There were a number of important provider updates in the 4/26 DODD Monday Memo. Below are a few highlights. To read the entire memo, please visit the DODD website.

Public Health Emergency Officially Renewed

Attention: All Providers, County Board Service and Support Administrators, Business Managers The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) has recently renewed the determination that a public health emergency exists that was due to expire on April 21, 2021. The declaration lasts for the duration of the emergency or 90 days but may be extended by the Secretary.

When Appendix K was submitted it included an additional six months beyond the end of the PHE to allow for the unwinding of the temporary flexibilities and the return to permanent/ongoing services. Appropriate services should be determined through the person-centered team planning process to determine which permanent or ongoing service(s) best meet the needs of the person and to get the service(s) set up and in place before the end of the six-month unwinding period.

The current PHE is scheduled to expire on July 20, 2021, unless extended by HHS, which means that the unwinding period will currently expire on January 20, 2022.

New Option for Agency Waivers of the High School Diploma/GED Requirement

Attention: All Providers, County Boards, CEOs, COG Directors, ICFs Beginning May 1, DODD will make available an option for agencies to obtain an agency waiver of the high school diploma/GED requirement from DODD. DSPs will be permitted to work for two years under an agency waiver and the agency must track all DSPs working under the agency waiver to ensure adherence to the two-year timeframe. DSPs are required to obtain a GED or high school diploma within the two-year time period.

Agencies requesting an agency waiver must complete a request form and submit it to DODD for approval at Diploma-GEDWaiver@dodd.ohio.gov. As a part of the request for an agency waiver, agencies will also be required to:

• Submit a description of the agency’s internal compliance system to ensure employees are not working for more than two years without a HSD/ GED
• Attest that the agency will ensure the employee is not certified to administer medications before allowing the employee to work under the agency waiver.
• Attest that employees will not administer medication without a HSD/ GED.

Agencies with an agency HSD/GED waiver cannot:

• Extend an employee’s waiver past two years; requests for an extension must be submitted to DODD
• Grant non-expiring waivers; non-expiring waivers will only be granted by DODD

The request form will be available on DODD’s website on 5/1/2021.

Provider Waiver Certifications and Development Applications Are Open

Attention: County Boards, Superintendents, Providers, DCs, ICFs DODD is pleased to share that we are now accepting Provider Waiver Service Certification applications and Development applications for Intermediate Care Facilities (ICF) and Licensed Waiver Homes through Provider Services Management (PSM).

All Provider Certification and Development Applications have been re-opened for submission and previous black-out dates are no longer in effect. Ohio Department of Medicaid continues to work on roll out of its single-entry point for Medicaid providers, the Provider Network Management (PNM) Module.

• If you have questions regarding PSM, please email: provider.certification@dodd.ohio.gov
• If you have questions regarding licensure development, please email: licensuredevelopmentapps@dodd.ohio.gov.
• If you have questions regarding PNM, please email: PNMCommunications@medicaid.ohio.gov.

Medicaid Seeks Input on EVV Program

Attention: All Providers, County Boards, CEOs, COG Directors The Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) is gathering input about Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) from Ohio families, providers, advocates, and stakeholders who receive or who are involved in Medicaid services. We want to know what works well in our current system and what changes you would like to see.

Please share your thoughts by visiting ODM’s website to access ODM’s EVV request for information (RFI) survey. You can submit answers for as many questions in the RFI survey as you like.

You may also send comments to MedicaidEVVRFI@medicaid.ohio.gov. 

Sign Up for 1:1 Personalized Help with Sandata System

Attention: All Providers The Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) offers providers the opportunity for more personalized Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) system training and an EVV account review. This is a great opportunity for providers to work one-on-one with a Sandata EVV representative to review how to use EVV or how to improve on issues related to EVV claims matching.

Providers who have completed a one-on-one session have let ODM know they feel more confident in maintaining their visits.

If you would like to work with an EVV Sandata representative in a one-on-one call, please visit the calendar of available dates and times to sign up here.

If you click on the link and there are no available sessions, please check back again soon, as we are continuously adding sessions. Google Chrome is the preferred browser when accessing the calendar.