As we reported at the end of August 2018, The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) organized a small work group to develop a “simplified rate structure” for the Community Participation Service. Kristin Ahrens and Rick Smith from ODP met with the representative providers who were invited to participate on this work group. The first item of business was to review the Proposed Rate Structure Chart that was originally developed by RCPA’s work group, which met in April and May of this year with the intention to make solid recommendations for improvement in the implementation of this service. The stakeholders that participated all agreed that this proposed structure would be a great improvement in the method utilized to properly bill for services, and to calculate community percentages. A few representatives of RCPA’s committee presented our proposal to ODP staff in June; we are very pleased that our recommendations have been considered for implementation.

At the RCPA IDD Division Meeting this month, Rick Smith reported to the committee that ODP is moving forward to the next stage of assigning appropriate rates to the proposed W-codes that we presented. As ODP works on restructuring the rates, the expectation is to have the new rate structure implemented in July 2019 for fiscal year 19/20. As we learn more about the progress of the work group, we will keep members up to date.

Attached please find the proposal that RCPA submitted to ODP that is now being adopted for the future rate structure.

Thank you to all who participated in the RCPA Community Participation Work Group meetings; it is rewarding to see that our efforts have made a positive impact in our system. For more information contact Carol Ferenz, RCPA IDD Division Director.