http://t.co/mvaGtBr0 Know about it, annual checks are a must for people with diabetes.
KS AuthentiCare/EVV For ALL Waivers March 4th
Posted On: February 27, 2012
Categorized: Programs and Services
Tagged: FMS, HCBS, Independent Living, KS AuthentiCare, medicaid
Kansas AuthentiCare/Electronic Visit Verification(EVV) will begin for all waiver services including Personal Services and Sleep Cycle Support for the Physically Disabled(PD) and Traumatic Brain Injury(TBI) waivers effective Sunday, March 4, 2012.
Please make certain that RCIL (or your FMS provider) has your correct telephone and/or cell phone numbers. Please report any updates to an RCIL EVV Specialist at 1-877-929-7655. See the instructions below to utilize the EVV system and check out our KS AuthentiCare/EVV FAQ page.
EVV Instructions
For your DSW to check in and out there are important things for you to remember:
- When your DSW arrives at your home they need to check-in each day by calling 1-800-903-4676 from YOUR home telephone or cell phone. NOTE: The sleep cycle support option will have changed from #1 to #2. The DSW will need to select from the list of services available.
- Before your DSWs leave your home they need to check-out each day by calling 1-800-903-4676. The DSW will need to enter the activity code of the services performed.
- While it is a good idea for you and your DSWs to keep your own written record of the hours worked, your DSWs will not turn in a paper timesheet to RCIL for time worked starting on Sunday, March 4, 2012 and thereafter.
- By State policy you MUST allow your DSWs to use your home phone or cell phone for the EVV process. If, for whatever reason, this does not occur, corrective action may be taken including the termination of your right to self-direct your care or closure of services.
- If you do not have a phone in your home or a cell phone, you may be eligible for reduced monthly phone service through the Kansas Lifeline/Link Up Telephone Service. To find out if you are eligible, you may contact your local telephone company or call 1-888-641-8722 for more information. If you receive a phone through Kansas Lifeline/Link UP, please contact RCIL at 1-877-929-7655 to report your new phone number and it will be entered into the EVV system.
RCIL has a longstanding history of providing superior customer service and superb payroll services. Thank you for the opportunity to work with you and support you in self-directing your services. If you have any questions or concerns, please call the payroll help desk between 8:00 am – 4:00 pm Monday–Friday at 1-877-929-7655 to speak with an EVV Specialist.
KS AuthentiCare EVV Implementation Update
Posted On: January 4, 2012
Categorized: Programs and Services
Tagged: Disability, EVV, HCBS, Independent Living, KDoA, KS AuthentiCare, SRS
The State of Kansas has delayed the start of the KS Authenticare (also known as electronic visit verification or EVV) for “Personal Services” through the PD and TBI waivers.
We will notify you with the new start date as soon as we receive it from the state. EVV for “Sleep Cycle Support” will start on January 9, 2012.
RCIL’s conversion to weekly payroll will continue as planned. Time worked between January 1 – January 7 is due by the end of business on January 9 and every Monday thereafter. Any timesheets received after Monday will be processed with the next week’s payroll. For example, if you turn in a timesheet for Jan. 1- 7 on Jan. 9, you will get paid on Jan.20. If timesheets are received after Jan. 9, the earliest pay date would be Jan. 27.
Questions? Call the RCIL payroll help desk between the hours of
8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday – Friday at 1-877-929-7655 and select option #2 to speak to an EVV Specialist.
KS Authenticare (EVV) will start on January 9th for all other waivered services (FE, TA, DD) and sleep cycle support for the PD and TBI waivers.
KS AuthentiCare/EVV Implementation Update
Posted On: December 30, 2011
Categorized: Programs and Services, RCIL Updates
KS AuthentiCare/EVV Delayed to 1/16/12
Posted On: December 29, 2011
Categorized: Programs and Services, RCIL Updates
THIS INFORMATION HAS CHANGED PLEASE CHECK OUT THIS LINK FOR ACCURATE INFORMATION!
