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Table of Contents:

• IARF Advances Recommendations on CDS: Retainer Payment Extensions – Virtual Services 
• DSP Magnet Online Workshop for IARF Members in August 
• Horton Group Webinar to Discuss Recent Changes to IL Workers’ Comp Law Next Week 
• DHS-OIG to Restart Compliance Reviews 
• IARF/IABH 2020 Joint Conference Postponed – Separate Virtual Events to Occur at Later Dates 
• Fourth COVID-19 Relief Package Negotiations Begin – Leader McConnell Announces Republican Proposal 
• IARF Hosts Town Hall with Congressman Bill Foster 
• Association Briefs Senator Durbin’s Office on COVID-19 Relief Priorities 
• Mobile Crisis Response (MCR) Procedure Code S9484 Claim Adjustments Extension 
• Federal Provider Relief Fund Updates 
• ICDD Wants to Hear from You - 5-year State Plan Survey 
• Vote Yes for Fair Tax Organizational Sign-On, Round Table July 30th 
• Are You Interested in Serving as an Integrated Health Home? 
• DDD Provider Self-Assessment – Update 
• DHS Virtual Commemoration of ADA 30th Anniversary 
• Adult Protective Services Announces "Engage2Change" Campaign
• Hospitalized People with I/DD Need their Caregivers: They Aren’t Visitors – Webinar 
• NACDD Recommendations on Medicaid Emergency Waivers in the States 
• Gov. Pritzker and Sec. Hou Highlight the IDHS Summer Youth Employment Program and Illinois' 2020 Census Efforts 
• Gov. Pritzker Announces Notice of Funding Opportunity for Community Organizations to Expand COVID-19 Contact Tracing Efforts 
• HFS Advisory Committee meeting 8/7/2020 

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IARF ADVANCES RECOMMENDATIONS ON CDS: RETAINER PAYMENT EXTENSIONS – VIRTUAL SERVICES
Members and staff at the Association have spent a significant amount of time reviewing the information and guidance the Division has published on Community Day Services (CDS) reinvention. As a result, IARF has compiled member feedback and advanced a set of recommendations on CDS retainer payment extension and virtual services.  The following recommendations were formally communicated to the Division for their consideration:

• CDS providers serving residents from ICFDD settings receive 75% of existing retainer payments from September 1, 2020 – December 31, 2020;
• CDS providers serving residents from CILA and/or in home-based services receive 75% of existing retainer payments for individuals not attending services from September 1, 2020 – December 31, 2020; and
• The Division take steps so that CDS providers can offer virtual services to individuals in residential settings and in home-based services, while ensuring no ‘double billing. (Contact: Beth Owens)

DSP MAGNET ONLINE WORKSHOP FOR IARF MEMBERS IN AUGUST
On August 25^th and 26^th IARF is hosting a members-only workshop, DSP Magnet Online Workshop. This two-part, interactive workshop delivers immediate help with recruitment, retention, and culture. During the workshop, attendees will get:

• Simple tools to take back to their organizations to quick take action on what they’ve learned.
• Clear next steps on how to rewrite their DSP job post so they can attract more applicants.
• A map of the first few days on the job through the new employee’s eyes. Attendees will have clear and simple next steps to improve the experience for new employees.

This workshop is provided free of charge for IARF Members and login is required for registration. Click here to learn more and register! (Contact: Maggie Henley)

HORTON GROUP WEBINAR TO DISCUSS RECENT CHANGES TO IL WORKERS’ COMP LAW NEXT WEEK
Join The Horton Group and Amelia Schwingle, Partner at Brady, Connolly & Masuda, P.C., for a webinar on July 30^th to discuss HB 2455 being signed into law and what that means for you. This webinar will cover recent changes to Illinois Worker's Compensation law as a result of HB 2455/P.A. 101-0633.
 
During this webinar, Amelia will go over:

• New changes to the Occupational Disease Act under HB 2455
• How to avoid potential COVID-19 claims
• How to address any claims that arise under the Act changes

Re-Opening Under the COVID-19 Presumption Webinar
July 30, 2020 - 10:00 am - 11:00 am
REGISTER HERE (Contact: Maggie Henley)

DHS-OIG TO RESTART COMPLIANCE REVIEWS
DHS-OIG Director Neumer reached out to IARF this morning and asked that we inform the field that the Office will begin compliance reviews as required by law.  You will note the Office temporarily paused these reviews in April due to the unprecedented strain placed on organizations in responding to COVID-19. 

