MSL has done some research on a change coming our way. You may have heard of it – the “One Therapy Rule,” formally known as the EIDT Program. Watch this video and stay tuned for your opportunity to take action.
Tag: arleg
Updated PASSE Information
Click the image below to receive comprehensive, updated information on the PASSE systems (as of October 2017). The deadlines have been updated, and if you were wondering what the purpose of the model is, here’s your chance to find out!
Three PASSEs were officially certified on October 18: Arkansas Advanced Care, ARkansas Total Care and Empower Healthcare Solutions. Read more about them in the image below:
Making Sense of the Manuals for Public Comment
DHS released several manuals to the Medicaid website on July 13, 2017 that are available for public comment until August 11. Once public comment ends, these rules will be sent through the legislative committees and passed as law.
“In accordance with federal and state law, the Division of Medical Services of the Arkansas Department of Human Services must advertise and make available for public comment proposed new and amended rules and other documents, such as certain initial waiver requests and waiver renewals.”
However, they released over 60 documents actually, which may have left you feeling confused about which one needs your comment or what’s in them all. Here’s your guide to wading through the state terminology and legalese.
RULE #1: When you send in your comments, make sure to list the document that you wish to comment on!
RULE #2: Make sure you send your comments to the appropriate person.
Send your comments to Shelby.Maldonado@dhs.arkansas.gov, and as long as you’ve included the right document title, she will be able to direct it to the correct person.
- If you’re viewing this on a phone or tablet, you might want to turn it to the side (landscape) to view the width of the table well. The right 2 columns are what MSL has added to help with the list that DHS provided.
Instead of scrolling through the long table, which can be confusing, this list of topics can get you straight to what you want to see. Click the link to go directly to the corresponding manual in the table.
- DD Rule changes
- State Plan Amendment (9 documents)
- DDTCS/CHMS Hybrid Manuals (6 documents)
- DDS Community and Employment Supports (CES) Waiver Minimum Certification Standards (3 documents)
- DDS Community and Employment Supports (CES) Provider Manual (2 documents)
- DDS Policy 1086 – Human Development Center Admission and Discharge Rules Policy Manual
- PASSE (B Waiver)
- BH Rule changes
- Appeals changes
- DDS Policy 1076 changes (3 documents)
- ABLE Act (2 documents)
- Independent Assessment rules in the following manuals:
- new Independent Assessment manual
- Independent Assessment for Personal Care and Criminal Background Check Requirements for Providers
- ARChoices in Home Care Home and Community-Based 2176 Waiver Manual
- Child Health Services/Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment Provider Manual
- Home Health Provider Manual
- Hospice Provider Manual
- IndependentChoices Provider Manual
- Personal Care Provider Manual
- Private Duty Nursing Services Provider Manual
- Physician Provider Manual
- Rural Health Clinic Provider Manual
- Section I: All Provider Manuals
The following table will attempt to explain what each document is (memo, explanation letter, mark up with changes, or new manual), what it contains, and possibly some documents to assist you. Remember, the list of topics above can assist you in finding what you need much faster.
Document Title | Document | Description | Assisting docs/info |
Interested Persons and Providers Letter for DDS Standards for Certification, Investigation and Monitoring; State Plan Amendment 2017-011; Child Health Management Services provider manual update; and Developmental Day Treatment Clinic Services provider manual update | IPLtrSPA17-011.doc | memo | |
