The Re-KAPP 10.14.16

Happy Friday!  As an association KAPP finds itself in an interesting and exciting time of change and opportunity.  While the status of regulations, CMS approvals, Final Rule implementations, and historic elections…are all hanging in the balance…we are working diligently and covering a lot of ground in making significant improvements in our waiver services.  

MEDICAID ROUNDTABLE WITH CONGRESSMAN GUTHRIE

We had an exciting opportunity to participate in a Medicaid Roundtable Discussion yesterday with U.S. Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY 2), U.S. Congressman Buschon (IN 8) and State Senator Julie Raque-Adams (KY 36).  A big thank you to Ken Lovan, Kelley Abell and ResCare’s new CEO, Jon Rousseau for organizing the event and inviting KAPP to participate.  I was able to share our DSP Advocacy Video and further share stats on wages, turnover rates, our 12-year-old funding…combined with continued unfunded mandates and rules from CMS and Department of Labor.  Our message was well received and there was consensus of the importance of this population and the need to value and elevate the role of the Direct Support Professionals.  They were pleased to hear about our collaboration with Governor Bevin’s administration and the Cabinet.  We again reiterated that we want to part of the solutions for any Medicaid reform and how we can improve services for our most vulnerable Kentuckians.

Thank you to KAPP Board Chair Johnny Callebs and Board Member Brad Schneider (from Congressman Guthrie’s district) for attending with me.

Congressman Guthrie shared our photo on his Facebook page today:

 Congressman Brett Guthrie shared your photo.

A few other updates:

• The 3 Cabinet Workgroups covering Monthly Summaries/Exceptional Rate Protocol/Recoupment are wrapping up their initial meetings and proposals.  The Exceptional Group presents to Commissioner Miller and Commissioner/Waiver Director Anderson next week.  After that, I will follow-up with Commissioner Anderson on the status of the final proposals and when they will be sent out to providers for comment.  Please know that our comments and suggestions have been presented professionally & effectively, and reflect KAPP’s public comments and concerns of the past 4 years.
• Emergency Regulations will be filed based upon these recommendations before year’s end, according to Commissioner Anderson’s plan.  
• As I referenced in the re-KAPP last week, I met with Commissioner Anderson last Thursday and discussed potential ideas for waiver redesign.  Our Waiver Redesign Workgroup will be meeting on Thursday 10/20.  Anyone interested in joining that workgroup should email Clyde Lang at clang@cedarlake.org
• Commissioner Anderson is considering “turning back on” the capability for service providers to VIEW case management documents through MWMA.  I’ve shared with her that that was our initial request, but that Commissioner Miller had taken it a step further and we were not in a position to question it at the time.  We still do not want to upload any documents (service providers), but being to view would be helpful.  I am going to recommend testing this thoroughly before any roll-out…possibly pilot. 
• We continue to struggle with eligibility issues, but the Cabinet is trying to identify systemic problems while resolving specific problems.  I know it is frustrating and not very helpful for me to tell you, you’re not alone…however, the best course of action right now is to first work with local DCBS offices.  If you still have issues, utilize the Billing Assistance Form that I’ve sent out several times to compile your agency specific cases.  E-mail those documents to Alisha.Clark@ky.gov and EarlW.Gresham@ky.gov representing DMS; Laura.Sanders@ky.gov from DCBS; Liping.Peng@ky.gov representing OATS (Benefind/MWMA); always copy me.  If it is a guardianship or fiduciary problem, include Cindy.Ford@ky.gov.
• To help the Cabinet and providers with these issues, I’ve proposed the idea of a Case Management Summit (a one day case management conference) to break down specific issues and try to find where the problems lie and suggest solutions.  Commissioner Anderson loved the idea and wants to discuss it further.   That could occur in the next couple of months.  
• Save the Date!  Our next full KAPP Membership Meeting will be our Annual Meeting and Elections on Wednesday, November 9th in Frankfort.  The Interim Joint Committee on Health & Welfare will be from 10 am – 12 pm at the Capitol Annex that morning, and there’s a good chance that I will be on the agenda to do a presentation gearing up for our DSP Advocacy Campaign.  It would be great for providers to pack the room…break for lunch…then move over to our KAPP meeting from 1-4.  (Location TBA.)  
• As always, you are welcome to contact me with any questions!  I appreciate your support of KAPP and of me as we continue to WORK!