Highlighted in this issue:
- FRAME Videos and Discussion
- Oral Health Webinar
- Social Security offices and plans to open again
- ABLE Accounts
- Telehealth Legislation
- Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Programs
- No Surprises Act
- Two focus groups on Women's Health exams for women with IDD
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We are excited to share the deeply insightful and well produced films of FRAME, a web-based educational library and resource created by Positive Exposure that changes how medical information is presented to health care professionals in training, clinicians, families and communities.
FRAME films are aimed to give future genetic counselors, nurses, physicians, OT’s, PT’s, families and communities, a more robust understanding of featured genetic, physical, intellectual behavioral and/ or acquired conditions, while modeling an attitude of respect for the humanity of patients.
Below you will find their three most recent films and discussions on the following topics:
- Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease in Adults Living with Down Syndrome
- Epilepsy in Adults Living with IDD
- Supported Decision Making
Visit https://positiveexposure.org/ for more information.
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Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease in Adults Living with Down Syndrome Film and Discussion |
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Epilepsy in Adults Living with IDD Film and Discussion |
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Supported Decision Making Film and Discussion |
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Free Webinar on Oral Health and Dental Care for People with Disabilities |
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Tuesday, February 8, 2022, 6:30 to 7:30 pm
Click the image below to register:
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Social Security offices are scheduled to open again - March 30, 2022 |
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Planning is underway to re-open the Social Security offices, which closed in March 2020 at the start of the COVID pandemic. It is anticipated that the Social Security offices will reopen on March 30th. According to an article in the New York Times: “This agreement will allow all the parties to wait and see what happens with the latest wave of the pandemic,” said Rich Couture, chief negotiator for the American Federation of Government Employees, one of three unions representing the agency work force involved in the talks. “Hopefully it subsides, but if it doesn’t, we can take further action to postpone the reopening if necessary.” For further information, see this article:
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ABLE Accounts and the ABLE National Resource Center |
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Many of the people on this listserv may already be familiar with ABLE accounts, but for anyone who would like additional information, the ABLE National Resource Center website provides very helpful information.
See this link:
https://www.ablenrc.org/get-started/what-is-able/#
Please note: As of January 1, 2022, the total allowable annual contribution into an ABLE account is now $16,000 per year (an increase from the previous maximum of $15,000/year).
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Governor Murphy signed legislation (S-2559) extending the requirement adopted at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic that health benefits plans reimburse health care providers for telehealth and telemedicine services at the same rate as in-person services, with limited exceptions. Telehealth services will continue in NJ until the end of December, 2023. The extension of telehealth services will be very helpful for enrollees in NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid, including individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). See this link for additional information.
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The Lifeline program and the Affordable Connectivity Program help make phone and internet service more affordable for low-income individuals. Eligible individuals also qualify for a free smartphone through the Lifeline program. If you participate in certain assistance programs like Medicaid, NJ SNAP or SSI, you automatically qualify for both federal programs. For additional information, please see this link:
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The No Surprises Act went into effect on January 1, 2022. This Act does not apply to fee-for-service Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans or Medicaid managed care plans. However, the No Surprises Act can be very helpful for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who have private health insurance, from a parent's employer's health plan. The No Surprises Act protects people covered under group and individual health plans from receiving surprise medical bills when they receive most emergency services, non-emergency services from out-of-network providers at in-network facilities, and services from out-of-network air ambulance service providers. It also establishes an independent dispute resolution process for payment disputes between plans and providers, and provides new dispute resolution opportunities for uninsured and self-pay individuals when they receive a medical bill that is substantially greater than the good faith estimate they get from the provider.
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Rowan Integrated Special Needs Center (RISN) in Sewell, NJ is looking for women to participate in two focus groups. These groups will be reviewing educational materials pertaining to women’s health exams. The goal is to increase awareness and access to physical, sexual, and reproductive health for women with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD).
One focus group will be composed of women with an intellectual and/or developmental disability (IDD), and the other focus group will be composed of parents or legal guardians of women with IDD. The focus groups will be held in April, and may be held virtually. All participants will receive an Amazon gift card.
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You are encouraged to share this information with others who may also be interested. However, if you are forwarding this, please delete the "unsubscribe" link at the bottom of this email. If you do not remove the "unsubscribe" option and a person who receives your forwarded email clicks "unsubscribe," it would result in your name being removed from our distribution list.
Click here to see The Arc of NJ's COVID-19 information and resource page.
Click here to access information from the State Of New Jersey on COVID-19.
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