Medina County Providers
Weekly Information
January 20, 2021
Should any providers have questions or immediate needs, please email Provider Support by clicking below.
MUI Logs Due
All active Independent Providers and ICF's:

UIR logs and documentation of review for January 2021 are due by February 26, 2021.
January EVV Webinars
The Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) and Sandata are hosting 3 Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) webinars in January 2021. The webinars will focus on best practices related to EVV maintenance and ensuring visits are accurately captured to support claims. Please follow below for webinar and registration information.
Phase 1B Clarifications
The DODD has clarified that only people with the exact diagnoses included on the Ohio Department of Health's previously distributed list will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as part of Phase 1B.

  • The list, which also appears in ODH's latest Phase 1B guidance below.
Appendix K Extension
DODD, in collaboration with Ohio Department of Medicaid, submitted a request to CMS for an extension of Appendix K. CMS approved the request through the end of the public health emergency (PHE) declared by the U.S. Department of Health and Human services (HHS). Services and flexibilities that previously had an expiration date of January 26, 2021, may now continue to be authorized.
 
The extension also includes an additional six months beyond the end of the PHE to allow for unwinding of the temporary flexibilities and the return to permanent/ongoing services. Appropriate services should be determined through the person-centered team planning process to determine which permanent/ongoing service(s) best meet the needs of the person and to get the service(s) set up and in place before the end of the six-month unwinding period.
 
  • The current PHE is scheduled to expire on April 21, 2021 unless extended by HHS, which means that the unwinding period will expire on October 21, 2021.
COVID-19 Vaccines: What We've Learned
COVID-19 vaccines are extremely safe and effective. Several expert and independent groups have evaluated the vaccines’ safety and the pandemic-ending benefits. Vaccination of LTCF staff and residents against COVID-19 far outweigh the possible risks. These vaccines were approved using technology that has been studied and used to create medications for over 10 years and the COVID-19 vaccine was made possible by an unprecedented worldwide effort since the beginning of the pandemic. Quality and safety were given utmost consideration in the process.
The most common side effect is soreness at the site of the injection. Some individuals experience symptoms, like a slight fever and chills. These side effects tend to be mild to moderate and go away quickly. These side effects are signs that the immune system is doing exactly what it is supposed to do. It is working and building up protection against the disease. Serious side effects after vaccination are very rare.
The mRNA vaccines to fight COVID-19 do not change your body’s DNA or genes. Your body’s DNA is not touched or changed by the mRNA. It simply delivers a message that your body needs to start building defenses and immunity against the COVID-19 virus.
If you want to know more about how the vaccine might affect your preexisting health conditions talk to your primary healthcare provider. If you do not have a regular doctor, talk to the doctors or head nurses at your work or reach out to your local health department.
Widespread acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccination is the most promising solution to ending the pandemic. It takes time to build immunity so you should continue to follow all current guidance to protect yourself and others. This includes proper use of personal protective equipment even after receiving the vaccine. Until a large number of Ohioans receive the vaccine, we need to continue to use all the prevention tools available.
To learn more about getting the COVID-19 vaccine, please take a look at the social story below.
Nominate a DSP
Do you know a Direct Support Professional (DSP) who has made a positive impact on your life, a family member, an agency, someone you know with a disability or the community? Help us publicly recognize their efforts by nominating them for a “DSP Spotlight”.
New RFPs This Week
5 new RFPs were listed on the portal in the past week:

  • HPC - 2
  • NMT - 1
  • Ohio Shared Living - 1
  • Other - 1

Login to view the open RFPs and see if you or your agency might be a good fit.
A Message from Management
A Message to Providers from Brian Sommers, SSA Manager
In some cases, the pandemic has put further strain our system, such as our ongoing concern 
related to staff shortages. In other cases, the pandemic has forced us to advance our system at a much quicker rate, such as in the use of technology. Moving forward, MCBDD wants to take a more systematic approach to identifying opportunities for, and making use of, technology in order to help support people with increasing/maintaining their independence and interacting with the people in their lives. 
The mission of the Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities is to promote and empower individuals with developmental disabilities to live, learn, work, and socialize as citizens in the community.