…the Re-KAPP

MONDAY 12.12.16:

• As part of the ANCOR System Redesign Workgroup, I was asked to join a small group in Washington on Monday that included:  ANCOR CEO & Staff, Barbara Merrill, Esme’ Grant Grewal, Katherine Berland, Doris Parfait-Claude; Ken Lovan (ResCare), Daryn Demeritt (ResCare), Mark Davis (OPRA) and Rachel Patterson (HMA).  The larger group had worked to create a document as a result of ongoing meetings with current CMS Director Vikki Wachino, which we delivered and presented to her (and transition staff) at the HHS Building in DC.  The document won’t be widely shared until next week, but I have permission to share it with our association members early, but ask that you keep it close until then.  It is a complex document, but very well written and can be used to benefit our work at the state level and legislative talking points moving forward.  Review the document HERE:  ANCOR Access and Adequacy Report
• Following this meeting I was given the opportunity to attend a secondary meeting with Matt Salo, the Executive Director of the National Association of Medicaid Directors.  Insightful conversation on the future of ACA, how repeal and replace could look in the coming months.

Wednesday morning 12.14.16:

• The Kentucky HCBS Waiver Redesign Workgroup (State Staff & Stakeholders) reconvened for its second meeting from 9:30 – 12:30 at the History Center in Frankfort.  Those I spoke with afterward believe the consensus is to develop a larger “super waiver” where participants can access the services they need from a menu of options and not worry about the “silo” or waiver they are in.  For providers this could more easily streamline services, definitions, regulations, forms, etc.  There are no details to share, and this is NOT a foregone conclusion.  This workgroup’s recommendations and proposals will be outlined specifically and shared with external stakeholder groups for review and feedback/comments.  (All providers will get that opportunity.)  The Cabinet Waiver Experts (internal review group) will then review external stakeholder feedback…make any substantive changes if needed based on feedback, then submit proposed changes to leadership Policy Team at the Cabinet.  The Leadership Policy Team (Chief of Staff Davis, CMS Commissioner Miller, Commissioner Anderson and Commissioner Morris)  will then review proposed changes and assess impacts; Approve Changes? If no, they will return back to the original Waiver Redesign Workgroup (that includes us).  If yes, they submit it to Secretary Glisson for review and approval.  The goal is submission to the secretary by the end of August 2017.
• I’m attaching the document from Wednesday’s workgroup HERE:  hcbs-waiver-redesign-12-14-2016
• As you’ll see on page 8 of the document, the Key Goals of Redesign determined by the stakeholder process was:  Access & Quality; Collaboration; Communications; Consistency; Simplification; Sustainability and Flexibility.

Wednesday afternoon 12.14.16:

• Johnny Callebs and I had the opportunity to begin our bi-monthly meeting schedule with DBHDID Commissioner Wendy Morris.  Although we have been working so closely with Commissioner Anderson in her special assignment as Waiver Director, it is still imperative that we begin to rebuild relationships with DBHDID.  Claudia Johnson joined us in the meeting and we agreed that Alice Blackwell should join us moving forward.  I can tell you the mood of the meeting was very positive and it seems Commissioner Morris is open and excited about working with KAPP.  We did not plan a specific agenda as we just wanted to establish contact initially, but we did end up talking about our plans during the legislative session highlight the DSP WORKFORCE.  That message was well received, and it seems we could have some common/consistent talking points among KAPP and other groups, including DBHDID!  Unprecedented opportunities ahead!
• The Public Policy Committee is working diligently on our talking points for 2017, which lead to a budget ask directed to workforce in 2018.  I will get those to you as soon as possible!

UPDATES:

Quick Fixes – Emergency Regulation for SCL:  

• First of all….don’t lose hope or give up!  Commissioner Anderson is still working tirelessly to get this done for us, addressing our 3 issues we defined as needing solutions ASAP:  1 – Documentation simplification to reduce recoupment risk, 2 – Simplify the Exceptional Rate Protocol process and add a mechanism to calculate true cost and backdate for emergencies, 3 – Eliminate the Daily Note Requirement and return to monthly summaries where applicable.
• The Exceptional Rate Protocol piece is the most complicated (and controversial) because it includes $$$ and calculations.  I advocated to Commissioner Anderson and Commissioner Miller, to return to the workgroup’s original recommendations.
• I believe the Cabinet Leadership team was meeting today to try and finalize these issues.  I’ll update you on any developments with the e-reg as I get them!
• *NOTE – the SCL waiver pending at CMS…the extension runs through 12.29.16.  The current CMS director ends her post 1.19.17 before the Trump administration is ushered in.  In the CMS meeting Monday, we asked about that waiver and urged them to approve it before they leave.  We stressed the urgency of the 240 SCL slots being held up.  I’ve checked with the Medicaid staff in Kentucky and they say everything has been submitted that was required from them.  Now we wait!  If in the next few weeks, that waiver is approved (that includes the slots and the regulatory wins we achieved back in the first part of the year) AND the e-reg is filed to address the quick fixes, we will experience some positive impacts!  We can achieve relief from those as we work to redesign the current waivers over 2017.

