Institute and Disability Rights Network Offer Free Webinar Series on Durable Medical Equipment and Medicaid Managed Care

August 2013

Pennsylvania’s Initiative on Assistive Technology (PIAT), a program of the Institute on Disabilities, and the Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania are holding a FREE webinar series beginning in the fall of 2013. The webinars are for persons with disabilities, their family members, advocates, and professionals. Amy Goldman, Co-Executive Director of the Institute on Disabilities and a licensed speech-language pathologist, and Chava Kintisch, Staff Attorney and Assistive Technology Project Director, Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania, will be the featured speakers in the series.

“Getting Durable Medical Equipment (DME) through Pennsylvania Medical Assistance (Medicaid) Managed Care” will address the topic in four parts.

The first webinar, “Getting Durable Medical Equipment (DME) from Medical Assistance (Medicaid) Managed Care: The Basics,” is on Thursday, September 12, 2013 from noon to 1:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time). Participants will learn how to find out what durable medical equipment is covered under a Medical Assistance managed care health plan. The webinar will also provide information on how to seek prior authorization. Participants will also be introduced to the steps for appealing a denial.

The second webinar, “Getting Your Communication or Mobility Equipment: Evaluations,” is on Tuesday, September 17, 2013 from noon to 1:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time). This session will introduce how evaluations for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and powered mobility devices are covered under Medical Assistance (Medicaid) managed care health plans. During the hour, qualified providers for evaluation and recommended services will be identified. Other resources for information and AAC funding will be provided.

The third and fourth webinars in the series will be scheduled for Spring 2014. Dates and times for the third and fourth webinars have not yet been set.

The third webinar, on Medical Assistance and hearing-related services, will detail the limitations on hearing evaluation services funded by Medical Assistance managed care health plans. In addition, the webinar will address funding for hearing aids for children. The webinar will also provide resources for funding audiological services and hearing aids. Sharon Behun, Director of the Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, will join speakers Goldman and Kintisch for this session.

During the final webinar, on maintenance and repair, participants will learn about durable medical equipment maintenance and repair services covered by Medical Assistance managed care health plans. Participants will also learn how to identify providers. Finally, participants will learn authorization and billing rules for repairs and maintenance.

Each webinar can be accessed on any computer that has Internet service. If audio is unavailable on the computer, participants can use the computer for the PowerPoint (written materials) and dial in on a telephone using a toll-free number to hear the content. That number can also be used to participate in the webinar by telephone only. Captioning, alternative formats of visual materials and other accommodations will be provided if requested by the registration deadline for each webinar (September 5, 2013 for the first two webinars).

In addition, PIAT’s Assistive Technology Resource Centers (ATRCs) will act as host sites for the webinars. Attendees may choose to go to the ATRC nearest them to participate in the webinar. Following each webinar, ATRC staff will be present to answer questions about assistive technology and discuss the services that ATRCs provide. Sign language interpreters and other accommodations will be provided if requested by the registration deadline for each webinar (September 5, 2013 for the first two webinars).

A list of addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses of ATRCs can be found here.

Registration for the first two webinars on September 12 and 17 is required by September 5, 2013. Registration deadlines for the other webinars will be provided at a later time. For more information, email: IODEvent@temple.edu or call 800-204-7428 (phone), 866-268-0579 (TTY).

Continuing education credits from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association have been requested, and if approved, will be available for a processing fee ($10) for each webinar.