Clinical Social Work Updates. December 2016

In this email:

• (Webinar) ALL SOCIAL WORKERS INVITED. New Rules for Social Work Practice in Michigan. 1/10
• (Webinar) ALL MEMBERS INVITED. 2017 Social Justice Priorities Discussion. 1/13
• Urgent Attention Clinical Social Workers: Medicare PQRS Negative Payment Adjustment
• Health Care in 2017. What Can Social Workers Expect?
• Preparing a Professional Will for Your Practice:  Important Factors to Consider
• HIPAA Phishing Email Alert
• PQRS Ends December 31, 2016

  ---

New Rules for Social Work Practice in Michigan

The Board of Social Work - General Rules have not been revised since the licensure process was first implemented in 2005. Early in 2016, public testimony was given on proposed rule changes, leading to alterations and additions to some of the rules that govern all licensed social workers in Michigan. These new changes will impact all social workers, starting with those that renewed or gained a license in 2016. NASW invites ALL social workers (both limited and fully licensed) to an important webinar to update the profession on the new rules and requirements.

The webinar will be on Tuesday, January 10, 2017 from 12-1:00pm. Register at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8039099437020208386. Space is limited so register early. We hope to have the webinar recorded and available for watching after the initial session.

Additionally, NASW will be developing resources to help social workers better understand the changes. The new rules conform to statutory requirements, alter social work continuing education and training requirements, expand continuing education opportunities, and clarify requirements for obtaining a master’s social worker license with either a macro or clinical designation, amongst other changes.

2017 Social Justice Priorities Discussion (Webinar)

All NASW members are invited to an important discussion and brainstorming session on setting chapter social justice priorities for 2017. NASW-Michigan legislative staff will be providing a recap of the 2016 legislative year in Michigan; taking a look at what to expect of the incoming legislature; and providing an opportunity for members to engage in a discussion about NASW-Michigan legislative and social policy priorities for 2017-18. The webinar will take place on Friday, January 13, 2017 from 12-1:20pm.

Register at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5265442817469722114. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Urgent Attention Clinical Social Workers: Medicare PQRS Negative Payment Adjustment

It has been brought to NASW’s attention that clinical social workers who are Medicare providers may have inappropriately received notice of a two percent negative payment adjustment in 2017 for not using 9 measures when reporting Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) measures in 2015. As you may be aware, clinical social workers did not have 9 PQRS measures to report in 2015. NASW is working with the Centers for Medicare andMedicaid Services (CMS) to address and reconsider the negative payment adjustment where appropriate.

If you have been subjected to this negative payment adjustment due to lack of reporting 9 measures, please send your name and National Provider Identification (NPI) number by December 19, 2016 to PQRSPenalty@naswdc.org. Your information will be submitted to CMS for reassessment and reconsideration of the negative payment adjustment for 2017.

Additional information is available at: http://www.socialworkers.org/includes/newIncludes/homepage/NEGATIVE%20PQRS%20PAYM ENT%20ADJUSTMENT%20FOR%202017.pdf

Health Care in 2017. What Can Social Workers Expect?

NASW has supported the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), which has extended health insurance for 20 million Americans. As the incoming Trump administration has promised constituents, changes to health care are likely in the upcoming year. Anti- discrimination provisions in the ACA that have been enacted to protect those with chronic conditions, women and individuals with mental health and substance use disorders, are at risk. The framework that advanced our health care system to think about preventive and value based care through the ACA may change. It is challenging to estimate the scope of the impact, as specific timelines and details of policy recommendations are not known at this time. It’s important for social workers to be aware of the factors that may shift the health care landscape sooner than we may expect.

Budget Reconciliation

• As early as January 2017 the budget reconciliation process can take place in Congress (http://www.cbpp.org/blog/five-key-points-about-budget-reconciliation). This unique process can define the budget for fiscal year 2017 and in the Senate, 51 Republican representatives have the exact number of votes needed to approve a measure. Through budget reconciliation, programs that are subject to financing can be changed. This process can be used to repeal elements of the ACA by removing funding for them and may be the strategy used to repeal the ACA swiftly.

“Repeal and replace”

• President-elect Donald Trump has promised that he will repeal the ACA (https://www.donaldjtrump.com/positions/healthcare-reform). Many are encouraging that repeal efforts be paired with a replacement proposal so as not to put people at risk of losing health coverage.  There are also calls to extend the timeline for full repeal for several years. Although millions of consumers have signed up for health coverage plans through 2017, immediate repeal of the ACA could cause insurers to end participation in the health care marketplace (https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/healthcare/reports/2016/11/16/292394/republican-aca- repeal-bill-would-unravel-the-market-even-before-it-goes-into-effect/). A discontinuation of the individual mandate and tax penalty, would likely result in healthier individuals opting out of purchasing health coverage. Considerations are being taken to stabilize the market through these changes.