(SPA011 – 1 of 15) | |||
State Plan Amendment 2017-011 Attachment 3.1A 1i | SPA17-011-31A1i.doc | STATE PLAN UNDER TITLE XIX OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT: AMOUNT, DURATION AND SCOPE OF SERVICES PROVIDED, CATEGORICALLY NEEDY (page as it will appear in new manual) |
|
(SPA011 – 2 of 15) | Page 1i | ||
State Plan Amendment 2017-011 Attachment 3.1A 1i with tracked changes | SPA17-011-31A1i-markup.doc | SAME MANUAL PAGE: mark up that shows changes | |
(SPA011 – 3 of 15) | Page 1i | ||
State Plan Amendment 2017-011 Attachment 3.1A 4A | SPA17-011-31A4A.doc | STATE PLAN UNDER TITLE XIX OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT: AMOUNT, DURATION AND SCOPE OF SERVICES PROVIDED, CATEGORICALLY NEEDY (page as it wil appear in new manual) |
|
(SPA011 – 4 of 15) | Page 4a | ||
State Plan Amendment 2017-011 Attachment 3.1A 4A with tracked changes | SPA17-011-31A4A-markup.doc | SAME MANUAL PAGE: mark up that shows changes | |
(SPA011 – 5 of 15) | Page 4a | ||
State Plan Amendment 2017-011 Attachment 3-1B 2h | SPA17-011-31B2h.doc | STATE PLAN UNDER TITLE XIX OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT: AMOUNT, DURATION AND SCOPE OF SERVICES PROVIDED, MEDICALLY NEEDY (page as it wil appear in new manual) |
|
(SPA011 – 6 of 15) | Page 2h | ||
State Plan Amendment 2017-011 Attachment 3-1B 2h | SPA17-011-31B2h-markup.doc | SAME MANUAL PAGE: mark up that shows changes | |
(SPA011 – 7 of 15) | Page 2h | ||
State Plan Amendment 2017-011 | SPA17-011-31B4b.doc | STATE PLAN UNDER TITLE XIX OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT: AMOUNT, DURATION AND SCOPE OF SERVICES PROVIDED, MEDICALLY NEEDY (page as it wil appear in new manual) |
|
(SPA011 – 8 of 15) | Page 4b | ||
State Plan Amendment 2017-011 | SPA17-011-31B4b-markup.doc | SAME MANUAL PAGE: mark up that shows changes | 1. IA Public Notice 2. IA Manual Summary 3. IA fiscal Impact |
(SPA011 – 9 of 15) | Page 4b | ||
DDS Standards for Certification, Investigation and Monitoring – Redline | DDS-Stnds-Redline.doc | DDS STANDARDS for Certification, Investigation, an Monitoring for Center-Based Community Services | 1. Summary DDTCS-CHMS 2. Info |
(SPA011 – 10 of 15) | entire manual, mark up that shows changes | ||
DDS Standards for Certification, Investigation and Monitoring | DDS-Stnds-Clean.doc | DDS STANDARDS for Certification, Investigation, an Monitoring for Center-Based Community Services | |
(SPA011 – 11 of 15) | entire manual, as it will appear | ||
CHMS-2-17 Provider Manual Update Transmittal Letter | CHMS-2-17.doc | letter that explains which parts of the CHMS manual have been changed | |
(SPA011 – 12 of 15) | |||
CHMS-2-17 Provider Manual Update | CHMS-2-17up.doc | CHMS Manual mark up with changes. | 1. Summary DDTCS-CHMS 2. Info |
(SPA011 – 13 of 15) | |||
DDTCS-2-17 Provider Manual Update Transmittal Letter | DDTCS-2-17.doc | letter that explains which parts of the DDTCS manual have been changed | |
(SPA011 – 14 of 15) | |||
DDTCS-2-17 Provider Manual Update | DDTCS-2-17up.doc | DDTCS Manual mark up with changes. | 1. Summary DDTCS-CHMS 2. Info |
(SPA011 – 15 of 15) | |||
Interested Persons and Providers Letter for State Plan Amendment 2017-010, Outpatient Behavioral Health Services and Inpatient Psychiatric Provider Manual Updates and Residential Community Reintegration Program Certification | IPLtrSPA17-010.doc | memo | |
(SPA010 – 1 of 8) | |||
State Plan Amendment 2017-010 Attachment 3.1 A | SPA010-Attach3-1A.doc | STATE PLAN UNDER TITLE XIX OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT: AMOUNT, DURATION AND SCOPE OF SERVICES PROVIDED, CATEGORICALLY NEEDY (page as it will appear in new manual – NO MARK UP AVAILABLE) |
|
(SPA010 – 2 of 8) | Page 6c17a | ||
