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June 5, 2020



Table of Contents:
  • DHS-DDD FY21 Budget: Seeking Legislative Assistance to Retain Crucial Flexibility in Providing Social Safety Net Services
  • Behavioral Health COVID Relief Rate Increase Announced
  • DMH Holding May Grant Payments Until PPP Survey Completed
  • Congress Sends PPP Changes to the President
  • Key Congressional Committee Chairs Call on HHS to Release CARES Act Medicaid Funding
  • Call for Proposals Ends Today for IARF/IABH Virtual Conference
  • CMS Issues Guidance Related to Medicaid Enrollment and Coverage for COVID-19 Testing
  • DDD Communication – 5.29.2020
  • IDPH Guidance for ICF/DD & CILA Providers
  • SELN Employment Survey
  • Illinois Opens Community Based Testing Sites for All
  • IDHS PPE Request Form
  • National Louis University Announces Online Masters Program
  • Stimulus Payments & Illinois ABLE Webinar
  • IARF Webinar: WC-102: Communication & Restricted Duty

DHS-DDD FY21 BUDGET: SEEKING LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANCE TO RETAIN CRUCIAL FLEXIBILITY IN PROVIDING SOCIAL SAFETY NET SERVICES
As we reported to members, the FY21 budget for the Department of Human Services Division of Developmental Disabilities (DHS-DDD) includes increases in wage rate components of $1.00/hr effective July 1, 2020, and $0.50/hr effective January 1, 2021 (subject to federal CMS approval).  Our review of the budget implementation language is that providers would retain flexibility in using these funds to address cost pressures in providing services, including higher minimum wages, workforce, etc. - consistent with the outline of Governor Pritzker’s introduced budget.  However, we are aware that some groups believe the language calls for a direct pass through - which is not stated in the budget or the BIMP.
 
To seek clarity and assistance, the Association has reached out to the General Assembly to contact the Department to affirm flexibility in utilization of these rate adjustments to meet the needs of the individuals and families you serve.  We look forward to providing additional details soon on the status of budget implementation. (Contact: Luis Andrade)

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COVID RELIEF RATE INCREASE ANNOUNCED
HFS has officially released a provider notice detailing the COVID-19 relief package for behavioral health providers that I shared with you last week.  Please see below for that notice:
 
This notice informs community mental health centers (CMHCs), behavioral health clinics (BHCs), and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) providers of rate increases prompted by the COVID-19 public health emergency. The rate increases apply to claims only for participants covered under a HealthChoice Illinois managed care plan.

Maximum rates for the codes identified in the attached tables will be increased 20% for service dates March 9 through June 30, 2020. For providers who have already billed at a usual and customary rate that is above the revised Medicaid rate, the plans will reprocess claims at the higher rate automatically. 
Providers that did not bill at a usual and customary rate above the revised Medicaid rate will need to submit a corrected claim at a usual and customary rate that is above the revised rate, in order to receive this rate increase.

The IAMHP Comprehensive Billing Guide contains instructions regarding corrected claim submission. Questions regarding this notice should be directed to the appropriate managed care plan.
 
You can view the rate document by clicking here. (Contact Dan Frey)

DMH HOLDING MAY GRANT PAYMENTS UNTIL PPP SURVEY COMPLETED
This week DMH sent out this communication alert to all DMH funded Community Mental Health Centers requesting they complete a final survey for May related to the Payroll Protection Program.  IDHS is focused on the commitment to keep providers whole during these difficult times, but it was asked that our providers apply for the Federal PPP program to ensure we are maximizing Federal funds.  The purpose of this is to keep State funds available for the continuing challenges of COVID-19.  The Federal program was excepting applications up to May 31, 2020 so there was no way to get a true picture of which providers and programs had been funded under the Federal funds and which would require IDHS payments to ensure providers could keep the safety net intact.
 