It was just announced (the evening of 12/29) that KDOA and SRS have decided to delay the implementation of Kansas AuthentiCare/EVV until 6:00am January 16th, 2012. This change is to allow more time for providers, consumers, and Direct Support Workers to prepare for the transition. Please check out our EVV page for more information regarding Kansas AuthentiCare/EVV.
You May Qualify for a Free Lifeline Cell Phone
Posted On: December 23, 2011
Categorized: Consumer Education, Consumer Opportunities, Programs and Services
Tagged: Communication, consumer opportunity, Disability, Independent Living, Lifeline, ReachOut Wireless, Telephone
In Kansas (and several other states), certain people may be income-eligible to receive a free cell phone and limited minutes at no cost.
If you are not currently enrolled in another Lifeline program (meaning discounted land-line service, NOT the Personal Emergency Response System) and you, or someone in your household, receive any of the following services you will probably qualify.
- Food Stamps
- Medicaid
- Federal Public Housing Assistance or Section 8
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- National School Free Lunch Program
- Temporary Assistance for Need Families (TANF)
The ReachOut Wireless program offers a Free cell phone and Free minutes automatically added each month. The service also includes Caller ID, Texting, and Voicemail. There is NO credit check, NO security deposit, and NO contract. There are no recurring charges, monthly fees, or surcharges.
Unlike traditional cell phone companies, your phone will never deactivate and your minutes will never expire as long as you remain active on the ReachOut program. Every 30 days minutes are added and any unused from the previous month simply carry over. If you need additional minutes they can be purchased from a ReachOut Wireless retailer, MoneyGram location, or over the phone.
For more information, visit ReachOut Wireless online or call them at 1-877-870-9444.
**The Resource Center for Independent Living does not endorse or certify in any way the services of ReachOut Wireless.
Kansas AuthentiCare (EVV) is Coming
Posted On: December 21, 2011
Categorized: Programs and Services, RCIL Updates
Tagged: Disability, EVV, FMS, HCBS, Independent Living, KS AuthentiCare, medicaid, training
KDOA and SRS announced on the evening of Dec. 29th they have decided to change the launch date for Kansas AuthentiCare/EVV to January 16, 2012 at 6:00am
The new year is bringing with it new procedures for our consumers who are on Home and Community-Based Services. The state is replacing the current paper time and attendant worksheet (timesheets) with an electronic verification and monitoring system known as Kansas AuthentiCare (also known as EVV).
KS AuthentiCare is a requirement for all Home and Community-Based Service (HCBS) consumers and Direct Support Workers (DSWs). On January 9th, 2012 your DSW will be required to start using the new telephone system. Please make certain that RCIL, or your FMS provider, has your correct telephone and/or cellphone number.
On January 9th, 2012 (or the first visit after January 9th) there are important things for you to remember:
- When your DSW arrives at your home they need to check in each day by calling 1-800-903-4676 from your home telephone or cellphone (See enclosed check -in/check -out instructions). The DSW will need to select from the list of services available (Service Codes included with this letter).
- Before your DSWs leave your home they need to check out each day by calling 1-800-903-4676. They will need to enter the activity code of the services performed (Activity codes included with this letter).
- Your DSWs need to complete paper timesheets for January 1, 2012 to January 8, 2012 and send to the Osage City office. This will be their last paper timesheet.
To help you prepare for this transition, the Resource Center for Independent Living will have training calls from 1:00pm to 2:00pm on January 3rd, 4th, and 5th. You are welcome to call in and listen to the trainings by conference call. Please pick a day that works best for you.
- Conference dial-in number: (712) 432-0900
- Participant access code: 324384
As part of this change we will be moving from semi-monthly to weekly payroll. RCIL has a longstanding history of providing superior customer service and superb payroll services. Thank you for the opportunity to work with you and support you in self-directing your services. If you have any questions or concerns, please call the payroll help desk at 1-785-528-5045 and ask to speak to an EVV Specialist.
Are You Ready to File Your Taxes?
