Answering Questions for Prospective Vocational Rehabilitation Vendors

Vocational Rehabilitation (or VR) is a federal-state program. The program aims to help people with physical or mental disabilities to find and hold down a job. VR is focused on helping people with disabilities establish meaningful careers.

For individuals to become eligible for VR services, they must:

• Have a physical, mental, emotional or learning disability that is a barrier to gainful employment
• Need VR to help prepare the individual to gain or keep employment
• Be able to benefit from the VR services

 

What is a Vocational Rehabilitation Vendor?

Vocational Rehabilitation vendors are individuals or business that makes their services available to VR customers that will help contribute to the goal of employment. This includes services such as medical services, opportunities for training, and specialized equipment. Vocational Rehabilitation will register all vendors from whom services are purchased for VR customers. 

 

What are the Different Types of Services That Vocational Rehabilitation Offers?

As per their website, Vocational Rehabilitation offers:

• Medical and Psychological Assessment – to determine what the client needs in terms of medical and psychological support
• Vocational Evaluation and Planning – to determine what the client is capable of, and take steps to meet that potential
• Career Counselling and Guidance – here, vocational counselors will talk with VR clients to determine skills and interests and define work goals.
• Training and Education After High School – this can include programs and classes that teach specific job skills, 
• On-the-Job Training – including vocational training, clients, receive the skills they need to pursue a specific career
• Supported Employment Services – such as a job coach to help the client manage the requirements of their position
• Assistive Technology and Devices – special devices and accommodations will be provided to do the job. This includes enlarged print, TDD or raised desks for a wheelchair. 

 

What Kind of Remuneration Can Vendors Expect to Receive?

For healthcare-related services, Vocational Rehabilitation follows the amount payable as outlined by the Medicare Part B system. Per diem payment for hospitals are paid according to the amount payable under the Medicaid system. For all other services, the VR sets its highest allowable fee such that the fee is not too low to deny individuals the right to make an informed choice for themselves. 

 

How Can Businesses and Individuals Register as VR Vendors?

Vendor registrations is a 3-step process:

• The prospective vendor must register with MyFloridaMarketPlace (MFMP),
• They must then submit an electronic W-9 with the Department of Financial Services (DFS), 
• Lastly, they must register with VR

 

Do All Vendors Undergo Background Screening?

All individuals who provide direct services to VR customers are required to register with the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse (CLH). Here they will need to submit to and pass level 2 background screening.

 

Once the application to provide VR services is approved, the vendor will be sent an email with the instructions for background screening. This is done via email and will assist with the fingerprint registration process.

 

What are the Next Steps After the Application Has Been Submitted?

If all three steps have been completed, the processing time is around ten business days. This does not include the time taken for background screening. 

 

To check your application status, allow ten business days before enquiring, after which time an email can be sent to verify the status. Once the application has been processed, a registration determination will be made (either Approved, Denied, or Incomplete), and the prospective vendor will be notified of their status.

Contractors Reporting Services in Tampa, FL, helps clients to register and get approval as Vocational Rehabilitation Vendors. Their experience in working with the program ensures that they can efficiently and effectively process their clients’ applications, giving their clients the best chance of being approved.

The following article was first seen on Answering Questions for Prospective Vocational Rehabilitation Vendors and is courtesy of Contractors Reporting Services. Find more on:} http://activatemylicense.com