Effective April 1, 2012, Nor-West will become an independent Medicaid Service Provider. This will enable the agency to bill Medicaid directly for those folks on the Medicaid Waiver. Currently we are billing all participants through OPWDD's portal. Among other things, this will mean that 100% of the liability for services will rest with Nor-West. As you know, we cannot bill for folks who are absent from programs. Please make every effort to attend programs consistently. We appreciate your assistance!
OPWDD has been "reinventing" itself for many months. They are consolidating their hierarchy, streamlining services, and looking to their "People First 1115 Demonstration Waiver" as the primary solution to their fiscal woes. We are hopeful that their future plans do not include the consolidation of budgets for the voluntary service providers such as Nor-West.