Posted On: December 10, 2011
Categorized: Consumer Education, Consumer Opportunities, Independent Living, Programs and Services
Tagged: CIL, consumer opportunity, Disability, Independent Living, Information and Referral, taxes
Starting January 1, 2012 everyone will be busy filing their 2011 Income taxes, Homestead tax refund, and/or Food Sales tax refund. The deadline to file is April 17, 2012. Independent Living Specialists (ILS) at RCIL will be available to teach consumers that are interested to learn how to file their Homestead tax refund and Food Sales tax refund on their own.
There is a resource library in every RCIL office that has a computer and internet access if you prefer to file your tax refunds electronically. You can use the library on your own or with ILS assistance.
If you are a person that would rather have someone do it for you every year there are free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance programs (VITA) in every local community. They are trained by Internal Revenue Services (IRS) on how to file Homestead and Food Sales tax refunds and Incomes taxes electronically. They will be available on a first come first served basis with evening appointments available. To find out where your local VITA site in your area you can contact your local Department on Aging, Community Action Program, Senior Center, Public Library, or County Clerk.
To prepare your taxes you will need the following information:
- Photo ID
- Social Security cards for all persons claimed on each return
- Birth dates for all dependents
- All documents showing 2011 income such as W-2, 1099’s, Social Security year-end statements, and Unemployment statements
- Interest & dividend statements
- A copy of your 2011 return (if possible)
- Real Estate Property Tax Statements (if applicable)
- Persons claiming childcare expenses should bring name of provider, address, phone number, tax ID number, and amount paid
- If you prefer to receive your refund checks as a direct deposit you should bring bank or credit union routing and account numbers
Executive Director’s Message
Posted On: December 2, 2011
Categorized: Executive Director's Message, Independent Living, Programs and Services, RCIL Updates
Tagged: Disability, FMS, HCBS
The Resource Center for Independent Living, Inc. (RCIL) is proud to announce that it was recently added to the state-approved list of Financial Management Services (FMS) providers. FMS is a restructured service developed by the Kansas Department on Aging (KDOA) and the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS) to change the way payroll services for Home and Community-Based Service (HCBS) Medicaid waivers are operated.
In the past payroll providers, such as RCIL, received one amount for providing administrative services and wages for personal care attendants (PCAs), now known as direct support workers (DSWs), and this new service, which started November 1, 2011 separates the administrative fee paid to payroll providers, and the wages DSWs receive.
What does this mean for individuals who receive payroll services? Nothing has changed for consumers at this point. All consumers are offered the choice of which of the approved FMS providers they want to provide their payroll services. Targeted Case Managers from RCIL and other providers have been busy visiting consumers to explain FMS and complete the necessary paperwork including a new FMS provider choice form and plan of care.
Questions? Please call one of our FMS Specialists at 800-580-7245 or the RCIL staff person you are already work with.
Assistive Technology for Kansans
Posted On: November 18, 2011
Categorized: Programs and Services
Tagged: accessibility, Assistive Technology, ATK, CIL, Disability, Independent Living, KEE
The Resource Center for Independent Living also houses the North East Kansas access site for Assistive Technology for Kansans(ATK) and the Kansas Equipment Exchange(KEE). Both of these programs help people with disabilities obtain needed assistive technology(AT) and medical equipment.
Assistive technology is a device or service that is used to increase the level of independence of an individual with a disability. It can range from very low-tech devices such as an adapted spoon or fork to high-tech devices like PDAs or iPads. There are over 25,000 different types of aids that are identified as Assistive Technology.
Assistive Technology can be utilized by people of all ages. Children can benefit in school by using AT devices such as communication boards or adaptive writing devices. Adults may use adapted computers or smart phones with accessible programs and services added.
ATK works with Vocational Rehabilitation to provide AT Assessments to determine needs, AT Evaluations which evaluate the impact of obtaining the correct AT devices and services, AT Training to teach a consumer how to use the equipment or service, and Technical Assistance Services which is a service other than those above that will help the consumer reach their goals. This can include equipment setup, troubleshooting, and upgrading.