As we get additional details on this we will share with members.  Please contact me directly if you have any questions at this time. (Contact: Josh Evans)

IARF/IABH 2020 JOINT CONFERENCE POSTPONED – SEPARATE VIRTUAL EVENTS TO OCCUR AT LATER DATES
While it was our hope to execute a joint IARF/IABH 2020 Virtual Conference in early September, the ongoing pandemic, and the necessity to focus efforts these last several weeks on critical member needs necessitated a reconsideration of the scope and timeframe of the 2020 event. 
 
Wednesday, the IARF Board of Directors unanimously approved two motions related to the 2020 event – de-coupling the joint conference for 2020 and rescheduling an IARF-only conference at a later date this calendar year.  It is our aim to communicate with IABH to try and ensure no overlap of event dates as we expect they will plan an exceptional virtual event this year as well.  We look forward to announcing details on the rescheduled 2020 conference soon! (Contact: Josh Evans)

FOURTH COVID-19 RELIEF PACKAGE NEGOTIATIONS BEING – LEADER MCCONNELL ANNOUNCES REPUBLICAN PROPOSAL
Late Wednesday we received word that Senate Majority Leader McConnell and White House negotiators reached agreement on a $1 trillion COVID-19 relief package – which may already be on the rocks.  According to intel from our national member association ANCOR, the Senate concept outlined the following in the Labor/HHS space:

• $25 billion for testing
• $26 billion for vaccine research, distribution, and use
• $1.3 billion for workplace training on social distancing
• $15.5 billion – NIH labs/research
• $25 billion for the hospital/provider fund (bringing the total to $200 billion)
• $4.5 billion to SAMSA for mental health, suicide prevention, and overdose response programs
• $7.6 billion for Community Health Centers
• $15 billion for child care
• $105 billion for Education – including $5 billion to the Governor’s funds (which is flexible for K-12 or higher ed);
• $29 billion to higher ed;
• $70 billion for K-12.

It is believed stimulus payments would continue, but the scope was not announced.  Furthermore, some extension of unemployment benefits was agreed – but similar to above – not announced.
 
Streamlined loan forgiveness for PPP loans under $150,000 is also included in this package – as well as use of funds expanded to certain supplier costs, operating expenses, and damage caused by recent protests on social justice. It is believed a new working capital loan offered for businesses under 300 workers that is an alternative to a second round of PPP.
 
Finally, there are provisions on liability reform as well, notably exclusive federal cause of action that applies to litigation against any business, non-profit, school, medical provider, or medical professions arising from COVID.
 
It is important to note that this concept may not be 100% agreed by Senate Republicans and the White House.  We also want to reiterate that this would represent a starting point to negotiate elements of this bill with the HEROES Act, which passed nearly two months ago. 
 
We continue to encourage outreach to Congress to ensure provisions of the HEROES Act investing in I/DD services and supports and emergency appropriations for BH services are included in a final package. (Contact: Josh Evans)

IARF HOSTS TOWN HALL WITH CONGRESSMAN BILL FOSTER
In the first of what we hope are several similar events over the next few weeks, the Association was pleased to host a town hall with Congressman Bill Foster yesterday to discuss pressures facing service providers in the pandemic and ways his office could assist.
 
Leadership with AID, Cornerstone Services, Ray Graham Association, and Trinity Services joined IARF and ANCOR staff to discuss elements of the HEROES Act passed earlier by the House – with the Congressman’s support – as well as issues providers face with the payment relief portals.  In addition, we took time to discuss how federal CMS should provide more flexibility for states in retainer payments and bed hold policies. 
 
We thank Congressman Foster and his staff for joining us yesterday! (Contact: Luis Andrade)

ASSOCIATION BRIEFS SENATOR DURBIN’S OFFICE ON COVID-19 RELIEF PRIORITIES
On Wednesday, IARF and ANCOR met with Senator Dick Durbin’s office to discuss the status of U.S. Senate negotiations on the fourth COVID-19 relief package.  The intent of this briefing was to support IARF member efforts in reaching out to the Washington, D.C. offices of Senators Durbin and Duckworth. 
 
Both IARF and ANCOR focused on our support for preserving elements of the HEROES Act calling for investment in I/DD services in supports in a final negotiated package.  While noting Leader McConnell’s office was leading production of a bill Republicans could support, it was understood that bicameral negotiations would include a compromise.  Association staff were encouraged to hear that appropriations and support for safety net services such as I/DD and BH services and supports were among the top four priorities of the Senator’s office as negotiations begin. 
 
We thank the Senator’s office and his team for the briefing, and we thank members that have actively communicated these priorities to date. Keep it up! (Contact: Luis Andrade)
 
MOBILE CRISIS RESPONSE (MCR) PROCEDUE CODE S9484 CLAIM ADJUSTMENTS EXTENSION
This notice extends the timeframe for providers to resubmit claims via MEDI or 837P electronic transactions for procedure code S9484. This notice does not pertain to claim submissions to HealthChoice Illinois managed care plans.

