Family Voices Indiana

On May 23, the Department of Transportation (DOT) published an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) regarding regulations of service animals under the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA). Because rulemaking is a lengthy process, the Department simultaneously issued an Interim Statement of Enforcement Office Priorities to inform the public about how it plans to target enforcement of the Act with respect to the transportation of service animals in airplane cabins until the regulations are revised. According to the Statement, the DOT's "Enforcement Office will focus on ensuring the transport of the most commonly used service animals, such as dogs, cats and miniature horses [?!], but may take action against carriers regarding the transport of other service animals on a case-by-case basis." According to the Statement: "Airlines are expected to continue to comply with the existing service animal requirement which allows U.S. airlines to deny transport only to certain …

The 21st Century Cures Act, enacted last year, requires states to implement "electronic visit verification" (EVV) for Medicaid personal care services (PCS) and home health service (HHCS) provided in a beneficiary's home in order to ensure that the services are actually delivered. For details, see this page from Medicaid.gov. On May 16, the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS) issued an Informational Bulletin to states to provide guidance on how to implement an EVV system. Some provider and patient groups have expressed concern that the agency's interpretation of PCS and HHCS may be too broad, and that its patient privacy and civil-rights protections may be too weak. See Worries Abound Over Medicaid Mandate That Caregivers Check In (Disability Scoop, 5/18/18). In order to provide more time to implement the EVV requirement, Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) introduced a bipartisan bill to delay for one year the date by which states must imp…

INDIANAPOLIS (May 31, 2018) — The Indiana Department of Child Services has digitized its background check process, significantly reducing turnaround time. The new online portal – used to screen applicants including teachers, volunteers and others seeking to work with children – launches June 4. The portal replaces pen-and-paper submission procedures and is expected to ultimately decrease average processing time from 21 days to 10.

“Reduced wait time is paramount to helping potential employers make sound decisions about applicants who want to work with youth,” said Andria Hoying, DCS deputy director of placement support and compliance, which oversees the Central Office Background Unit. “Moving the system online helps us evaluate history in a more timely fashion in order to assure the safety of children.” “Organizations of all types make requests to DCS to verify child protective histories,” added Cindy Hewett, DCS background check program manager, noting the COBCU completed almost 100,…

Gateway to Work is currently a voluntary program within the Healthy Indiana Plan that helps connect HIP members with job training and search assistance, education, community engagement or work opportunities. Once engaged in the Gateway to Work program, members may receive case management services, participate in a structured job readiness program and receive help with their job search. Additional training, volunteer work experiences and/or education may be provided, as appropriate. Gateway to Work participants are also invited to attend hiring events with employers. Gateway to Work begins with an assessment of your skills and includes an analysis of: Your current strengthsWhat you need in the way of job readiness or vocational trainingAny barriers that might exist and would need to be overcome to help you succeedTo get started, all you need to do is call the program at 1-800-403-0864, and choose option 1, then option 6. Our staff is standing by to schedule you for an orientation in you…

Aged & Disabled waiting list implementation recalled After further review, the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration has determined that at this time the Division of Aging is in an adequate fiscal position to continue to provide Indiana residents with Aged & Disabled Waiver services. Effective May 30, 2018, the Aged & Disabled Waiver waitlist previously implemented on May 23, 2018, is recalled. Providers may continue business as usual with regard to the Aged & Disabled Waiver on May 30, 2018. The Division of Aging regrets any hardship this waitlist placed on participants or providers. Please send questions and/or concerns to Darcy Tower, director of provider relations, to darcy.tower@fssa.in.gov or contact her (317) 234-2944.

The Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters, or payment notice, is a rule published annually by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). It establishes requirements for the individual and small group insurance markets under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), including the ACA’s state health insurance marketplaces. The notice typically clarifies the protections and market reforms that apply to qualified health plans (QHPs) and stand-alone dental plans (SADPs). The final rule, published in April, made significant changes to how the ACA’s essential health benefits (EHBs) are treated. It may impact the services required to be covered by insurance plans sold on the marketplaces in upcoming plan years.

Key Changes in the Payment Notice
• New standards for EHBs:
States may now change EHB benchmarks annually and can choose from new options to redefine what services insurers must cover. This could lead states to weaken their pediatric dental benefit requirements.

States can n…