ATD Procurement Process - February 1 Implementation

Assistive Technology Purchasing Update

Audience: Early Intervention Service Providers who Request/Purchase

Assistive Technology

Dear EI Provider:

During 2014 and early 2015, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and Public Consulting Group (PCG) as the State Fiscal Agent (SFA) will be implementing a new process for the acquisition of Assistive Technology Devices (ATD). This new process will be a statewide procurement process and rolled out incrementally to all municipalities. Implementation of this process will occur next for the Adirondack, Finger Lakes, and Western Regions.

For these regions, it is anticipated that on or about February 1, 2015, a new process will be in place for the procurement of ATD for children in the Early Intervention Program (EIP). The new process will affect all ATD placed on a child’s individualized family service plan (IFSP) with an ATD service authorization start date on or after February 1, 2015. Training and information on the new ATD process will be in place for EIP service providers and ATD vendors in these regions prior to this date. Joint training and presentation will take place from January 22-30.

The role of the IFSP team in determining ATD remains. The SFA will identify a vendor and facilitate the ATD purchase and the municipality will continue to work closely with the SFA and vendor to ensure the successful delivery of the ATD. In the Adirondack, Finger Lakes, Western Regions, the municipality will no longer be responsible for the purchase of ATD for children when an ATD service authorization has a start date on or after February 1, 2015. All purchases will be made separately by the SFA utilizing a NYSDOH approved ATD vendor.

To be approved as a NYSDOH ATD vendor, the vendor will submit an application to the SFA, receive approval by NYSDOH, and enter into an Early Intervention Assistive Technology Provider Agreement for Assistive Technology Goods and Services with the NYSDOH Bureau of Early Intervention before the ATD vendor will be able to be selected by the SFA for the provision of ATD for children in the NYS EIP.

The February 1 implementation will complete implementation of the new ATD process across all regions of the State. For more information about the new ATD procurement process and on how to become an approved vendor, visit EIBilling.com.