Welcome to the Kentucky House A representative must be at least 24 years old,…
The Re-KAPP…1.6.17
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Your first re-KAPP of 2017…
Dear KAPP Members – I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and some well deserved time off! It is an honor to begin my second year as your State Association’s Full-Time Executive Director. Thank you for your commitment to KAPP as you renew your 2017 memberships. The only way we can accomplish great things is to WORK TOGETHER! Let’s get started!
QUICK FIXES to the SCL regs – UPDATE:
An update on our workgroup progress with Commissioner/Waiver Director Debbie Anderson. While we had planned to see an emergency regulation with these changes, I was informed yesterday that instead of opening the regs and going through that lengthy process, Commissioner Miller would be issuing a provider letter (like he did with MWMA last summer) detailing the changes. We can expect a draft of that letter to be shared with me sometime NEXT WEEK. After it is reviewed, discussed and agreed upon, the letter would become effective the day it is issued. I do not have all the details to share with you, but you can go back to November Re-KAPP’s to pick up where we left off.
- We will be moving from Daily Notes back to Monthly Summaries for applicable services.
- We will be simplifying documentation requirements (5 things) to minimize the risk of future recoupments.
- We will see a simplification of the Exceptional Rate Protocol and a clarification of the formula for approval.
Stay tuned….we have completed this task, with the help and commitment of Commissioner Anderson!
SCL Pending Waiver Application/Regs:
As I told you in the last re-KAPP, this has been pending at CMS and it is holding up the regulation changes we worked all of 2016 to get…but most importantly is tying up 240 slots that were approved in the LAST budget cycle. Many of you have been very concerned about the emergency waiting list, which has grown beyond 200. The deadline for CMS to approve or deny was 12/29/16. I was able to catch up with Commissioner Anderson yesterday to learn that another RAI (request for additional information) was sent to Kentucky DMS during the holidays. Due to so many key people being out of the office, it took until Wednesday 1/4/17 for it to be responded to and submitted back to CMS. Comm. Anderson said the questions were very basic, and didn’t indicate concerns for any service area. She believes that will be the last step and approval should follow SOON. I will continue to follow-up!
Kentucky HCBS Waiver Redesign Workgroup
Over the next few months, the Stakeholder Advisory Group will continue to develop recommendations for the future design of the HCBS waivers. The group will work through recommendations for operationalizing each critical element and review potential models for HCBS delivery in Kentucky. CHFS leadership will consider the recommendations of the Stakeholder Advisory Group in developing future plans for Kentucky’s HCBS waivers.
The Waiver Redesign Workgroup convenes on January 11th in Frankfort. ***This is meeting is closed to new attendees per Commissioner Anderson.
KAPP has a combined 10 members that are representing various services and waivers on the workgroup. Myself, Johnny Callebs, Brad Schneider, Todd Case, Sarah Bell, Mary Allen, Chris George, Jason Simmons, Tracy Ruth and Brandon Griffith.
Look for an update next week!
Eligibility Update
When we met with OATS/DCBS/DMS/DAIL, they promised to set up meetings with us to trouble shoot/problem solve. The first meeting was scheduled for today, but cancelled due to snow. I will follow-up to ensure it is rescheduled as soon as possible.
Updated Process:
Read closely and follow the process outlined exactly.
I’ve included the fw__dcbs_information spreadsheet to start with & our billing assistance form. (There are tabs along the bottom for each county/area.)
The process should be:
- Use the Billing Assistance Form
- E-mail your local DCBS contact about each individual issue. (I would do them separately, even though it is more work, you may be more likely to get things prioritized and completed.)
- If you do not get a response, or an unhelpful one…FORWARD that email showing your efforts and response/non-response to:
- Laura.Sanders@ky.gov;
- Alisha.Clark@ky.gov;
- EarlW.Gresham@ky.gov;
- Liping.Peng@ky.gov;
- Stacyd.Fish@ky.gov;
- Deck.Decker@ky.gov;
- Jennifer.Harp@ky.gov;
- Kristi.Putnam@ky.gov;
- Patricia.Walden@ky.gov;
- Jill.Hunter@ky.gov;
- and copy ME.
HCB Final Settings Rule UPDATE
The Commonwealth of Kentucky updated its Statewide Transition Plan (STP), which outlines our process for implementing the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Final Rules. Kentucky received initial approval on its STP in June, 2016, and updated the STP based on additional feedback and comments from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). These updates include further defining our heightened scrutiny and assessment processes. The STP is open for public comment until January 19, 2017 and is published on the Department for Medicaid Services (DMS)’ webpage: http://chfs.ky.gov/dms/
Renew your KAPP Membership for 2017:
Download 2017 Membership Application HERE!
