The VACBP provides its members with important news and information about important issues that impact their organizations through conferences, its members-only “In the Loop” electronic newsletter, member conference calls and other methods.
COVID-19 Preparation and Response |
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We continue to be in very close contact with senior officials at DMAS, DBHDS, the Department of Health Professions and other policymakers regarding COVID-19, and its impact on providers, Medicaid members and our community. Additional information on our efforts related to COVID-19 is below:
REGULAR COMMUNICATIONS WITH OUR MEMBERS. As part of our efforts to support our members, we are hosting weekly member calls and providing daily written email updates for our members. We also you to follow our Facebook page for updates on media coverage and other important news and information.
PROVIDING A VOICE FOR OUR MEMBERS. As our regulators and policymakers work to develop modified policies and procedures related to COVID-19, they are reaching out to us to gather input, questions, concerns and recommendations on how best to proceed. To date, we have provided a number of questions, concerns and recommendations provided by our members. These can be accessed here:
3-16-20 VACBP Input on Billing for Telehealth/Telephonic Service Delivery
3-16-20 VACBP Member Questions and Input
3-13-20 VACBP Member Questions and Input
FREE HIPAA-COMPIANT TELEHEALTH PLATFORM
For access to a free, HIPAA-compliant platform, please visit here. The system is ready to use right now. This streamlined solution is intended to help healthcare providers assist with patients remotely utilizing a simple workflow with no setup or downloads for either the provider or patient. Providers will have to enter a valid email address and full name into the form and the platform would be ready for use.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
REGULAR COMMUNICATIONS WITH OUR MEMBERS. As part of our efforts to support our members, we are hosting weekly member calls and providing daily written email updates for our members. We also you to follow our Facebook page for updates on media coverage and other important news and information.
PROVIDING A VOICE FOR OUR MEMBERS. As our regulators and policymakers work to develop modified policies and procedures related to COVID-19, they are reaching out to us to gather input, questions, concerns and recommendations on how best to proceed. To date, we have provided a number of questions, concerns and recommendations provided by our members. These can be accessed here:
3-16-20 VACBP Input on Billing for Telehealth/Telephonic Service Delivery
3-16-20 VACBP Member Questions and Input
3-13-20 VACBP Member Questions and Input
FREE HIPAA-COMPIANT TELEHEALTH PLATFORM
For access to a free, HIPAA-compliant platform, please visit here. The system is ready to use right now. This streamlined solution is intended to help healthcare providers assist with patients remotely utilizing a simple workflow with no setup or downloads for either the provider or patient. Providers will have to enter a valid email address and full name into the form and the platform would be ready for use.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- DMAS telemedicine guidance documents for healthcare, behavioral health, and addiction recovery treatment services:
- SAMSHA information on disaster planning for behavioral health treatment providers can be found HERE.
- Guidance around keeping your workplace, community, home, school, facility, or hospital safe is available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by clicking HERE.
- Up-to-date information re: COVID-19 from the Virginia and the Department of Health is available HERE.
- DBHDS's most recent provider memo update related to COVID-19 can be found HERE.
- Message from Virginia Premier re: COVID-19 is available HERE.
News & Notes
Incoming DBHDS Commissioner, Alison Land, addresses the Joint Committee for Health and Human Resources Oversight. On December 2, 2019, Incoming Commissioner of DBHDS, Alison Land, joined the members of the Joint Committee for Health and Human Resources Oversight, where she had a chance to introduce herself. Land brings with her diverse experience, including most recently overseeing behavioral health services for Sentara Health System. To learn more about incoming Commissioner Land and where she plans to focus as Commissioner, click here.
DBHDS announces new licensure system. On August 21, 2019, DBHDS announced that by mid-year 2020, the Office of Licensing will implement a new, statewide Licensure Information System called CONNECT. A new, exciting feature of this upgraded technology will be the Provider Web Portal. The Provider Web Portal will allow providers to electronically submit all required paperwork such as an initial application for a new provider, license renewal applications, service modifications and variances. The system is automated with specific workflow processes which will expedite and streamline the licensing processes. The portal promises to be simple to use, easy to access, and will allow providers instant access to data stored by the Office of Licensing. For more information, click here.
