HIPAA Guides|$1.75B-New Freedom|Eligibility Guidelines|NYSACRA Trainings
ViEtDeVtRiCkHIPAA COMPANION GUIDES
Late in the day on January 22, 2003, NYS Department of Health posted on their website the long awaited draft companion guides. The companion guides have been developed to assist providers, clearinghouses and covered entities in preparing HIPAA compliant transactions. OMRDD is reviewing the guides for issues. They are 248 pages long. You can access the guide by
going to DOH’s website. The address is:
www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/medicaid/hipaa/compgds.htm
NEW FREEDOM INITIATIVE
President Bush will propose $1.75 billion over 5 years to help individuals with disabilities transition from institutions to community living. This is part of the President’s program to implement the Olmstead decision. This will be part of the President’s FY 2004 budget proposal to be released on February 3, 2003. The President’s announcement includes the following to be included in his FY 2004 budget:
·
Money Follows the Individual Rebalancing Demonstration –a five-year demonstration, with $350 million proposed for FY 2004, in Federal grants to help states develop and implement strategies that would rebalance their long-term care systems. The grant funds would pay the full cost of home and community-based waiver services for one year, after which the participating states would agree to continue services at the regular Medicaid matching rate. ·
New Freedom Initiative Demonstrations—funding over five years to fund four demonstrations (which had been included in the President’s FY 2003 budget but not included in FY 2003 appropriations bill) to provide respite services for caregivers of adults with
disabilities, children with substantial disabilities, and community-based alternatives for children currently living in psychiatric residential treatment facilities.
·
New State Option—enabling Medicaid presumptive eligibility for institutionally qualified individuals discharged from hospitals to the community.
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$40 Million for Systems Change Grants
·
Spousal Exemption—allowing continuation of Medicaid eligibility for spouses of individuals with disabilities who return to
work.
See the HHS website at
http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2003pres/20030123.html for more details.
OMRDD ELIGIBILITY ADVISORY
Due to requests by a variety of stakeholder groups, including NYSACRA, OMRDD has provided clarification to their
Eligibility Guidelines that were distributed in August, 2001. The four page clarifying advisory will be available on the NYSACRA website on
January 24, 2003, after 1:00pm. at http://www.nysacra.org/eligibilitymemo.htm or by contacting NYSACRA at 518-449-7551.
EDUCATION & TRAINING UPDATE
In addition to our Annual Conference and Special Focus Conferences, NYSACRA presents training programs that assist our members in developing a qualified, enthusiastic workforce. The 2002-2003 Management Development Series is in full swing. Click here for a list of programs we are offering and their locations or visit http://www.nysacra.org/2003trainings.htm. If you have any questions or would like additional information, please call Ann Genaro. |
