|
The DDA Connection
May 8, 2025
| | |
Dear DDA Community,
The Developmental Disabilities Administration is listening. We hear that you would like more opportunities to interact with us and collaborate on establishing procedures that will impact how you navigate and use Medicaid waiver services. In addition to our bimonthly Community Meetings, we will begin hosting regional town halls this summer. Having more intimate opportunities to engage with us (in person and virtually) within your specific regions may help to improve communication and build more collaboration with DDA and MDH. I also look forward to continuing our visits with providers and those they support during my quarterly regional visits. It is important to us that you have multiple opportunities to stay connected, informed, and to collaborate with us. Our current public standing meetings include:
-Bimonthly Waiver Advisory Council (June, August, October, December)
-Bimonthly Community Meetings (May, July, September, November)
-Monthly Coordinator of Community Services Meetings
-Quarterly Regional Provider Meetings: SMRO, CMRO, ESRO, WMRO
-Monthly Rate Review Advisory Group Meetings (Cycle runs February through August annually)
We will ensure that our training and meeting calendar remains current, providing you with timely access to register for upcoming trainings and meetings that may assist you in navigating Medicaid services. Thank you for your advocacy and partnership.
Sincerely,
| | |
Marlana R. Hutchinson, Deputy Secretary
Developmental Disabilities Administration
| | |
DDA Spotlight: Author and Public Speaker Macena L. Mason
Macena Lenora Mason was born with Epilepsy. By sharing her journey of self-discovery, honing her skills, and embracing her individuality despite challenges from epilepsy and an intellectual disability, Macena demonstrates resilience and independence. She takes risks and fearlessly learns new things, repeatedly proving her strength.
Her first book, Struggle Equals Goals, is a compelling autobiography that chronicles a life of struggles, triumphs, and accomplishments. It stands as a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the potential within us all to rise above adversity.
Through her agency, Seeking Employment, Equality and Community for People with Developmental Disabilities (SEEC), Macena participated in the Entrepreneur Program and Technology. She started her business, I Can Fly, So Can You, writing stories for people with disabilities and using social media to showcase their successes.
She has chosen to attend classes under the ARC in Montgomery County to train to become a DSP and help other individuals with disabilities become independent as well.
| | | | |
She has chosen to attend classes under the ARC in Montgomery County to train to become a DSP and help other individuals with disabilities become independent as well.
“It’s very important to me to help people see the person before the disability and respect their voice, so I give a voice to those who don’t have one.”
| | |
The Council on Quality and Leadership Webinar Series
Since 1969, The Council on Quality and Leadership has worked with human service organizations and systems to continuously define, measure, and improve the quality of life and services for youth, adults, and older adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and psychiatric disabilities. The Council on Quality and Leadership offers accreditation, training, certification, research, and consultation services to agencies that share their vision of dignity, opportunity, and community for all people.
The Developmental Disabilities Administration and The Council on Quality and Leadership have partnered to develop an educational webinar series to help transform Maryland's disability services system. We invite you to join us to learn more about these efforts to enhance the lives of Marylanders with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families across the lifespan.
Who Should Attend
These webinars have been designed to connect families, advocates, and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Maryland, and those who support them.
Dates, Times, and Topics
Registration is required for each session, which is limited to 500 participants. Each session will be recorded and made available on the DDA’s YouTube Channel.
The following session will run from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28, 2025.
Registration is required for each session and is limited to 500 participants. Each session will be recorded and will be made available on the DDA’s YouTube Channel.
The following session will run from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28, 2025.
DDA Insights Into Self-Directed Services
| | Reminder Guidelines for Billing for Services Delivered through Virtual Supports | | |
Virtual supports are an electronic method of service delivery. For claims to be processed for services provided virtually, the following must be met:
- Virtual supports must be listed in the Service Implementation Plan (SIP) attached to the Person-Centered Plan;
- Virtual supports as a service delivery model must be noted in the provider’s approved Program Service Plan (PSP) for the date of the service delivery; and
-
The delivery method (e.g., Skype, Zoom, FaceTime, etc.) must be noted on billing entries in LTSSMaryland.
Note- DDA waivers permit participants to receive the following services via virtual supports:
- Employment Services
- Community Development Services
- Day Habilitation
- Personal Supports
Please direct any questions about the billing policy or billing through LTSSMaryland to the LTSSMaryland Provider Portal Billing Support Contact page.
