OPRA Latest News

Ohio House Passed Budget Includes Monies for DD Waiver Rate Increase!!

lminnich@opra.org (Leslie Minnich) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Representative Robert Sprague

614.466.3819

Representative Anne Gonzales

614.466.4847

Representative Cliff Rosenberger

614.466.3506

Representative Cheryl Grossman

614.466.9690

Representative Barbara R. Sears

614.466.1731

Representative Nickie Antonio

614.466.5921

Representative Bill Batchelder

614.466.81

$5.4 MILLION ($2M State Share) BEGINNING IN FY14 FOR IO WAIVER RATE INCREASE!

For the first time since the inception of the Individual Options waiver reimbursement system in 2005, new state general revenue fund monies are appropriated for a rate increase. Thanks to your (OPRA membership) efforts, the Ohio House of Representatives has included in its recently passed budget (H.B. 59), an additional $2 million ($3.4 in FFP) beginning July 1, 2013 (FY14). This is a critically important first step in addressing our waiver needs.

NEXT STEPS

It is important to note that inclusion in the House passed budget does NOT necessarily indicate support from the Administration or the Ohio Senate. OPRA will work hard in the Senate to keep the $2 million in GRF and with your help we will work doubly hard to increase it! Your efforts (as you proved in the House) were invaluable and are immensely appreciated. We will need to replicate those and more going forward. Thank you for all of your help! And congratulations!

WAIVER RATE INCREASE—HOW WILL IT BE ALLOCATED?

Although the budget process is far from finished and we are guaranteed nothing at this point, the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities has graciously indicated a willingness to convene discussion on how we might best incorporate new dollars into our current IO rate structure. Given that new monies (if appropriated) would be available for FY14, we agree that a proactive approach makes good sense. We expect initial conversations to begin shortly. We will keep you informed.

APPRECIATION FOR HOUSE MEMBER ACTION AND SUPPORT

While many House members were supportive of new monies for a waiver rate increase, there were several that were particularly helpful in their own way. We think it would be a nice touch from all of us to let them know of our appreciation. In the sidebar is a list of those members, with links to their email. Please take a moment to express your gratitude by calling them or sending them an email or short note. Remember to highlight that you are referencing the developmental disabilities waiver rate increase.

THANK YOU ALL ONCE AGAIN, FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT AS WE FIGHT FOR A LONG OVERDUE WAIVER RATE INCREASE!

Healthy Ohioans Work.

lminnich@opra.org (Leslie Minnich) — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

When: Thursday April 11 from noon to 1:00pm

Where: The Ohio Statehouse

1 Capital Square, Columbus OH, 43215

What: YOU AND OHIOANS FROM ACROSS THE STATE RALLY TO SUPPORT EXTENDING HEALTHCARE TO 275,000 OHIOANS!

Late Friday, we heard the Ohio House does not have the votes to pass Medicaid expansion and extend health coverage to 275,000 Ohioans in the state budget.

There's still time for the Ohio House to CHOOSE PEOPLE OVER POLITICS and extend health coverage to low-wage Ohioans, but we need your help!!

Click here to register for the rally for healthy, working Ohioans.

JOIN US for Two Important Community Forums!!

lminnich@opra.org (Leslie Minnich) — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Hear speakers like John Martin, DODD, Candace Novak, Catholic Health Partners, John Romer, HCDDSvcs, John Francis, Talbert House, and President of the Arc of Ohio, John Hannah talk about the positive impact of Medicaid Expansion on Ohio citizens and local businesses and how it will help with the rising costs of healthcare in 2014.

Endorsed by over 500 statewide businesses and organizations!!!

CINCINNATI event (click here for more info) will be held TODAY, March 25th from 11:00am to noon at Beech Acres Parenting Center, 6881 Beechmont Ave, Cincinnati OH 45230!!

COLUMBUS event (click here for more info) will be held March 28th, from 11:00am to noon at Goodwill Columbus, 1331 Edgehill Rd, Columbus OH, 43212

OPRA 2013 Spring Conference

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0500

Keeping providers informed of the ever-changing landscape of customer needs, new technology, best practices and pending rules, regulations, and system plans is a critical element of OPRA's role. To keep members up to speed, OPRA conducts two statewide conferences annually. The 2013 Spring Conference is schedule for April 16 and 17 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Dublin, Ohio. Want more information and details?

DODD Re-Instates Work Group

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500

In 2010, The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) convened a work group to develop recommendations regarding the management of consumer funds in non-licensed settings. A Money Management Guidelines Information Notice was released in October of 2011.

After reviewing feedback from the Ohio Provider Resource Association (OPRA) and the Ohio Association of County Boards of Developmental Disabilities (OACBDD), DODD asked OPRA to convene an internal work group to develop recommendations for DODD’s consideration. OPRA’s work group began meeting in 2012 and developed Best Practice Guidelines for both the management of consumer funds and Representative Payee Services .

In addition, a memo was drafted regarding the disposition of the personal funds of deceased consumers. This memo was for DODD’s use and has not been distributed.

After meeting with DODD to discuss our progress, DODD re-convened their work group to begin work on a money management rule for non-licensed settings. The group will be meeting frequently during the next 3 months. OPRA will send the draft rule to the membership for comment as soon as it ready.

