Congress Reaches Agreement on New Federal COVID-19 Stimulus Funding
Kids with Autism See IQs Rise with Age, Study Finds
Report: Feds Need to Close Racial Gaps in Program that Helps Kids Living with Disabilities
Children’s Committee Meeting Presentation “Surviving Teletherapy and Adapting” by Susie Brookman
OMHSAS Releases IBHS Bulletins, FFS Prior Authorization, and Provider Attestation
The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) released the following bulletins and companion documents outlining updated processes and procedures for Intensive Behavioral Health Services fee-for-service (IBHS FFS) prior authorization and provider IBHS attestation. The updated IBHS attestation bulletin extends the attestation process from October 19, 2020 until January 17, 2021. If a provider has already completed and submitted an IBHS attestation form prior to this new bulletin, no new submission is required.
Please see the following documents:
- FFS Prior Authorization Bulletin
- FFS Prior Authorization Handbook
- FFS MA 97 instructions
- IBHS Attestation Bulletin
- IBHS Attestation Form
If you have any question, please contact RCPA Children’s Division Director Jim Sharp.
Introducing the RCPA Quarterly Newsletter
Over the last several years, RCPA had produced a monthly newsletter – gathering articles and information for members on a more global basis. This was in addition to the daily (alerts, infos) and weekly information provided. Our statistics show that this newsletter was, in fact, read (or at least opened!) by membership on a fairly routine basis.
With the appearance of COVID, however, everything seemed to become “immediate.” The notion of a monthly newsletter seemed to become antiquated and out of touch with the needs of our members and what was happening to the minute of each day during an ongoing crisis.
As we look back at the last year, as a staff we discussed what perhaps had been missed by not providing this communication. We did not want to simply revisit producing the monthly newsletter, just because that’s the way business had always been; those times have passed.
But admittedly, there are some things that are falling through the cracks during this “everything is now” culture. So after discussion, we are moving to the creation of a Quarterly Newsletter – but not one that simply rehashes all that we have already sent out to membership. You have this information already, and by the time of our newsletter publication it may be “stale” or even outdated.
Rather, this publication will focus on topics such as the following:
- Articles from provider members and businesses on a range of topics;
- Programs / best practices / technology highlights;
- Introduction of new members;
- Content from our national association partners that has not been covered elsewhere;
- Updates from our growing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee;
- Updates from other projects (e.g., Media Campaign) and committees;
- Member updates (e.g., honoring staff, awards given);
- Legislative tracking updates; and
- Conference and educational updates and opportunities.
Please join us in the creation of this newsletter and in assisting with the content of this new publication. We hope you will enjoy this addition to the RCPA member communication. We envision this new endeavor beginning in March 2021.
EEOC Publishes Guidance on Employer Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policies (US)
Pediatricians Want Kids to Be Part of COVID Vaccine Trials
Wolf Administration Urges Pennsylvanians Needing New or Renewed FBI Clearances to Obtain Them Before the December 31 Deadline
PA Department of Health Guidance Following COVID-19 Vaccination
The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) provides guidance in 2020-PAHAN-541 for responding to signs and symptoms following COVID-19 vaccination in health-care personnel (HCP). Strategies are needed for health-care facilities to appropriately evaluate and manage post-vaccination signs and symptoms among health-care personnel (HCP) in order to minimize staffing disruptions and the transmission of infectious diseases, including COVID-19.
Key points in the advisory include:
- Signs and symptoms – such as fever, fatigue, headache, chills, myalgia, and arthralgia – can typically occur following COVID-19 vaccination. They usually occur within the first three days of vaccination.
- Presence of signs and symptoms consistent with SARS-CoV-2 infection that are not typical for post-vaccination signs and symptoms (i.e. cough, shortness of breath, rhinorrhea, sore throat, loss of taste or smell) should not be attributed to the COVID-19 vaccine.
- Positive viral (nucleic acid or antigen) tests for SARS-CoV-2, if performed, should not be attributed to the COVID-19 vaccine since vaccination does not influence the results of these tests.
A figure is provided to outline the steps health-care facilities should take in response to HCP who develop symptoms within the three days following vaccination for COVID-19. If you have questions about this guidance, please contact DOH at 1-877-PA-HEALTH (1- 877-724-3258) or your local health department.
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