STATEWIDE PROVIDER MEETING NEXT WEEK
Next Tuesday, December 8th, IARF, The Arc, The Institute and The Center will host the next meeting in the bi-weekly series of statewide provider calls to continue the discussion with providers on topics of interest related to the delivery of day services to people in CILA, HBS, ICFDD and CDS-only settings
. All Illinois I/DD providers are welcome to attend.
Click here to register. (Contact: All staff)
PRIORITIZING PERSONS WITH I/DD AND SUPPORT STAFF FOR COVID-19 VACCINATIONS
As readers are aware, IARF joined with the Arc of Illinois, the Institute on Public Policy for People with Disabilities, and the Center for Developmental Disabilities Advocacy & Community Supports last week to author a letter to Department of Public Health Director Dr. Engozi requesting that persons with I/DD and support staff be included among the priority groups to receive the COVID-19 vaccine (a copy of the letter is in the column to your right).
We would strongly encourage readers that support this ask to take to social media ASAP to ask Governor Pritzker (https://twitter.com/GovPritzker) and DPH (https://twitter.com/IDPH) to prioritize persons with I/DD and support staff for receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
As states must finalize plans today, the timing of this ask is crucial! (Contact: Josh Evans)
BILLING DEVELOPMENTAL TRAINING SERVICES IN ICF/DD & MC/DD SETTINGS
HFS has released a notice that updates Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IID), and Medically Complex for the Developmentally Disabled Facilities (MC/DD) on requirements for billing Developmental Training services in Day Programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. This notice indicates that if residents are unable to attend offsite Day Programs due to COVID-19, providers will be allowed, on a temporary basis, to bill for Day Program services. (Contact: Beth Owens)
NEW CDC QUARANTINE GUIDANCE
The CDC has developed options that reduce the recommended number of days people must quarantine for after last exposure to COVID-19. A shorter quarantine period could lessen some staffing pressures for BH and I/DD providers throughout the state of Illinois, especially when new infections are rapidly rising. CDC continues to evaluate new information and updates recommendations as needed. See
Options to Reduce Quarantine for Contacts of Persons with SARS-CoV-2 Infection Using Symptom Monitoring and Diagnostic Testing for additional information and guidance on options to reduce quarantine. (Contact: Beth Owens)
MEDICAID FFS CHANGES TO MEDICAL EQUIPMENT & SUPPLY ORDERS
HFS has issued a bulletin that provides updated information related to the confirmation process of monthly orders for medical equipment and supplies. This policy pertains to participants covered under Medicaid fee-for-service and does not apply to participants enrolled in a HealthChoice Illinois managed care plan.
Since January 1, 2016, providers who dispense equipment or supplies, such as incontinence supplies, on a monthly basis have been required to confirm orders each month prior to dispensing. The confirmation must document the number of items needed as well as the name of the specific items needed for the subsequent month. Providers have been required to speak to a patient, family member, or caregiver to ensure only those items and quantities needed are shipped.
Effective January 1, 2021, confirmation of the order via a live caller will no longer be required. If the provider chooses to use an electronic verification system, it must allow the provider to document in the file the name of the person who confirmed the order, as well as the provider’s employee who confirmed the order and the date of the confirmation. All other requirements remain the same.
The
Handbook for Providers of Medical Equipment and Supplies, Topic M-205, has been revised and is available on the Department’s website. Questions regarding this bulletin may be directed to a medical assistance consultant in the Bureau of Professional and Ancillary Services at 877-782-5565.
Instructions for updating the Handbook for Providers of Medical Equipment and Supplies:
Topic M-205 Record Requirements
Remove page HFS M-205 (1) and insert new page HFS M-205 (1)
Topic M-205 Replacement Page
(Contact: Dan Frey)
BE KIND TO YOUR MIND – MUTUAL AID ZOOM GATHERING FOR ILLINOIS FRONTLINE WORKERS
Please join DMH Tuesday at 12 PM CT. Details below. This week’s topic is: Be Kind to Your Mind. Mental health challenges are common. We’ll discuss ways to cope with stress and promote well-being.
To join on Tuesday, simply click on the image below or click here https://zoom.us/j/5448085473#success
(Contact: Dan Frey)
KFI TELEHEALTH WEBINAR DECEMBER 8
Please join The Kennedy Forum Illinois on December 8th at 3PM CT for a conversation about telehealth and its ability to increase access to and equity in mental health and substance use disorder (MH/SUD) care in Illinois in the future. The webinar is titled Telehealth: Access and Equity in Mental Health & Substance Use Disorder Care.
