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It is with great sadness that MAOT wishes to share the passing of Linda Werkley Duncombe, OT, EdD, OTR, FAOTA on June 29, 2020. Linda was an active participant and supporter of MAOT and a generous contributor of time, talent, and resources to the MAOT Conference Committee. She was a former Professor at Boston University and an advocate for mental health education and services. In 2008, Linda received the MAOT Catherine Trombly Award for Contribution to Occupational Therapy Education and Research. Linda will be missed by all.
SAVE THE DATE
We're going Virtual for the 2020 MAOT Annual Conference!
Embracing our Identity in a Changing Climate
October 30, 2020
Stay tuned for details!
Nominations Deadline September 15, 2020
Join MAOT Today!
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COVID-19 Resources for Massachusetts Occupational Therapy Practitioners
AOTA has released additional decision making guides for occupational therapy services for COVID-19:
School-Based and Early Intervention Occupational Therapy Services-Decision Guide for COVID-19:
Adult and Pediatric Outpatient Occupational Therapy Decision Guide for COVID-19:
https://www.aota.org/~/media/Corporate/Files/Practice/Health/COVID-19-Outpatient-Decision-Guide.pdf
Inpatient Occupational Therapy Decision Guide for COVID-19:
https://www.aota.org/~/media/Corporate/Files/Practice/Health/COVID-19-Inpatient-Decision-Guide.pdf
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
Join MAOT Today!
Membership in MAOT is an investment in yourself and our profession. We offer discounted continuing education, networking opportunities, advocacy and a community of practitioners to help support and further your career!
Click here for a membership form
Click here to join MAOT Online
Fieldwork Position Statement from MAOT. |
Guidelines for Provision of Occupational Therapy Services in Massachusetts Public Schools Click here to read MAOT Guidelines Questions please email info@maot.org |
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