Request a Joint Resolution to direct the Governor to ask the Federal Department of Labor to create an occupational category for Direct Support Professionals to facilitate the collection of wage data and related information within the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a national effort by the State Association Members of ANCOR.
Request budget language to increase rates for psychiatric professional services across FFS and managed care from 84.8% of Medicare to 100% of Medicare This increase will allow the workforce development in the biennium before implementation of the requirement, established by the third enactment clause of HB1549/SB1005, “That, effective July 1, 2021, the core of services provided by community services boards and behavioral health authorities within cities and counties that they serve shall include, … (ii) outpatient mental health and substance abuse services,”

Assuming no increase in utilization the estimated cost would be $1.3M [$671,000 GF]. Rates for psychologists would remain at 90% of the physician rates; LCSWs would remain at 67.5% of the physician rates.
Electronic Visit Verification (EVV):

Due to an “over-reach” in the budget language added last year at #306 YYYY which expanded the list of services included in the CURES Act which require the implementation of an EVV system to include respite care; DMAS will be required to impose the EVV mandate on providers who offer the service in their licensed facilities not in the individual’s home. An EVV system is not designed for that purpose and would be neither functional nor needed. The budget language will be modified to exempt services provided in a DBHDS Licensed facility.

DD Waiver Slots:

We will support the total of 750 (CL) and 75 (FIS) which were requested to be included in the Governor’s Budget to meet the DOJ mandate; DBHDS has also requested 70 (CL) and 30 (FIS) in each year for reserve/emergency issues including an additional 120 for facility discharges and 16 individuals already waiting for a reserve slot. We would support including the 120 in the full slot request above the DOJ mandate if they can be justified, which would allow the remaining 80 reserve/emergency slots in the biennium to be allocated specifically for either the “reserve” or “emergency” purpose.
We will request that 50% of the vacant BI slots be reassigned to the FIS Waiver and that no new slots be allocated for the BI Waiver until such time as the Priority One Wait List has been eliminated. Individuals wishing the specific service only available on the BI Waiver may access it by requesting a reserve slot to transfer from another Waiver.

Partner Requests:

We will support requests from our community advocacy partners that improve access to services for individuals with behavioral health needs, substance use disorders or developmental disabilities:
by increasing the options and capacity for services,
promoting provider choice,
helping providers build a sustainable business model or
supporting workforce development and retention.

804 Moorefield Park Drive, #201

Richmond, Virginia23236

804-560-4640