Reference: Memo 3 - DDA Amendment 3 - Virtual Supports Final Feb 16, 2021.pd
| Reminder Regarding the Processing of Billing Exceptions on DDA Services | |
The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) will continue to provide important information about billing exceptions in LTSSMaryland. As a general reminder, billing and administrative provider roles in the LTSSMaryland Provider Portal can resubmit most pending services that have billing exceptions in the system. If the root cause of a billing exception has been addressed (e.g., a participant’s eligibility has been re-established), and the services continue to pend due to the exception, this functionality can prompt the system to process services again if the initial processing attempt failed because of the exception. Some services need to be re-processed for exceptions to clear, as the system's large volume of billing activities can slow down processing times. "Please note: billing exceptions must be resolved within one year from today's date. If not resolved by this time, the billing entries will not be processed for payment in the LTSSMaryland system."
Key Information:
-
Disapproval of Pending Services: Services with exceptions that have been pending for more than 90 days and are not actively being resolved may be disapproved by MDH.
-
Impact on Provider Portal: Disapproved activities will be removed from the count in the Actions Required section of your Provider Portal homepage.
-
Finding Disapproved Activities: You can find disapproved activities using the “Service & Claim Search” and the DDA “Services Rendered Report” for activities marked as "Not Authorized."
-
Re-entering and Resubmitting Services: If an issue is resolved after disapproval (such as updating eligibility and/or PCP), your agency may re-enter and submit the billing activity for payment. Activities can be submitted through the Provider Portal, so long as the service date is within 364 days of today’s date.
Action Required:
-
Review Pending Exceptions: Please ensure that all billing exceptions pending for more than 90 days are actively being worked on. If they are not, they may be disapproved.
-
Correct and Resubmit: Once any billing issues (e.g., eligibility, PCP updates) are resolved, please resubmit services for payment.
-
Monitor the Provider Portal: Check the “Actions Required” section to track the status of your activities and ensure timely resolution.
If you encounter any issues or have questions regarding the resubmission process, please do not hesitate to contact our LTSSMaryland Provider Billing Support Office through the LTSSMaryland Provider Portal Billing Support Contact Page for assistance.
We appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and your continued partnership in providing quality services to our members. Thank you for your cooperation.
| DDA’s EVV Policy Reminder: One-Time Passcode and the EVV App | |
The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) is reminding you of important information regarding the Developmental Disabilities Administration’s (DDA) electronic visit verification (EVV) policies. Electronic visit verification is a Medicaid policy that requires electronic verification by the staff provider when a person receives Medicaid-funded personal care or home health services. The staff must electronically verify services upon clocking in and clocking out for their shift. EVV applies to four of DDA’s services: Personal Supports, Personal Supports Enhanced, Personal Supports 2:1, and Respite Care Services - 15 Minutes.
Three methods for EVV
Services can be electronically verified in three different ways: (1) The staff can call into the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system known as the In-Home Supports Assurance System (ISAS) using the participant’s phone. (2) The staff can call into the ISAS IVR telephone system using their own phone and a one-time passcode (OTP) device kept by the participant. (3) Finally, the staff can clock in and out using the EVV app developed by MDH.
At this time, staff providers should primarily use the EVV app, and agency administrators should ensure that all staff providers are trained on using it. A staff provider administrator will need to approve the use of the EVV app for each staff member in the staff member’s profile in the LTSSMaryland Provider Portal.
When staff are unable to use the EVV app, they may use the ISAS IVR telephone system as a backup, either using the participant’s phone or using their own phone with an OTP device. If the participant does not have a phone for the staff provider to use and cannot use the EVV app, please contact the Case Manager about getting an OTP device for the participant.
If no OTP device is assigned and the staff provider calls into the ISAS IVR telephone system from an unrecognized phone, they will hear a warning message telling them to hang up and call from an approved phone.
EVV app offline mode
Staff should continue to use the EVV app offline during weekends when it is offline. When the app is back online, clock-ins and clock-outs will sync with the system. Offline mode instructions can be found here: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MDDHMH/bulletins/3a15026.
EVV app trainings
If providers need assistance or training for the EVV app, please sign up for one of the available trainings: https://health.maryland.gov/mmcp/provider/Pages/ltssmaryland_EVV.aspx. There are upcoming trainings on the following dates:
If you encounter any issues or have questions regarding electronic service verification, please do not hesitate to contact our LTSSMaryland Provider Billing Support Office through the LTSSMaryland Provider Portal Billing Support Contact Page.
We appreciate your attention to this matter and your continued partnership in providing quality services to our members. Thank you for your cooperation.
| | |
Support Broker Reminders
Support Brokers may assist participants who self-direct their services (as necessary, appropriate, and chosen by the participant) with developing strategies for managing employees, supports, and services. This assistance may include assisting participants in completing new hire paperwork and other sensitive documents.
