SAVE THE DATE

MAOT ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Embracing our Identity in a Changing Climate

October 30, 2020

Call for Papers

Deadline extended to June 5th

Call for Nominations

COVID-19 Resources for Massachusetts Occupational Therapy Practitioners

Governor Baker has issued new guidance for Phase 1 Reopening, effective May 18, 2020.  Please see the attached documents for an overview and guidance for Health and Human Services.

https://www.mass.gov/doc/eohhs-health-care-phase-1-reopening-approach-may-18-0/download

Additional information can be found on the Mass.gov website link:

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/reopening-massachusetts

Dear Members:

MAOT recognizes that COVID-19 has had a major impact on our daily lives.  We are all trying to adapt to these uncharted waters.  We hope that these resources will be helpful to you.  Please feel free to contact MAOT if you have any questions.

Practitioner Well Being:  https://www.aota.org/Practice/Manage/Practitioner-Well-Being.aspx?utm_source=OTPP%2D4%2D14%2D2020&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Focusing%20on%20Well%2DBeing%20in%20the%20OT%20Community

Telehealth

AOTA:  https://www.aota.org/telehealth

AOTA Guide to Telehealth Services Decision Making:  https://www.aota.org/~/media/Corporate/Files/Practice/Manage/Occupational-Therapy-Telehealth-Decision-Guide.pdf

HIPPA Compliant Resources:  https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/special-topics/emergency-preparedness/notification-enforcement-discretion-telehealth/index.html

WPS Statement on Telehealth and standardized assessments:  https://info.wpspublish.com/wps-tele-assessment-statement?ecid=ACsprvtGke3f1P6spQiIzPUDTCXCZICadQP8i6D6J1glJpt2IKgTKDJ6x6zbKMG_yBEUEfZvcBl5&utm_campaign=COVID-19%20Updates&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=85133526&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9BcrWDusRnOAkiMkIeWajzpYRQ-difeg-N_QhrLFDDUBwdAtC3ApStIXg4bpMq7oqSHfR5SgchHCmmQS3Cfme-XFD8PA&_hsmi=85133526

CMS/Medicare and Telehealth:  https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/trump-administration-makes-sweeping-regulatory-changes-help-us-healthcare-system-address-covid-19?fbclid=IwAR2xllReWUZIQugUgBI61LJmR1qUq7rxsjnlAnkp0nwU9-RPM_oo6J2ggOM

Massachusetts Telehealth:

Order Expanding Access to Telehealth Services and to Protect Health Care Providers:  https://www.mass.gov/doc/march-15-2020-telehealth-order/download

Commissioner of Insurance Bulletin for Telehealth:  2020-04 http://www.maot.org/resources/guidance%20MA%20DOI%202020-03-16,%20%20Bulletin%202020-04%20Emergency%20Measures%20to%20%20Address%20and%20Stop%20the%20Spread%20of%20%20COVID19,%20(original).pdf

MassHealth and Telehealth:  https://www.mass.gov/doc/all-provider-bulletin-289-masshealth-coverage-and-reimbursement-policy-for-services-related-to/download

Massachusetts Notification of Enforcement Discretion for Telehealth Remote Communications During the COVID-19 Nationwide Public Health Emergency:  https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/special-topics/emergency-preparedness/notification-enforcement-discretion-telehealth/index.html

AOTA-Role of OT:  https://www.aota.org/coronavirus?utm_source=Virus%20Update%20031920&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AOTA%20Response%20to%20COVID%2D19

Information on HIPPA and Covid-19:  https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/special-topics/emergency-preparedness/index.html

NBCOT Certification extension and update on operations:  https://www.nbcot.org/en/News#covidupdate2

Massachusetts Licensure extension:  https://www.mass.gov/doc/march-18-2020-professional-licensure-order/download

Updates on Cancellation of AOTA Boston 2020:  https://www.aota.org/Conference-Events/annual-conference/coronavirus-covid19.aspx?fbclid=IwAR2dMndigTLxrrSPyf-9olz_EjnHrJCKWSh-iggllwEiBUFedtNeuJU5axA

 

Section 1135 Waiver Flexibilities for CMS in Massachusetts:  https://www.medicaid.gov/state-resource-center/disaster-response-toolkit/federal-disaster-resources/?entry=54066

AOTA resource on regulatory changes for unemployment and leave support during COVID-19:  https://www.aota.org/Advocacy-Policy/Congressional-Affairs/Legislative-Issues-Update/2020/New-Changes-To-Unemployment-and-leave-support-during-COVID-19

Massachusetts FAQ about COVID-19-Employee Rights and Employer Obligations:   
https://www.mass.gov/service-details/frequently-asked-questions-about-covid-19-employee-rights-and-employer-obligations

Massachusetts Unemployment:  https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-covid-19-unemployment-information

Massachusetts Unemployment with Immediate start-no wait time to collect:  https://www.mass.gov/alerts/important-unemployment-information#/resources/guidance%20MA%20DOI%202020-03-16,%20%20Bulletin%202020-04%20Emergency%20Measures%20to%20%20Address%20and%20Stop%20the%20Spread%20of%20%20COVID19,%20(original).pdf

