CAFCA Children's Treatment Services Committee Minutes

 March 17, 2006

Present: Patty Erjavic (El Pueblo), Jeff Farmelo (Arapahoe House/CPH), Scott Shields (Family Tree), Doug Smith (Cedar Springs), Arnie Goldstein (Excelsior), Terry Rogers (Lost & Found), Don Moseley (Family Tree), Austin Topolnicki (Shiloh Home), Ron Goss (Third Way Center), Jana Welsh (Kids Ark), Dave Dillingham (El Pueblo), Skip Barber (Colorado Care Management), Bob Cooper (Tennyson Center), Susannah Carroll (CAFCA).

The meeting was called to order at 10:05 a.m. and introductions were made.

Update on TRCCF rate methodology work group

The work group hasn’t met yet. The DYC have already received rate letters of $18.72/day and does not include the 3.5% cost of living increase.

Update on activities of the Coalition of Accredited Agencies

They met yesterday (March 16) and discussed an appeal process and the 3.5% rate increase issue. The cost report training raised more questions than answers.

Proposed rate setting process.  The proposal is to use audited actual costs.  It needs a number added to actual costs to comply with TRCCF regulations.  In addition, add the 3.5% and subtract Medicaid billable, equaling cost to providers.

Grey areas in process:

-billing psychiatrist time

-billing nurse time

Additional Questions:

What about LPC funding?

Will Medicaid pay for phone therapy?

How do we get the message out to counties that all kids will be covered? Counties are concerned about the PRTF/TRCCF designation.

When can we register therapists?

Do we send one bill or a daily line item bill?

Can a TRCCF be paid to hold a bed for a kid?  How long?

What will be the protocol for TRCCF licensing?

Do we need to apply for a new Medicaid provider number?

Currently, only 39% of RTC therapists are licensed.  A fair amount of the therapists are in administrative positions.

New CPT codes and the difficulties with them were discussed

Clarification of PRTF Attestation Process

RTCs cannot attest to be a PRTF if you’re not accredited and have not met all the criteria.  In the next 18 months, it looks like counties will pay for the exact same things as they have for the part year.  Counties are not happy with the PRTF. They feel it is too short-term and too much paperwork.

The DYC kids will be using the PRTFs and because of this use, they could potentially help shape and inform the child welfare process.

Status of the Provisional License for Post-degree therapists

The JBC has seen the bill and feels that it makes sense.  The Department is struggling with the bill because they feel it will drive additional costs.

Collection of Additional Questions for the RTC Redesign Group and the RTC Rate Methodology Group

No additional questions were submitted.

Meeting adjourned at 11:20 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Susannah Carroll