Guest guest Posted April 1, 2011 Report Share Posted April 1, 2011 ----- Forwarded Message ----To: deniseslist@...Sent: Fri, April 1, 2011 4:34:01 PMSubject: Medicaid Waiver Cuts Good afternoon, First of all, I am not on your official mailing list, but a few e-mails have been forwarded to me recently by peers and individuals I work with. Thank you for your efforts to inform people of the Medicaid Waiver rate cuts that are in effect as of today. I wanted to take just a minute of your time to point out that the "15% cut across the board" is quite misleading. The agency differential that had been in effect has been elimitated. Previously agency rates were higher than rates paid to solo providersto enable agencies to meet adminstrative costs. In other words "agencies" (many of which are small agencies) have suffered a rate reduction far greater than 15%. I have a small behavior analysis agency and our rates have decreased by approximately 45% when the elimination of the "adminstrative" rates is considered. Obviously it is not possible to continue to operate in this manner. As a result employees will lose jobs and vulnerable adults and children will lose what I consider to be a very valuable service. I just wanted to make you aware that for many providers (not just those of behavior analysis services) the situation is much worse than the "15%", which is what is being communicated by many sources. Thank you again for informing others and attempting to make a difference during this extremely difficult time. Also, can you please inform me how I can join your mailing list? L. Bremson, M.S., BCBA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 3, 2011 Report Share Posted April 3, 2011 , You are correct and thank you for informing everyone of this situation. I didn't have time to analyze the cuts and was basing my information on the press releases. Behavioral, companion and in home services were reduced to the solo provider rate for the all agencies, so yes the cuts are actually 30 - 45% for those services, if you are not a solo provider. I have already been informed of 3 agencies that are closing due to this huge drop in rates. I will be sending out another email shortly with details. The Governor's office and legislative leadership will spin this every way they can to blame APD and mismanagement and fraud. They will not take the blame for cutting funds for the past 4 years. They will not take the blame for continuing to under fund our population and keeping 19,000 on the waiting list. They won't take the blame for causing 5,000 hearings because of the cuts. They won't take the blame for lawsuits due to cutting funds so low on some clients that they were in many cases reduced 50 - 70% of their previous cost plans. The Governor and his spokespeople will say that nobody is going to be hurt by this action. We have to live within our means. We cannot spend more than we have. Okay, then why does his budget include a $363 million increase and 91 new staff for his office? We all have to take cuts, except him? Why couldn't he recommend $193 million for new staff and only hire 50 people and he wouldn't need to cut APD $170 million to cover the deficit? The governor's office seemed to run fine with the amount of people they had for the past several years. I am sorry, you want logic? Oh we can't have any of that, can we? Regards, Ven Sequenzia President Autism Society of Florida Medicaid Waiver Cuts Good afternoon, First of all, I am not on your official mailing list, but a few e-mails have been forwarded to me recently by peers and individuals I work with. Thank you for your efforts to inform people of the Medicaid Waiver rate cuts that are in effect as of today. I wanted to take just a minute of your time to point out that the "15% cut across the board" is quite misleading. The agency differential that had been in effect has been elimitated. Previously agency rates were higher than rates paid to solo providersto enable agencies to meet adminstrative costs. In other words "agencies" (many of which are small agencies) have suffered a rate reduction far greater than 15%. I have a small behavior analysis agency and our rates have decreased by approximately 45% when the elimination of the "adminstrative" rates is considered. Obviously it is not possible to continue to operate in this manner. As a result employees will lose jobs and vulnerable adults and children will lose what I consider to be a very valuable service. I just wanted to make you aware that for many providers (not just those of behavior analysis services) the situation is much worse than the "15%", which is what is being communicated by many sources. Thank you again for informing others and attempting to make a difference during this extremely difficult time. Also, can you please inform me how I can join your mailing list? L. Bremson, M.S., BCBA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 3, 2011 Report Share Posted April 3, 2011 THANK YOU VEN ... for keeping us so informed and for always fighting for our families... Thank you, www.thepuzzleplace.com Subject: Re: Fw: Medicaid Waiver CutsTo: sList Date: Sunday, April 3, 2011, 10:53 AM , You are correct and thank you for informing everyone of this situation. I didn't have time to analyze the cuts and was basing my information on the press releases. Behavioral, companion and in home services were reduced to the solo provider rate for the all agencies, so yes the cuts are actually 30 - 45% for those services, if you are not a solo provider. I have already been informed of 3 agencies that are closing due to this huge drop in rates. I will be sending out another email shortly with details. The Governor's office and legislative leadership will spin this every way they can to blame APD and mismanagement and fraud. They will not take the blame for cutting funds for the past 4 years. They will not take the blame for continuing to under fund our population and keeping 19,000 on the waiting list. They won't take the blame for causing 5,000 hearings because of the cuts. They won't take the blame for lawsuits due to cutting funds so low on some clients that they were in many cases reduced 50 - 70% of their previous cost plans. The Governor and his spokespeople will say that nobody is going to be hurt by this action. We have to live within our means. We cannot spend more than we have. Okay, then why does his budget include a $363 million increase and 