DMH  has started processing May payments for all CMHC’s which are either not eligible for PPP or had applied and been denied.  The second round of processing will be for providers who have been approved for PPP or do not have a determination on their loan yet.  DMH will be calling each provider by phone and inquiring about their PPP loan status and which programs these funds where applied. IARF continues to monitor the situation and will be providing updates as they become available. (Contact Dan Frey)

CONGRESS SENDS PPP CHANGES TO THE PRESIDENT
Earlier this week the Senate passed changes authored in the House to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which is expected to be signed by the President.  The significant changes to the program include:

  • Extends 8-week period to use loan proceeds to 24 weeks;
  • Requires 60% of loan proceeds to be spent on payroll costs, 40% on other costs, rather than 75%/25%;
  • Extends loan maturity date to five years, rather than two years;
  • Extends employee rehiring date to December 31, 2020;
  • Borrowers can take advantage of delayed employer payroll taxes even if they are seeking forgiveness;

We’ve engaged in initial outreach to DHS to ascertain how these legislated changes will change the PPP policy it has in place regarding retainer payments, and to request an update to its FAQ page.  In addition, we will seek out educational opportunities with our Supporting Members to provide to our members. (Contact: Josh Evans)

KEY CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE CHAIRS CALL ON HHS TO RELEASE CARES ACT MEDICAID FUNDING
Earlier this week the Chairs and Ranking Members of the Senate Finance and House Energy and Commerce Committees authored a letter to HHS Secretary Azar calling on his office to move on releasing CARES Act funding for Medicaid providers.  Key questions asked in this letter include:

  1. What is HHS’s timeline to release a dedicated tranche of funds for Medicaid-dependent providers?
  • How does HHS plan to release such funds to Medicaid-dependent providers? 
  • What level of funding does HHS plan to dedicate to Medicaid-dependent providers to ensure a meaningful and equitable distribution?
  • What factors contributed to HHS waiting until May 1 to request Medicaid-dependent provider information from states? 
  • What factors have contributed to the delays in disbursing funds to Medicaid-dependent providers and how has HHS been working to resolve them as expeditiously as possible to ensure the timely release of funds?

It is highly unusual for a letter such as this to be issued, yet speaks to the urgency Medicaid providers are feeling at this time and the support in Congress for HHS to finally move to get funds out the door. We thank ANCOR for being a principal motivator in getting this letter finalized and sent! (Contact: Josh Evans)

CALL FOR PROPOSALS ENDS TODAY FOR IARF/IABH VIRTUAL CONFERENCE
The Call for Proposals for the 2020 IARF and IABH Virtual Conference ends today! The Conference will host a range of professionals and paraprofessionals providing prevention, treatment and recovery services for adults and children with intellectual/developmental disabilities, mental health and substance use disorders. Proposals related to all aspects of human service including management, policy, human resources and more are welcomed. Click here to view the full call for proposals.
 
If you would like to submit a proposal, please click here to access the submission form. Proposals must be submitted by no later than COB June 5th. (Contact: Maggie Henley)

CMS ISSUES GUIDANCE RELATED TO MEDICAID ENROLLMENT AND COVERAGE FOR COVID-19 TESTING
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released guidance to states supporting implementation of the Optional COVID-19 Testing (XXIII) Group­­­ established by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) for uninsured individuals for COVID-19 testing and testing-related services.  An important note: in Illinois, the “testing only” group will not be enrolled in managed care. (Contact Dan Frey)

DDD COMMUNICATION – 5.29.2020
Director Stark released a DDD Communication to the provider community late last week.  The communication addressed Communications from the Division, FY21 Budget, Restore Illinois Phase 3 Guidance, ACL Grant, PPP Guidance, and Bed Hold Extension Requests.  The Director did address a common question from providers regarding sheltered workshops and expressed that any workshops that receive funding for 31U or another waiver program billing code, should remain closed.  However, there were other areas that have been identified as safe to resume in conjunction with a move to phase 3 of the Restore Illinois plan.  The full communication from Director Stark can be found HERE.  (Contact: Beth Owens)

IDPH GUIDANCE FOR ICF/DD & CILA PROVIDERS
This week, Director Stark communicated with the provider community guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).  The guidance covers reporting positive cases of COVID-19, COVID-19 testing, local health departments, visitation guidance, and general guidance for small congregate facilities. The full communication includes many additional links to resources and can be found HERE. (Contact: Beth Owens)

SELN EMPLOYMENT SURVEY
SELN has developed an employment survey, specific to Illinois, for individuals with I/DD. This survey will provide the Division of Developmental Disabilities a snapshot of the impact of COVID-19 on individual’s employment status to inform and support planning and resources. This survey should be completed by providers about individuals who are, or were, employed in integrated employment, including individual competitive integrated jobs and group supported jobs. Providers can find the survey HERE and should be completed for all the individuals you support. (Contact: Beth Owens)

