MARCH 3, 2022 | COMMUNICATION BULLETIN 2021-22 ISSUE 48 IN THIS ISSUE: Q&A Webinar for Vaya Health Network Providers | One-Time Bonus for Eligible Direct Care Workers | Direct Care Worker (DCW) Rate Adjustments | Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) Rate Changes | Olmstead Care Management Team In-Reach Activities
Q&A Webinar for Vaya Health Network Providers Tomorrow, March 4, 2022, 11 a.m.–12 p.m. Join our biweekly Provider Q&A Webinars for the most up-to-date information on topics that affect Vaya network providers. We will address topics and questions specific to transitioning Cardinal Innovations providers at the end of tomorrow’s Q&A session. We encourage all network providers to attend. Registration is not required. The link to each webinar is published both the week prior to and the week of the event in the Provider Communication Bulletin. This week’s topics include legislative and policy updates, COVID-19 and Appendix K flexibilities, and the AlphaMCS transition.
Q&A WEBINAR FOR VAYA NETWORK PROVIDERS – MARCH 4, 2022
One-Time Bonus for Eligible Direct Care Workers NC Medicaid will provide one-time bonus payments to non-licensed direct care workers (DCW) and support staff who provided services to Medicaid and NC Health Choice beneficiaries from March 10, 2020, through Aug. 1, 2021. Per NC Medicaid, each eligible DCW and support staff will receive a gross bonus amount of $1.946.34 (after subtracting allotments for the employer share of FICA). This amount is based on the amount of funding allocated by the NC Operations Appropriations Act of 2021 and NC Medicaid’s review of eligible submissions. The gross bonus payment is also subject to state and federal payroll taxes for the employee. Vaya is not responsible for distributing these funds. NC Medicaid plans to distribute bonus amounts to providers beginning this week and anticipates that employees should receive payment from their employer by mid-April. DSWs and support staff should direct any questions to their employer. More information is available in the NC Medicaid SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #233: Direct Care Worker One-Time Bonus Payments and on the NC Medicaid Direct Care Worker Initiative webpage.
Direct Care Worker (DCW) Rate Adjustments Vaya will be implementing rate adjustments to reflect the NC Medicaid-mandated direct care worker (DCW) rate increases and to confirm coordination with the current COVID-19/PHE rate supplements. For more information, please review the memo linked below. Memo: Direct Care Worker (DCW) Rate Adjustments (March 3, 2022)
Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) Rate Changes Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) rate changes are effective for dates of service beginning Feb. 1, 2022. For more information, please review the memo linked below. Memo: Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) Rate Changes (March 3, 2022)
Olmstead Care Management Team In-Reach Activities In preparation for the launch of Behavioral Health I/DD Tailored Care Plans in December 2022, Vaya’s Olmstead Care Management team is increasing efforts to provide education and support to members who receive care in institutional settings. These efforts are focused on members who reside in ICF/IID homes and state developmental centers, and whose Medicaid is managed through Vaya. These “in-reach” efforts will be focused on several interconnected activities: Providing education about home and community-based services (HCBS) that allow people to live independently in the community of their choice Visiting with members in institutional settings to learn about their needs and wishes and attend their annual person-centered plan meetings Being accessible to members and their legally responsible persons (LRPs) to answer questions and concerns and ensure their understanding of the benefits of HCBS Working collaboratively with facility staff to ensure continuity of care and a smooth transition The Olmstead Care Management team also links with all ICF/IID homes where Vaya members reside to establish relationships, exchange documentation, and participate in annual person-centered plan meetings when invited. The team will continue efforts to link with members in institutional settings and offer community choice once the Tailored Plan is implemented. Vaya aims to educate all members and their LRPs of the services and supports available in their communities.
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