RENEW online via this EventBrite Link!
Sign-up for KAPP Committees:
We need your help! Sign-up HERE: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KAPP2017Volunteers
2017 Kentucky General Session opened Tuesday January 3rd
Here are some news clips from the whirlwind that was week one!
Hoover sworn in as House GOP makes history
January 3, 2017 Louisville Courier-Journal
State Rep. Jeff Hoover made history Tuesday afternoon when he was officially sworn in as Kentucky’s first Republican House Speaker in nearly a century.
January 3, 2017 Louisville Courier-Journal
State Rep. Jeff Hoover made history Tuesday afternoon when he was officially sworn in as Kentucky’s first Republican House Speaker in nearly a century.
House Democrats pick former majority floor leader to serve same role in minority alongside two new members of leadership
January 3, 2017 cn2 Pure Politics
House Democrats elected Rep. Rocky Adkins as their minority floor leader during a Tuesday morning caucus meeting before the 2017 General Assembly convened.
Ky’s GOP era starts with abortion, right-to-work
January 3, 2017 Louisville Courier-Journal
Republicans in total control of the 2017 Kentucky General Assembly wasted no time Tuesday in moving conservative priority bills including two measures to restrict a woman’s ability to get an abortion.
Ky House Speaker: Legislature Will ‘Likely’ Meet Saturday to Pass Bills
January 4, 2017 AP Murray WKMS.org
Kentucky’s Republican House Speaker says it is likely the state legislature will meet on Saturday to pass the first bills of the year.
January 4, 2017 AP Murray WKMS.org
Kentucky’s Republican House Speaker says it is likely the state legislature will meet on Saturday to pass the first bills of the year.
Senate and House Majority Floor Leaders Thayer and Shell share thoughts on 2017 session
January 4, 2017 cn2 Pure Politics
Republican Majority Floor Leaders Rep. Jonathan Shell and Sen. Damon Thayer will control the floodgates of legislation heading to the floor of their respective chambers over the 30-day session, and the two have been in constant contact leading up to the first days of the session.
Bevin, GOP lawmakers push anti-union bills as angry workers chant in hallways
January 4, 2017 Lexington Herald-Leader
Angry union workers packed the hallways of Kentucky’s Capitol Annex Wednesday as Republican lawmakers pushed ahead with bills that would ban mandatory union dues and repeal a law that requires regional prevailing wages for workers on public construction projects.
GOP bill to disclose legislators’ pensions advances to full Senate
January 4, 2017 Lexington Herald-Leader
Republicans are taking another shot at revealing lawmakers’ state pensions to the public, a transparency effort that Democrats blocked for at least four legislative sessions.
Bathroom bill filed in Ky – by a Democrat
January 4, 2017 Louisville Courier-Journal
Two controversial social conservative bills that many top Republican leaders have de-emphasized in recent months were filed in the Kentucky House on Tuesday by a Democrat.
What’s in store if lawmakers work Saturday?
January 5, 2017 Louisville Courier-Journal
Republicans in firm control of the Kentucky General Assembly may hold a rare Saturday session to pass the first bills of the year and deliver them to Gov. Matt Bevin to be signed into law.
January 5, 2017 Louisville Courier-Journal
Republicans in firm control of the Kentucky General Assembly may hold a rare Saturday session to pass the first bills of the year and deliver them to Gov. Matt Bevin to be signed into law.
U of L bill passes Senate, blindsides Democrats
January 5, 2017 Louisville Courier-Journal
The Kentucky Senate on Thursday passed a bill to abolish the University of Louisville board of trustees and create a new system of appointing its members over objections of Democrats who said Republicans were rushing through a measure that could hurt UofL’s accreditation.
Lawmakers rush limits on abortion, labor unions out of Kentucky Senate and House
January 5, 2017 Lexington Herald-Leader
Although Republican lawmakers said they would focus in 2017 on jobs and Kentucky’s economy, the first bills to fly out of the Senate and House chambers on Thursday concerned women’s access to abortion.
Four things you might not know about Kentucky’s right-to-work bill
January 5, 2017 Louisville Business First
For years, some in the business community have been calling on Kentucky lawmakers to reconsider the state’s “right-to-work” status.
SAVE THE DATES:
- 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
- Capitol Annex & Rotunda – Frankfort
Wednesday February 15th: Frankfort, KY – Capitol Annex – KAPP DAY! Details to follow….
Have a great weekend!
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