By informational notice dated January 22, 2020, the Department informed providers that they could submit replacement claims via MEDI or 837P electronic transactions for procedure code S9484 retroactive to dates of service beginning August 1, 2018, if their claims for S9484 had not paid at the accurate rate. The timely filing limit has now been extended through October 1, 2020.

Providers are reminded that they have 12 months from the original paid voucher date to submit a replacement claim with Claim Frequency Digit “7”. Due to the age of the affected claims, this option may not be available. In that case, providers must submit a void for the original claim using Claim Frequency Digit “8”, and then submit a new claim with Claim Frequency Digit “1” once the voided claim has processed.

Questions regarding this notice may be directed to a community mental health billing consultant in the Bureau of Professional and Ancillary services at 877-782-5565, option sequence 1, 2, 4, then 8. (Contact: Dan Frey)

FEDERAL PROVIDER RELIEF FUND UPDATES
Medicaid & CHIP Portal Extension
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), announced that it will begin distributing $10 billion in a second round of high impact COVID-19 area funding to hospitals starting next week.   Additionally, HHS announced that it is extending the Medicaid and CHIP Provider Relief Fund distribution provider application deadline to apply to August 3, 2020.
 
In June, HHS announced the opening of the application period and plans to distribute approximately $15 billion to eligible providers that participate in state Medicaid and CHIP programs who had not yet received a payment from the $50 billion General Distribution. Since the announcement on June 9, HHS has hosted a number of webinars targeted at providers and provider organizations to answer questions and assist those eligible through the application process. A fact sheet - PDF explaining the application process has also been created to address frequently asked questions.  You can view the full announcement here.
 
Webinar on Medicaid & CHIP Portal Payment Application Process
HHS also, through the Provider Relief Fund (PRF), is distributing $15 billion to eligible Medicaid, CHIP, and dental providers.  If you are a provider who is interested in learning about the application process for the PRF, please register and join the webcast on July 27^th.  Please feel free to share the webcast information with other providers that would be interested in participating as well.
Presenting:  Getting started with the Provider Relief Fund for Medicaid, CHIP, and dental providers
Date: July 27th, 2020
Time: 3-4 p.m. ET
Registration Link: https://webex.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1348276&tp_key=fa54a9fb41
 
Post-Payment Notice on Reporting
The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a notice for Provider Relief Fund (PRF) recipients that received one or more payments exceeding $10,000 in the aggregate from the PRF of the timing of future reporting requirements. Detailed instructions regarding these reports will be released by August 17, 2020.
 
The reporting system will become available to recipients for reporting on October 1, 2020.  You can read the full notice by clicking here. (Contact: Dan Frey)

ICDD WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU – 5-YEAR STATE PLAN SURVEY
The Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities (ICDD) is looking closely at Illinois and the needs of every person with a developmental disability to be able to live a healthy and happy life in their community. The Council’s activities and funding opportunities are guided by their current 5-Year State Plan (YSP).  ICDD is looking ahead to what should be in their next 5-YSP which begins in the fall of 2021. Therefore, ICDD invites you to share your thoughts by taking this Short Survey (5 minutes). (Contact: Luis Andrade)

VOTE YES FOR FAIR TAX ORGANIZATIONAL SIGN-ON, ROUND TABLE JULY 30TH
As you all know, IARF last December unanimously passed a resolution to support the Illinois Fair Tax initiative.  As a part of that initiative, IARF has been participating in the Vote Yes for Fair Tax and Vote Yes for Fairness committees.
 
Vote Yes for Fair Tax has requested that organizations who support the passage of the Fair Tax constitutional amendment in November sign on to formally list their support.  You can do so by clicking here.   
COVID has shown a spotlight on the gaps in funding in our healthcare system, making the conversation around passing the fair tax in Illinois necessary and urgent. Join healthcare leaders from all over Illinois to talk about how the fair tax will impact healthcare funding.  Click here to register. (Contact: Dan Frey)

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN SERVING AS AN INTEGRATED HEALTH HOME?
With the launch of the Integrated Health Home (IHH) now pushed back to January 1, 2021, there are ways to begin the process of becoming an IHH ahead of more specific information or criteria becoming available.  If you are interested in serving as an IHH, please let the Illinois Association of Medicaid Health Plans (IAMHP) know and they will send that information on to the Medicaid health plans.
 
