Association Executive Directors Community

  • 1.  Draft Agenda for 2020 Association Executives Retreat

    National Council Staff
    Posted 03-03-2020 18:04
      |   view attached
    Dear Association Executives - Attached please find the first draft of the agenda for the 2020 Association Executives and Board Retreats. As Jeannie described on our monthly call the week before last, the Retreat will again be held in Palm Springs, this year at the Westin Mission Hills Resort Villas Palm Springs in Rancho Mirage, CA. 

    The Association Executives Retreat will take place from Sunday, December 6 through midday on Wednesday, December 9. We will let you know as soon as we have a reservation link for your use. More information and specifics to come. 

    We very much hope you save the dates and plan to join your colleagues from around the country December 6-9. 

    Please do not hesitate to let me or Jeannie or Diane know if you have any questions or if there is anything we can do to help.

    Thanks - Neal

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    Neal Comstock
    Director of Membership
    National Council
    NealC@TheNationalCouncil.org
    202 748-8793
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  • 2.  RE: Draft Agenda for 2020 Association Executives Retreat

    Posted 03-04-2020 10:15

    What are folks asking their states to address with respect to coronavirus planning?

     

    In Maryland, Medicaid doesn't allow reimbursement for telehealth interventions when the patient is at home. We are considering asking the state to allow reimbursement for home-based telehealth AND telephonic services if telehealth unavailable in the event of quarantine situations.

     

    Curious to know what things other folks are requesting and/or what your states are willing to consider.

     

     

     

    Shannon Hall

    Executive Director

    Community Behavioral Health Association of Maryland

    (410) 788-1865

     

     




    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Draft Agenda for 2020 Association Executives Retreat

    Posted 03-13-2020 09:00

    I am not seeing anything that's come out of CMS addressing flexibility to reimburse for telephonic services – it's all about telehealth. Have I missed something?

     

    Because telehealth is allowed under narrow circumstances in Maryland, the existing infrastructure is fairly limited in the extent to which expanding telehealth is a viable option. With statewide school closure for two weeks, we already have a staffing crisis and we already have community transmission. Our state's a no-go on reimbursement for telephonic services.

     

    Has anyone had success in making this argument to their state?

     

    Shannon Hall

    CBH

     

     




    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Draft Agenda for 2020 Association Executives Retreat

    Posted 03-13-2020 12:25
    I have been pushing for this Indiana as well. Sate has indicated they are inquiring with CMS about a temporary waiver.  I think we need to push for phone consultations as reimbursable. Many home bound consumer may not have band width for video technology. Most have a phone of some type. It is being reported many consumers are experiencing increased anxiety and fear over COVID-19. They need access to our therapists to alleviate fears and avoid further complications.  Given the fears over being in public or quarantines, we really need reimbursed for phone consult and a simple notation in the case note. 

    Chuck, we need National Council to assist here with federal pressure and the need is immediate.  We are working at a state level. 

    Matt



    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Draft Agenda for 2020 Association Executives Retreat

    Posted 03-14-2020 10:00
    The District has extended telemedicine to beneficiary homes:  https://dhcf.dc.gov/node/1466891 

    We're still striking out on telephone contact, except for ACT (which was already authorized).

    The DC Medicaid authority has raised that telemedicine informed consent, under their interpretation of HIPAA, must include an option for a face-to-face visit instead of telemedicine, and has raised the same objection to expanded use of telephone contact. They're also concerned telephone-only contacts don't meet 'acceptable standards of care' and that there's not an effective way to document consent for the modality. Our behavioral health authority shares those concerns and raises the (historic experience of) possibility of widespread fraud, with limited means to verify contacts, though the same could somewhat meaningfully be said for any community-delivered care.

    Our Medicaid authority did say they could be influenced by how guidance develops in other States, so time is now to put whatever pressure is possible for a nationwide development of adaptations.

    Mark LeVota
    Executive Director
    District of Columbia Behavioral Health Association
    o: 202-661-3536



    Original Message