The Kansas Equipment Exchange(KEE) helps Kansans obtain needed medical equipment by working with Medicaid. Durable medical equipment that was purchased with public dollars can be recovered and made available to other consumers.
Equipment can be donated to the KEE program when it is no longer needed. KEE staff will get the information from the donor, arrange to pickup the equipment, clean and sanitize it, then complete the steps necessary to add it to the list of available equipment.
When someone needs equipment, they may request it from KEE and are placed on a waiting list on a first come/first served basis. The donated equipment is matched with consumers needing equipment and KEE staff will deliver it to them. The consumer can keep the equipment, at no cost, as long as they need it and then are encouraged to donate it back to KEE when they no longer are utilizing it.
This process saves the state money by reusing items already purchased by the state and allows consumers to receive needed equipment they perhaps could not otherwise afford. You can see the list of available equipment online.
Our ATK team is headed up by Rosie Cooper and consists of Stuart Jones, Mikel McCary, John Jage, and Cathy Fagan. The KEE team is also supervised by Rosie and consists of Cathy Fagan and John Davis.
You can access ATK and the KEE programs by calling 1-800-KAN-DO-IT, you will be automatically routed to the correct access site for your location.
Managed Care Coming to Medicaid
Posted On: November 10, 2011
Categorized: Programs and Services
Tagged: advocacy, brownback, CIL, consumer opportunity, Disability, empowerment, equality, HCBS, KDHE, KDoA, Managed Care, medicaid, SRS, Systems Advocacy
Yesterday Gov. Sam Brownback and Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer unveiled sweeping changes to the Kansas Medicaid program. These changes were a part of the Governor’s “Roadmap” and took on one of the three big areas he wanted to tackle along with KPERS and Education.
Beginning in January of 2013 all Medicaid recipients will be under Managed Care plans. The administration foresees “at least 3″ Managed Care organizations running the state plan they have named, KanCare.
The goals for the new program are to reduce cost, by as much as $853 million (all funds) over the next five years, and to improve care quality and outcomes for beneficiaries. KanCare places a great emphasis on treating a person as a whole by using care coordination and person centered planning by the managed care organization.
What does this mean for Kansans with disabilities? It means that for-profit corporations will now be managing your care. States have been moving more and more towards a managed care model for Medicaid and managed care has been shown to reduce costs.
The way that managed care programs accomplish this is by cutting down on very expensive services such as hospital admissions by utilizing preventative care and wellness programs or limiting what services are covered or considered “necessary”.
Kansas’ foray into Medicaid managed care will start with 3 year contracts with the managed care organizations which could be a cause for concern. There is no “trial” run it will either work, or it won’t. Of course, because the corporations running the program are accountable to their shareholders to make a profit, the money spent on Medicaid in Kansas will have to include a profit margin for the managed care organizations.
I am including links to the KanCare FAQ, the KanCare Executive Statement, and the Medicaid Reform Plan Press Release.
Medicaid Reform Plan Press Release
The RFPs were issued yesterday to companies interested in managing Kansas Medicaid and are due back to SRS in January 2012.
Along with Medicaid Reform is some pretty major agency shuffling. Kansas Dept. of Aging will become Kansas Department for Aging and Human Services and fold in services for the mentally ill, all 5 state hospitals for the mentally ill and developmentally disabled as well as the Home and Community Based Services waivers for Kansans with disabilities. The Kansas Dept. of Health and Environment (KDHE) will oversee the Medicaid contracts and finances.
SRS will be renamed Department for Children and Family Services and focus solely on programs for children and families. They will keep Adult Protective Services and will fold in Family Preservation programs that are currently with KDHE and some prevention programs from the Juvenile Justice Authority.
As my previous blog post stated, changes are coming to the disability community in Kansas and it is up to us to make certain that we are not just passively accepting what is handed to us. We need to make our voices and our needs heard. We must demand that any changes made preserve our independence, our ability to choose, and include our input.
The Resource Center for Independent Living will continue to update you as we can about the upcoming Medicaid reform and the soon-to-begin Legislative Session.