TECS Allied eHealth

This blog will reopen at a later date.

2008-03-11T12:40:00.000-04:00

2007-11-02T15:23:00.000-04:00

Any New Comments, Questions, or Concerns

2007-09-20T08:11:00.000-04:00

Use this section to post any comment, question, concern, etc.! Just click on "comment."

Outcomes Reporting

2007-08-21T12:21:00.000-04:00

Did you know that as children on your caseload exit BabyNet, Service Coordinators will begin to contact you to supply information related to 3 OSEP outcomes? You can supply the information on the COSF (Child Outcomes Summary Form) or on the phone. See BabyNet policies and procedures section on outcomes or link to http://uscm.med.sc.edu/tecs/childandfamilyoutcomes.htm for more information.

Data providers supply will often apply to more than one outcome; i.e., information for each outcome crosses domains (e.g., info related to motor abilities can show up on outcome #1, 2, and 3). So the outcomes are the "overarching umbrellas" for the IFSP goals, which then guide our evaluations/assessments and treatment plans. For resources on outcomes reporting, link to: http://uscm.med.sc.edu/tecs/childoutcomesinforevised.htm

Sample Outcomes Reporting
A. For an IFSP goal/treatment plan that targets expressive communication, providers could report data related to:
Outcome #1 (developing positive social emotional skills)-- data could describe the child's ability to: initiate & maintain social interactions with children & adults, request desired toy/playmate, take turns & participate in play or other age-appropriate activities, etc.,
Outcome #2 (acquiring & using knowledge and skills)-- data could describe the child's ability to: use gestures or facial expressions to express single word communication, vocalize/babble with intonation to interact, express verbs, ask questions, comment, direct, etc.,
Outcome #3 (taking appropriate action to meet needs)-- data could describe child's ability to: request more to eat or drink, communicate need for water to rinse during toothbrushing, order at McDonald's, etc.

B. For an IFSP goal/treatment plan that targets mobility, providers could report data related to:
Outcome #1 (developing positive social emotional skills)-- data could describe the child's ability to: scoot toward toys & other items he wants, "cruise" toward mom when she comes in the room, move toward other children to join them in play, etc. ,
Outcome #2 (acquiring and using knowledge and skills)-- data could describe the child's ability to: remember or figure out how to "cruise" in different settings to get to snacks, move toward the diaper bin when time to change, move around various obstacles to find favorite toys, "cruise" toward mom to say hi, move toward walking aide when time to go, etc.,
Outcome #3 (taking appropriate action to meet needs)-- data could describe the child's ability to: scoot toward remote control when wanting to watch TV, initiate moving toward other items when he wants that activity such as getting his stroller to go to the park or moving toward toys to begin play, moves about to take part in daily schedule such as moving toward his diaper changing area when it's the usual time to change or toward the sink when time to wash hands, etc.

Click on "comment" below and share questions, experiences, or other suggestions for reporting on outcomes. Post suggestions for how IFSP goals, child outcomes, and treatment plans/progress reports could "merge." Feel free to post additional comments.

Response to Medicaid Question

2007-08-14T12:40:00.000-04:00

Please note the following Comment published from anonymous provider that clarifies the Medicaid issue brought up earlier. It is an accurate description of current status—

Medicaid has changed Speech Therapy units to 15, 30, 45, 60 minutes, depending upon the child’s attention span; this now gives Speech Therapists the option of providing 45 minute sessions which was not possible before. So as of August 8th, therapists can bill for 4 units.

Medicaid could not increase the rate yet because the rate increase is embedded in a new State Plan which is awaiting approval from CMS. It is highly advised that we as a profession let this run through the proper channels without intervention. The state and federal government have many policy and procedures that have to be done in the proper order; our calling, complaining, and intervening is not helping. The current staff at Medicaid have been our best advocates yet, and we must use caution when calling to complain about things they have no control over.

The Medicaid office also does not have control over the time of implementation for the rate increase as it must go through CMS approval. So there is no time frame nor specific day/month/year for when the rate increase will occur; we know that it will go through eventually. All therapists will find out about the increase the same way we found out about the unit change, in a memo from Medicaid.

See Response #7-- New Question from Provider, Regarding Medicaid

2007-08-11T09:56:00.000-04:00

Does any one know an answer to this question? I'll followup too-- "I am concerned about the Medicaid raise. What happened? The memo I got today indicated a rate of $10 per 15 minute unit. This is the same rate per hour as we have been using for ten years. " Thanks.

Introduction to Blog and IFSP Goal Writing

2007-06-19T16:00:00.000-04:00

The TECS Allied eHealth Blog will begin with information and questions related to IFSP goals.

IFSP goals-- did you know that if you're helping to develop IFSP goals, they should be written in a way that relates to everyday activities? This allows family and others' participation, reflects the natural environments requirement, and helps IFSP goals be more "functional."
Sample IFSP Goal 1 - Tom will communicate toys he wants and other needs in activities throughout the day. Treatment plan objectives could then relate to length of verbal utterances, use of gestures, use of other communicative intents, sound production, etc., in everyday activites-- this means that at some point quickly, families will be involved.
Sample IFSP Goal 2 - Mary will hold and use toys and other items to take part in everyday activities. Treatment plan objectives could relate to reaching for, picking up, grasping, and holding a spoon with built up handle and specified seating; using a spoon to scoop, holding a toy and shaking it to make sounds during a song, at daycare, etc. -- this means that at some point quickly, daycare staff will be involved.

Click on "comment" below and share questions, experiences, or other suggestions for implementing or reporting on IFSP goals or outcomes. Feel free to post any other constructive comments. Also, please let us know if this is something you like or don't find helpful, so that we can continue to plan future activities.