March 1, 2023

>>> Next Generation Medicaid Bridge Payments for Providers

This communication is important for certain Medicaid providers who submit claims for reimbursement through electronic data interchange (EDI), including the service of trading partners. This does not apply to direct data entry (DDE) claims submitted through the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) and managed care entity (MCE) portals. The billing provider needs this information in order to consider opting in for the bridge payments, so please share the following communication from the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) with your billing provider and fiscal staff.

As part of our Next Generation program transition, ODM developed extensive monitoring and a variety of contingency plans. Specifically, Ohio Medicaid is now initiating extra measures to minimize provider disruption and ensure payment continuity. We apologize for the inconvenience, particularly for those who have gaps in payment. Please view the provider bridge payment memo for complete information. ODM is taking two steps to assist trading partners and providers with the Feb. 1 and Ohio Medicaid Enterprise System (OMES) transitions:

1. Temporary Redirection of EDI claims from OMES to the MCEs.

For the next few months, ODM will temporarily approve active trading partners that are having challenges with the Ohio Medicaid Enterprise System (OMES) to submit EDI claims directly to the MCEs for all claims regardless of dates of services.  FFS claims will still need to be submitted to OMES Deloitte EDI.

2. Temporary Bridge Payments—the Provider must Opt-In

ODM is also providing an opportunity for certain billing providers to opt-in to be considered to receive temporary bridge payments due to delays in processing claims through ODM and MCE IT systems. To be eligible to potentially receive temporary bridge payments, a provider must (1) “opt-in” by providing information to ODM through an on-line form at the following Bridge Funding | Medicaid (ohio.gov) and (2) meet all additional program eligibility criteria described in the attached memo. 

Providers with questions about use of the provider network module and those experiencing challenges with direct data entry (DDE) claims through ODM or the MCEs should contact ODM’s Integrated Helpdesk (IHD) 1.800.686.1516 or IHD@medicaid.ohio.gov or their contracted MCE. Questions about the information in this memo should be directed to: ODMBridge@medicaid.ohio.gov.

>>> OCJS Funding Opportunity: $1.2M Available to Support Residential SUD Treatment Programs

The Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS) announced this week that local governments, state agencies, and state-supported universities with residential substance use disorder treatment programs will benefit from $1.2 million in federal grants through the Residential Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program (RSUDT). RSUDT (formerly called the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment grant) seeks to prepare individuals with substance use disorders for reintegration into communities by delivering community-based treatment and other broad-based aftercare services. RSUDT assists states and local governments in developing and implementing residential programs within state correctional, local correctional, and detention facilities where inmates are incarcerated long enough to permit treatment. OCJS recommends applicants target high-risk offenders as program participants. RSUDT funds may be used to implement three types of programs: residential, jail-based, and aftercare. The deadline to apply is April 3. Click the link above for more information.

>>> School Safety Grant Opportunities

Click the links below for more information, eligibility, and instructions on how to apply for the following new school safety grant opportunities:

Ohio Attorney General’s FY23 School Safety Grants: $2,500 or $5.50 per student, whichever is greater. Deadline to apply: March 31.

Ohio Attorney General’s Innovation Grants: Up to $20,000 per district. Deadline to apply is March 31.

Stronger Connections Grants: Deadline to apply is April 1.

For any grant questions or concerns, please contact the grants team at the Ohio School Safety Center by email at SchoolSafetyGrants@dps.ohio.gov.

>>> CADCA’S Annual Survey of Coalitions

Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) is conducting its annual survey of community coalitions. This online survey is a leading source of information on community-level substance use and misuse prevention. Participation helps to: determine training and technical assistance needs; identify successful coalition strategies for prevention; conduct capacity assessments for participation in projects; develop coalition-specific briefs and webinars; and inform community-level prevention research. The survey typically takes less than one hour to complete and may be done at the user’s pace. Please email survey@cadca.org to request a personalized survey link.    

>>> OhioMHAS Trauma Informed Care Training Series: Upcoming Offerings

In collaboration with the Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities (OACBHA), the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) is offering a free Trauma Informed Care Training Series focused on evidence-based practice and skill building. These trainings are being offered to support Ohio's behavioral health workforce to increase competence to offer care that is aligned with the best practices in trauma informed care. Trainings will be offered via Zoom Webinar or recorded and placed on ebased Academy. Registration is open for three additional trainings in March. Topics include: best practices for treating trauma, cognitive processing therapy, and dialectical behavioral therapy. CEUs are being requested for Ohio Social Workers, Counselors, Psychologists, and SUD Professionals. Click HERE for more information on the series and to view registration.

>>> Bridging Mental Health and IDD Supports Webinar Series

The Ohio State University Nisonger Center is launching a Bridging Mental Health and IDD Supports webinar series. The series kicks off March 3 with “An Interdisciplinary Approach to Meeting Mental Health Needs in IDD.” Continuing Education credits will be available for psychologists, social workers, LPCCs, and DoDD providers. The series is appropriate for anyone in the Ohio workforce who works with or is interested in working with adults with IDD. Click the link for more information and to register for upcoming trainings. Please email manisha.khatiwada@osumc.edu with questions.    

>>> Upcoming Lunchtime MI/ID Lunchtime Trainings

OhioMHAS in partnership with the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities have announced two upcoming trainings as part of the ongoing MI/ID lunchtime training series. Trainings are held from noon-1:00 p.m. Click the links below for more information and to register.

March 7 | Criminal Law and Intellectual Disabilities

March 14 | Neurological Conditions in Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities

>>> Sources of Strength Virtual Secondary T4T Training – March 14-17

Sources of Strength OHIO will be holding its next virtual Secondary T4T training March 14-17 from 10:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. This training is geared to adults who will be implementing Sources of Strength in grades 7-12. Sources of Strength is an evidence-based, K-12 mental health promotion program that helps reduce the risk of suicide. This upstream prevention model uses a growth mindset to elevate youth’s individual strengths and build resiliency, while empowering youth to break down the codes of silence. Training and implementation materials for Sources of Strength are provided at no cost to schools in Ohio. CEUS for Social Work, Counseling, CHES and OCPS will be available. To register, please visit: https://www.sourcesofstrengthohio.org/events.

>>> Trauma-Informed Contextual Leadership Training – March 27

The Tristate Trauma Network is hosting a virtual Trauma-Informed Contextual Leadership Training on March 27 from 8:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Click the link for more information and to register. Questions? Please email msong@tristatetraumanetwork.org.  

>>> Ohio Children’s Alliance 50th Annual Conference – April 18-19

The Ohio Children’s Alliance will host its 50th Annual Conference April 18-19 at the Sheraton Columbus at Capitol Square. Click the link for more information and to register.

>>> Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation: 2023 Virtual Medical Symposium – May 4-6

The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation will host its 2023 Medical Symposium virtually on May 4-6. Session topics include: the latest health principles in occupational medicine, empathy in healthcare, speaking up about mental health, coping with the mental health impacts of trauma, examining our mental health crisis, a live shoulder surgery, and more. Free continuing education credits will be available for more than 20 professions. Click the link above for more information and to register.

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