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The DDA Connection
7/13/23
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July is Disability Pride Month
Each color in the Disability Pride Month flag symbolizes a disability experience. The black background mourns those who have died due to negligence, suicide, rebellion, illness and eugenics. The remaining stripes represent the diverse experiences within the disability community.
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New Combined Utilization/Qualified Provider Review Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
Liberty Healthcare Corporation has updated the Utilization Review Standard Operating Procedure to include additional qualified provider review components. The updated SOP streamlines documentation requests to providers and describes the separation of provider/staff qualifications from financial accountability components of the review that can lead to possible recoupment of improperly paid claims.
The updated UR/QP SOP went into effect July 1, 2023 and will be utilized for the current review period that covers both:
- Randomly selected paid claims from January 2023 through March 2023.
- Provider and staff qualifications for providers newly enrolled or with renewal Certification/Licensure dates during the January 2023 through March 2023 timeframe.
If you have any questions please contact Jennifer Mettrick, Executive Director, MD Quality at jennifer.mettrick@libertyhealth.com or La’Kisha Alvarado, QIO contract monitor/Program Manager at lakisha.alvarado@maryland.gov.
Please find the link to the UR SOP. It can also be found on the QIO webpage.
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Auto Extend for Self-Directed Services
We have carefully considered the feedback received from all of you on this system update, and we greatly appreciate your valuable input. Based on the feedback and the impact it has on our participants, we have decided to reverse the change and restore the auto-extension functionality for self-directed PCPs. Beginning July 10, 2023, we reinstated the auto-extension feature, which was temporarily removed earlier in June as part of a functionality enhancement.
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LTSSMaryland Provider Billing Training
The DDA is excited to announce the upcoming training session for the LTSSMaryland System. This session is designed to provide you with the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate the system effectively.
LTSSMaryland is a software program supporting case management and service delivery for Maryland Medicaid Home and Community-Based Service programs. The goal of LTSSMaryland is to integrate service coordination conducted across multiple programs into a central system. This benefits all parties by providing a single entry point for service coordination activities such as applications, assessments and billing.
Because of the range of services offered through LTSSMaryland, the DDA provides FREE training for billing and case management to staff of providers who will be using it.
The training session will cover essential topics such as:
- Navigating the provider portal
- Exploring the billing process
- Reviewing Search and View Services and Claims
- Examining how adjustments are made
- Resolving exceptions (issues) that prevent payments
- Accessing reports on services rendered and claims payments
- Using the system to input and update participant information
All staff attending the training session must come prepared to learn in a hands-on and interactive classroom experience.
The DDA understands that the LTSSMaryland System is complex, which is why we have arranged this training session to ensure that all users have the necessary skills and knowledge to use the system effectively. To provide the best experience for you and your classmates, please come prepared with the following:
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Verifying your access in LTSSMaryland before training.
- A laptop or desktop computer, preferably the setup you will be working on regularly (mobile devices, such as smartphones will not suffice).
- Access to a webcam is required. Please note that we require cameras to be ON to facilitate a collaborative and fun environment. Please do not log on to your phones for training.
Please note that attendance at this training session is required to ensure that you have a good knowledge of the system's functionality to support effective service delivery.
If you have any questions or concerns about the training session, please do not hesitate to contact DDA LTSS Team at dda.ltsstraining@maryland.gov.
Please click on the link below to register for the session that works best for you. The training consists of two-day mandatory sessions. All times are from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
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Waiver Amendments #1 2023 Update
The Maryland Department of Health’s DDA-operated waiver program amendments were submitted to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The amendments are to provide an option to exempt live-in caregivers who provide Personal Support and Respite Care Services from Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) requirements. This applies to both the traditional and self-directed services delivery models. The exemption is that live-in caregiver staff do not have to clock in and out in real time.
To view the proposed amendments, click on the links below:
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DDA Policy Updates
The DDA is seeking public input on the following proposed policy posted to the DDA’s Policy Stakeholder Input webpage:
You can access the proposed policies here: DDA Policy Stakeholder Input Dedicated Webpage.
Public comments will be accepted beginning July 14, 2023 through July 28, 2023. Please submit comments electronically to wfb.dda@maryland.gov or mail them to the DDA Federal Program Unit at 201 West Preston Street, 4th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21201. Please include in the subject line of your email, “Input on Policy,” and include the name of the policy you are commenting on. (For example, “Input on Housing Support Services Policy.”)
If you have questions or need any accommodations, please reach out to the DDA Federal Programs Policy Lead, Danielle Coles at Danielle.Coles1@maryland.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions Updates
The DDA is happy to share updates to the Frequently Asked Questions based on our rental subsidy webinar on May 30th, 2023. To view the updates click on this link.
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Maryland Medicaid Transmittal:
Fee-For-Service Rates For Medicaid Waiver Programs Operated by the DDA
On July 3, 2023, the Maryland Department of Health’s Office of Long Term Services and Supports issued a transmittal sharing updated rates for the DDA operated Medicaid Waiver programs including the Community Pathways Waiver, the Community Supports Waiver, and the Family Supports Waiver. The updated rates, effective July 1, 2023, are listed in the three fee schedules attached to the memo. Providers may bill the new rates for services provided on and after July 1, 2023.
Reference:
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Service Implementation Plan (SIP) Update
Below is the new and improved Service Implementation Plan (SIP). The new SIP includes instructions, examples, a key and simplified form fields. Teams should start using the new SIP form for plans with an effective date of September 1, 2023 or later. Teams may also choose to use the new SIP form immediately.
