APD PROVIDERS / SUPPORT COORDINATORS JOINT MEETING IN MIAMI FL

INFORMATION ON A MEETING THAT HAS ALL READY BEEN HELD

Meeting began at 9:38 a.m. Ms. Hillary Jackson welcomed everyone in attendance, requested that all phones be silenced to avoid interruptions, and expressed that Ms. Evelyn Alvarez will not be attending as she is in the field.
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Ms. Jackson asked the managers to introduce themselves.
 Ms. Jackson introduced a special guest who will be presenting. Ms. Kathleen Sarmiento from Alliance for Aging a SHINE Liaison. SHINE stands for Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders.

 Ms. Kathleen Sarmiento introduced herself and stated the programs initiatives are to serve individuals over the age of sixty by providing unbiased information and advocating for individuals who have Medicare, Medicaid and other forms of health insurance. She also stated that the program is funded by The Florida Department of Elder Affairs/CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services). The advocators are volunteers who are trained by The Florida Department of Elder Affairs and must pass a level two background check, examination and cannot hold a license to sell insurance or any products. Ms. Sarmiento’s presentation shared knowledge on the changes in healthcare that may affect our clients in reference to the Affordable Care Act and Healthcare Reform. Ms. Sarmiento shared with us her direct contact information 305-670-6500 ext. 270 and brochures for SHINE, along with more information on the overview of Affordable Care Act with a focus on:
 2010: Part D Coverage Gap Rebate, Fewer LIS Beneficiaries Subject to Reassignment, CMS will not Reassign Chooser’s and Medicare Advantage Plans.
 2011: Part D Coverage Gap, Annual Wellness Visit, Preventive and Screening Services, Annual Disenrollment Period (ADP), Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), LIS Reassignment and Medicare Advantage plans.
 2012: Part D Appeals, Part D Complaint Tracking System and Medicaid- LIS Co-Pay Changes.
 2014: Part D.
Additionally information on SHINE may be found at www.floridashine.org or toll free 1-800-963-5337.

 Ms. Carolyn Eleby reiterated that we are still in the process of renewal of agreements. Approximately one hundred and fifty providers have not completed the process of signing their agreements which must be done by June 30, 2010. Ms. Eleby announced the importance of renewing the agreement as a requirement for provider to continue to deliver services under the APD Medicaid Waivers. If a provider wishes to come in and sign their agreement they may contact Mr. Austin Dean to do so on Tuesday, June 22, 2010.
 Ms. Eleby spoke regarding consumers in Supported Living and reminded Support Coordinators and Coaches that it is the end of the fiscal year and to be prepared to deal with, delays in the receipt of the subsidies. They need to make appropriate arrangements to ensure consumer’s living expenses are paid or creditors are contacted.
 Ms. Eleby mentioned the upcoming Disability Mentoring Day (DMD) in October 2010. She advised that Michael Cardelo has been working diligently in recruiting a number of organizations to participate as mentors for our consumers. In September a kick off is being planned for DMD to allow some employers the opportunity to meet consumers who want to participate as mentees. Employers that have indicated an interest as mentors include Macy’s and WLRN Television station. She requested that all providers be involved in assisting and supporting any of their consumers who want to participate in DMD.

 Mrs. Maria Springer announced that the Fifth Quarterly Waitlist meeting will be held in the south at 12340 Quail Roost Drive in the Quail Roost Shopping Center from 6:00pm until 8:00pm on July 8, 2010.
 Mrs. Springer stated that over half a dozen clients with dental needs have been assisted the majority were adults. Over thirty consumers were granted one time funding. Since February, all Crisis Tool that were submitted to Tallahassee were accepted. She stated that they are currently working on three cases from the CBC (Community Base Care) list for enrollment.

 Mrs. Marcie Brittain updated us on the second Person Centered Planning training that was held on June 10 to 11, 2010 with one hundred percent in attendance for support coordinators only. She informed us of upcoming Person Centered Planning training to be held on July 7 to 8, 2010; emails will be sent out for persons who will be attending. September 7 to 8, 2010 will be the next training. Mrs. Brittain stated that as of now Person Centered Planning is only for support coordinators as the curriculum for other providers has not been distributed.
 Mrs. Brittain emphasized the very high “No-Show” rate of individuals who register for training to be held at the 401 building and reminded us that due to space availability it is imperative to notify us of changes as soon as possible in order to fill these spots.