Click here to register. (Contact: Dan Frey)
REMINDER: DHS NEW HEALTH BENEFIT COVERAGE FOR IMMIGRANT SENIORS EFFECTIVE THIS WEEK
Effective 12/01/2020 medical benefits similar to those offered under Assistance for Aged, Blind or Disabled (AABD) will be offered to non-citizens age 65 and over who do not meet immigration status for Medicaid. This entirely state-funded special program is called
Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors. (Contact: Luis Andrade)
PRITZKER: ILLINOIS TO RECEIVE COVID-19 VACCINES IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS
In a press conference this past week, Governor Pritzker said the state expects to receive the first batch of vaccine vials from Pfizer sometime between Dec. 13 and Dec. 19. The vaccine requires two injections given 21 to 28 days apart to be effective. Hospital employees, along with residents and workers at congregate care facilities, will be first in line for the vaccines, he said. "The recommendation, which came yesterday, is to include in the same category the congregate care facility, long-term care facility, residents and the workers there, with health care workers in hospitals, so they'll get it simultaneously as the doses come in," he added. IARF is working with IDPH to get more clarity on vaccine distribution. (Contact: Luis Andrade)
LAST MINUTE GIFT IDEAS TO HELP THE GADGET JUNKIE ON YOUR SHOPPING LIST THROUGH THE PANDEMIC
Back by popular demand! The TEC Lab is hosting a session to help you shop for the gadget lovers on your shopping list. You can expect to learn about all types of products – from low tech solutions designed to address everyday challenges to high tech devices that give people the freedom to focus on the things that really matter. In the midst of a global pandemic life just seem so
complicated – from figuring out how to stay in touch with your loved ones to keeping yourself engaged, positive, and productive. The TEC Lab will provide you with practical ideas on how to address these challenges by sharing favorite gadgets as well as tips for success. This webinar will be held on December 17
th at 1:00 pm.
Click here to register. (Contact: Maggie Henley)
MITC WEBINAR: CELEBRATE OUR DSP HEROES
DSP’s are one of the critical groups at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19. To show our appreciation, MITC announced in April that we would give away $10,000 to 31 hardworking and dedicated DSP’s who were nominated by someone from their agency. MITC values the hard work put forth by DSPs every day and is hoping to show our appreciation through these prizes! Join us for a webinar on Monday, December 14th at 1:00pm CST to hear about COVID-19, how providers have struggled, how DSPs suffered on the front line, and lastly the winners' stories.
Click here to register. (Contact: Maggie Henley)
TRANSCEN TO HOST WEBINAR ON REIMAGINING SUPPORTS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
The Coronavirus has flipped our world upside down, affecting our work, our families and our communities. While the
DISRUPTION of our disability services system has been devastating, it also provides an opportunity to rethink, restructure, and reset how we support and serve people with disabilities. As we restart services, it is time to move forward, not back. Please join Laura Owens and Sara Murphy, from TransCen, Inc. December 10
th at 1:00 pm for a 90-minute webinar that will look at how to support people with disabilities and their families in meaningful ways during these challenging times. We will share ideas for gaining buy-in for service transformation and discuss ways to restart services that are person-centered and community-focused. Let us “seize the day” and create a service system that encourages community inclusion and integrated employment!
Click here to learn more and register today! (Contact: Maggie Henley)
MEDSUPPORT eMAR AWARDS INTEGRATION WEBINAR WITH FOOTHOLD & CARASOLVA
Do you administer medications at your programs? Are your current processes for tracking and reporting inefficient and with risk of error? At Foothold, we know that service providers are facing increased scrutiny around medication administration management, and we have partnered with
CaraSolva to provide a seamless eMAR in AWARDS.
Please join the Foothold and CaraSolva teams for a webinar on December 9
th at 2:00 pm CST as we take you on a tour of the MedSupport eMAR integration in AWARDS.
- Learn what data tracking and reporting opportunities are available
- See how the integration works
- Find out how you can improve your medication and point-of-care documentation using this new service with AWARDS
We’re excited to show you how MedSupport can help improve outcomes for your programs, and we look forward to seeing you there!
Click here to register. (Contact: Maggie Henley)
HOW SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT PROVIDERS HAVE LEVERAGED DATA WEBINAR FROM FOOTHOLD
2020 has been a tumultuous year, turning processes and operations upside down and forcing organizations to re-imagine and re-work the ways they operate. Agencies who provide Supported Employment services have been busy assessing and readjusting their services. Some providers have had to pause or close down without the certainty of reopening. Others have been able to continue but with real hurdles and challenges. These decisions have been tough for everyone involved, ultimately to the detriment of the individuals receiving support. Because Supported Employment is such a vital service in the community, Foothold Technology has invited some of their clients to participate in a round table discussion.
The webinar will be held on December 9
th at 12:00 PM CST. During the webinar, you will hear how some agencies are navigating the current environment, earn about the strategies they have implemented and listen as they talk about how they plan to approach the unknown future.
Click here to learn more and register today. (Contact: Maggie Henley)
PROJECT EXPRESSION – CELEBRATE THE ARTISTIC TALENT IN YOUR COMMUNITY!
Foothold Technology has been holding an art contest series for service recipients commemorating their company’s core values and displaying the extraordinary skills and abilities of those you support. The fourth session of Project Expression, representing the next core value of Integrity, just began! Submissions are open with a deadline for January 8th, 2021. Please
click here to learn more and download your submission form. Please reach out to Elliot Massuda, Strategic Partnerships Manager, at
elliot@footholdtechnology.com with any questions. (Contact: Maggie Henley)
