Medicaid Implementation Guidelines for Independent Providers of Occupational Therapy

IOTA, IPTA and ISHA met with the Medicaid Division of the Idaho Health and Welfare Department on Friday, March 7 to discuss implementation of the Rule that will allow independent providers of therapy services (OT, PT and Speech) to bill Medicaid directly. 

A general overview may be found at this link. 

Click here for more information

Payer Information to be provided at Idaho Healthcare Conference

Idaho Health and Welfare is coordinating a comprehensive health care conference for six different areas in Idaho.  The Idaho Health Care Conference 2008 is free to health care providers and provides billing tips and general education on the Medicaid, Medicare and private payer processes. 

A special session will be devoted to the new Medicaid Rules that allow independent providers of occupational therapy to bill Medicaid directly.  According to Jill Satren, IOTA Reimbursement Chair, "This is  a great way to learn about the new rules - there are multiple sites and pros to answer questions."  IOTA encourages you to participate in a conference near you.

Click here for the registration packet.

Idaho Legislature 

Health and Welfare committees pass Therapy Services Rule on January 14, 2008. 

Click here for more information.

Best wishes for health and happiness from the Idaho Occupational Therapy Association.  Download this calendar for a great start on a new you!

Dana Howell receives award

Dana Howell, PhD, OTD, OTR/L (left) and co-author Kimberly K. Cleary, PT, PhD (right) were recipients of the 2007 J. Warren Perry Distinguished Author Award for their article, Using the SF-36 to Determine Perceived Health Related Quality of Life in Rural Idaho Seniors. The award, given annually by the Journal of Allied Health, was presented by the journal editor, Kevin Lyons, PhD, during an awards ceremony at the Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions annual conference in San Diego, CA.   Ms. Howell is the former Director of the Occupational Therapy program at Idaho State University and a past president of IOTA.  She is currently associate professor of occupational therapy at Eastern Kentucky University.

Yoga can enhance your occupational therapy practice

IOTA member Jeanette Runnings, OTR/L is featured in the October 15 issue of Advance Magazine in an article about Yoga and OT: A Perfect Match.  Jeanette is in private practice in Boise, Idaho and the founder of Yoga Yingo.  She is also the Chair of the IOTA Pediatric Special Interest Section.  Read the article here. 

Rule allowing OTs to bill Medicaid directly published October 3

The Therapy Services Rule that will allow Occupational Therapists to bill Medicaid directly has been published by the Medicaid Division of Idaho Health and Welfare. Dockets no. 16-0309-0706 and 16-0310-0704 also provide for consistent language for occupational, physical and speech therapy and establish the number of visits without prior authorization at 25 calendar sessions for occupational and physical therapy.  The dockets will be available for public comment until October 24. 

SOTA holds backpack weigh-in

The Student Occupational Therapy Association at Idaho State University  held a backpack awareness activity at Holy Spirit Catholic School and Cre-act Elementary School in Pocatello, Idaho. 

Shown here is KC Austin, MOTS.  Press release. 

IOTA encourages Backpack Safety

IOTA encourages parents and teachers to keep our students healthy by packing it light and wearing it right.  Please read more:

Intro to Backpack Awareness by Jeanette Runnings, OTR/L

Backpack Strategies by AOTA

Executive Board meeting held October 11

The IOTA Executive Board (EB) met at Idaho Elks Rehab Hospital on Thursday, October 11. Aaron Eakman, PhD, OTR/L, the new program director for Occupational Therapy at Idaho State University spoke with the group.  The EB finalized the 5-year Strategic Plan and shared admininistrative year-end reports.