PRTF Implementation Readiness
March through June, 2007

Go to Implementation Plan Details on PRTF
Go to Questions and Answers on PRTF

A Season of Preparation

PRTF: Psychiatric Rehabilitation Treatment Facility services. Next steps for the PRTF work include:

• PRTF rates will be established by the end of March (cost reports have been submitted by 19 facilities), and published.
  
  
• Finalizing service standards for PRTFs and publishing them to providers: The standards should be finalized and published by the end of March, and related communications from the MMIS Fiscal Agent will follow. Implementation readiness, including provider and staff training and MMIS changes, will continue with readiness activities completed well in advance of the July 1>^st implementation date. Potential providers have received training about the standards, and additional training sessions (at least four) will be held prior to the July 1^st implementation date so that every potential provider will have access to adequate training.
  
  
• Screening of youth: The instrument for screening each youth potentially needing PRTF services has been developed, and specific training for screeners and providers will be held in April.
  
  
• Each youth currently receiving Level V or VI services will receive an “informational” screening, starting in April, in order to assess current needs and connect each youth to the responsible CMHC. No youth will be denied services as a result of this screening; it is only for information purposes.
  
  
• In order to support a gradual and orderly transition, each youth receiving Level V or VI services as of July 1^st will be served under their existing authorization and those services will continue until the end of their then-existing authorization period (either 140 or 180 days) or the youth is discharged. As of July 1^st , each youth entering services, or when the authorization period ends, the new PRTF screening protocol will be applied.

Overall, in addition: SRS is preparing its own staff for readiness by training sessions (in person and web-based) for eligibility staff and program staff throughout the regions.

Also, SRS has contracted with two consultants (one through a technical assistance arrangement with the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors) to partner with SRS to conduct an EQRO-like readiness review both of SRS and of the PAHP, engaging providers, consumers and other stakeholders in the process. This is slated for late May and early June.

Collaboration with Kansas Health Policy Authority and the MMIS Fiscal Agent: Extensive work has been undertaken between SRS and KHPA/MMIS Fiscal Agent. Necessary system changes to conform to the state plan changes and 1915(b)/(c) waivers, for mental health, substance abuse, and PRTF services have been initiated and are well underway. In addition, representatives from the PAHP and PIHP have been designated to work with SRS and KHPA/Fiscal Agent staff to finalize the necessary system changes to support and smooth transition for all of these services effective with dates of service on July 1, 2007. The implementation timeline for these changes has been cooperatively developed between these organizations, being updated as the work phases arise and get completed for moving to the next stage. The most recently completed timeline for this focused work follows: