OOTA Seeks Feedback on MSP Rule Updates 

This month, the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) will be holding an administrative hearing to perform a five-year review of the rules governing the Medicaid School Program (MSP). The last revision of the rules, completed in 2015, implemented a requirement that school-based services have an order or referral from an eligible provider. Under those rules, occupational therapists were granted the ability to refer services; this was a departure from other settings and resulted in a significant burden for occupational therapy providers in Ohio. Since the last update, many of the kinks with MSP have been worked out. 

The most notable proposed change in the draft MSP rules would allow for services to be delivered via telehealth. OOTA believes that this is a significant step forward, especially considering that ODM coverage of OT services delivered via telehealth is sparse. While OT services were added to Medicaid telehealth coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic, this will expire in July. The draft MSP updated rules represent the first major expansion of telehealth coverage for OT services to date. We are still reviewing the rules and plan to comment during the hearing on May 15^th. If you have any comments or suggestions, please contact Danny Hurley: [email protected].

Read More: ODM Telehealth Draft Rules: 5160-35-01 (Definitions), 5160-35-02 (Qualifications for MSP Providers), 5160-35-04 (Reimbursement for MSP Providers), 5160-35,05 (Authorized Services), 5160-35-06 (Other Services)   

Advocacy Wins for AOTA

AOTA Medicare Telehealth Success

CMS Allows OTs to Open Medicare Home Health Cases

Important Update from the Ohio OTPTAT Licensure Board Regarding OTA Licensure Renewal.

For the upcoming 2020 renewal:

• Expiration date for current OTA licenses has been extended through December 1^st, 2020
• OTAs are encouraged to renew by June 30^th if ready to renew
• 20 units of CE continue to be needed by June 30^th, 2020 (completed between July 1, 2018-June 30, 2020, including one hour of ethics, jurisprudence, or cultural competence)

Please see the full memo here.

Guidance for OT/OTA Students

We know this is also an unprecedented time for students and educators alike. Each college and university is making individualized decisions regarding face to face classes and fieldwork. We recommend you frequently monitor your student email account and communicate with your faculty as questions arise. Taking campus-based classes to a virtual format requires flexibility from all parties. Now is a time for patience, flexibility, and grace as things are changing on a daily basis.  Students should know that faculty are diligently working to make this transition to alternate teaching methods as seamless as possible for students. OOTA will continue to support educators and students in whatever way we can throughout the duration of this pandemic.

Coping with Covid-19 Anxiety

There are an abundance of resources available for stress management and coping with the unusual circumstances in which we find ourselves. Ohio has a good resource here with multiple resources available for you and your families. 

More COVID-19 resources can be found under the Members Only tab.  Please continue to support each other as we move through this time together. And let us know what we can do to help you. 

 On-Demand Webinars Available from OOTA

OOTA is now offering 11 on-demand webinars.  Each webinar link will take you to a registration form. Your confirmation email will provide you with the video link and link to the post-test.  Certificates will be issued upon completion of the post-test.  Non-Members can join OOTA on the registration form and enjoy the discounted member rate.

 1. Telehealth in School-Based Occupational Therapy Practice: Embracing Technology and Opportunity
Presented by Melanie Criss, OTD, OTR/L
In this 1.5 contact hour continuing education webinar, participants will gain understanding of the benefits/disadvantages of telehealth, technology used, ethical considerations, and evidence based research regarding telehealth in a pediatric setting. Free.  
2020 Telehealth in School-Based Occupational Therapy Practice

 2.  Diverging, Colliding, Merging- Paths of Communication
Presented by Angela K. Johnson, MS, LPC
Objectives: Participants will gain knowledge of different types of communication, appropriate conflict resolution in the workplace, promoting healthy working environments, and tips for improved verbal/nonverbal communication. 
1.5 CEUs. This webinar will satisfy the ethics requirement for Ohio licensure renewal.  OOTA Members $10   Non-Members $30
Diverging, Colliding, Merging- Paths of Communication Webinar

 3. Ethics: What I Need to Know 
Presenter: Jeri Jahn, OTR/L. North Central Chair
This one hour webinar will fulfill the ethics requirement needed to renew your license. OOTA Members $10   Non-Members $30
On-Demand Webinar: Ethics - What I Need to Know

4. Evidence Based Practice Application Round Table
Presented by: Owens Community College OTA class of 2020.
Students will present application of evidence-based practice observed at fieldwork placements. A variety of settings and topics will be addressed. 2 CEUs will be awarded upon completion of the post test.  OOTA Members $10   Non-Members $35
On-Demand Webinar: Evidence-Based Practice Application Roundtable

5. The New Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM): Everything You Wanted to Know (But Were Afraid to Ask!)
Presented by Becky Finni, DHS, OTR/L
1.5 CEUs.  OOTA Members $10   Non-Members $30
PDPM Webinar

6. Concussions Across the Lifespan: The Role of OT
Presented by Talia Gibson, S/OT
1.5 CEUs.  OOTA Members $10   Non-Members $35
WEBINAR: NW Concussions Across the Lifespan: The Role of OT

7. Non-Traditional Sleep Patterns: The Role of OT
Presented by Katelyn Merzke, S/OTA
2 CEUs.  OOTA Members $10   Non-Members $35
Webinar: Non-Traditional Sleep Patterns: The Role of OT

8. Pediatric Behavioral Health Occupational Therapy: Looking at the Whole Picture
Presented by Miranda Tippie, MOT, OTR/L
1.0 CEU. The webinar consists of 1 video and 1 downloadable handout. $15.   https://oota.thinkific.com 

9. You're Doing the Work, Now Give Yourself the Credit: Secrets of Skilled Documentation
Presented by Maria Reinbolt, OT, OTR/L and Connie Burcin, BA, COTA/L
1.5 CEUs.  OOTA Members $10   Non-Members $35
On-Demand Webinar: Secrets of Skilled Documentation

10. Telehealth for the Pediatric Population
Presented by Chelsea McNichols
1 CEU. Members $10  Non-members $20
On-Demand Webinar: Teletherapy for the Pediatric Population