State Plan Amendment 2017-010 Attachment 3.1 B | SPA010-Attach3-1B.doc | STATE PLAN UNDER TITLE XIX OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT: AMOUNT, DURATION AND SCOPE OF SERVICES PROVIDED, MEDICALLY NEEDY (page as it will appear in new manual – NO MARK UP AVAILABLE) |
|
(SPA010 – 3 of 8) | Page 5f17a | ||
Residential Community Integration Program Certification | ResCommReintCert.doc | Residential Community Integration Program Certification | |
(SPA010 – 4 of 8) | entire manual as it will appear NO MARK UP AVAILABLE | ||
Inpatient Psychiatric (INPPSYCH-1-17) Provider Manual Update Transmittal Letter | INPPSYCH-1-17.doc | Letter that shows the changes to Manual Update for Inpatient Psychiatric Services for Under Age 21 | |
(SPA010 – 5 of 8) | |||
INPPSYCH-1-17 Provider Manual Update | INPPSYCH-1-17up.doc | Manual Update for Inpatient Psychiatric Services for Under Age 21 | |
(SPA010 – 6 of 8) | entire manual as it will appear NO MARK UP AVAILABLE | ||
Outpatient Behavioral Health Services (OBHS-1-17) Provider Manual Update Transmittal Letter | OBHS-1-17.doc | Letter that shows the changes to Manual Update for Outpatient Behavioral Health Services | |
(SPA010 – 7 of 8) | |||
OBHS-1-17 Provider Manual Update | OBHS-1-17up.doc | Manual Update for Outpatient Behavioral Health Services | |
(SPA010 – 8 of 8) | entire manual, mark up that shows changes | ||
Interested Persons and Providers Letter for Independent Assessment Manual | IPLtrAR_IA.doc | memo | |
(AR_IA – 1 of 2) | |||
AR Independent Assessment Manual | AR_IA_July_17.doc | New manual for Independent Assessment | 1. IA Public Notice 2. IA Manual Summary 3. IA fiscal Impact |
(AR_IA – 2 of 2) | |||
Interested Persons and Providers Letter for DDS Policy 1076 -Appeals | IPLtrDDS1076.doc | memo | |
(1076 – 1 of 3) | |||
DDS Policy 1076 with Tracked Changes | DDS1076-Appeals-markup.doc | DDS Policy APPEALS Manual | |
(1076 – 2 of 3) | entire manual, mark up that shows changes | 1. Summary Appeals 2. Info Policy 1076 Appeals |
|
DDS Policy 1076 -Clean | DDS1076-Appeals-clean.doc | DDS Policy APPEALS Manual | |
(1076 – 3 of 3) | entire manual, as it will appear | ||
Interested Persons and Providers Letter for DDS Policy 1086 | IPLtrDDS1086.doc | memo | |
(DDS1086 – 1 of 3) | |||
DDS Policy 1086 with tracked changes | DDS1086-HDC-markup.doc | DDS Human Development Center Admission and Discharge Rules Policy Manual | |
(DDS1086 – 2 of 3) | entire manual, mark up that shows changes | 1. 1086 HDC Rules Summary
2. 1086 Info |
|
DDS Policy 1086 | DDS1086-HDC.doc | DDS Human Development Center Admission and Discharge Rules Policy Manual | |
(DDS1086 – 3 of 3) | entire manual, as it will appear | ||
Interested Persons and Providers Letter for Medical Services Policy Manual Sections E-600 through E-670 and Appendix R | IPLtrABLE.doc | memo | |
(ABLE – 1 of 2) | |||
Medical Services Policy Manual Sections E-600 through E-670 and Appendix R | ABLE.pdf | Able Act Policy Manual: Eligibility Factors, Contributions, Withdrawals, Expenses, Exclusions, | |
(ABLE – 2 of 2) | entire manual, as it will appear – NO MARK UP AVAILABLE | ||
Interested Persons and Providers Letter for Community and Employment (CES) 1915 (c) Waiver, DDSCES-1-17 Provider Manual Update and Certification Standards for CES Providers | IPLtrDDSCES.doc | memo | C Waiver |
(CES – 1 of 5) | |||
DDS Community and Employment Supports (CES) Waiver Minimum Certification Standards | DDSCESCertStand-markup.doc | DDS Community and Employment Supports (CES) Waiver Minimum Certification Standards | |
(CES – 2 of 5) | entire manual, mark up that shows changes | 1. Summary of Changes | |
DDS Community and Employment Supports (CES) Waiver Minimum Certification Standards | DDSCESCertStand.doc | DDS Community and Employment Supports (CES) Waiver Minimum Certification Standards | |
(CES – 3 of 5) | entire manual, as it will appear | ||
