Hi Kristen, Dakota Home Care has been a VA provider for about 10 years. This year we were informed by our local VA office that we weren't credentialed to provide skilled care. That was a surprise to us. We reached out to Optum and the confirmed we are credentialed for skilled and non-skilled services. When I went back to the local VA, this is the response I received . . .
PPMS is the program we've used since transitioning to the Community Care Network back in 2019.
I heard back from Optum and my POC verified that Dakota Home Care is credentialed to provide skilled and nonskilled care, however, mentioned a hiccup with both services being provided under a single NPI and that being a no-no (in the PPMS system) so was going to do more investigating to see if there is a loophole or if something needs to change with how your agency is listed. She was off yesterday and said she'd touch base with me today 😊
Currently in PPMS, your agency is credentialed as an "in home supportive agency" which translates to us as only being credentialed for nonskilled care. So the referral for skilled care you received from VA was an error on our part-thankfully it all worked out in the end. You are correct, VA does not require agencies to be medicare certified in order to be considered to provide skilled care to veterans.
More to come!
Melanie Kalvoda
I've been following up since March and haven't got this resolved.
Beverly
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Beverly Unrath
Administrator/CEO
Dakota Home Care
Bismarck ND
+1 (701) 390-1618
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-10-2024 12:43
From: Kristen Wheeler
Subject: Seeking Feedback on VA Credentialing Experience
It has been brought to our attention that providers in some parts of the country are experiencing difficulties when requesting to become credentialed as providers of VA services. We are reaching out to gather feedback regarding any challenges or roadblocks encountered during the credentialing process.
Your input is invaluable in helping us identify potential areas of concern and advocating for necessary changes. If you have faced any obstacles or have specific examples you would be willing to share, please don't hesitate to reach out to us directly. We aim to determine both the extent of these challenges and the impact on veterans who may be missing out on entitled services.
Rest assured, your confidentiality will be respected, and your feedback will be treated with the utmost importance.
Please contact me directly at kwheeler@nahc.org or (305) 849-1300 with any information or concerns you may have encountered.
Thank you in advance for your time and assistance.
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Kristen Wheeler
Executive Director of Private Duty at NAHC
National Association for Home Care & Hospice
Washington DC
+1 (202) 547-7424
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