Eligibility

• I hope you have continued to experience less wait times on your calls to DCBS and in the local offices? 
• I hope you have observed fewer problems where waiver recipients are assigned incorrectly to MCO’s?
• I hope you have been getting quick responses and solutions to your individual billing issues when you use the process we have agreed upon with the Cabinet?
• I can tell you that I’ve heard fewer issues from you, although they still clearly exist.  If this is not accurate, I need to hear from you!
• When we met with OATS/DCBS/DMS/DAIL, they promised to set up meetings with us to trouble shoot/problem solve.  They have followed through with that promise.  They are starting with 4 providers.  We had no say in who they were, but some emails went out today, inviting them.  If you received an invitation, please let me know.  The first meeting agenda:
• Waiver Workgroup Agenda, January 6^th
  Morning (9:00-12:00)
  1.       Introductions
  2.       Current Business Process (benefind, MWMA, MMIS)
  3.       Future Program Plans (system enhancements, training)
  4.       High-level Case Research Outcomes
   
  Afternoon (1:00-4:00)
  5.       Case Walkthroughs of the 4 providers
• A small change to the billing eligibility instructions…when you use our Billing Assistance Form, and have emailed the local office without success.  Forward that email (showing that you didn’t receive a response, or didn’t receive a solution), attach the Billing Assistance form and email it to:  Deck.Decker@ky.gov; Laura.Sanders@ky.gov; Alisha.Clark@ky.gov; Liping.Peng@ky.gov and copy me.  Some of you have some other contacts you’re emailing, but if you want the quickest resolution, this is the process we’ve agreed upon with the workgroup.

Renew your KAPP Membership for 2017:

Download 2017 Membership Application HERE!

Sign-up for KAPP Committees:

We need your help! Sign-up HERE:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KAPP2017Volunteers

• I/DD Technical Advisory Committee:  Friday 1/20/17 – 10:00 am – 12:00 pm EDT – Frankfort – 275 E. Main (open to the public)
• Medicaid Advisory Committee:  Thursday 1/26/17 – 10:00 am – 12:00 pm EDT – Frankfort – Capitol Annex  (open to the public)
• THE UNITED 874K COALITION ADVOCACY EVENT – LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS & RALLY –Tuesday, February 22, 2017    
  874K Rally 2016

  Capitol Annex & Rotunda – Frankfort

2017 Kentucky General Assembly

• Tuesday January 3rd:  Session Day 1
• Wednesday January 4th:  Frankfort, KY – WELCOME BACK TO FRANKFORT RECEPTIONS – 5:00 pm 
• Wednesday February 15th:  Frankfort, KY – Capitol Annex – KAPP DAY!
• 2017 Legislative Calendar

State by State Disability News for the week:  HERE

Disabled Kentuckians can now save money without being penalized

State Treasurer Allison Ball unveils an initiative that allows allows disabled Kentuckians to save money without being penalized. (Kentucky Today/Tom Latek)

By TOM LATEK, Kentucky Today

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Disabled Kentuckians or their families can now open “ABLE accounts,” allowing them to put money into savings without jeopardizing Supplemental Social Security, Medicaid and other federal benefits.

The program, announced Tuesday by State Treasurer Allison Ball, is the result of legislation enacted this year, providing a state version of the Achieving Better Life Experience Act passed by Congress in 2014.

“For too long, many individuals in Kentucky with disabilities have been denied the opportunity to save and invest,” Ball said.

Money invested in the ABLE accounts, as well as the earnings, are not subject to federal income tax, so long as it is spent on qualified disability expenses.

Kentucky is partnering with Ohio, the first and only other state to set up accounts, and the accounts go through Ohio’s portal, so there is no additional cost to Kentucky, according to Ball. It also means those with disabilities are no longer limited to $2,000 in savings, without losing benefits.

Ball said she chose this time of year to unveil the program for a reason.

“You can actually open STABLE accounts as a gift,” she said. “It’s also a good time for people to be thinking about their tax situation.”

The beneficiaries of these accounts must be under the age of 26.

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On the net: http://stablekentucky.com

Sherri Brothers and Brandon Griffith (click on the image to watch Brandon’s interview on WTVQ Lexington), with the Arc of Central Kentucky, come to the studio to spread the word about a night of delicious food, entertainment, music, silent auction, cash bar & more!

The “Shedding the Mask on Disabilities” event will happen on Friday, December 16th at the Lyric Theatre & Cultural Arts Center located at 300 East Third Street, and will run from 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

The Arc of Central Kentucky promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and /or developmental disabilities  and actively supports their full  inclusion and participation  in the community throughout their  lifetimes.

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PCPID Commits To Prioritizing Workforce After Testimony From ANCOR