DSRIP Weekly Update-Nov. 18, 2014
This past week, The Department of Health (DOH) issued a revised Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) Application, revised deadlines and scheduled an audio conference as an opportunity to get your questions answered. In addition, LeadingAge NY continues to work to facilitate your successful participation in DSRIP Performing Provider Systems (PPS), with our current focus on the development of regulatory reform concepts.
Don't Miss DOH/KPMG DSRIP Update on Nov. 20
DOH and KPMG will host an operator assisted conference call open to the public to discuss DSRIP updates on Thurs., Nov. 20, 2014 from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. To participate please dial (888) 892-6166 ten minutes prior to 2:30 p.m. After dialing in, you will be required to provide the conference ID, which is 36234602. Please note that DOH had previously issued a different phone number for this call, however the number above is the correct number,
DOH recommends reviewing the DSRIP Year 0 key dates here before the call. Questions regarding this call, and DSRIP in general, can be directed to DOH at dsripapp@health.ny.gov.
Updated DSRIP Application Issued
DOH issued a revised DSRIP PPS Plan Application. To aid in your review, DOH provided redline versions of the materials, a summary of the feedback from the public comment period with responses, as well as a complete listing of all public comments received. LeadingAge NY is still analyzing the changes, as we provided extensive comments, which can be viewed here. Click here to view the revised application materials.
It should be noted that DOH has pushed back the deadline for the Project Planning application to Dec. 22, 2014. DOH is requesting for the Scope and Speed of Application aspect of the application to be submitted on the original deadline of Dec. 16. The DSRIP Year 0 Timeline has been updated to reflect updated deliverables and due dates and is available here.
VAP Exception Appeals Website Updated
DOH reports that the Vital Access Provider (VAP) Exception Appeals website has been updated to provide some files that had been missing. If you filed a DSRIP VAP application, you are encouraged to review the site to ensure that your application is posted. If you do not see it posted on the website here, please let us know or contact DOH. DOH is accepting comment on the applications until Dec. 3, 2014 at BVAPR@health.ny.gov. At the same time, DOH is currently reviewing the applications and making recommendations for inclusion in the DSRIP safety net process. The approval of these exception appeals is contingent upon obtaining approval from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). If you have any questions about the VAP process, you may contact DOH at BVAPR@health.ny.gov.
Comments on Measure and Specification Reporting Manual
LeadingAge NY submitted comments on the Measure and Specification Reporting Manual, which can be accessed here. In our comments, we highlighted the need for additional education to help non-lead PPS participants to understand how metrics will help to capture their contributions to the success of the PPS project. Most of the measures in Year 3 and beyond are acute care and primary-care based, and so members are likely to be reliant on other data to tell the story of their specific performance. Click here to view the draft manual.
LeadingAge NY Works on Regulatory Reform Concepts
As we have reported, DOH is eager to hear ideas for regulatory waivers for DSRIP projects! DOH is already exploring waivers of need methodologies and establishment regulations for the purposes of DSRIP, and hope to identify as many possible waiver options before DSRIP PPS begin their work. In addition, while some reforms may be applicable to the broader provider community, potential waivers are limited to regulations specific to DSRIP projects, for the duration of the demonstration. We encourage members to talk with their PPS leads, and with LeadingAge NY, so that we can help develop as many opportunities for flexibility for members as possible. Remember that the waivers must relate to DSRIP objectives. Currently, we are working to further develop LeadingAge NY suggestions to DOH to make it easy for you to provide your PPS leads what they need to incorporate into the application. For background on the opportunity, view the DOH Presentation and Hinman Straub analysis and resources.
Reminder: Capital Restructuring Finance Program Applicant Conference
The Capital Restructuring Financing Program (CRFP) will make a total of $1.2 billion available over the next six years for capital projects that will “…enhance the quality, financial viability and efficiency of the health care delivery system in New York State . . . by transforming the system into a more rational patient-centered care system that promotes population health and improved well-being for all New Yorkers.”
A competitive Request for Applications for CRFP funding will be released soon. An applicant conference for the CRFP will be held on Nov. 21 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Empire State Plaza, Concourse Level, Meeting Room 6 in Albany. Those planning to attend must email CRFP@health.ny.gov with the subject line: “November 21, 2014 CRFP Meeting Attendance” and provide a list of persons attending the conference. This meeting can also be viewed via live webcast here. A recording of the webcast will be available within a week of the event. Click here for more information about CRFP.
Recording of DSRIP: An Overview and Legal Implications for Non-Lead Providers
We are posting a recording of the free program, DSRIP: An Overview and Legal Implications for Non-Lead Providers, provided to members only, here. This program provides our members with considerations from the perspective of being a non-lead partner in the PPS. Information and considerations for particular legal concerns are provided.
DOH Encourages you to Use the MIX
DOH’s Office of Health Insurance Programs (OHIP) issued a message reminding stakeholder to sign up to the MRT Innovation exchange (the MIX). To sign up or revisit the site, go to www.NY-MIX.org. We are providing a copy of the first MIX Weekly Newsletter below, for your convenience. The MIX will be expanded to incorporate additional suggestions and topics. Two “conversations” are linked:
- Click here to join the conversation about behavioral health in DSRIP
- Click here to join the conversation about the DSRIP application
DOH Newsletter:
The MIX is growing!
Discussion groups offering users a forum to discuss hot topics
Starting today, stakeholders across the state have a space to discuss DSRIP and Medicaid Redesign. The MIX now provides discussion groups that participants can use to launch and shape discussions around crucial topics. These groups provide a forum where people with similar interests can discuss and develop ideas and collaborate on solutions.
The first two discussion groups are being launched today! One offers a place to discuss behavioral health within the DSRIP project framework; the other is dedicated to promoting conversations about the DSRIP application process. Take a look at the emerging conversations, ask your questions and provide your insight. Join the conversation about the future of Medicaid in New York and get in the MIX!
A recap of the past week in the MIX:
Building Performance Incentives
Challenge Summary
Jason Helgerson, NYS Director of Medicaid, launched this challenge with dialogue on the need for PPSs (performing provider systems) to directly engage in flow of funds discussions with their downstream providers. He emphasized that direct communication within a PPS network is necessary for a potential means of using “bonus funds” as incentives, such as an “idea bank” and high performing awards. Vito Grasso expanded the concept of communication, highlighting the need for dialogue between downstream providers and PPS leads to establish collective goals, formulate a roadmap to achieve them and better ensure that all providers are “intimately connected” to the goals of their network. Mr. Grasso also went on to emphasize that “PPSs should employ collective negotiation to identify the best ways to achieve clinical integration, create wellness programs and manage the movement of patients through the network.” Discussions like these demonstrate the productivity of brainstorming and prompt participants to ask those key “so how can we actually get this done” questions as users enrich ideas by asking how to envision moving forward.
How to leverage MIX
Challenge Summary
In this challenge, several participants posted ideas about how to leverage the MIX platform to assist PPSs run successful DSRIP programs. Ideas that were generated included utilizing the platform to create private PPS specific challenges where PPSs could work within their networks to solve their own specific challenges; inviting a wide array of participants from experts in health care policy and finance to health care consumers; utilizing the platform to showcase successful models/solutions; and many other great ideas. The MIX team will work to incorporate these ideas into the platform in upcoming challenges and in our new feature: groups.
Our mailing address is:
info@ny-mix.org
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As always, LeadingAge NY encourages members to let us know what they need from us to be successful DSRIP participants.
Contact: Diane Darbyshire, ddarbyshire@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8828