Developmental Disabilities Administration
Transformation Update
November 2019
|
|
Transformation Update - Launch of the Provider Transition of LTSS Advisory Group
|
|
With the LTSSMaryland pilot beginning in December, and a larger roll out to begin July 2020, the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) convened the
Provider Transition of LTSS Advisory Group
. Thirty-five people, including providers, Coordinators of Community Services (CCS), representatives from the Maryland Association of Community Services and family members, joined Deputy Secretary Bernard Simons and his leadership team to share recommendations for the phased implementation of the LTSSMaryland system.
LTSSMaryland is Medicaid's case management, enrollment, clinical assessments, service authorization, critical event reporting, claims submission, and Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) system for the majority of Medicaid's fee-for-service home and community-based services.
Key DDA system modules include eligibility, person-centered planning, service authorization, billing and provider payment.
Systems like LTSSMaryland improve efficiency (through features like web-based access, integration with the state, reporting, alerts) and protect the privacy of people’s records. LTSSMaryland is designed to support implementation of the DDA's Medicaid and home and community-based waiver services and new rates. The DDA recognizes the implementation of LTSSMaryland is a big change for everyone. The DDA is committed to collaboration so everyone can successfully make the transition.
The
Provider Transition of LTSS Advisory Group
discussed its guiding principles at the initial meeting held on November 8. Members agreed the implementation strategy must:
- Be person-centered
- Value providers as critical partners
- Minimize harm to operations
- Be concrete and achievable
Next, ideas were compiled for the transition. Members suggested ideas like an expanded pilot with volunteer providers going first,
transitioning all,
residential
services first, and other ideas
. Using the person-centered thinking tool “Working/Not Working,” the group began to assess the pros and cons of each idea from the perspectives of people receiving support and their families, providers and their employees, CCS agencies and the DDA.
The group has two more meetings planned. First, there will be an interactive webinar, where the group will learn about the nuts and bolts of the LTSS system, including how it will work with services that require Electronic Visit Verification. Following the webinar, there will be a day-long working session. The working session includes a demo of the LTSS system and a person’s journey from person-centered planning to service implementation. Further discussion on implementation ideas will take place and will be ranked based on the group's guiding principles. Essential provider training and operational support will also be discussed to draft the implementation strategy. Outcomes of advisory group meetings will be included in the Transformation Newsletter.
The DDA appreciates each working group member who is participating in this effort.
|
|
Electronic Visit Verification - In-Home Supports Assurance System
|
|
In 2020, Federal regulations require that all Personal Supports service providers use a clock-in and clock-out system to record their service times. The purpose is to increase accountability for service provisions, and to help make sure that people are receiving services as outlined in their Person-Centered Plan.
The DDA is launching the
In-Home Supports Assurance System (ISAS)
for person supports service. ISAS meets the federal requirement for an
Electronic Visit Verification (EVV)
system across the state.
What is the In-Home Supports Assurance System?
ISAS is a telephone-based electronic, clock-in and clock-out billing system. It is used to monitor the services people receive, to record service times, and to verify that people are receiving services as authorized in their Person-Centered Plans.
What is the ISAS Implementation Timeline?
- Pilot Program: On December 1, 2019, ISAS will be used by a small group of DDA providers of personal supports services. This small group will validate the new system in preparation for the full launch.
- Full Launch: In 2020, depending on the LTSS transition timeline, all providers of Personal Support Services will start using ISAS for billing of rendered services.
What does ISAS Mean for People Receiving DDA Services?
It means there will more accountable for services authorized in the person's PCP and payment for services provided.
This change will not impact people's services.
Coordinators of Community Services
are receiving training and informational tools
to ensure service recipients understand how provider staff will use ISAS.
|
|
The Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved the DDA's
Amendment #2 2019
requests to update the State of Maryland’s Family Supports, Community Supports and Community Pathways Waivers. The amendments are effective on December 1, 2019.
Amendment #2 2019 includes:
- A transition strategy to Maryland's Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSSMaryland) fee-for-services billing starting with a small pilot group
- New procedure codes and associated rates for services associated with dedicated staffing (i.e. 1:1 and 2:1) in residential services
- Shared living levels
- Day habilitation (small and large groups)
- Enhanced personal supports for people with complex health and/or behavioral needs
- Updates to the self-directed service delivery model
|
|
What’s happening with Policy?
The Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) recently created a Policy Review Team. The team assists and advises the DDA on developing person and family-centered systems of support policies for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout the lifespan.
Who can participate?
People receiving DDA services, Self-Advocates and Family members. Everyone that participates are treated with respect as a full member of the Policy Review Team. Members are being recruited from the Maryland Supporting Families Community of Practice, the Developmental Disabilities Council, People on the Go of Maryland, and other family self-advocacy groups.
When do we meet?
The Policy Review Team will meet at least ten times per year, and more frequently, as needed. There are no minimum meeting requirements for individual members. While the Policy Review Team members are welcome to participate in all meetings, DDA recognizes that they may not always be able to do so. Additionally, some members may prefer to participate in Policy Team meetings about the topics that are most relevant to them and their families.