• Reforming Medicaid and Medicare is also on the Republican agenda. There is interest in changing the financing of Medicaid to a state block grant or per capita cap, and converting Medicare to a choice program that provides tax credits for individuals buying insurance, rather than providing coverage. Action steps to alter these programs may come later in 2017.

Ramifications

• Analyses from the Urban Institute suggest that repeal of the ACA will lead to an increase in the uninsured population by 30 million people (http://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/publication/86236/2001013-the-implications-of-partial- repeal-of-the-aca-through-reconciliatio.pdf). Hospitals and providers are also concerned about the likely surge in uncompensated care for the uninsured. An independent analysis of the impact of ACA repeal, requested by the American Hospital Association and the Federal of American Hospitals, concludes that hospitals would lose more than $100 billion dollars and have a devastating impact on health care jobs as well as services to communities (http://www.aha.org/advocacy-issues/letter/2016/161206-let-aha-fah-congress- healthagenda.pdf).

• With Medicaid expansion now in 31 states and the District of Columbia, coverage has been available to single adults and families up to 138% of poverty level. The federal government has covered the cost of expanding Medicaid for 3 years at 100%, saving states from additional costs and encouraging economic growth in health care (http://kff.org/medicaid/issue-brief/what- coverage-and-financing-at-risk-under-repeal-of-aca-medicaid-expansion/). Changing Medicaid to a block grant or per capita cap is not sustainable over time. In order to minimize the impact of Medicaid costs on states budgets, states will likely have to institute more restrictive eligibility.

What can be done?

This is a time of uncertainty. While January 2017 may bring changes, we encourage individuals to talk with their elected officials now to express their thoughts and concerns about health care. Social workers in all practice settings can be impactful by communicating stories and experiences with the health care system to stakeholders.  Consumers who have benefited from health coverage or protections as a result of the Affordable Care Act should inform lawmakers of their perspective.

NASW is aligned with advocacy groups and participating in coalitions including Families USA (http://familiesusa.org/), the Coalition for Human Needs (http://www.chn.org/), and many other coalitions that focus on the needs of children, older adults and women. These groups are working to better understand the new administration’s strategy in 2017 and how they will impact the clients we serve and the social work workforce. Coalitions are educating elected officials and conducting analyses on the impact of proposed changes to the economy and vulnerable populations at the state and national level.

NASW will continue to advocate for policies and regulations that are consistent with our values and ethical standards. NASW supports health coverage and access to health services for all people.

The full practice alert can be found at http://www.socialworkers.org/assets/secured/documents/practice/health/Health%20Care%20Final%202017.pdf.

Preparing a Professional Will for Your Practice:  Important Factors to Consider

NASW receives numerous telephone calls from co-workers and family members seeking assistance with the estate of a clinical social worker in solo or group practice who has died or become disabled. In many situations, death and disability occur unexpectedly; therefore, it is important for clinical social workers to prepare their private practice for such circumstances by preparing a professional will. Doing so allows for a smooth transition of services for patients during a difficult period and provides important guidance for the person designated to close the practice and resolve paperwork.

Read the entire Fall 2016 NASW Practice Perspective at http://www.socialworkers.org/includes/newIncludes/homepage/PRA-NL-22517.Wills-PP..pdf.

HIPAA Phishing Email Alert

Social work practitioners should be aware of a recent phishing scam. On November 28, 2016, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) issued a listserv announcement warning covered entities and their business associates about a phishing email that disguises itself as an official communication from the Department. The phishing email is being circulated on mock HHS Departmental letterhead under the signature of OCR’s Director, Jocelyn Samuels. Read more at http://bit.ly/2gHlhyP.

PQRS Ends December 31, 2016

The Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS), which identifies measures available to improve the quality of care provided to Medicare beneficiaries by clinical social workers and other Medicare providers, will end on December 31, 2016. PQRS 2016 payment reports will be made available in 2018 and a negative payment adjustment will be made at that time for those clinical social workers who did not meet the reporting requirements for PQRS 2016.

The Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) is a quality payment program replacing PQRS and is expected to begin in January 2017 for physicians and in January 2019 for clinical social workers. NASW will provide additional information about this program after the final rule for the 2017 physician fee schedule is released in November 2016.

NASW encourages its members to report PQRS 2016 to avoid a penalty in 2018. It is not too late to begin. The following NASW PQRS document may help members get started: PQRS 2016 Reporting Criteria for Individual Measures Used by Clinical Workers.

It is available for review at:

http://www.socialworkers.org/practice/PRA-NL-13616.PQRS-PP%20fin%20revised%20PQRS.pdf

NASW members may also contact CMS Quality Net Help Desk for assistance in reporting PQRS 2016. The contact information is:

• Telephone number: 1-866-288-8912
• Email address: Qnetsupport@sdps.org
• Office hours: Monday –Friday, 7:00 am –7:00 pm CST