Developmental Disabilities Services Community and Employment Supports (DDSCES1-17) Provider Manual Update Transmittal Letter | DDSCES-1-17.doc | Letter that shows the changes to Manual Update for Arkansas Medicaid Health Care Providers – DDS Community and Employment Supports (CES) | |
(CES – 4 of 5) | |||
DDSCES-1-17 Provider Manual | DDSCES-1-17up.doc | Manual Update for Arkansas Medicaid Health Care Providers – DDS Community and Employment Supports (CES) | |
(CES – 5 of 5) | entire manual, mark up that shows changes | 1. Summary of Changes 2. Info – CES Waiver |
|
Interested Persons and Providers Letter for Provider-Led Arkansas Shared Savings Entity (PASSE) Waiver and New Provider Manual | IPLtrPASSE.doc | memo | |
(PASSE 1 of 5) | |||
Provider-led Arkansas Shared Savings Entity Program – Phase I | PASSEWvr.pdf | PASSE Program Information | B Waiver 1. Summary of PASSE 2. Info & Financial Impact |
(PASSE 2 of 5) | |||
Provider-led Arkansas Shared Savings Entity Spreadsheet | SpreadsheetPASSEWvr.pdf | PASSE Information – Enrollment Projections, Costs | |
(PASSE 3 of 5) | |||
PASSE-New-17 Provider Manual Update Transmittal Letter | PASSE-New-17.doc | letter that explains Provider-Led Arkansas Shared Savings Entity (PASSE) Program manual | |
(PASSE 4 of 5) | |||
PASSE-New-17 Provider Manual Update | PASSE-New-17up.doc | New PASSE Manual | |
(PASSE 5 of 5) | entire manual, mark up | 1. Summary of PASSE 2. Info & Financial Impact |
|
Interested Persons and Providers Letter for Independent Assessment for Personal Care and Criminal Background Check Requirements for Providers | IPLtrIA.doc | memo | |
(IA – 1 of 22) | |||
State Plan Amendment 2017-009 with Tracked Changes | SPA17-009-markup.doc | STATE PLAN UNDER TITLE XIX OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT: AMOUNT, DURATION AND SCOPE OF SERVICES PROVIDED, CATEGORICALLY NEEDY (mark up that shows changes |
|
(IA – 2 of 22) | Page 10aa | ||
State Plan Amendment 2017-009 | SPA17-009.doc | SAME MANUAL PAGE: as it will appear | |
(IA – 2 of 22) | Page 10aa | ||
ARChoices in Home Care Home and Community-Based 2176 Waiver (ARCHOICES-1-17) Provider Manual Update Transmittal Letter | ARCHOICES-1-17.doc | letter that explains changes to ARChoices In Homecare Home and Community-Based 2176 Waiver Manual | |
(IA – 3 of 22) | |||
ARCHOICES-1-17 Provider Manual Update | ARCHOICES-1-17up.doc | ARChoices In Homecare Home and Community-Based 2176 Waiver Manual | |
(IA – 4 of 22) | entire manual, mark up that shows changes | ||
Child Health Services/Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT-1-17) Provider Manual Update Transmittal Letter | EPSDT-1-17.doc | letter that explains changes to Arkansas Medicaid Health Care Providers – EPSDT Manual | |
(IA – 5 of 22) | |||
EPSDT-1-17 Provider Manual Update | EPSDT-1-17up.doc | Arkansas Medicaid Health Care Providers – EPSDT Manual change | |
(IA – 6 of 22) | Section II, mark up that shows changes | IA required for certain home health clients 1. IA Public Notice 2. IA Manual Summary 3. IA fiscal Impact |
|
Home Health (HOMEHLTH-1-17) Provider Manual Update Transmittal Letter | HOMEHLTH-1-17.doc | letter that explains changes to Arkansas Medicaid Health Care Providers – Home Health Manual | |
(IA – 7 of 22) | |||
HOMEHLTH-1-17 Provider Manual Update | HOMEHLTH-1-17up.doc | Arkansas Medicaid Health Care Providers – Home Health Manual change | |
(IA – 8 of 22) | Section II, mark up that shows changes | background check changes | |
Hospice (HOSPICE-1-17) Provider Manual Update Transmittal Letter | HOSPICE-1-17.doc | letter that explains changes to Arkansas Medicaid Health Care Providers – Hospice Service manual | |
(IA – 9 of 22) | |||
HOSPICE-1-17 Provider Manual Update | HOSPICE-1-17up.doc | Arkansas Medicaid Health Care Providers – Hospice Service manual changes | |
(IA – 10 of 22) | Section II, mark up that shows changes | background check, IAs for personal care 1. IA Public Notice 2. IA Manual Summary 3. IA fiscal Impact |