Where do we meet?
There are a variety of ways people can participate in the Policy Review Team. Members can share their feedback with DDA and others through in person meetings, remote participation, or through submitting written feedback. DDA will support self-advocates who are not able to attend and but would like to submit feedback in advance. For Policy Review Team members with computer access, the DDA recommends using the Policy Review Team Google Drive for comments and feedback.
How can I get involved?
For more information or to join the Policy Review Team, please contact Dr. Terah Tessier,
DDA Director of Policy and Special Programs
at
terah.tessier@maryland.gov
.
|
|
National Family Caregivers Month - Maryland Community Practice for Supporting Families
|
|
November is National Family Caregivers Month!
In the US, over 65 million unpaid caregivers support a loved one who is ill or aged – including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The DDA and the Maryland Community of Practice (CoP) for Supporting Families is committed to supporting families and their family members.
In August, the Maryland CoP for Supporting Families discussed and revised its vision for supporting families. It reflects a commitment to support members of the Maryland CoP Statewide Leadership Team, and community stakeholders to build capacity in Maryland at statewide and local levels to enhance the lives of families and people with developmental disabilities across the lifespan through stakeholder engagements, professional development and system change efforts.
The revised vision includes the following:
- Provide opportunities for its leadership team members, people with disabilities, family members and community stakeholders to enhance their knowledge and skills to facilitate the utilization of Charting the LifeCourse (CtLC) framework across the state
- Provide technical assistance and guidance to people and organizations interested in learning about and implementing CtLC in their lives and work
- Become a clearing house through which all information related to the Maryland CoP, Local CoP and CtLC can be sought, disseminated and highlighted
- Become an Advisory Group from which other organizations and state systems can seek resources and information as they work to support people with disabilities and their families to lead their “Good Life.”
Over the last several months the principles and tools of CtLC have been introduced, embraced and implemented in a variety of places within the community and people’s lives to better support families so they can support their family member with developmental disabilities to live their “Good Life.” For example, Towson University’s Department of Education held a free workshop for its community members; faculty, undergraduate and graduate students, current educators, families and people with developmental disabilities on the Charting the LifeCourse (CtLC) framework. This workshop was designed to aid families and teachers to think strategically about the services and supports needed to support their students in living their best life. Participants walked away with: an overview of the principles of the CtLC; specific tools used to help families and educators support exploration, decision-making and problem solving; and examples of how CtLC has been used by families and educators for individualized education program (IEP) and transition planning.
It was a tremendous success as expressed through by the following responses.
“Every parent needs to have this training!”
“
CtLC has shown me the significance of seeing the ability in a place where the disability is always seen.”
“
This is exciting and important work to be a part of. To actively change and broaden our definitions of “typical,” “appropriate,” or acceptable.
”
The Maryland CoP for Supporting Families thanks Towson University’s Department of Special Education for introducing CtLC to its colleagues, students, current educators and family members. It is an important step to creating a community in which
ALL people have the right to live, love, work, play, learn and pursue their aspirations in their communities.
For any additional information about the Maryland CoP including how to participate in your local CoP, please contact Mary Anne Kane-Breschi, DDA Director of Family Supports at 410-767-8880 or
mery.kane-breschi@maryland.gov
.
|
|
UPDATE - Central Maryland Regional Office Deputy Director
|
|
The DDA regrets to inform partners that Rob Baynard is no longer joining the Administration as Deputy Director for the Central Maryland Regional Office (CRMO). The DDA had announced his impending arrival in an email sent on Nov. 1. The DDA is in the recruitment process to identify another CMRO Deputy Director to serve alongside Bianca Renwick.
|
|
REMINDER -
LTSS Training Coordination
|
|
Please DO NOT COMPLETE more than one survey per agency
Starting January 2020, the DDA will be training Provider Agency staff on Service Authorization and managerial functions in the LTSS Provider Portal. The DDA needs your agency's information to plan training sessions.
Please have ONE person from your agency (one person per agency) complete the survey using the link below. The survey responses will help the DDA meet all LTSS Provider Portal training needs for Service Provider Agencies across the State.
|
|
REMINDER Provider Survey
- Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
|
|
The DDA and the
Governor's Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
(ODHH) want to support provider agencies as they serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are deaf and hard of hearing. The DDA and ODHH
thank those who took time to participate in the critical survey that was sent out in August; the insight is appreciated.
The survey response rate was below 20% with 42 out of the over 200 providers participating, which is halfway from the desired response rate of 50%. For providers that have not completed the survey, please consider putting aside 5 to 10 minutes to do so because your participation is key to identify service gaps to provide better resources.
Click
HERE
to complete the survey
|
|
STAY CONNECTED TO THE DDA THROUGH FACEBOOK
|
|
Maryland Department of Health
201 W. Preston St. | Baltimore MD, 21201
|
|
T
he Maryland Department of Health promotes the health and safety of all Marylanders through disease prevention, access to care, quality management, and community engagement. The state of Maryland pledges to provide constituents, businesses, customers, and stakeholders with quality customer service.
Take our Customer Satisfaction Survey.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
