Tag: public

Lawsuit filed to stop the PASSEs from taking over on March 1

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Update – as of 7:15pm, we still don’t have a ruling. They have been in the hearing since 1pm.

Some of you have been raising concerns for the past year about the PASSE model, and just days before it is set to begin, a lawsuit has been filed with a ruling that should happen on Wednesday.

The lawsuit has been filed to stop the transition to managed care, set to start this coming Friday, that will change the way services are covered for over 40,000 Arkansans who have significant mental illness or developmental disabilities.  

The lawsuit says DHS has refused to do anything about the warnings that the 3 managed care companies planning to participate in the program won’t be ready to take over responsibility for the recipients care March 1.  

Many of those affected have said that care coordinators aren’t trained well among many other worries. Providers say they won’t be able to bill starting March 1.

Click below to read the actual lawsuit.

How to Make a Public Comment Before Sept. 12, 2018

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DHS notified the public of some proposed rule changes on several issues. You have the opportunity to take action and make a public comment until September 12, 2018 on those documents. How would one choose to make a public comment about the many issues that are changing? Watch the video for more details!

This is how you can place your own public comment for the record:

1. First, follow this link (copy and paste it into your internet address window): https://medicaid.mmis.arkansas.gov/General/Comment/Comment.aspx

2. You will see some documents on a long page that are available for public comment by September 12, 2018. The documents you want look just like the ones in the graphic below. The ones in the long section on bottom are old, and the date has passed.

3. You will want to view the documents. Click on the blue link with that name (on the Medicaid website), and it will download the file for you.

4. Open the file from your document downloads, if it doesn’t open automatically for you.

5. At first glance, it may be difficult to understand, but try to read through it as best as you can. You might understand more than you think.

6. After you read through it, you might want to send in some comments about how this will affect you. For example in the PASSE manual, you might want to comment on what the PASSE is required to cover.

7. You can choose to mail your comments, but the faster way is by email. You can send your comments in an email to becky.murphy@dhs.arkansas.gov, but be sure to reference which manual you’re commenting on in the subject line.

8. Make sure to do this before September 12, 2018!

9. You can also choose to go to a public comment and say your comments there:

AR Choices: How to Make a Public Comment

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You have the opportunity to take action and make a public comment until July 31. How would one choose to make a public comment about the Arkansas Choices issue? What would one say?

This is how you can place your own public comment for the record:

  1. First, follow this link (copy and paste it into your internet address window): https://medicaid.mmis.arkansas.gov/General/Comment/Comment.aspx
  2. You will see some documents on a long page that are available for public comment by July 31, 2018. The 3 documents you want look just like the ones in the graphic below. The ones in the long section on bottom are old, and the date has passed.
    Screen Shot 2018-07-25 at 2.21.04 PM
  3. You will want to view the document named “ARCHOICES-1-18route.doc”. Click on the blue link with that name (on the Medicaid website), and it will download the file for you.
  4. Open the file from your document downloads, if it doesn’t open automatically for you.
  5. At first glance, it may be difficult to understand, but try to read through it as best as you can. You might understand more than you think. (See below for more assistance.)
  6. After you read through it, you might want to send in some comments about how this will affect you. For example, you might want to comment on the use of the algorithm itself, or you might want to comment on how they would score you and how that method may cut your hours.
  7. You can choose to mail your comments, but the faster way is by email. You can send your comments in an email to becky.murphy@dhs.arkansas.gov, but be sure to reference which manual you’re commenting on in the subject line like “Public Comment Submission, ARCHOICES-1-18route.doc.”
  8. Make sure to do this before July 31, 2018!

If you were to make a comment, what would you say? Well, Disability Rights Arkansas has released their official comments that they have submitted. This is a great example that can help you with what you might want to say. Read through this very thorough comment that was written by a qualified and informed attorney, and it might help you make sense of ARCHOICES-1-18route.doc. You might also want to read the previous post about the update and comments from Legal Aid of Arkansas.

