Blue Value Insurance Plans

BCBSNC launced Blue Value, effective January 1, 2013.  CMC Hospital will not accept Blue Value Insurance Plans.

Speech in the Queen City: Occupational Therapy at Integration Station

Speech in the Queen City: Occupational Therapy at Integration Station

Occupational Therapy at Integration Station

Integration Station Pediatric Therapy Services is a wonderful clinic where children can recieve occupational therapy.  I had to the opportunity to visit them today, and they have a wonderful enticing gym with swings, stairs, and much more to assist the disorganized child.  Check them out at 2110 Ben Craig Drive STE 300  Charlotte, NC 28262 or give them a call at 704-595-9363. Their website is MyIntegrationStation.com

ObamaCare Important Dates

October 1- New 2014 healthcare reform plans open enrollment

December 15- Deadlines to make changes to plans

January 1, 2014- Plans become effective

I like how BCBSNC sent out fliers to help me "the consumer" be ready.  As a provider can BCBSNC increase reimbursement rates :o

NC Tracks

Common problems with providers using NC Tracks:

• not being able to maneuver through billing screens because of flawed code writing
• not being able to add providers to a Company to bill for services rendered
• 90 minute wait times when calling
• webinars do not answer specific questions
• system is faster now but there are times when it slows back down

Governor Pat McCrory and health exchanges for State of NC

"On November 15, 2012, Governor Beverly Perdue (D) declared the state’s intent to establish a state-federal partnership health insurance exchange.¹ However, on February 12, 2013, newly-elected Governor Pat McCrory (R) issued a statement indicating that North Carolina will abandon efforts to establish a partnership exchange and will instead allow the federal government to operate the exchange.² " -Kaiser Family Foundation

BCBSNC

I can't wait to see how the biggest insurance company, BCBS, navigates through ACA. 

Request for Information from DHHS

We assisted in preparing a proposal to the Department of Health and Human Services in response to their request for information on how to reform North Carolina Medicaid.  Some suggestions included:
1. Reform WorkFirst programs by putting in place tighter regulations mandating recipients to present an annual W-2 to continue to qualify for services
2. Require foster parents of therapeutic children to participate in therapeutic community services such as hippotherapy every week.
3. Require foster parents to turn in receipts for funds received.
4. Create Behavioral Health Organizations to support the mentally ill population across their life span
5. NC Medicaid assist PT, OT, SLP, and BH in securing higher reimbursement and policy coverage with private insurances
6. Revise extrapolation and determine which situations warrant such recoupments
7.  Allow flexibility of units for therapists to provide services
8.  Make decisions where the family is the nuclei, and from there the primary care provider represents as the case manager to help match families to appropriate providers.  Resulting in reduced ER visits
9.  Create Health Information Technological funds to assist providers in converting over to more innovated systems
10.  Provide forgiveness incentives for providers who failed audits
TOP Proposed idea:  STATE BE MORE TRANSPARENT on how they will implement ACA

Thanks.

Health Reform

Governor McCory has chosen to not expand Medicaid in North Carolina

Healthcare Reform

How will the ACA impact rehab services-specifically for us- pediatric therapy services (outpatient).www.rehabbuilders-carolinas.com

www.rehabbuilders-carolinas.comThe true rehab: animals
Loving my 2 schnauzers Sophie and Stella Luna and 1 cat Sabrina.
Cheers to the Michael Vick rescue dogs  vickdogsblog.blogspot.com

Free online courses sponsored by various colleges and universities. www.coursera.org
www.rehabbuilders-carolinas.com

There is a group of therapists here in Charlotte, including myself, who are meeting and dedicated to educating parents, professionals, and the community on the available resources and various service models within the Charlotte Mecklenburg area. Tentative name is Kids Team: Therapy, Education, Advocacy, and Mentoring. Stay tuned....

Therapy visits

Families should always ask their insurance companies what specifically is covered in their plans for speech therapy services. Ask your provider what procedure codes will be billed; always get reference numbers for your phone calls; and know your visit limitations (# of visits per calendar or benefit year).

FDA and simplythick thickner in infants

Discontinue use of simplythick thickner with infants warns the FDA. It can cause necrotizing entercolittis.  I was just told by CMC Levine's rehab department that they are not evening using simplythick with children 3 years of age or younger. 

American Affordable Act

I hope the person you voted for won.  
I am waiting for an online class to begin on Healthcare Reform. I will post information in the New Year!

HealthCare Reform

Yes healthcare reform is needed. Insurance companies should not have so much power over how medical treatment is provided. Specifically in pediatric rehab- there should be no stipulations on place of service; unreasonable visit limits; change of co-pays/deductibles; or diagnosis specific coverages.

cooking and language

Use cooking with your child as a good way to work on vocabulary and adjectives. You can adjust this activity based upon your child's age. For a young child,  simply imitating the different foods works on expressive language.  Do simple naming tasks to see if your child can remember the name(s) of the foods. Ask: "What's this?" (model if needed or provide cues).  Always provide praise for all  verbal attempts. Stay tuned for more ideas next week. Live life to your best abilities and absolutely love yourself.

Convention

Learning more about marketing and business aspects of private practice. They do not teach you about this stuff in grad school.