Dear Providers for Customers of Independence Northwest,
I’m writing to give you a general update regarding upcoming changes to provider payments. There’s been a flurry of activity around this topic in recent weeks and here’s the latest as we know it.
As you know, the State of Oregon Office of Developmental Disabilities Services plans to take over payments to brokerage providers in the near future. The deadline has changed multiple times and their current public target is January 1st, 2014.
In preparation for this change, all providers must obtain a Provider Number. In order to receive a Provider Number, you must turn in a Provider Enrollment Application and Agreement (Word or PDF). The Provider Number will allow you to go into the State’s payment system and make your claims. Without this number, you won’t be paid.
Many of you have contacted us via phone, email, on Facebook and in-person concerned because you submitted the required paperwork, yet you’ve heard nothing from the State. Communication and direction has been spotty, for sure.
Here’s how INW can help.
A day ago, the thirteen support services brokerages received a spreadsheet from the Oregon Home Care Commission. This spreadsheet contains the names and contact information for about 3,400 providers statewide. It includes assigned Provider Numbers. We are currently in the process of sorting through the list to determine which providers are attached to Independence Northwest.
- If your name is on the list, we will email you your Provider Number early next week. (Some providers are getting email notifications with their Provider Number from the Home Care Commission and some aren’t, so you may receive this info twice.)
- If your name is not on the list, we will email you early next week and tell you that the State has not assigned you a Provider Number yet. This may be because you didn’t submit a PEAA or perhaps the State hasn’t processed your PEAA yet. We have no way of knowing which is the case (or if there are other variables), so concerned providers will need to follow up with the State at that point by emailing DD-MH.OHCC@state.or.us. At this time, the State has not provided a direct contact person or phone number. If that changes, we will update you.
We expect to receive updated Provider Number lists from the State from time to time, but don’t yet know what the frequency will be. As we receive those lists, we will update you where applicable.
If you haven’t submitted your Provider Enrollment Application and Agreement, please don’t delay – do it today. As of right now, less than half of the Personal Support Workers in the State have been assigned Provider Numbers. It’s essential everyone is assigned a number on or before Monday, December 2nd, 2013. We can’t let a bureaucratic change affect payment for essential services to adults with I/DD.
Brokerages will continue payment (at the very least) through the end of 2013. As deadlines shift, we’ll keep you informed. You will continue to send your invoices and time sheets directly to your customer’s Personal Agent, as before.
To Recap:
- If you haven’t sent in your Provider Enrollment Agreement, do it now.
- If you have turned it in and we send you a notice saying the State hasn’t included you on its list, contact them via email at DD-MH.OHCC@state.or.us.
- Continue to send your timesheets and invoices directly to us at Independence Northwest. We will notify you when the State is formally taking over payment. Even after the State takes over payment, you’ll still send proof of services to us for review.
- The State will take over payment to you sometime in the new year. They are planning trainings and support for providers to get acclimated to the eXPRS system. Hold tight, information forthcoming.
We promise to communicate changes with you quickly to ensure as smooth a transition as possible. We are continuing our series of customer and community forums and welcome you to join us. It’s a great place to discuss the changes with other community members and get the latest details. I also encourage you to Like us on Facebook and subscribe to the Independence Northwest Blog to get updates as we have them.
Thank you for the essential work you do for our customers, their families and the community at large.
Best,
Larry Deal
Executive Director
PS – Provider organizations with current eXPRS log in information need not be concerned with this notice. As I currently understand it, provider organizations who are awaiting a Provider Number and eXPRS log-in will be contacted in the next week or so by the State.