However, Support Brokers should never alter, modify, or complete any documents on a participant’s behalf.
If you have any questions, please contact the Self-Directed Services team at dda.sds@maryland.gov.
| | |
Wage Exception Form Reminders and Update
With their team's support, participants may request an exception to the established reasonable and customary staff wage range standards, up to the maximum established exception rate.
Wage Exception Forms do not need to be completed annually. They are a form that stays with the employee during their employment. A new Wage Exception Form is required when:
- There is a change in the rate for the employee, or
- A new employee is hired.
Update: The DDA is updating the Self-Directed Services manual to support the transfer of previously approved Wage Exception Forms from one Financial Management and Counseling Services provider to another.
If you have any questions, please contact the Self-Directed Services team at dda.sds@maryland.gov.
| | Employment Services Training Deadline Postponed | | |
The Developmental Disabilities Administration would like to announce a change in our Employment Services training requirement timelines. The Tuesday, July 1, 2025, deadline for the following six Employment Services training has been postponed until further notice.
- Basics of Employment First
- Basics of Customized Employment
- Facilitation of natural supports and principles of fading
- The Role of the Job Coach
- Basics of benefits awareness
- Basics of self-employment
As we prepare to implement the College of Direct Supports in the coming months, we will provide more information and training dates for the new learning platform, as well as new training deadlines.
If you have any questions, please contact Kianna Blakeney, Acting Provider Services Director, at kianna.blakeney@maryland.gov.
| | Now Open! Cohort: Organization-Wide Positive Behavior Supports (PBS) | |
Interested in learning more about organization-wide positive behavior support (PBS)? Curious to see how your organization can get involved? Come join an informational webinar on how to become part of Cohort 3 and work with the Maryland DDA on adopting an organization-wide approach to positive behavior support.
Join us on Thursday, May 15, 2025, for a webinar from 9 to 10:30 a.m. to learn more about organization-wide PBS and the cohort process. This webinar will:
- Provide an overview of positive behavior support
- Highlight the differences between organization-wide positive behavior support and individualized positive behavior support
- Describe how this work relates to workforce management
- Share details on the types of training and support available to organizations participating in the Cohort process
- Review and describe the Cohort 3 application process
| | |
Come to the Friday, June 20th webinar from 9 – 10:30 a.m. with questions about Positive Behavior Support, the Cohort process, and the application. The webinar will answer frequently asked questions and will:
- Provide a brief overview of the Cohort process,
- Highlight the components of the Cohort 3 application
| | Applications are due on July 1, 2025. | | |
Water Safety & Wandering Prevention Webinar
In observance of National Water Safety Month, this webinar raises awareness about water safety for children and young people, especially those with I/DD. The panel of parents, swim instructors, self-advocates and professionals will share resources and strategies for families impacted by the risk of a loved one’s wandering that can lead to injury or drowning.
Participants will learn ways to prevent wandering, which can lead to tragic outcomes, particularly when water is nearby.
91% of deaths in children 14 years old or younger with autism are due to drowning. Last year, six children with autism drowned in Maryland after wandering! We want to help prevent future tragedies.
FREE to attend, but registration is required.
| Presented by the Autism Society Baltimore-Chesapeake and the Autism Society of Maryland. | | Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities Community and Professional Development Training Program Learning Series Is Open! | The Community and Professional Development Training Program offered by the Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities (MCDD) at Kennedy Krieger Institute is committed to providing evidence-based training across a broad spectrum of topics to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities and their families. MCDD's 2025 Annual Learning Series will occur from May through November 2025. The series consists of three-hour continuing education workshops with interdisciplinary topics focused on working with individuals with intellectual, developmental, and other disabilities and their families. | | |
5/14 Getting Started, Phone and Video Calls, Texting and Contacts
5/20/25 Monthly Coordinator of Community Services meeting
5/20-5/22 DDA - RN/Case Management/Delegating Nurse Orientation
5/21 Increasing Independence and Safety: Getting Around, Health, Camera
Phones
5/22 DDA Community Meeting
5/28 DDA Insights Into Self-Directed Services
5/28 Organization and Productivity: Email, Calendar Tasks, Reminders,Task list,Cloud Storage, Documents, & File Management
| |
|
DDA Vision
People with developmental disabilities will have full lives in the communities of their choice where they are included, participate and are active citizens.
DDA Mission
Create a flexible, person-centered, family-oriented system of support so people can have full lives.
| |
DDA Headquarters
201 W. Preston Street, 4th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: (410)767-5600
Fax: (410)767-5850
Toll Free: 1(844)253-8694
Have feedback about our communication? Take our survey!
| | | | |
