Provider Newsletter
IN THIS ISSUE

Provider Forum
EVV		 Provider Fair
State & Federal Updates
As part of our ongoing efforts to equip and empower providers, we've launched a newsletter just for you. This periodic update will include information on important rule and billing changes, training opportunities, and more. If there's other information you'd like to see in these newsletters, let us know! 
ProviderForumNEXT PROVIDER FORUM: 
September 5, 9-10:30 AM
HCDDS Kingsley Offices
5093 Kingsley Drive, 45227
or
join remotely by clicking here!
Celebrating 28 Years of the Americans with Disabilities Act
Thank you to everyone who came out to the Honk & Wave and marched in the July 26th Disability Pride Parade!  We are sincerely grateful to you and to your staff for your unwavering support!
HCDDS PROVIDER FAIR
5090 KINGSLEY DRIVE
9 AM THURSDAY, OCT. 11
MORE DETAILS COMING SOON
HCDDS NEW PROVIDER SITE
We've rebuilt our provider site to streamline information and make it easier for you to find the information you need! You can find the new site at hamiltondds.org/providers . You can also navigate to the site from our hamiltondds.org homepage, under the "services" tab. If you can't find a form or information you need, contact Provider Support at  providersupport@hamiltondds.org  or (513) 559-6736. 
StateFederalUpdatesSTATE & FEDERAL UPDATES
LONGEVITY ADD ON- PAYMENT TO EMPLOYEE GUIDANCE
The attached memo provides some guidance on potential wage/hour compliance issues that arise if the longevity add on is given to the employee as a bonus instead of as a part of their regular wages.
 
The FLSA requires that non-discretionary bonuses be included in the regular rate which has an impact when computing overtime payments.  The document gives guidance as to what classifies as a discretionary bonus vs. a non-discretionary bonus. 
GUIDANCE ON VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SERVICES

The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities has issued the attached memo to inform providers and county boards of some updates to the vocational habilitation service.  We believe the area in which providers will be most impacted is the requirement that participants in vocational habilitation services must be compensated at less than 50% of the minimum wage.

 

It is expected that by 8/1/19, providers that are out of compliance must develop a plan on how to resolve the issue.  DODD has designated a Community Life Engagement Project Manager for each of four Ohio regions to provide consultation and support. The name and contact information for each of the four Community Life Engagement Project Managers can be found here. 

 

Keith Banner, our regional representative will be joining us at the next Provider Forum on 9/5/18 (HCDDS Kingsley Offices, 5093 Kingsley Dr., 45227- 9am-10:30am) to discuss more.
DOCUMENTATION FOR INDEPENDENT PROVIDERS OF SELF WAIVER SERVICES
The Ohio Association of County Boards provided a memo to employees from Morning Sun with important information for independent providers of Self Waivers. 

The Ohio rules for Home and Community Based Services for participant-directed personal care services include a requirement, OAC 5123:2-9-32 under the Individual Options, Level One and SELF (Self-Empowered Life Funding) funding waivers, for service documentation to validate payment for Medicaid Services.
  
We have attached the rule requirements which specify what information must be contained for the daily task information. You may create your own method of documentation; however, we will begin requiring that you submit this documentation with employee timecards. 

To view the sample form used by Morning Sun, please click here.  
EVV
ELECTRONIC VISIT VERIFICATION (EVV)
The federal rule for the implementation of EVV has been postponed until 5/6/2019.  We are being told that this will not delay Ohio's implementation for DD waiver providers of HPC services.
 
In early 2019, training will begin for IO/Level 1 HPC providers (not applicable for individuals receiving shared services or daily rates).  It is expected that providers will implement using EVV following this training.  As early as summer 2019, claims will begin to be denied if an electronically verified visit does not exist.

To learn more about EVV, please look at the EVV Newsletter, EVV FAQ or visit Medicaid EVV. We know that this has had hiccups during the initial release for state plan services and we expect that this will also cause frustrations with DD wavier providers. For these reasons, we encourage you to be involved and informed in these changes that will greatly impact your work and ability to receive compensation for services provided.
INDUCEMENTS Inducements
Substantial gifts to individuals can be perceived as inducement and are expressly not permitted by Medicaid and are perceived as fraud.  The federal guidelines can be accessed at this link.  This applies to a ny gifts or free services to beneficiaries that exceed the $10 per item and $50 annual limits.  We have heard examples of a provider buying expensive home furnishings for an individual or giving a guardian periodic gift cards and cash.

TrainingOpportunitiesTRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
 
New Provider Training-Independent Providers.
                  9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, September 26
  9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 24
  9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 28

New Provider Training- Residential Agency Providers
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 26
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 28
 
These trainings will be held at the HCDDS Support Center, 1520 Madison Road. They are designed to inform new independent and agency providers about Medicaid and waiver requirements and review tips for meeting compliance.  Please register by contacting providersupport@hamiltondds.org.
Attention: All Providers, ICFs.  'Back to Basics' Training Series
Back to Basics is a comprehensive and continual training series offered by Ohio Providers Resource Association (OPRA) in conjunction with the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities' Office of Provider Standards and Review. The series aims to help providers become a higher quality provider by focusing on fundamentals.

Back to Basics will consist of ongoing regional, centralized, and webinar training. The first series is in three parts during the months of July, August, and September and will focus on compliance. To register, please click  here. 
Employee Record Requirements Training
HCDDS along with the other counties in the SWCOG will be offering a training for agency providers about employee record requirements.  Stephen Postaliakis, an attorney from Columbus, Ohio, will be presenting about human resources and personnel file requirements for DD private provider businesses.  
 
Please see for additional training information and to register for this informative session on September 12, 2018 from 10 am-1 pm at 801 Drake Rd, Lebanon, OH  45036. 
NorthStar Advantage Training

More than 35 providers have participated in a 6-session intensive training and HCDDS mentorship experience that is a gateway to becoming a Gold Standard provider. If you are interested in participating in a future NorthStar session, please click here for more information.

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