Informational Links
IPs in Union Again Avoid Yet Another Pay Delay
As a union member of SEIU District 1199 you will receive your pay on time on July 2, 2009. The Union was able to work with the State in receiving your pay files for this week. All non union IP's will still experience the one week pay delay due to the state's fiscal end of year. One more example of the strength and solidarity of uniting together as union members. Should you have any questions, please contact SEIU District 1199 at 1-800-227-1199.
IPs in Union Avoid Yet Another Pay Delay
Due to a payment processing delay, the June 25, 2009 Medicaid provider payments will be delayed at least two business days.
However, as a member of SEIU District 1199, IPs are being paid this week on time without delay, another example of the value of joining together in a union.
Schedule of Elections for IPs to SEIU 1199 Executive Board
Click here to learn where and when you can elect fellow Independent Providers to represent you on the Union Executive Board. NOTE: A correction has been made resulting in Lorain and Chillicothe votes on June 24 and Toledo and Plains votes on June 25.
All IPs Face Two-Week Pay Shutdown Due to Fiscal End of Year in Late June
We want to make you aware that, due to the fact that soon the State of Ohio will be in their shut down period for the end of the fiscal year, they will not be downloading files for two weeks. Consequently, Independent Providers, including Waiver Providers, are not going to be paid on time for two weeks beginning later this month.
To be clear, this situation will affect all Independent Providers, not only those IPs who are SEIU 1199 members.
Once we as the Union obtain access to the downloaded files in question, we will ensure payment for all of our members within three business days, if not sooner.
Be assured that this organization shares your frustration and is doing everything within our power to minimize the negative impact of this situation, and that we would take whatever steps we could to prevent it were such a remedy even possible on our end. However, the cause here lies not with the Union, nor with any lack of funds, but with the practice of the State of shutting down before the fiscal year end.
Reprinted below is the official notification from the MRDD. (NOTE: Although JFS has not provided us with their information as of yet, we believe their affected providers will experience a two-week payment shutdown as well.)
"ATTENTION WAIVER PROVIDERS:
IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING END OF FISCAL YEAR SHUTDOWN
Claims received by 11:30 a.m on Wednesday, 6/10/09 (JUN09C) will be the last claims that will pay out before the fiscal year end shut down for 2009 for the State of Ohio. These claims are scheduled to be paid on June 25, 2009. Once those payments are made, ODMR/DD will not be able to process any additional payments until after the State resumes accounting activity in the upcoming fiscal year which begins July 1.
Please continue to submit your claims as usual for production on 6/17/09 (JUN09D) and 6/24/09 (JUL09A). These claims will be reviewed for errors and submitted to ODJFS on the routine weekly schedule, however, the reimbursement will not occur for claims in the JUN09D billing cycle until 7/7/2009 at the earliest. Notification will be sent out to you as soon as we have more information on the actual reimbursement date. Claims included in the JUL09A billing cycle are expected to be paid on July 9, 2009."
IPs in Union Avoid Another Pay Delay
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services has experienced a delay in processing the June 3, 2009 Independent Provider payments. The delay is expected to be 1 to 3 days.
However, as a member of SEIU District 1199, IPs are being paid this week on time without delay. This situation again goes to show how it can pay to join together in a union.
IPs in Union Avoid Pay Delay
Independent Providers who are members of SEIU 1199 will be paid on time on April 23, as scheduled, thanks to the attentive efforts of officials in the Union. Many non-union IPs are unfortunately facing a 24-hour delay in pay from the State today.
Part of being in a union means looking out for one another, and this is just another example of those values in action.
Independent Providers Voted on First Contract with State of Ohio
Contract negotiations with the State have officially concluded, and Independent Providers have voted on their first contract. The contract comprehensively addresses many of the issues Independent Providers have dealt with over the years--lack of affordable health coverage, wages that did not keep up with rising costs, and little say over issues that affect their profession. Together with SEIU 1199, Independent Providers have made great strides, yet there still is much work to do. As a Union we must continue the work we have started reaching out to Independent Providers, our communities, and policymakers. We will continue to advocate for the improvements that will better the lives of Independent Provider and consumer alike.
If you have any questions, please contact 1-800-227-1199, leave a voice mail, and an organizer will contact you.
IPs Win 3 Percent Raise
ODJFS announced on June 3 that, effective July 1, all ODJFS-administered waiver providers would receive a 3% increase to their reimbursement rates. This is the first raise that most IPs have seen since the program's inception over 10 years ago, and a huge first step towards things to come. This is a perfect example of why IPs voted overwhelmingly to join with SEIU District 1199 at the end of September. Before coming together and forming their Union, IPs were isolated and had little voice in decisions that affected their profession.
Since joining together with SEIU, and the start of Contract Negotiations, many positive changes have already been achieved, topped off by this long-overdue rate increase. The new rates are as follows: Waiver Nursing @ $56.65/first hour and $5.87/15 minute units; and Personal Care Aide @ $24.72/first hour and $3.09/15 minute units. Procedure codes will stay the same. Please notify your billing agent the new rates for services rendered on/after July 1, 2008 to insure proper reimbursement.
But this is by no means the end of the line. Contract Negotiations are continuing where IPs are negotiating for further improvements, such as Health Insurance, easier access to trainings, voluntary tax withholding, and a rate increase for non-ODJFS providers.
April 2008 Home Care Newsletter
Independent Provider Interviewed on NBC Nightly News!
Independent Provider Russ Kamin was featured in a Feb. 20 NBC Nightly News story about the presidential primary race coming to Ohio. Check out the story while it's still online by clicking here.
Obama Knows Home Care
One of the many reasons SEIU decided to endorse Sen. Barack Obama for president of the United States is his first-hand understanding of the needs of home care providers. See Obama roll up his sleeves and propose real solutions as part of his participation in SEIU's "Walk a Day in My Shoes" program.
Bargaining Began February 1st!
Last year was a historic year for Independent Providers in Ohio. On July 17, 2007, Independent Providers got the right to form a union by Governor Strickland’s Executive Order, and later that fall voted overwhelmingly to join together and make improvements with SEIU.
Now in 2008, one New Year’s Resolution that Independent Providers are keeping is to continue to make improvements in Ohio’s Home- and Community-Based Services. As we move forward into 2008, we have an opportunity to create improvements in the lives of our consumers and ourselves. Across the state, Providers took part in meetings, sent back surveys, and together elected your Negotiating Committee. Let’s recognize the many Providers who took time out to attend these meetings and to give their feedback, input, and participation.
SEIU Bill Introduced to Ensure Fair Pay for Home Care Workers
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Wednesday introduced the Fair Home Health Care Act of 2007 "to honor the extraordinary value of the work that home health care workers do" and ensure fair pay. This SEIU-proposed legislation is a response to the June Supreme Court decision that maintained home care workers are not entitled to minimum wage and overtime protections under the Fair Labor Standards Act. » Read more.
Home Care Worker Testifies America is Unprepared to Meet Long Term Care Needs
Washington, DC -- SEIU Healthcare member Glenda Faatoafe, a home care worker in Washington State, testified today before the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, urging Senator Kennedy and other committee members to pass the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act to protect seniors and people with disabilities. » Read more
The Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Rule Changes