ILLINOIS OPENS COMMUNITY-BASED TESTING SITES TO ALL
Illinois has opened its community-based testing sites to anyone seeking to get tested, regardless of symptoms or other criteria, health officials announced Thursday. The state manages 11 such drive-thru sites, which will now test anyone at no cost, with no appointment, referral or insurance needed. Health officials recommended that anyone who has recently been part of a large gathering, including rallies or protests, get tested to identify cases early. (Contact: All Staff)

IDHS PPE REQUEST FORM
On Tuesday, IDHS announced that they were working in conjunction with IARF to distribute non-NIOSH approved surgical face coverings or masks to community-based provider organizations, free of charge, across the state of Illinois.
 
The Department of Public Health has issued clarification guidance on the use of these imported KN95 masks, which are not approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). In that guidance, IDPH recommends using these masks as crisis alternatives – with equal or greater effectiveness—to medical procedure or cloth masks.
 
Interested providers should complete the online request form, here. IARF will arrange for provider pick-up or will ship at the provider’s expense. Distribution will be based on the prioritizations of providers currently providing services followed by those set to reopen in the coming weeks and months. If a provider has services across multiple divisions, please submit one form for all PPE needs. (Contact: Maggie Henley)

NATIONAL LOUIS UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCES ONLINE MASTERS PROGRAM
National Louis University has announced that their Human Services Management │ Leadership Masters Program beginning this Fall will be offered in an online format.
 
NLU has been preparing students for success in serving the needs of others since 1886. NLU’s Master of Science in Human Services Management │ Leadership degree continues to carry out the legacy of community service by educating students toward bringing about community change.
 
Click here to learn more about the online program this fall or contact Debbie Enlow at denlow@nl.edu or 603-874-4053. (Contact: Maggie Henley)

STIMULUS PAYMENTS & ILLINOIS ABLE WEBINAR
Next week, Illinois ABLE in collaboration with Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities and The Arc of Illinois, and IARF is offering the Stimulus Payments & Illinois ABLE Webinar. Details and registration for the webinar are listed below.
 
Stimulus Payments & Illinois ABLE Webinar
June 10, 2020 │ 10:00 AM
Speakers:

  • JJ Hanley, Director, IL ABLE
  • John E. Marshall, Area Work Incentive Coordinator, SSA
  • Mariel R. Hamer, Associate Director of Program & Policy, IL Council on Developmental Disabilities

Description:
Build your financial wellness in these uncertain times. Learn about the economic stimulus payments and IL ABLE as a savings option.
 
The government is giving people a stimulus payment of $1,200 (some will get $500 more if they have a child they support; married people will get $2,400). People can spend it any way they want. The stimulus payment is meant to help our country’s struggling businesses and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you are already getting monthly Social Security benefits you will get the stimulus payment the same way. The stimulus payment must be used within 12 months or it will count as an asset to Social Security and could reduce you benefits.
 
REGISTER HERE 

IARF WEBINAR: WC-102 COMMUNICATION & RESTRICTED DUTY

On June 30th IARF will host our second webinar in the Workers’ Compensation Webinar Series with Lori Beers. In course 102, we will dig a bit deeper into working with modified duty restrictions. This section will include how to facilitate communication between you, the employee, and the doctor, regarding modified duty work. We’ll discuss how to track and monitor modified duty, to ensure employee safety and compliance.  Lastly, we’ll go over the rules regarding time away from work for injury related medical treatment.
 
 At the end of this course, attendees will:

  • Understand the rules for communicating with the doctor and injured employee with regards to work restrictions.
  • Understand how to track and monitor work restrictions.
  • Understand how to handle time away from work for injury related medical treatment.

Click here to learn more and register today. This webinar is free for IARF members and member login is required for registration. If you have any questions, please contact mhenley@iarf.org. (Contact: Maggie Henley)

 







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Josh Evans - President & CEO  - jevans@iarf.org
Beth Owens - Vice President for Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities Policy - bowens@iarf.org
Daniel M.O. Frey - Vice President for Behavioral Health Policy - dfrey@iarf.org  
Luis Andrade - Vice President of Health & Long-Term Care Policy - landrade@iarf.org
Maggie Henley - Director of Member Services - mhenley@iarf.org
(217) 801-9303













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