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Please remember the following regarding the new SIP effective July 1, 2023:
- The SIP is not required for people who self-direct their services.
- The SIP is no longer being reviewed by the region for content, rather they will ensure it is present and complete.
- A separate SIP is no longer required for every outcome, rather one SIP form can be used for all goals/outcomes a provider is supporting.
- Provider agencies can work with their IT vendor to recreate the SIP in their IT platform with DDA approval prior to use.
For providers who are choosing to work with their IT vendor to recreate the SIP, please submit a draft to Leslie Thompson, DDA Provider Services Director at leslie.thompson@maryland.gov prior to use.
Once received, the DDA will review and make an authorization decision via memo within 20 business days of receipt.
Drafts submitted must include the following in the email:
- Agency name
- Agency contact (phone and email)
- IT vendor contact for technical questions (phone and email)
Please note that the DDA has also updated our SIP policy and the FAQ specific to SIPs. If you have any questions please contact Leslie Thompson, DDA Statewide Provider Services Director at leslie.thompson@maryland.gov.
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Register for the Monitoring and Follow-Up Webinar
The DDA will be holding a webinar on August 31, from 1-2 p.m. to review the recently released Coordination of Community Services Monitoring and Follow-up Guidance.
During the webinar, we will review the essential CCS monitoring activities outlined in the guidance, which include assessing satisfaction with current services, progress towards identified goals, health and safety and changes in needs.
| If you have any questions, please reach out to Nicolette Paparoidamis, DDA's Statewide CCS Director, at Nicolette.Paparoidamis@maryland.gov. | |
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Tech Tuesdays Lunch and Learn Series
July 25, 2023: “Let’s Talk”- A Conversation with Shift, Inc. and DDA’s Provider Service Team.
This workshop will cover how to become a technology provider and the benefits of education and certification offered through Shift, Inc. as a provider in a Technology First State.
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Additionally, we will hear from the DDA’s own Leslie Thompson, Statewide Director of Provider Services, who will review the process of how to become a DDA provider. She will also discuss ways vendors can partner with existing providers to help people get and use the technology they want and need to meet their goals and become more independent in their daily lives.
Should you have any questions, please contact our Statewide Director of Innovations Stephanie Jones at Stephanie.Jones2@maryland.gov.
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Self-Directed Services Verification of First Aid/CPR Requirements
Due to the ending of Appendix K on June 30, 2023, all employees, who have not already done so, must submit a copy of their current First Aid/CPR certification to their FMCS by Monday, August 8, 2023, per DDA requirements.
If the FMCS does not receive the copies by Monday, August 8, 2023, the employee may not be authorized to work until it is submitted.
The FMCS will communicate verbally and in writing with applicable employers, representatives, employees, support brokers and CCSs regarding this requirement and needed documentation.
CCSs should coordinate with participants self-directing their services and the team to ensure these documents are submitted by Monday, August 8, 2023.
First Aid and CPR Training must include hands-on, in-person training (meeting OSHA requirements). Employees can consider completely in-person courses or hybrid models of training that allow for some of the training to be completed online and hands-on portions completed in a classroom.
Participants and teams are reminded that employees may be paid for their time in these required training sessions using the “Training” line items of the service(s) they provide.
If you have any questions, please contact Kristi Culbreth, DDA’s Statewide Coordinator of Self-Directed Services at kristina.culbreth@maryland.gov.
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DDA Statewide Nurses Meeting:
Sepsis
The Developmental Disabilities Administration Regional Nurses invites the DDA agency nurses (RN CM/DNs) for a statewide nurses meeting on Thursday, August 3, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Presenter: Denyce Watties-Daniels, DNP, RN-Associate Professor Coppin State University
Dr. Denyce Watties-Daniels is an Associate Professor with over 25 years of nursing practice and nursing education experience. Areas of clinical expertise include critical care, medical-surgical nursing, fundamentals of nursing, pathophysiology, pharmacology and technology/informatics.
Objectives:
● Describe conditions that promote the development of sepsis.
● Discuss the pathophysiology of sepsis.
● Discuss the relationship of sepsis to systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS).
● Describe vulnerable populations susceptible to sepsis.
● Identify signs and symptoms of sepsis.
● Discuss the nurse’s role in early recognition and intervention of sepsis.
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We want you to join the DDA Employment First Leadership Committee! | |
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Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for? (Audience) Why should they care? (Benefit) What do I want them to do here? (Call-to-Action)
Create a great offer by adding words like "free" "personalized" "complimentary" or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take an action, so think about inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining"!
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June Edition of the Journey Towards Person-Centered Excellence Monthly Newsletter
Liberty Healthcare Corporation on behalf of the DDA will be providing regular updates and important information related to the joint work of the DDA, The Council for Quality and Leadership and Liberty as we continue on our journey towards person-centered excellence within the DD system. Visit the QIO web page of the DDA website.
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Have feedback about our newsletter? | |
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DDA Vision
People with developmental disabilities will have full lives in the communities of their choice where they are included, participate and are active citizens.
DDA Mission
Create a flexible, person-centered, family-oriented system of support so people can have full lives.
DDA Headquarters
201 W. Preston Street, 4th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: (410)767-5600
Fax: (410)767-5850
Toll Free: 1(844)253-8694
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