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The
Idaho Occupational Therapy Association is your professional
resource for the occupational therapy profession in Idaho.
Our
member-driven organization works to advance and protect the
occupational therapy profession by monitoring state and federal
legislation and speaking on behalf of our members.
We
develop continuing education opportunities, networking events and
timely communication to keep our members informed of professional
issues that impact the practice of occupational therapy. And
we continually promote occupational therapy to consumers, other
health care professionals and students considering occupational
therapy as a career.
Please
enjoy our website to discover the many benefits our association
offers to occupational therapists and occupational therapy
assistants.
Join us today.
What's Happening in Idaho OT
Update from RA Delegate Carrie Mori, PhD, OTR/L, BCP
There are several opportunities for colleagues to be recognized for their dedication to the field of occupational therapy. Read the request below and nominate a deserving Idaho OT. In addition, the Representative Assembly is looking for a consumer to become a member of the RA.
Read more here.
Medicaid payments to resume
Tom Shanahan, a spokesman for the
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, said payments will be
sent to providers starting on Tuesday, after the 4th of July
holiday. All payments should be sent by July 9.
A t
the end of March, the department notified Medicaid providers
that payments would be temporarily suspended for eight to 12
weeks because of budget cuts, and that the missed payments would
be made up in July.
Shanahan said that Medicaid
providers who have questions, or who have denied, or pending
claims, should contact Molina Provider Services, the company
that handles payments, at (866) 686-4272.
Medicaid must make budget cuts
The 2010 Idaho Legislature ordered Medicaid to make budget cuts. Across the board reductions are being considered in all payee levels with an emphasis on reducing costs without reducing services that are needed by clients. To that end, providers and stakeholders have been invited to participate in discovery conversations with Medicaid.
On May 12, the Idaho Occupational Therapy Association, Idaho Speech and Hearing Association and Idaho Physical Therapy Association met with Medicaid representatives to discuss where it might be possible to reduce payments to independent providers of therapy services. The recommendations were to freeze reimbursements at current levels and reduce payments if Medicare does so first and to meet on a quarterly basis to help maintain program integrity.
The impact to occupational therapy through this proposed reduction is .22% or $156,000.
You can make your opinions known on recommendations that you might make at this link:
www.medicaidneedsyourideas.dhw.idaho.gov . Please log in to complete the survey and find out more information. All budget cuts will take place effective July 1, 2010. IOTA will update this information as it is made known to us.
New Reimbursement Chair named
AJ Jaques, OTR/L, Rigby, has been appointed to fill the position of Reimbursement Chair for the Idaho Occupational Therapy Association (IOTA). The Reimbursement Chair monitors and advises on regulatory issues for the association and on behalf of all occupational therapy practitioners. It is their charge to promote best practices, encourage appropriate collaboration, and foster relationships between the Occupational Therapy community, regulating agencies, private insurance companies, and Medicaid/Medicare.
The position works closely with the association president and executive director. "We are very excited to add AJ to our team," commented Lacey Osgood, OTR/L, IOTA President.
AJ will begin immediately and hopes to be retained in the position during the coming election. According to IOTA Bylaws, the positions of Vice President, Treasurer and Reimbursement Chair are elected in even numbered years.
Reimbursement questions may be submitted here.
Autism Link
Have you checked this out? AOTA has resources for therapists working with individuals with autism.
http://www.aota.org/autism
Several positions remain open on IOTA Executive Board
Would you like to serve your profession in the most meaningful way possible? You can represent your friends and colleagues and help guide the practice of Occupational Therapy in Idaho by joining the Idaho Occupational Therapy Association's Board of Directors. Our board members serve for two year terms of office and they are involved in discussions about education, advocacy and awareness of occupational therapy. They give directions on how the profession is perceived by others including consumers, legislators, and other affiliated health care professions and medical provider agencies.
Contact President Lacey Osgood, MOTR/L today if you are interested in being appointed to one of our open positions: President-elect
and Secretary.
Contact VP Aine Keith-Brain, OTR/L if you are interested in running for a position whose term will begin in the fall. Positions that will be elected in 2010 are President-elect, Vice President, Treasurer, Reimbursement Chair and Student Representatives from Idaho State University OT Program and Brown Mackie College OTA Program.
Not convinced that serving on the EB is for you? Then please take a look at President Lacey Osgood's Top 12 List and reconsider. It's rewarding. We promise!
Idaho Legislature passes Medicaid Rules for school-based therapy
On January 18 and 19, 2010, the Senate and House Health and Welfare Committees reviewed and approved the Medicaid Rules regarding therapy services in school-based settings. The Medicaid Rules were updated to be in compliance with all statutes regarding therapy including Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Speech.
Find out more about Docket 16-0309-0903.
NPR talks about Occupational
Therapy
A segment on the January 26 morning
show talked about how men are needed and welcomed into the
occupational therapy profession and how many are changing careers
during the recession to OT. Thanks to Myrna Harrington,
OTR/L for the tip.
Listen to the segment on NPR.
Changes to the Rules that affect school-based Occupational Therapy
Temporary and proposed Rules Governing Occupational Therapy in Idaho were published on August 24, 2009. The rules help licensed occupational therapy practitioners interpret and implement the Occupational Therapy Practice Act. In order to help schools adapt to the changes, IOTA has prepared a Guideline for Directors of Student services for Special Education on School-Based Occupational Therapy.
Download the Guideline for Directors of Student services for Special Education on School-Based Occupational Therapy.
Please remember that the purpose of regulation is to protect the consumer and provide the appropriate level of services to them at the time and place they are needed.
More information will be available at this link.
A dime-a-day is all it takes to fund IOTA Legislative activities
Can you contribute your Fair Share? For only a dime-a-day, you can protect your future, your profession and your livelihood. Find out more here and make your pledge today.
Health Care Reform
Have you been looking for a comprehensive review of how the proposed health care reform might affect occupational therapy practitioners? Read what AOTA has to say: http://bit.ly/nEOCb.
Changes happen every day so be sure to watch the AOTA Legislative Action Center for the most current information.
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