91 new staff for his office? We all have to take cuts, except him? Why couldn't he recommend $193 million for new staff and only hire 50 people and he wouldn't need to cut APD $170 million to cover the deficit? The governor's office seemed to run fine with the amount of people they had for the past several years. I am sorry, you want logic? Oh we can't have any of that, can we? Regards, Ven Sequenzia PresidentAutism Society of Florida Medicaid Waiver Cuts Good afternoon, First of all, I am not on your official mailing list, but a few e-mails have been forwarded to me recently by peers and individuals I work with. Thank you for your efforts to inform people of the Medicaid Waiver rate cuts that are in effect as of today. I wanted to take just a minute of your time to point out that the "15% cut across the board" is quite misleading. The agency differential that had been in effect has been elimitated. Previously agency rates were higher than rates paid to solo providersto enable agencies to meet adminstrative costs. In other words "agencies" (many of which are small agencies) have suffered a rate reduction far greater than 15%. I have a small behavior analysis agency and our rates have decreased by approximately 45% when the elimination of the "adminstrative" rates is considered. Obviously it is not possible to continue to operate in this manner. As a result employees will lose jobs and vulnerable adults and children will lose what I consider to be a very valuable service. I just wanted to make you aware that for many providers (not just those of behavior analysis services) the situation is much worse than the "15%", which is what is being communicated by many sources. Thank you again for informing others and attempting to make a difference during this extremely difficult time. Also, can you please inform me how I can join your mailing list? L. Bremson, M.S., BCBA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 4, 2011 Report Share Posted April 4, 2011 Ven, I do appreciate you also bringing this to light. As an agency provider I too am facing a 42% rate cut with this decision. We have found that some Waiver providers have been receiving denials on services provided in March. We just heard that while APD was updating the system to adjust for the new rate beginning April 1st, they did not leave enough funding to cover those services through March 31, 2011. They are correcting this issue, I have been informed, but we don't know how long it is going to take for them to fix it. We have had one issue so far in which the billing portal indicated funds had been exhausted when it isn't the case. We have to hang in there and stand together to have this resolved. Cary Subject: Re: Fw: Medicaid Waiver CutsTo: sList Date: Sunday, April 3, 2011, 10:53 AM , You are correct and thank you for informing everyone of this situation. I didn't have time to analyze the cuts and was basing my information on the press releases. Behavioral, companion and in home services were reduced to the solo provider rate for the all agencies, so yes the cuts are actually 30 - 45% for those services, if you are not a solo provider. I have already been informed of 3 agencies that are closing due to this huge drop in rates. I will be sending out another email shortly with details. The Governor's office and legislative leadership will spin this every way they can to blame APD and mismanagement and fraud. They will not take the blame for cutting funds for the past 4 years. They will not take the blame for continuing to under fund our population and keeping 19,000 on the waiting list. They won't take the blame for causing 5,000 hearings because of the cuts. They won't take the blame for lawsuits due to cutting funds so low on some clients that they were in many cases reduced 50 - 70% of their previous cost plans. The Governor and his spokespeople will say that nobody is going to be hurt by this action. We have to live within our means. We cannot spend more than we have. Okay, then why does his budget include a $363 million increase and 91 new staff for his office? We all have to take cuts, except him? Why couldn't he recommend $193 million for new staff and only hire 50 people and he wouldn't need to cut APD $170 million to cover the deficit? The governor's office seemed to run fine with the amount of people they had for the past several years. I am sorry, you want logic? Oh we can't have any of that, can we? Regards, Ven Sequenzia PresidentAutism Society of Florida Medicaid Waiver Cuts Good afternoon, First of all, I am not on your official mailing list, but a few e-mails have been forwarded to me recently by peers and individuals I work with. Thank you for your efforts to inform people of the Medicaid Waiver rate cuts that are in effect as of today. I wanted to take just a minute of your time to point out that the "15% cut across the board" is quite misleading. The agency differential that had been in effect has been elimitated. Previously agency rates were higher than rates paid to solo providersto enable agencies to meet adminstrative costs. In other words "agencies" (many of which are small agencies) have suffered a rate reduction far greater than 15%. I have a small behavior analysis agency and our rates have decreased by approximately 45% when the elimination of the "adminstrative" rates is considered. Obviously it is not possible to continue to operate in this manner. As a result employees will lose jobs and vulnerable adults and children will lose what I consider to be a very valuable service. I just wanted to make you aware that for many providers (not just those of behavior analysis services) the situation is much worse than the "15%", which is what is being communicated by many sources. Thank you again for informing others and attempting to make a difference during this extremely difficult time. Also, can you please inform me how I can join your mailing list? L. Bremson, M.S., BCBA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 4, 2011 Report Share Posted April 4, 2011 I was just informed a little bit ago that because the funds were cut so much that I do not have a respite worker at this time. They are working on getting me someone but not many people that have all the requirements needed with fingerprints, background checks, 75 hours of classes etc want to be paid so low. I have already put in a call to my senator and will be emailing all the other ones. Hope