers and DDS Waiver staff.
Please make sure your staff are aware of these changes.
Thank you in advance for your help and cooperation.
Judy Routon
DDS ACS Waiver Policy Administrator"
New Forms:
ACS Waiver Person Centered Plan
ACS 110 Pro-Rated Staff Worksheet
FY2010 Maximum Rates (Updated Feb 17, 2010)
ACS 108 Person Centered Plan CSR
DDS has provided a document outlining the major changes to the approved waiver revision. Download a copy by Clicking Here.
CMS has approved the waiver renewal submitted by Arkansas. The state is targeting Jan 1, 2010 for implementation. You can get a copy of the new waiver from the DDS web site.
http://www.arkansas.gov/dhs/ddds/NewWebsite/Html/Adult%20and%20Waiver%20Svcs.html
Waiver Providers Discuss Companionship Exception
Waiver providers met Friday, Sept 18 to discuss the Department of Labor investigation of Arkansas waiver providers use of the Companionship Exception to paying minimum wage and overtime. As promised at the meeting, here are the handouts and/or links:
Long Island Supreme Court Decision
DOL Response to Case Manager Inq
AWA Conference Another Sell Out
If you missed the 2009 AWA Conference, you missed a good one.
--Congratulations to Felecia Peel, the winner of the Kellie Jennings Memorial Award for Outstanding DSP of the Year
--Several questions were asked of DDS, who graciously agreed to post the responses on our web page. Questions and answers are available below.
DDS Response to Questions at Conference
--Conference Handouts/Presentations for selected topics are available below:
The PAM Process(Power Point Presentation)
Medicaid Adult Dental Care Program (A new benefit to be effective August 1, 2009)
Criminal Record Check Consolidation (Act 762 of 2009)
Act 433 of 2009)
The Consumer Directed Care Act was passed in 2005. This act allows paid staff, such as a waiver worker, to perform many tasks that previously required a nurse when certain conditions are met. Some of the tasks that can now be performed by paid staff are suctioning, enteral feeding and giving oral meds. Injectiions and IVs still require a nurse. AWA has prepared a fact sheet that outlines the changes. Click Here to get a copy of the fact sheet.
EDITORIAL COMMENT: Paid staff can now do all the things you used to allow the baby sitter or next door neighbor to do. It is a great step forward and will allow many to continue to live in the community without having a nurse constantly in attendance.
AWA has established a list serve to provide yet another avenue for families, persons with a developmental disability, advocates and professionals to exchange information and keep up with what's happening in our world. To subscribe, send an email to AR-AWA-subscribe@yahoogroups.com . (10-04)
EDITORIAL COMMENT: Try it, you'll like it.