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One Therapy Rule – Part 1

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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.

Public Comment: New 0-5yo Screener

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A new developmental screener will now be REQUIRED to determine if a child is eligible to go to rehabilitation centers like Easter Seals, Access, the Allen School, Peds Plus, etc.

Public comment ends tonight on this rule change – August 12, 2017! Take this chance to comment on rules that affect you! Read the manuals for things that might affect you, and then send your comments and questions to Shelby.Maldonado@dhs.arkansas.gov. Make sure to tell her which documents below you’re commenting on. If you need any help, just watch a video tutorial below.

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Here are the important Screener Rule changes that you might want to read:

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
CHMS-2-17 Provider Manual Update CHMS-2-17up.doc CHMS Manual mark up with changes. 1. Summary DDTCS-CHMS 2. Info
DDTCS-2-17 Provider Manual Update DDTCS-2-17up.doc DDTCS Manual mark up with changes. 1. Summary DDTCS-CHMS 2. Info

 

 

EXAMPLE OF COMMENTS SENT:
My public comment on the new screen:
DDS-Stnds-Redline.doc – Section 502.R, 504.A
CHMS-2-17up.doc – Section 203.100 C2, 217, 218.300, 241.000 B6, 242.000 A,
DDTCS-2-17up.doc – 202.000 B

I am concerned about the lack of details, such as what type of screen this will be. How can a short screen determine whether my child’s functionality would benefit from day habilitation? Also, I ask for the credentials of the people performing the screen to be qualified clinicians.

I’m concerned that parents and physicians need training to ensure that disruption in services does not occur.

My public comment on the Opt in/Opt Out:
CHMS-2-17up.doc – Section 206,
DDTCS-2-17up.doc – 203.000, 204.000, 214.131A, 214.132, 215.100D,

I am concerned that in Opting out, a parent must relinquish the child’s IDEA rights for as long as the child attends that center and/or as long as that center chooses to be opted out. Ok top of that, I’m concerned that services could be disrupted, especially if a parent chooses not to relinquish those rights and must find another place of service. Also, this may remove the freedom of choice for the parent if there is not another place of service nearby. Last, I’m concerned that disruption of services might occur as a child is transitioned into the school system.

I’m concerned that parents, therapists, educators, and advocates need training to ensure that disruption in services does not occur.

Use this form below, and it will go to the correct DHS representative.

Public Comment: BH Rule Changes

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Public comment ends tonight – August 12, 2017! Take this chance to comment on rules that affect you! Read the manuals for things that might affect you, and then send your comments and questions to Shelby.Maldonado@dhs.arkansas.gov. Make sure to tell her which documents below you’re commenting on. If you need any help, just watch a video tutorial by clicking the red button below.

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Here are the important BH Rule changes that you might want to read:

INPPSYCH-1-17 Provider Manual Update INPPSYCH-1-17up.doc Manual Update for Inpatient Psychiatric Services for Under Age 21

 

OBHS-1-17 Provider Manual Update OBHS-1-17up.doc Manual Update for Outpatient Behavioral Health Services

 

Residential Community Integration Program Certification ResCommReintCert.doc Residential Community Integration Program Certification

See all the BH manuals that show rule changes.

Independent Assessment Resource

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As you may know, Independent Assessments will be required for any Medicaid recipient in Tier 2 or 3 for Behavioral Health or Developmental Disability Services of DHS, as well as other Medicaid populations in Arkansas.

Public comment for these rules ends tonight, August 12, 2017! Read the manuals for things that might affect you, and then send your comments and questions to Shelby.Maldonado@dhs.arkansas.gov. Make sure to tell her which documents below you’re commenting on. If you need any help, just watch a video tutorial by clicking the red button below.

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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

See all of the manuals for Independent Assessments.

 Optum (the company that DHS has contracted to do these assessments) has released the following resource to help you understand the Independent Assessment process.

Click on the image below to learn more:

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