you all start the letter writing also. As a single mom working 2 jobs, I need some time to myself and to feel comfortable enough to leave my child with a responsible person. To: sList Sent: Mon, April 4, 2011 11:34:37 AMSubject: Re: Fw: Medicaid Waiver Cuts Ven, I do appreciate you also bringing this to light. As an agency provider I too am facing a 42% rate cut with this decision. We have found that some Waiver providers have been receiving denials on services provided in March. We just heard that while APD was updating the system to adjust for the new rate beginning April 1st, they did not leave enough funding to cover those services through March 31, 2011. They are correcting this issue, I have been informed, but we don't know how long it is going to take for them to fix it. We have had one issue so far in which the billing portal indicated funds had been exhausted when it isn't the case. We have to hang in there and stand together to have this resolved. Cary Subject: Re: Fw: Medicaid Waiver CutsTo: sList Date: Sunday, April 3, 2011, 10:53 AM , You are correct and thank you for informing everyone of this situation. I didn't have time to analyze the cuts and was basing my information on the press releases. Behavioral, companion and in home services were reduced to the solo provider rate for the all agencies, so yes the cuts are actually 30 - 45% for those services, if you are not a solo provider. I have already been informed of 3 agencies that are closing due to this huge drop in rates. I will be sending out another email shortly with details. The Governor's office and legislative leadership will spin this every way they can to blame APD and mismanagement and fraud. They will not take the blame for cutting funds for the past 4 years. They will not take the blame for continuing to under fund our population and keeping 19,000 on the waiting list. They won't take the blame for causing 5,000 hearings because of the cuts. They won't take the blame for lawsuits due to cutting funds so low on some clients that they were in many cases reduced 50 - 70% of their previous cost plans. The Governor and his spokespeople will say that nobody is going to be hurt by this action. We have to live within our means. We cannot spend more than we have. Okay, then why does his budget include a $363 million increase and 91 new staff for his office? We all have to take cuts, except him? Why couldn't he recommend $193 million for new staff and only hire 50 people and he wouldn't need to cut APD $170 million to cover the deficit? The governor's office seemed to run fine with the amount of people they had for the past several years. I am sorry, you want logic? Oh we can't have any of that, can we? Regards, Ven Sequenzia PresidentAutism Society of Florida Medicaid Waiver Cuts Good afternoon, First of all, I am not on your official mailing list, but a few e-mails have been forwarded to me recently by peers and individuals I work with. Thank you for your efforts to inform people of the Medicaid Waiver rate cuts that are in effect as of today. I wanted to take just a minute of your time to point out that the "15% cut across the board" is quite misleading. The agency differential that had been in effect has been elimitated. Previously agency rates were higher than rates paid to solo providersto enable agencies to meet adminstrative costs. In other words "agencies" (many of which are small agencies) have suffered a rate reduction far greater than 15%. I have a small behavior analysis agency and our rates have decreased by approximately 45% when the elimination of the "adminstrative" rates is considered. Obviously it is not possible to continue to operate in this manner. As a result employees will lose jobs and vulnerable adults and children will lose what I consider to be a very valuable service. I just wanted to make you aware that for many providers (not just those of behavior analysis services) the situation is much worse than the "15%", which is what is being communicated by many sources. Thank you again for informing others and attempting to make a difference during this extremely difficult time. Also, can you please inform me how I can join your mailing list? L. Bremson, M.S., BCBA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 4, 2011 Report Share Posted April 4, 2011 Hi, Can you provide me with your name and address? We are trying to compile information to give to legislators and Governor, but we need specifics. If we only say someone told me they cannot get a provider for this or that without backup, they may not believe it. I need proof. Anyone who has been notified of anything like this, please provide the information, so we can show the state that people are being cut and hurt by these cuts that were supposed to avoid this from happening. Regards, Ven Sequenzia President Autism Society of America State of Florida Chapter Medicaid Waiver Cuts Good afternoon, First of all, I am not on your official mailing list, but a few e-mails have been forwarded to me recently by peers and individuals I work with. Thank you for your efforts to inform people of the Medicaid Waiver rate cuts that are in effect as of today. I wanted to take just a minute of your time to point out that the "15% cut across the board" is quite misleading. The agency differential that had been in effect has been elimitated. Previously agency rates were higher than rates paid to solo providersto enable agencies to meet adminstrative costs. In other words "agencies" (many of which are small agencies) have suffered a rate reduction far greater than 15%. I have a small behavior analysis agency and our rates have decreased by approximately 45% when the elimination of the "adminstrative" rates is considered. Obviously it is not possible to continue to operate in this manner. As a result employees will lose jobs and vulnerable adults and children will lose what I consider to be a very valuable service. I just wanted to make you aware that for many providers (not just those of behavior analysis services) the situation is much worse than the "15%", which is what is being communicated by many sources. Thank you again for informing others and attempting to make a difference during this extremely difficult time. Also, can you please inform me how I can join your mailing list? L. Bremson, M.S., BCBA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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