**UPDATE** 3/2/21: We are aware that the extended appendix K date of 3/11/21 is fast approaching. DMAS has tentatively extended that date to May 1 , 2021 for telehealth (virtual visits). Additionally, pending CMS approval, they intend to extend parents being paid attendants to August 1, 2021. We will posts updates as they are received.
We hope this communication finds you and your family safe and well during this unprecedented time. We wanted to provide you with an update on our plans going forward, specifically in regards to the COVID flexibilities. DMAS has allowed us flexibilities with our visits, enabling us to visit with you virtually during this emergency. We are so grateful as it has enabled us to “see” your faces, visit with you, and still maintain social distancing while doing our part to slow the spread.
We are advocating for an extension, so that we can make every effort to keep our team members and the families we serve as safe as possible. The governor is urging Virginians to telework whenever possible, and we would like to continue to do that. Your safety, and the safety of our team members, is our top priority.
However, should DMAS decide to continue with the current plans to end COVID flexibilities, we will return to in-person visits starting May 1 2021 (updated 3/2/21). Our visits, however, will look a little different than in the past. We are implementing new electronic contact-free signature functionality, as well as many other safety measures. We will share more of these plans with you in the coming weeks. Look for more information from us on our Facebook page and in your email inbox as this situation develops.
The following other COVID flexibilities are also set to expire August 1 2021 (updated 3/2/21):
- The flexibility to allow the parents of minor children and spouses of those receiving services to serve as attendants will end August 1 2021 (updated 3/2/21)
If these COVID flexibilities have been beneficial to you during this pandemic, if you’ve had peace of mind knowing you’ve been able to keep your family safe, we strongly encourage you to contact your legislators to advocate for the state to extend these COVID flexibilities. We have created a page on our website devoted to this effort that has the information you need to contact your legislators. Click here to check it out.
We hope that you are able to enjoy this holiday season in a safe way with the ones you love. This year looks very different for all of us, but we have seen you adapt and overcome so many things, and we know that you will get through this season with grace, hope, and even joy.
We look forward to the day when this pandemic has passed, to when it no longer poses a health risk for our team to come see you in person again or to have your attendants working in your homes. We will continue to keep you updated as things change and the end of the COVID flexibilities draws near. The safety of the families we serve, of their attendants, and of our team members remains our top priority. Thank you for your continued patience and for your trust in us to continue to serve you and your family with excellence.
As always, we are here to support you and your family and will continue to provide information as changes occur and as information is announced throughout this emergency. Happy holidays from all of us.