1915c Waiver Employment Billing Guidelines and Payment Rates

Transcription

1 1915c Waiver Employment Billing Guidelines and Payment Rates Nehtra Davis Program Specialist, HHSC November 16, 2017

2 1915c Waiver Employment Services Employment Assistance (EA) services consist of developing and implementing strategies for achieving the individual s desired employment outcome, including more suitable employment for individuals who are employed. Supported Employment (SE) is assistance provided in order to sustain competitive employment or self-employment. 2

3 Examples of Billable EA supports/activities Services are individualized, person-directed, and may include: Exploring an individual's employment preferences (where do I want to work?) Transportation needs for employment (going to look for jobs) Filling out job applications Writing resumes How to dress for an interview 3

4 Examples of Non-Billable EA supports/activities Face-to-face contact with an individual to provide EA services simultaneously with Day Habilitation services, Supported Employment, CFC PAS/HAB or Respite. EA services accessed and/or funded through other sources at no cost to the program provider such as Employment Services through Texas Workforce Solutions- Vocational Rehabilitation Services formally known as DARS. 4

5 Examples of Billable SE supports/activities Employment adaptations (ipad to read totals aloud to cashier) Transportation to and from work Communicating with managers to maintain and sustain stable employment Assisting individual in reporting income to Social Security Training or consulting in work-related tasks 5

6 Examples of Non-Billable SE supports/activities Interacting with an individual prior to individual obtaining employment (this could potentially be billed as EA instead of SE) Face-to-face contact with an individual to provide SE services simultaneously with Day Habilitation services, Supported Employment, CFC PAS/HAB or Respite. Any activity taking place in a sheltered work environment or similar types of vocational services in specialized facilities. 6

7 Service Log for EA Must include information below that pertains to individual s progress toward employment goals: Name of individual Type of service Date of service Place of service Start and end time of each billable event Description of service event Name of service provider Signature of service provider 7

8 Written Documentation for SE Program Providers must have written documentation to support a service claim for SE and that documentation must: Meet requirements set forth in Section 3800 (Written Documentation) Include start and end time of SE services provided Include evidence that SE services are not available under a program funded under IDEA for individuals under 22 yrs. old Include justification in the PDP reason(s) why 8

9 Links for Billing Guidelines and Payment Rates 9

10 HHSC Employment Recruitment Coordinator (ERC) Activities Monty Chamberlain Presentation to Private Providers Association of Texas (PPAT) November 17, 2017

11 Money Follows the Person (MFP) Employment Initiatives Project In concert with other employment initiatives, DADS (now HHSC) determined the need for Employment Recruitment Coordinator (ERC) activities (project began January, 2015); Development of materials, video, and initial website work in 2015; Information Letter 15-72, November 16, 2015 introducing role; Field based work statewide to reach beyond a state office based approach with a direct face to face representative; Ultimate goal is to increase employer awareness of the population we serve and increase integrated employment opportunities. 11

12 Goals for the role of the Employment Recruitment Coordinator Pursue employment opportunities in support of individuals who set integrated employment as a goal; Establish ongoing relationships with businesses / employers; Network and establish community and civic organization relationships; Promote Employment First principles. 12

13 What is Employment First? The philosophy that employment in the general workforce should be the first and preferred option for individuals with disabilities receiving assistance from publicly funded systems. Simply put, Employment First means real jobs, real wages, earning minimum wage or better. 13

14 Employment in the General Workforce What does this mean? Employment in the general workforce means regular jobs like everyone else in society: in typical work settings, working side-by-side with people without disabilities, earning regular wages and benefits and being part of the economic mainstream of our society. The individual sets employment as a goal with assistance from the service provider. Not mandated on the individual to become employed, but instead a goal set based on the individual s desire. 14

15 Employment First Assumption Employment First starts with a presumption that a person with a disability can work. Unlike other individuals of working age in our society, where it s presumed they will become employed, people with disabilities have too often had to demonstrate their readiness for employment. Under Employment First, it is assumed that individuals are capable of working until proven otherwise, and employment in the general workforce is the first option pursued. 15

16 HCS Billing Reimbursement Rate Comparison Examples Day Habilitation Based on Level of Need (LON) per day with Rate Enhancement Example - Intermittent Level 25 is $26.87 per day Employment Assistance Per hour with Rate Enhancement Example Participant Level 25 is $34.35 per hour Supported Employment Per hour with Rate Enhancement Example Participant Level 25 $34.35 per hour 16

17 Money Follows the Person (MFP) Employment Initiatives Project The Big Goal: Market to employers why employing persons with disabilities is a good business decision! 17

18 A Focus on a Person s Ability as Opposed to Disability Individuals who desire to work in integrated employment bring value to the workplace as a productive member of the organization; Out of the box thinking with the ability to meet the employers need with difficult to fill or high turnover positions; Dedicated with excellent attendance records, low turnover, and on-time! 18

19 How is the message being delivered? Direct interaction with employers in face to face settings Presentations Informal discussions Cold calls Presentations at civic organization meetings; Networking and expansion of employers (new participants and those already employing persons with disabilities); Networking with various TWC Vocational Rehab staff; Job Fairs; ERC works throughout the state as a front line representative to educate employers and pursue a commitment from employers. 19

20 Difference between the ERC and TWC Voc Rehab Field Specialists ERC focus is a more global focus with employers as opposed to individual employment cases; Focus is more statewide as opposed to local; Open doors with employers that have a statewide presence with intent of establishing large scale initiatives; Work in concert with TWC Voc Rehab staff on mutually beneficial projects such as job fairs and encourage provider attendance. 20

21 Tools to Communicate Packet of Information to remain with employers; Handbill / Postcard selling employer benefits for hiring; Better Bottom Line document; Power Point employer focused presentation; Employer Acknowledgement Form; Employer list on HHSC website; TWC Guide for Hiring People with Disabilities ; HHSC Employment Marketing video. Provide employer contacts to LIDDA s and Service Providers 21

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23 Employment Web Page Sample 23

24 CY 2016 Data Initiated field outreach in April, 2016; 30 presentations made to civic organizations; 12 Presentations made to stakeholder organizations (ie; provider organizations, providers, etc); 24 Direct one to one meetings with employers; Participate in four (4) Disability Job Fairs where ERC was one of the multi-agency team members for planning and staffing; 5,500 people presented to in presentation settings during 2016 (civic presentations, conferences, stakeholders) 24

25 CY 2017 Continuing presentations to civic organizations (estimate over 12,000 people reached by end of 2017); Increased number of direct interactions with employers and follow up; Work with Local Authorities and Providers; Training Opportunities; (July - Texas Panhandle Centers, Starcare Specialty Health and Central Plains August Texoma Community Centers October Pecan Valley Centers) 25

26 CY 2017 and Beyond Webinar Training (Three target audiences - case managers / employment specialists, Families; Individuals); ERC Web presence; Civic presentations upon request with more specific focus on direct employers; Continue networking with TWC- Voc Rehab staff and participate as team member in Job Fairs; 26

27 State Population Dallas / Ft Worth 25.1% Houston 23.7% San Antonio 8.6% Austin 7.3% Valley 6.1% El Paso 3.2% 27

28 Employment Recruitment Coordinator Contact Information Monty Chamberlain 701 W. 51 st Street Austin, Texas Mail Code: W Video Link: mployment-first 28