Jul 5, 2022 | News
In 2020, Congress designated the new 988 dialing code to be operated through existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. This provides a universal entry point so that no matter where you live, you can reach a trained crisis counselor who can help. This is a step towards a transformed crisis care system in America.
What does this mean? On July 16, 2022, Vermont will join the rest of The United States in launching 988, the new three-digit number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. This service will provide compassionate, accessible care and supports for anyone experiencing mental health related distress. Access is available 24 hours, seven days a week.
Source: United Counseling Service
Mar 23, 2022 | Insurance & Reimbursement
Providers submitting reconsideration requests to Gainwell Technologies should use the new form that is now located on the Vermont Medicaid website (http://www.vtmedicaid.com/#/forms). This form is to be used for non-timely filing reconsideration requests only; there is a separate form for timely filing reconsideration requests. Effective 4/25/2022, old versions of the Reconsideration Request Form will no longer be accepted and will be returned to the provider.
Mar 23, 2022 | Insurance & Reimbursement
The Payment Error Rate Measurement (PERM) audit has commenced and will examine sampled claims from July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022. Providers with a sampled claim will receive a medical record request letter from NCI Information Systems, Inc., and are required to submit all requested claim medical records and documentation.
The first request letters are expected by early April. Providers have 30 days from date of receipt of notice to submit required claims medical records and adjoining documentation to NCI Information Systems, Inc. If additional information is needed, providers have 14 days from the date of receipt of notice to send in the information. DVHA will enforce a 10% withholding from all providers that do not submit the required medical record and adjoining documents within 30 days or the additional documentation within 14 days.
Beginning in March, providers with a sampled claim may be contacted by a state representative to confirm the correct contact information prior to the request letters going out.
NEW: CMS will be hosting a few webinar sessions for providers focusing on the below topics:
• The PERM process and provider responsibilities during a PERM review
• Recent trends, frequent mistakes and, best practices
• The Electronic Submission of Medical Documentation, esMD program
These sessions will be held on:
• Tuesday 4/12 1pm-2pm
• Wednesday 4/13 3pm-4pm
• Thursday 4/14 3pm-4pm
Please see https://dvha.vermont.gov/providers/audits/payment-error-rate-measurement for a link to register for the webinar. Registration closes April 10th.
Mar 16, 2022 | News
If you’re looking for the new Medicaid rate schedule, you can find it here: http://www.vtmedicaid.com/#/feeSchedule. Click on the green “Open Menu” button in the upper left part of the page, and you can search by CPT code in the blank box at the top of the table.
Mar 9, 2022 | Advocacy
From Dr. Rick Barnett:
Hello Div55ers and VPA Members,
Here is a brief update on Vermont’s RxP effort, with a longer description coming next week (after I meet with the lobbyist).
I spoke with the Office of Professional Regulation today who spear-headed a “Sunrise Review” Process. The report that was to be submitted to the House Government Operations Committee in January has not yet been completed. The word is that it will be a favorable recommendation with several caveats, and it will be kicked to the next Biennium (this will be Vermont’s 4th Biennium, it is on a 2 year legislative cycle) with an RxP bill.
So, the work will continue into next year. In the meantime, more discussion and addendums have been written that will focus on the regulatory oversight process (for example, proposing a subcommittee of prescribers be created to serve as needed on Board of Psychological Examiners), beefed up clinical training requirements (a hybrid of Illinois and Idaho and not modeling NM or LA), and getting realistic expectations on the long-term uptake of this new workforce (citing those currently enrolled in the various RxP training programs across the country). This likely means a new bill (but not necessarily).
This is not bad news at all! We are in this for the long haul. We stand on the shoulders of giants who have gone before us with vision, persistence, and conviction. Much gratitude to all of you who guide and inspire us along the way!
