NJAMHAA FY2022 Annual Report

20 with staff from DMHAS and the DOH Office of Licens - ing to advocate for these updates to the regulations. The members recently expressed interest in holding PACT conferences, as they had done years ago, and will be planning these events to contribute to the pro- viders’ morale. Residential Providers Practice Group Co-Chairs: Dominic Barone, Executive Director, High Focus Centers Pyramid Healthcare Hammonton, and Bridget DeFiccio, LPC, Senior Vice Presi - dent of Integrated Health, Acenda Integrated Health Based on a request from a provider, NJAMHAA sur- veyed members to ascer- tain interest in creating this new group, and more than 30 people instantly ex - pressed not only interest, but also great enthusiasm. The first two meetings were highly productive with participants represent- ing adults’ and children’s residential programs for mental health care and substance use treatment. From this group’s first meeting in February, several common goals were identified. These are advocacy on the state level on a variety of needs, including increased reimbursement rates, training, expanded capacity and resolution of licensing challenges. Par - ticipants are engaging in lively discussions to foster collaboration among colleagues and share clinical best practices, as well as resources and strategies for overcoming staff recruitment challenges. With this hefty agenda, the group strategically decided to establish a subcommittee that will develop a com- pelling demonstration of how the current regulations affect residential service providers and their clients, and will recommend to the state changes needed to improve the quality of care. This group will identify specific questions to address issues with each of the state departments and divisions that are involved. IT Project Practice Groups Billing Supervisors Practice Group Co-Chairs: Judy Rios, Accountant and Senior Direc - tor, Jewish Family Service of Atlantic & Cape May Counties, and Michelle Rowe, Director, Billing Depart - ment, South Jersey Behavioral Health Resources The Billing Supervisors Practice Group has been working with managed care organizations (MCOs) to prepare for Medicaid Managed Care. The members are devel- oping approaches to address related issues, which include credentialing, denials, and authorizations; anticipated challeng- es, such as insufficient staff to manage these issues, as well as billing; and the current practice of MCOs’ not reimbursing for services provided by LSWs in outpatient programs. The group secured Sherry Marchand, CPMA, Chief Executive Officer, Founder and Senior Consultant at Core Consulting Solutions, LLC, to assist with meeting billing code requirements and adapting to changes. They also addressed the issue of telehealth, particularly the changes in geographical locations where telehealth services can be provided. Human Resources Practice Group Chair: Kate Royal, Vice President, Human Resources & Administrative Services, Acenda Integrated Health This group has been combined with the New Jersey Alliance for Children, Youth and Families as many NJAMHAA members belong to both trade associa- tions. This year, the group focused on recreational marijua - na in the workplace and hosted several presentations on the topic. The group also addressed workforce Members’ Insights Reinforce NJAMHAA’s Impactful Advocacy (continued) “There’s a unique environment with NJAMHAA that’s welcoming and supportive. Whether you’re a small or large agency, you get the same amount of attention.” – Deborah Megaro, MBA, Chief Executive Officer, Capitol County Children’s Collaborative, NJAMHAA Board Member