|
IndependentChoices (INCHOICE-1-17) Provider Manual Update Transmittal Letter | INCHOICE-1-17.doc | letter that expains changes to Arkansas Medicaid Health Care Providers – IndependentChoices Manual | |
(IA – 11 of 22) | |||
INCHOICE-1-17 Provider Manual Update | INCHOICE-1-17up.doc | Arkansas Medicaid Health Care Providers – IndependentChoices Manual changes | |
(IA – 12 of 22) | Section II, mark up that shows changes | various changes included background checks | |
Personal Care (PERSCARE-1-17) Provider Manual Update Transmittal Letter | PERSCARE-1-17.doc | letter that explains changes to Arkansas Medicaid Health Care Providers – Personal Care manual | |
(IA – 13 of 22) | |||
PERSCARE-1-17 Provider Manual Update | PERSCARE-1-17up.doc | Arkansas Medicaid Health Care Providers – Personal Care Manual changes | |
(IA – 14 of 22) | Section II, mark up that shows changes | ||
Private Duty Nursing Services (PDN-1-17) Provider Manual Update Transmittal Letter | PDN-1-17.doc | letter that explains changes to the Arkansas Medicaid Health Care Providers – Private Duty Nursing Services manual | |
(IA – 15 of 22) | |||
PDN-1-17 Provider Manual Update | PDN-1-17up.doc | Arkansas Medicaid Health Care Providers – Private Duty Nursing Services Manual changes | |
(IA – 15 of 22) | Section II, mark up that shows changes | background checks | |
Physician (PHYSICN-3-17) Provider Manual Update Transmittal Letter | PHYSICN-3-17.doc | letter that explains changes to the Physician/ Independent Lab/CRNA/Radiation Therapy Center manual | |
(IA – 17 of 22) | |||
PHYSICN-3-17 Provider Manual Update | PHYSICN-3-17up.doc | Physician/ Independent Lab/CRNA/Radiation Therapy Center manual changes | |
(IA – 18 of 22) | Section II, mark up that shows changes | IA requirement 1. IA Public Notice 2. IA Manual Summary 3. IA fiscal Impact |
|
Rural Health Clinic (RURLHLTH-1-17) Provider Manual Update Transmittal Letter | RURLHLTH-1-17.doc | letter that explains changes to the Rural Health Clinic Services manual | |
(IA – 19 of 22) | |||
RURLHLTH-1-17 Provider Manual Update | RURLHLTH-1-17up.doc | Rural Health Clinic Services manual changes | |
(IA – 20 of 22) | Section II, mark up that shows changes | IA requirement 1. IA Public Notice 2. IA Manual Summary 3. IA fiscal Impact |
|
Section I (SecI-3-17) All Provider Manuals Update Transmittal Letter | SecI-3-17.doc | letter that explains the changes to the Arkansas Medicaid Health Care Providers – All Providers manual | |
(IA – 21 of 22) | |||
SecI-3-17 All Provider Manuals Update | SecI-3-17up.doc | Arkansas Medicaid Health Care Providers – All Providers manual | |
(IA – 22 of 22) | Section II, mark up that shows changes | IA requirement 1. IA Public Notice 2. IA Manual Summary 3. IA fiscal Impact |
|
Revised Senate health care bill: Where are we now?
A revision of the BCRA Senate Health Care bill has been released, but what’s different? We have the one-stop-shop for understanding the bill for yourself.
Some reports say that they want to vote as early as Tuesday. Get to reading and then get to calling!
Every call matters. Here’s the number for Senators across the nation: 866-426-2631
Find your states US Representative & contact his/her office
Find your state’s US Senator & contact his/her office
Read the new revised bill to make sure you discover everything for yourself.
Check out these resources to guide you:
- Video explains the changes
- What’s in the bill now
- Chart that compares bills
- Chart with key differences
- What you need to know
- 4 Key changes
- What Governors Think About the Bill
- Do any Governors support the BCRA?
- Do all Republican Senators support it?
- Why doctors oppose it
- How the revision affects Arkansas
What was the original bill?
- guide to what the bill says
- simple chart that compares the ACA (Obamacare), AHCA (House bill), and the BCRA (Senate bill).
