Announcement/Press release

Program provides guidance for a three-year effort to use OSHA outreach & inspections to reduce specific occupational hazards in nursing & residential care facilities. The Department of Labor identified the following hazards: Exposure to blood & other potentially infectious material; Exposure to other communicable diseases; Ergonomic stressors related to lifting patients; Workplace violence; Slips, trips, and falls; Exposure to hazardous chemicals & drugs.

MITA provides a common framework for all Medicaid stakeholders to focus on opportunities to build common and shared services by decoupling legacy systems and processes, and liberating data previously stored and contained in inaccessible silos. The newest version takes into account new legislative requirements outlined in the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act, the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act, and the Affordable Care Act.

On February 22, 2012, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) put on display at the Federal Register a final rule that establishes a process to promote State & Federal transparency for Medicaid & Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) demonstrations. The rule is designed to ensure public input in the development, review, & approval of Medicaid and CHIP demonstration projects under section 1115 of the Social Security Act. The final rule will be effective starting April 27, 2012.

This bulletin provides information that CMS hopes will be helpful to States as they work to implement section 3309 of the Affordable Care Act which eliminates Part D cost-sharing for full benefit dual eligible individuals receiving home and community-based services. The effective date for Section 3309 is January 1, 2012.

This bulletin clarifies earlier guidance the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services provided in a May 31, 2011 Informational Bulletin and accompanying Frequently Asked Questions on section 6501 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). Section 6501 of the ACA amends a section of the Social Security Act and requires State Medicaid agencies to terminate the participation of any individual or entity if terminated under Medicare or any other State Medicaid plan.

Person-centered outcomes underpin all aspects of desired assisted living practices and care. Service planning and operational process focused on person-centeredness is able to deliver core promises of assisted living that maximize privacy, autonomy, and choice; fostering meaningful life, engagement, quality of care, and meaningful access to the surrounding community.

In one stop, find numerous examples of how the state of Nevada provides outreach and information to its consumers with disabilities. The attached portfolio includes PowerPoint presentations, training materials, brochures, and advertisements that serve as helpful examples of how to successfully disseminate this important information.

How can we raise awareness that hiring individuals with disabilities makes good business sense? The mission of the DC Metro Business Leadership Network is to engage and inform regional businesses about the benefits of and resources available for active employment outreach to qualified individuals with disabilities. Attached are outreach materials created by this network.

Effective July 1, 2010, this rule makes significant clarifications regarding benchmark benefits packages. States have utilized these packages to provide expanded HCBS beyond those available through the Medicaid State Plan. Clarifications include the provision of non-emergency medical transportation, and children’s access to the full range of Medicaid EPSDT benefits. The attached file contains the official text of the rule as entered into the Federal Registry.

A Southwestern Pennsylvania demonstration program has been initiated to promote relationship-centered care for elders and people living with disabilities in need of home and community-based services and supports. It involves a series of five three-day train-the-trainer programs based on the state model for personal care aides (PCAs). Included are the announcement and a fact sheet on direct-care workers in Pennsylvania.