MEDICAID OTA ALERT- Your Membership Dollars at Work
NYSOTA has worked over the summer with the NYS Department of Health to secure a change in the Medicaid coverage policy for OTA services in schools and pre-schools. That work has resulted in Medicaid Alert #10-2 "Clarification of Credential Requirements for Occupational Therapy Assistants," dated August 25, 2010. The alert memo states that, "Occupational therapy assistants providing school supportive health services must be certified by the New York State (NYS) Education Department....Occupational therapy assistants may also be registered with the National Board for Certification (NBCOT); however, this is not required for Medicaid reimbursement purposes."
NYSOTA encourages all OTs and OTAs to achieve and maintain the highest credentials and clinical competency possible. Unfortunately, the DOH Medicaid agreement provided no grandfathering provision or reasonable time period for individuals to secure the correct credentials. The Medicaid agreement reached in April led to the displacement of many OTAs. We hope that this change in the DOH policy will help keep some jobs secure and provide individuals with more adequate time to strengthen their credentials in a very difficult economic climate.
If you have experienced problems related to this matter please contact Jeff Tomlinson, NYSOTA Legislative Chair at legislation@nysota.org
Another example of your membership dollars at work for you.
8/26/10, Jeff Tomlinson, NYSOTA Legislative Chair
