COVID-19 Update
June 24, 2020

COVID-19 IRMA Provider Training
On Wednesday, July 1, The Office for People With Developmental Disabilities' (OPWDD) Division of Quality Improvement (DQI) is providing a training on the use of the Incident Reporting Management Application (IRMA) system.  Registration for the webinar can be completed here  

DRNY COVID Review 
Our Broome-Chenango-Tioga Counties Chapter (Achieve) received a correspondence from Disability Rights New York (DRNY) regarding a review of COVID-19 procedures and protocols. We are reaching out to DRNY to ask about the purpose of these visits and to advise them of our global COVID-19 prevention efforts. We will keep you posted on progress on this front.
 
Montgomery County Visitation Videos 
O ur Montgomery (Liberty) Chapter created these nifty, short videos for staff and families beginning visits at programs. They are a great tool to communicate this complicated topic through video.
Medicaid Delay Reason Code 15 (Natural Disaster) Guidance 
Recently, we shared information about using the Medicaid Delay Reason Code 15 to address delays in Medicaid billing due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Per The New York State Department of Health (NYS DOH), claims exceeding the timely filing limits during the state of emergency may be submitted electronically using Delay Reason 15 (Natural Disaster/State of Emergency) until the issuance of subsequent guidance by the NYSDOH or the expiration of such state disaster emergency declaration. Additional documentation for Delay Reason 15 is not required at this time. Upon claim review, if the normal claim submission timeframe does not fall within the State of Emergency, documentation may be requested to support the use of Delay Reason 15. All other documentation, such as invoices for pricing that are not related to Delay Reason 15, is still required.

OPWDD provided guidance via an email exchange that this code may be used during the pandemic. OPWDD does not believe that  DOH will be requesting any documentation during the state of emergency. OPWDD believes DOH will be turning off this allowance once the emergency has ended, but expects that providers can submit beyond the normal billing time frames for related delays. However, OPWDD indicated that normal delay codes should be used in instances they are typical and appropriate (i.e., delay in Medicaid coverage, use delay code 8, as it applies). 
 
New York State Incoming Travel Advisory 
Earlier today, Governor Cuomo, along with New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont announced a joint incoming travel advisory. Effective midnight on June 24, all individuals traveling from states with a significant spread of COVID-19 will be required to quarantine for 14-days from the last date they were within an identified state.

This incoming travel advisory applies to all persons arriving from a state with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents over a 7-day rolling average or a state with a 10% or higher positive test rate over a 7-day rolling average. As of this email, travelers from the following states are subject to this quarantine: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Washington, Utah, and Texas. This list will be updated daily.
 
NYC Human Resources Administration Alert on Medicaid Program Modifications 
The New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA) released an  updated alert   on Medicaid program modifications due to COVID-19. Among other things, this extends automatic 12-month Medicaid recertifications to those who would normally have to recertify in July and August. Note: This extension only applies to individuals who are receiving Medicaid through HRA.

Virtual Rally Opposing OPWDD Cuts 
This morning, nearly 300 people attended a virtual rally hosted by Sen. David Carlucci and New York Disability Advocates (NYDA) to oppose the proposed vacancy rate cuts. They heard from self-advocates, family members and providers about how the cuts would devastate services for people with I/DD.  The rally has been viewed more than 4,000 times on Facebook. If you missed it, you can watch the rally here

This and all related updates will be cataloged on  The Arc New York COVID-19 Resource Page   for future reference. Please contact us if you have questions regarding any of this information.

 
CONTACT: 
Josh Christiana , Associate Executive Director for Quality, Compliance & Chapter Relations

This email was sent to:
  • President Jack Kowalczyk 
  • Board of Governors 
  • Chapter Presidents
  • Executive Directors 
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  • Joint Committee on Quality & Compliance 
  • Guardianship Coordinators 
  • State Office Staff