Complete the IHH Submission Form and IAMHP will send at least a weekly report to the plans with your information. (Contact: Dan Frey)

DDD PROVIDER SELF- ASSESSMENT - UPDATE
The email address for BQM on the Illinois Provider Preparedness Self-Assessment is incorrect. Please send the completed tool to DHS.BQM@illinois.gov. The Provider Preparedness Assessment Tool must be completed prior to the reopening of your CDS program.  BQM will maintain the provider's tool on record with the Division. Provider submitted tools will not be "approved" by BQM and may consider the process complete upon submission of the tool. BQM will retain the submitted tool, which may be reviewed in instances of an outbreak of COVID-19 to ensure appropriate policies and procedures were both established and followed. The provider should retain a copy for their records. (Contact: Beth Owens)
 
DHS VIRTUAL COMMEMORATION OF ADA 30^th ANNIVERSARY
July 26th marks the 30th Anniversary of the American with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) being signed into law. It ensured that all people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else and prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public.

IDHS will be holding a Virtual Commemoration on July 30th from 9am to 1pm with a phenomenal line-up of speakers including Governor Pritzker. For more information on the speakers and the link to join can he found HERE. (Contact: Beth Owens)
 
ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES ANNOUNCES "ENGAGE2CHANGE" CAMPAIGN
The Illinois Department on Aging is responsible for administering Adult Protective Services (APS) in the state of Illinois.  They conduct investigations of cases of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation of adults age 18-59 with disabilities in the community and adults age 60 or older. APS just released a new campaign: Engage2Change. This campaign promotes justice, equity and the ability to participate, contribute and thrive in communities for all. You can find more information on the APS campaign HERE. (Contact: Beth Owens)

HOSPITALIZED PEOPLE WITH I/DD NEED THEIR CAREGIVERS: THEY AREN’T VISITORS – WEBINAR
On July 28, 2020 at 1 PM Sarah H. Ailey, PhD, APHN, Professor, Rush University will present the webinar: Hospitalized People with I/DD Need their Caregivers: They Aren’t Visitors. This presentation will provide an overview on the need to implement hospital visitation policies for people with I/DD. Best practices policies that advocate for the rights of people with I/DD to have a caregiver with them while hospitalized to help make decisions and provide reassurance and calmness is a matter of life and death. Implementation of strategies that support healing for people with I/DD if caregivers cannot be present will also be discussed. More information and registration can be found HERE. (Contact: Beth Owens)
 
NACDD RECOMMENDATIONS ON MEDICAID EMERGENCY WAIVERS IN THE STATES
National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD), has shared recommendations that were sent to the Federal Centers for Medicaid and Medicare they believe would ensure provisions of 1115 and 1915 (c) Appendix K waivers that were established or changed to meet the needs of people with Intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic, are not lost when the federal emergency declaration ends emergency waivers granted during the COVID-19 crisis unwind. The full letter to CMS can be found HERE. (Contact: Beth Owens)

GOV. PRITZKER AND SEC. HOU HIGHLIGHT THE DHS SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM AND IL 2020 CENSUS EFFORTS:
“Dear Partners,
 
I am pleased to share that over the past week, Governor Pritzker joined me, local leaders and partners in Rockford, Waukegan, Urbana and East St. Louis to highlight the success of the IDHS Summer Youth Employment Program (C-SYEP). We also highlighted the successful and ongoing efforts regarding the 2020 U.S. Census, to ensure that everyone in Illinois is counted.
 
The C-SYEP program will employ 2,400 young adults statewide through August 2020, helping them train for and find work amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The State has dedicated $9.3 million to support this important initiative…”
 
To read the rest of the article click HERE. (Contact: Luis Andrade)

GOV. PRITZKER ANNOUNCES NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION TO EXPAND COVID-19 CONTACT TRACING EFFORTS
57 Local Health Departments to Receive $50 Million to Hire Additional Contact Tracers, 1,600 Tracers Now Online
 
CHICAGO – As the state continues to build out a robust COVID-19 testing and tracing infrastructure, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for public health organizations to assist with contact tracing efforts.
Through the NOFO, IDPH will award a grant to one organization in each of the nine regions outlined in Governor Pritzker’s COVID-19 resurgence mitigation plan, with Cook County and Chicago standing up their own contact tracing programs with community organizations. Each of these nine organizations will serve as coordinators in their region, awarding sub-grants to community-based organizations in their region who can most effectively conduct tracing, education and outreach in their communities. 
 
The NOFO will be available on the IDPH website as early as Friday, July 24, 2020. (Contact: Luis Andrade)

HFS MEDICAID ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING 8/7/2020
The Illinois Department of Healtcare and Family Services has posted the agenda for the August 7, 2020 Medicaid Advisory Committee Meeting. The full agenda and instructions for participate can be found here. (Contact: Luis Andrade)