- data and comparison of the ACA/AHCA/BCRA
- another chart to compare the bills
- A video walk-through guide of what it says with page numbers so you can investigate for yourself
- explanation of block grants and per capita caps
- research of why it affects everyone
- 10 Reasons it’s bad for AR
- How it will affect rural AR
Full text of the original bill. Click on the image below, and use the resources above to help you.
Senate Healthcare Bill Released
Updated: 7/9/17 4:08 pm
By now, you’ve probably seen more than 10 different news stories about the Senate healthcare bill. Maybe 10 per day! But what’s the truth? Will it really cut Medicaid? Will it really affect everyone? Well, the only way for you to know is for you to read it yourself. And we can help you.
You need to read, but also, don’t stop responding. The Senate wants to vote on this bill as soon as they can come to an agreement. They’re having many negotiations behind closed doors. Let your voice be heard through those doors! These are the Arkansas Senators to contact:
Sen. John Boozman (202) 224-4843
Sen. Tom Cotton (202) 224-2353
If you’re not from Arkansas, this info pertains to you as well. Every call matters. Here’s the number for Senators across the nation: 866-426-2631
Find your states US Representative & contact his/her office
Find your state’s US Senator & contact his/her office
Contact information for all of AR Congressmen.
What’s truly in the bill?
- guide to what the bill says
- simple chart that compares the ACA (Obamacare), AHCA (House bill), and the BCRA (Senate bill).
- data and comparison of the ACA/AHCA/BCRA
- another chart to compare the bills
- A video walk-through guide of what it says with page numbers so you can investigate for yourself
- explanation of block grants and per capita caps
- research of why it affects everyone
- 10 Reasons it’s bad for AR
- How it will affect rural AR
Make sure to read the bill to form your own educated opinions. Click on the image below to access the full text, and use the resources above to help you.
Legislators of the Week – District 35
These are the legislators that we’re writing this week. Eventually we’ll get to all of them! Tell them what Medicaid is doing for you. Tell them why you’re thankful for the help. Tell them why you need it! If you’re in this district, please try to actually meet with them soon.
Name | Phone | Address | |
Senator Jason Rapert (R) | 501-336-0918 | P. O. Box 10388 Conway, 72034 |
Jason.Rapert@senate.ar.gov |
Representative Clarke Tucker (D) | 501-379-1767 | 111 Center Street, Suite 1900, Little Rock, 72201 |
clarke.tucker@arkansashouse.org |
Sample of Voting Record on Medicaid Bills from the 2017 Legislative Sessions:
- SB3 to reduce the eligibility for Arkansas Works and to impose a work requirement:
- Rapert – FOR
- Tucker – AGAINST
- HB1706, Provider Led Managed Care:
- Rapert – FOR
- Tucker – 1st vote: non-voting; 2nd vote: FOR.
- HB1033, which redirected the Tobacco Settlement Fund to reduce the DDS Waiver Waiting List:
- Rapert – FOR
- Tucker – FOR
- Check out how they voted on the other bills.
Catch up on the Provider Led Model (PASSE)
PASSE stands for Provider-owned Arkansas Shared Savings Entities, and this new Provider-led model is required by a law passed by the Arkansas State Legislature last spring. DHS has been told to achieve a certain amount of Medicaid cost savings, and the theory is that this model should achieve them through better management of care. Over the next year and a half, we will see a shift in the management of Medicaid care for certain recipients under the Developmental Disabilities Services and Behavioral Health Services Divisions of DHS through the implementation of this model.
During the transition time, each recipient will undergo an Independent Assessment to determine services given, and then each recipient will be assigned to one of the PASSEs. Right now, we don’t know how many PASSEs there will be or which partners each will include. That should all become clear after June 15, 2007. Once the recipient receives information about which PASSE he or she has been assigned to, he or she will have 90 days to switch to a new PASSE if desired. Everyone will be on a different timeline, so recipients won’t really be able to compare situations early on.
This transition will take place throughout 2017 and 2018 as PASSEs slowly take on responsibility. In 2019, the PASSEs will take on all responsibility of managing the care and funds for each recipient they’ve been assigned. Providers will then bill the PASSE for each client, which means that the providers have to participate in probably all PASSEs to be “in network” for their current clients and future clients.
As said before, this will only affect certain clients – classified as Tier 2 and Tier 3 – for both DD and BH. Tier 2 and 3 people are defined differently by DD and BH, but basically it’s determined by level of care needed.