The DODD IAF Reconsideration Process

lminnich@opra.org — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500

On February 14, 2013, OPRA’s ICF Committee convened to discuss the IAF Reconsideration process (see presentation here). Main topic of discussion: providers have indicated that they do not know exactly what to appeal. DODD assessors have only provided preliminary score sheets at the facility exit and mail the final RAC summary score sheet at a later date. Providers report that they are not given access to the final IAF scoring/answer sheets that are in DODD’s possession. This presents a problem because providers do not know exactly what to appeal, since preliminary scores may not be the same as the final scores.

We understand that DODD has, in some cases, changed the scores/answers since the time of the assessors’ exit from the facility. OPRA has asked DODD to resend all notices of final scores with the scoring/answer sheets to providers so that everyone is on notice of the IAF final scores/answers. DODD has so far refused this request, and instead have indicated that providers can, facility by facility, ask for the final IAF facility scoring/answer sheets upon which the final RAC scores are based.

Providers should use the IAF Document Request form for requesting IAF score/answer sheets if they do not have an appeal yet to file (because they have not yet received your notice letter from DODD), and/or the IAF document and Reconsideration Request form which can be used at a provider’s discretion when asking for both the IAF score and answer sheets. The form also describes a proposed way to request reconsideration generically for the facility. Providers should do what they are comfortable with, and may want to consult their own legal counsel about various approaches as OPRA is not providing legal advice, only processes for consideration.

It is our understanding that DODD is giving providers who have filed a generic appeal with a request for the IAF scores/answers an additional 15 days in which to appeal once they receive the IAF score/answer sheets. But you must ask for the IAF score/answer sheets. We do not think at this point that DODD is going to send out any new notice containing the score sheets. This could change, but, as of today, this has been the practice of DODD.

Due to the possibility of score modifications after your facilities review, we suggest that you request your final score/answer sheets to know your organization’s underlying scores/answers with certainty to ensure that what you are appealing is accurate. Another advantage of asking for this information after you receive your notice is that it extends the timeframe for appeal by an additional 15 days from time you receive the final IAF scores/answers. This helps because: 1) you will know with certainty what you are appealing and 2) you will have more time in which to appeal as the information needed to rebut the DODD scores can be labor intensive and lengthy to compile. If DODD changes its mind and starts sending out the final IAF score/answer sheets on a going forward basis, you should file timely as instructed in the DODD letter.

OPRA News: A New Format!!

lminnich@opra.org — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500

OPRA is pleased to introduce The OPRA Review, a newly formatted and expanded ongoing review of issues and initiatives of current importance. We will be using the to keep you updated and informed of the FY 14/15 State of Ohio budget as it progresses through the General Assembly, as well as providing you with relavent information from the field, stories about the wonderful providers who are at the heart of Ohio's DD service delivery, calendars of events, and so much more!. As always we appreciate your interest and active involvement. Do not hesitate to let us know of topics of interest and any and all feedback.

Letter to DODD Director Martin

lminnich@opra.org — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0500

On January 11, 2012, OPRA announced one of its budget priorities in a January 11^th letter to Director Martin requesting a waiver rate increase . In the letter, Mark Davis, President of OPRA, cited the fact that IO waiver rates have not been increased since the implementation of the waiver reimbursement system in 2005. Davis cited low direct support staff wages, high turnover , increased administrative requirements, uncertainty over future health care costs and the overall need for a stable and sustainable waiver as the reasons for the request.

OPRA and HR Committee Release 2012 HR Policies & Practices Reports

opra@opra.org — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Over the past several months, OPRA conducted a survey of its members regarding each agencies’ Direct Support Professional policies and practices. Analysis of the submitted data is complete, and 2 reports are now ready for distribution. Human Resource Policies and Practices Related to Direct Support Professionals compares a number of pay and benefit practices in relation to DSP retention and turnover. Human Resource Practices and Turnover of Direct Support Professionals: Comparison of Low and High Turnover, OPRA Members examines the impact that particular policies have on the rate of DSP turnover.

Members who submitted data for this survey are receiving a complimentary copy of both reports. For all other interested parties, please place orders online.

Pricing is as follows:

Provider Members:	$90
Associate Members:	$125
Non-Members:	$500

Trends in the Prevalence of Developmental Disabilities in U. S. Children, 1997?2008

Thu, 27 Sep 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Here are the main findings, as summarized recently by Disability Scoop.

? The prevalence of any DD in 1997?2008 was 13.87%

o Prevalence of learning disabilities was 7.66%;
o Prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was 6.69%;
o Prevalence of other developmental delay was 3.65%; and,
o Prevalence of autism was 0.47%.

? Over the last 12 years, the

o Prevalence of DDs has increased 17.1%?that?s about 1.8 million more children with DDs in 2006?2008 compared to a decade earlier;
o Prevalence of autism increased 289.5%;
o Prevalence of ADHD increased 33.0%; and,
o Prevalence of hearing loss decreased 30.9%.

? In addition, data from this study showed

o Males had twice the prevalence of any DD than females and more specifically had higher prevalence of ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, stuttering/stammering and other DDs;
o Hispanic children had lower prevalence of several disorders compared to non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic black children, including ADHD and learning disabilities;
o Non-Hispanic black children had higher prevalence of stuttering/stammering than non-Hispanic white children;
o Children insured by Medicaid had a nearly two-fold higher prevalence of any DD compared to those with private insurance; and,
o Children from families with income below the federal poverty level had a higher prevalence of DDs.

For additional information, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/features/birthdefects-dd-keyfindings.html