The following new features, enhancements, and updates will be available in your AWARDS database beginning on Wednesday, July 28th!

The Fiscal Periods feature, located in the BillingBuilder module, has been updated to use the current AWARDS index style. The Edit, View, Delete, and Add New icons have been moved to an action bar above the index. Check boxes appear next to each record to allow users to select which fiscal period record they would like to take action on. A new Search field also appears on the action bar, which allows you to quickly search the contents of the index. A Show Records filter allows you to quickly load "All" or "Open" fiscal periods into the index.

A new Billing Rates ReportBuilder has been added to the Reports feature, and is also available from within the BillingBuilder > Billing Rates feature. This new ReportBuilder can be used to generate customized reports of billing rate configurations, and it includes billing rates for all payers/programs by default.

A new Payment Posting feature has been added to the BillingBuilder for users assigned the Copay/Personal Payments data entry permission. This new feature allows users to apply personal payments made by clients to invoice balances.  When working with the posting records, keep in mind the following:

  Upon opening the Payment Posting feature, you must select a Payer and Program for the index to load all invoices that match that combination and which fall within the (adjustable) date filter on the left.

  The index filters allow you to view only invoices with a balance (default), partial balance, without a balance, invoices belonging to clients with unapplied funds, or all.

  When viewing an invoice record, details about the invoice, including progress notes that are billed by the selected invoice, are displayed. In addition, an Invoice Payments sub-index is available on the form, where you can add payments to apply to the invoices. As payment records are saved, the Balance of the invoice is reduced by the payment amount.

  When creating invoice payment records, you can note that a payment is tied to a personal copay record, a personal non copay record, or is a payer payment. Payments noted as copays cannot have an amount greater than the total of unapplied payments (both copay and non-copays) listed for the client in the Entitlements > Personal Payments feature. Payments noted as non copays cannot have an amount greater than the total of unapplied non copay payments listed for the client in the Entitlements > Personal Payments feature. Once a any part of a payment (copay or non copay) is applied to an invoice, that Personal Payment record cannot be edited or deleted.

The Immunizations feature's Status selection list now includes a "Refused" option.  Any existing immunization records with a Treatment Refusal Reason entered for them will automatically be updated to reflect this new "Refused" status selection.

The Product and Engineering Team has been very busy these past few weeks!  

Customer Engagement Opportunities Coming Soon!

This section of FootNotes is dedicated to bringing you up to speed on great AWARDS add-ons, features, and functionality you may not be aware of. In this edition, we showcase the AWARDS FormBuilder!

This month we're excited to begin sharing the stories of the most recent round of Impact Prize winners, starting with Community, Work & Independence, Inc. (CWI).

Located in Glens Falls, NY, CWI began using AWARDS in 2016.  As a paper-based agency serving individuals across a number of departments, they needed an efficient way to access and exchange information for shared service recipients. In addition, they needed to be able to analyze data to better understand the effectiveness of their services as well as to verify how much of each service was being provided.

Using a broad variety of AWARDS features - especially the Individual Services and Medical modules - staff were quickly able to access an individual's record from anywhere and view reliable, up-to-date information on shared service recipients.  In addition, aggregate reports give team members quality information to look for trends, causes, and results of adverse events, gain a clearer representation of the groups they serve and the services utilized, and identify the needs of individuals and assess how they are addressing them. This data has also been immensely helpful when appealing to legislators for funding and writing grant proposals.  

As team members became more proficient in AWARDS, they quickly saw the opportunities for improved data and analysis of actual service delivery.  In other words, they are - as they would say - "tapping into more of the potential available -- we didn't know what we didn't know before."

Congratulations to Amber Coppolo & Victoria Minick of Community, Work & Independence as a 2021 Impact Prize winner!

In this edition, David digs into what he sees as the key factors driving healthcare policy in the current administration over the next few years. He takes a deep dive into the issue of Health Equity, sharing his thoughts on how we can all play a role in ensuring true equity for the people we serve and our larger communities. 

Health Equity - What Does it Mean for Us?

It is very clear that three things are going to drive healthcare policy for the administration in the next few years. COVID 19 (current and post analysis), Public Health (including the conversation of Social Health Indicators/Social Determinants of Health)  and Health Equity.  Although I separate these for distinction purposes, the reality is that they are all intertwined and interdependent. 

You have probably heard the term Health Equity used in a variety of discussions, and in a variety of ways.  From a simple definition perspective - per the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) - "Health equity means that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. This requires removing obstacles to health such as poverty, discrimination, and their consequences, including powerlessness and lack of access to good jobs with fair pay, quality education and housing, safe environments, and health care."

COVID 19 did not cause the health inequities in today’s healthcare system, but rather it exposed the magnitude of U.S. health inequities. This is not a simple issue with simple answers. It has spanned generations, political leaders, and economic roller coasters.

Over one hundred fifty years ago, as the nation struggled to come to terms with a tragic loss, Abraham Lincoln's funeral train lumbered with somber deliberateness toward its final destination, leaving many to wonder if his dream would be buried with him.  Some may argue, looking at the health inequities of today's world, that they did. Why mention Lincoln? Because, what he is honored for is what we are failing at today - a commitment to justice, equity of opportunity, and human dignity.  These are the ideals that we need to return to if we are to restore the promise of America.  

I do not, nor will I, argue the political landscape that brought us to this point today, because the reality is that we are here and few people, if any, can look in the mirror and not see some blame.  I also will not argue the question of whether a short term, band-aid approach is better or worse than Lincoln's vision of long term, systemic corrections to the system as a whole.  We can all have an opinion on what is right or might work or not work, but in reality, if we do not do something, we will have failed those before us and those to come after us. 

So what can we do together? What are the things we have power to affect in our programs, within our services structure, and for the people we have dedicated a life to serve? Below is an initial list of ways I think we can all make a difference. 

  First, collect the data you need to best understand your population - their demographics, outcomes, service participation, and other areas. As AWARDS users, you have this ability at your fingertips.  

  Second, and of great importance, is to look at, review and understand the data. Collecting it is nice, but understanding it is more important. How can you do this?  Every staff meeting should include a review of your population characteristic trends, focusing on key health indicators and if/how your services are meeting the needs of the population. I suggest doing this with a blue sky approach, thinking out of the box. Look at primary care appointments kept, or weight fluctuations for example. Consider developing socio-economic maps of your populations living arrangements. Get creative! 

  Last, is to act upon this data. Share it outside and inside your organization with anyone willing or unwilling to listen. Review your services to ensure they are designed to help people overcome the inequities you are seeing. Working people are healthier people. People living in safe and clean environments are healthier people. People with access to primary/specialty care are healthier people. People who do not worry about where their next healthy meal comes from are healthier people. People with a sense of community and friendship are healthier people. What does your data tell you about your population and these facts? Odds are they will show you that the populations you serve suffer from a lack of equitable access to these indicators of healthiness.

Once you have worked on all of the above, the final step is to look at your policies, look at your services, look at your advocacy work, and look at yourself - and make the changes needed to ensure everyone can be healthier by offering the right opportunities.  Health inequities can be solved by equitable opportunities.  We are all a major part of ensuring equity.

Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) play a special and essential role in supporting individuals receiving I/DD services, empowering them to lead independent and meaningful lives.

This year for DSP Recognition Week, we invite you to participate with us as we extend our gratitude to DSPs everywhere. We are building a digital recognition board and collecting stories. Nominate a DSP you believe is doing amazing work, and we'll feature them on our recognition board during DSP Recognition Week (September 12-18). We'll also send them a $5 Starbucks gift card to say thanks for the great work they do!