As we’ve all seen, this is very complicated, and a lot of information has already been shared. Here’s your chance to catch up!
See DHS Presentations from public meetings that occurred in April 2017.
Read the law that was passed during this past spring session.
See DHS’s answers to your questions.
See in depth information from DHS about the PLM.
Legislators of the Week – District 2

These are the legislators that we’re writing this week. Eventually we’ll get to all of them! Tell them what Medicaid is doing for you. Tell them why you’re thankful for the help. Tell them why you need it! If you’re in this district, please try to actually meet with them soon.
Name | Phone | Address | |
Senator | 479-787-6222 | 1607 Highway 72, S.E. Gravette, 72736 |
jim.hendren@senate.ar.gov |
Representative Lane Jean | 870-904-1856 | 1105 Lawton Circle Magnolia, 71753 |
l_jean@sbcglobal.net |
Sample of Voting Record on Medicaid Bills from the 2017 Legislative Sessions:
- SB3 from the Extraordinary Session of 2017 to reduce the eligibility for Arkansas Works and to impose a work requirement:
- Hendren – FOR
- Jean – FOR
- HB1706, Provider Led Managed Care:
- Hendren – FOR
- Jean – FOR
- HB1033, which redirected the Tobacco Settlement Fund to reduce the DDS Waiver Waiting List:
- Hendren – FOR
- Jean – FOR
- Check out how they voted on the other bills.
Providers: PASSE Information
This information regards Act 775 (Provider Led Organized Care). If you haven’t read that, please do.
Deadlines are approaching with the formation of the PASSEs. The letter of intent deadline was extended to June 15, but many want your commitment by June 1. That being said, some of you still have questions.
First of all, will you be affected? You may or may not serve Tier 2 and/or Tier 3 patients of the BH and/or DDS populations. If you don’t, this may not affect you. However, if you want to keep your options open to serve them in the future, you probably need to at least participate in PASSEs. In the DD population, a Tier 1 patient can become a Tier 2 or 3 simply by being accepted into the Waiver program, but as you know, with the long waiting list, they could continue to receive services from their current providers. If you aren’t participating, that person will have to find another provider.
How many PASSEs are there? Why does this seem so secretive? Well, there are at least 4 forming. One PASSE has been pretty public, has released some plans, and were involved in passing the law. They have held one public meeting. Others have formed and are trying to meet the regulations by June 15. These are common business practices, and some can’t release info until legalities are finalized. I hope to see public meetings from the others soon. It’s a pretty competitive situation right now, so a lot of information is not public. Each PASSE will try to convince you as to why you should invest with them. They are competing since there are only so many partners and investors available. There is a time limit for them, but you still have a little time to make a good investment decision. However, if you report to a board, you probably want to get them info as soon as possible.
Why should you invest? Part of the rules are that each PASSE must collect a savings/investment fund by December 2017 to be able to assume risk of managing funds for Tiers 2 and 3 of DDS and BHS. So that’s one reason each PASSE needs investors to give them money. Investors in a PASSE take on the risk together but also share in the rewards if money is saved. If each PASSE does not raise enough money and show a diverse group of partners to serve each need around the state, they will not pass certification. That’s why it’s pretty competitive to get you to invest with them and only them.
How are investment and participation different? As I understand it, participation requires nomoney from you. You can officially participate with any or all PASSEs once they’re certified to take on clients in order to be “in network” for the people they manage Medicaid funds for.
Any other important info? Each affected client will be attributed to one PASSE once he/she has received the Independent Assessment. The patient or caregiver will have 90 days to change to another PASSE. As said before, if you’re not a participant in that PASSE, you may lose the client. The Independent Assessment will determine what services are medically necessary for each patient, so you might expect some changes there. A lot of details have yet to be worked out.
Where can you get details about each PASSE? If you want to invest or hear more from each PASSE, just send me your email address, and I’ll send it to them. They will send the info they’re allowed to share.
AR Works Changes – How Legislators Voted
SB3 | Act 6 – TO AMEND ARKANSAS WORKS TO REDUCE INCOME ELIGIBILITY LIMITS AND IMPOSE WORK REQUIREMENTS; TO ALLOW THE FLEXIBILITY TO SELECT WHETHER TO BECOME AN “ASSESSMENT STATE” OR A “DETERMINATION STATE”; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
- Check the Bill History
- Read the Bill
- Senate Votes
- House Votes