 Ms. Jackson introduced two new staff who will be working in Medicaid Waiver Operations: Natasha Indiero with Consumer Direct Care Plus (CDC+) and Irmine Bursey with Questionnaire for Situational Information (QSI).
 Ms. Jackson spoke on behalf of Ms. Alvarez. She reiterated legislative changes as mentioned in our last meeting; they are no concrete updates on how operations maybe impacted.
 Ms. Jackson announced that the Providers rate reduction did not pass, and will update with new information.
 Ms. Jackson informed providers and Support Coordinators that Reconsideration’s that are being processed and Tier Hearings that are being reviewed by Area Administrators. She reinforced how critical Support Coordinators roles are in Tier Hearings especially explaining the process to our clients and guardians, as well as documenting conversation and sharing information about available options.
 Ms. Jackson announced that the dental clinic’s progress is being made with an expectant date of full operation in August.
 Ms. Jackson reiterated the importance of Emergency request; all information must be done on the correct form, detailed and clear as well. Support Coordinators must put into place plans for our consumers when knowledge of changes is presented.
 Under the Medicaid Waiver Operations over sixty-five consumers have been enrolled in the Consumer Direct Care Plus (CDC+) and are managing their budget. In July approximately five to ten consumers are expected to be enrolled and approximately three are slighted for August.
 Ms. Jackson noted to providers that CDC+ is consumer or representative driven and does not have to use the APD Mercer Rate.
 Ms. Jackson mentioned that PCA transition is effective July 1, 2010 and for enrollment or status updates one may call 1-800-289-7799 option 4. She stated as of yet there is no information on how this may impact or affect the CDC Plus waiver.
 Ms. Jackson announced that all tier reviews are completed and Support Coordinators must ensure all information is on hand if needed for hearing request.
 The fiscal year cost plans for 2010 to 2011 are completed and providers be advised that Support Coordinators must review the accuracy of the service authorizations prior to sending to you. In order to check, verify or ensure a PA# in ABC one may type ATRBRR.
 Ms . Jackson shared that APS review request process is moving slowly and this movement is occurring statewide with a temporary service continuation issued. She also requested that cost plans ending August 31, 2010 not be altered; this was given as a temporary approval by the Area Office. If cost plans for 2011 to 2012 have issues, one may type in screen ATRBCH for the individual’s tiers accuracy.
 She informed Support Coordinators that any file needing storage, one may contact Daliana Lee at 305-349-1478.
 Ms. Jackson provided information on Hurricane Evacuation and stated it is critical that Support Coordinators register consumers for shelters early, it is also important to plan ahead for one’s family. Mr. Kirk Ryon stated it is required by law that group homes must submit an emergency plan with license request. Ms. Jackson shared if one wishes to create a plan he or she may go to www.myflorida.com and connect to www.floridadisaster.org.
 Ms. Jackson mentioned that Support Coordinators need to ensure that one’s back up is available, reliable and has the tools needed to actively assist consumers.

 Mr. Kirk Ryon stated, that for all providers that have been visited by Delmarva, he has not received any reviews and will notify upon receiving.
 Mr. Ryon informed providers that one major complaint received from Delmarva is contact information either incorrect or unreachable. He advised providers to have contact information current due to after three attempts Delmarva will contact Medicaid and one may be investigated. He suggested that one must fill out a change of contact information form and send to Medicaid as well as to Mr. Austin Dean.
 Mr. Ryon stated on behalf of Mr. Cary Dashiff, placing clients in one’s home based on required law 65G-2.01219 SECT. A #3: that states that group home shall have prior approval from Area Office staff to accept clients other than agency clients.
 Mr. Ryon stated that within Area 11 there are currently over two hundred and ninety group homes with a large number of vacant beds. Currently we calculate that we have approximately four hundred empty beds in our Area 11 group homes. If you are going to advise anyone to pursue a group home license, it is critical that you caution them to exercise “due diligence” and to determine the need for additional APD beds and the likelihood that empty beds will be filled. This has become an issue statewide as more people have opened group homes in all areas of the state.

 Ms. Hillary Jackson brought the meeting to adjourn.