Office of Licensing restructures to create Incident Management Unit. On July 10, 2019, DBHDS announced an exciting change happening within the Office of Licensing. Beginning July 22, 2019, the Office of Licensing will have a specialized unit for the triage of serious incidents known as the Incident Management Unit or “IMU.” The IMU will be comprised of four staff members who will oversee a centralized triage process to review all serious incidents at the time they are reported to the Office of Licensing. The IMU will allow the Office of Licensing to better support recommendations contained within the Office of the State Inspector General’s Review of Serious Injuries Reported by Licensed Providers of Developmental Services and better monitor providers’ compliance with and implementation of the changes to the serious incident reporting requirements contained within the Office of Licensing Emergency Regulations for Compliance with Virginia’s Settlement Agreement with US DOJ. For more information, click here.
Medicaid Expansion Launches. Beginning January 1, 2019, more adults living in Virginia will have access to quality, low-cost, health insurance through Virginia Medicaid. The new adult covered group includes individuals ages 19-64 with income at or below 138% of the federal poverty limit. This includes individuals who have not been eligible for Medicaid in the past. Individuals in the new adult group will have comprehensive health care coverage. Services will be provided through the existing Medicaid programs. Most eligible individuals will be enrolled in managed care, in either the Medallion 4.0 or the Commonwealth Care Plus (CCC Plus) program. Individuals may be in Medicaid fee-for-service briefly before enrolling in managed care.
Information for providers who are interested in enrolling with the Managed care plans or Medicaid fee-for-service is available at: http://www.dmas.virginia.gov/#/medexproviders in the What Providers Need to Know presentation.
Individuals can begin applying for coverage now (on and after November 1, 2018). Information on how individuals can apply, streamlined enrollment pathways and materials, and other important stakeholder resources are available on www.coverva.org.
DMAS releases Medicaid Expansion Dashboard
DBHDS announces new licensure system. On August 21, 2019, DBHDS announced that by mid-year 2020, the Office of Licensing will implement a new, statewide Licensure Information System called CONNECT. A new, exciting feature of this upgraded technology will be the Provider Web Portal. The Provider Web Portal will allow providers to electronically submit all required paperwork such as an initial application for a new provider, license renewal applications, service modifications and variances. The system is automated with specific workflow processes which will expedite and streamline the licensing processes. The portal promises to be simple to use, easy to access, and will allow providers instant access to data stored by the Office of Licensing. For more information, click here.
Office of Licensing restructures to create Incident Management Unit. On July 10, 2019, DBHDS announced an exciting change happening within the Office of Licensing. Beginning July 22, 2019, the Office of Licensing will have a specialized unit for the triage of serious incidents known as the Incident Management Unit or “IMU.” The IMU will be comprised of four staff members who will oversee a centralized triage process to review all serious incidents at the time they are reported to the Office of Licensing. The IMU will allow the Office of Licensing to better support recommendations contained within the Office of the State Inspector General’s Review of Serious Injuries Reported by Licensed Providers of Developmental Services and better monitor providers’ compliance with and implementation of the changes to the serious incident reporting requirements contained within the Office of Licensing Emergency Regulations for Compliance with Virginia’s Settlement Agreement with US DOJ. For more information, click here.
Medicaid Expansion Launches. Beginning January 1, 2019, more adults living in Virginia will have access to quality, low-cost, health insurance through Virginia Medicaid. The new adult covered group includes individuals ages 19-64 with income at or below 138% of the federal poverty limit. This includes individuals who have not been eligible for Medicaid in the past. Individuals in the new adult group will have comprehensive health care coverage. Services will be provided through the existing Medicaid programs. Most eligible individuals will be enrolled in managed care, in either the Medallion 4.0 or the Commonwealth Care Plus (CCC Plus) program. Individuals may be in Medicaid fee-for-service briefly before enrolling in managed care.
Information for providers who are interested in enrolling with the Managed care plans or Medicaid fee-for-service is available at: http://www.dmas.virginia.gov/#/medexproviders in the What Providers Need to Know presentation.
Individuals can begin applying for coverage now (on and after November 1, 2018). Information on how individuals can apply, streamlined enrollment pathways and materials, and other important stakeholder resources are available on www.coverva.org.
DMAS releases Medicaid Expansion Dashboard
Resources
State Agencies
Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS)
Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities
Virginia Department of Health Professions
- Regulations and provider manuals
- Virginia Community Mental Health Rehabilitation Services Provider Manual
- Report Medicaid fraud and abuse
Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities
Virginia Department of Health Professions
Policymakers
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Legal and Regulatory Resources
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Managed Care
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Behavioral Health-Related Associations