Massachusetts Small Business Resources and Guidance:  https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-resources-and-guidance-for-businesses

Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program (includes sole proprietors and independent contractors):  https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/paycheck-protection-program-ppp

Extended Enrollment for Massachusetts Health Connector:  https://www.mahealthconnector.org/massachusetts-health-connector-offers-extended-enrollment-for-uninsured-individuals-to-ease-coronavirus-fears

IRS Filing Deadlines-April 15 changed to July 15, 2020:  https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-day-now-july-15-treasury-irs-extend-filing-deadline-and-federal-tax-payments-regardless-of-amount-owed

 

Massachusetts State Tax Filing Deadline-April 15 changed to July 15, 2020:  https://www.mass.gov/news/massachusetts-announces-state-income-tax-filing-deadline-being-extended-to-july-15

Massachusetts Housing Court:  https://www.mass.gov/doc/housing-court-standing-order-2-20-temporary-modifications-to-court-operations-arising-from-the/download

Federal Student Loans:  https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/coronavirus

Massachusetts List of Essential Services:   https://www.mass.gov/doc/covid-19-essential-services/download

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers:  https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/CISA-Guidance-on-Essential-Critical-Infrastructure-Workers-1-20-508c.pdf

 

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education COVID-109:  http://www.doe.mass.edu/covid19/

Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care COVID-19 Information and Resources:  https://eeclead.force.com/apex/EEC_ChildCareEmergencyProcedure

 

U.S. Department of Education information and Resources:  https://www.ed.gov/coronavirus

Free Zoom account for educators and students:  https://zoom.us/docs/ent/school-verification.html?zcid=1231&_ga=2.228851412.995105639.1583699918-735451631.1546545079

Questions about Fieldwork:  https://www.aota.org/coronavirus

Liability insurance:

FAQ from HSPO about liability insurance, COVID, and telehealth:  http://www.hpso.com/support/faq/Index

Statement from Proliability/Mercer:

"The Policy does not exclude telehealth services. The intent of the Professional Liability Policy is to defend and indemnify claims arising from healthcare professional services for the profession listed on the Declarations page.  For practitioners electing to provide professional services via telehealth, it is the responsibility of each practitioner to ensure that they are lawfully providing professional services and meeting the requirements outlined by their professional state licensing or regulatory boards. It is upon the practitioner to be familiar with all laws and regulations regarding telehealth to ensure they are practicing within their profession’s scope and standards of practice. Failure to follow the required scope and standards of practice may limit or void your insurance.

The foregoing is provided for information purposes only. Please refer to the Policy for its complete terms and conditions. Coverage determinations can only be made by the Claims department after a thorough review of the facts and circumstances of an actual claim.

If you have questions regarding the guidelines, laws or regulations relating to telehealth, we encourage you to contact your national association and regulatory bodies."

Practitioners can get a separate liability rider for consultation and education.  Practitioners are encouraged to contact their provider for specific coverage.

Statement from New Hampshire-Emergency Order for Out-of-State Medical Providers to Provide Medically Necessary Services and Provide Services Through Telehealth:  https://www.governor.nh.gov/news-media/emergency-orders/documents/emergency-order-15.pdf

Method for Applying for an Emergency New Hampshire License:  https://www.oplc.nh.gov/covid-19/documents/plc-800-emergency-rule-032420.pdf

Application for Emergency License Pursuant for New Hampshire:  https://www.oplc.nh.gov/covid-19/documents/emergency-license-form.pdf

Be well….

Karen J. Hefler, OT, OTR

President, MAOT

School Based Medicaid Program

The Massachusetts TrI-Alliance of School Therapists, a working group representing occupational, physical and speech therapists, began meeting in the spring of 2019 in response to the anticipated School-Based Medicaid Program (SBMP) expansion scheduled for July 1, 2019. The goal of this working group was to leverage the collective understanding of SBMP documentation requirements for therapists under this expansion and to bridge communication with key stakeholders, i.e., MA DESE, Medicaid, OT, PT, ST State Associations. 

This working group with the support of MAOT, APTAMA, and MSHA, has created the attached document that highlights the SBMP documentation requirements, links to important resources, and provides action steps for school-based therapists. We encourage therapists to read this document and linked resources carefully and to use this knowledge to facilitate productive discussions with their school administrators in developing or refining district/collaborative processes. 

School-Based Medicaid Guidance.pdf

Massachusetts TrI-Alliance of School Therapists primary contributors to this document include:  

-Jan Hollenbeck, OT, OTD, Coordinator of Related Services, Assistive Technology, Secondary Transition, and 504, Medford Public Schools

-Nancy Ahrabi-Nejad, PT, MHA, DPT Director of Consultation Services, Assabet Valley Collaborative

-Suzannah Campbell, MS, CCC-SLP, C.A.G.S. Supervisor of Speech, Language, and Hearing, Medford Public Schools

-Dawn Flaherty, OT, Director of Related Services and Assistive Technology, South Shore Educational Collaborative

-Kristen Skjerli, PT, Coordinator of OT/PT South Shore Educational Collaborative

Kathy Stemm, DSc, PT, PCS, Program Coordinator: PT/OT Services CAPS Collaborative

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