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woman sits at computer with an announcement to her left that tshirt sale for conference is now on

woman sits in a chair on a laptop to her right an announcement reads that the gota conference registration is open

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Attention all student GOTA members!

In celebration of our membership drive, GOTA will be hosting a T-shirt design contest for all students.

Submission: All designs are due 3/10/2021 and can be submitted to [email protected] 

Voting: Shirts will be voted on via Instagram and a poll posted on the GOTA website from 3/13-3/15.

Prize: The winning t-shirt will be gifted to the designer for FREE. The person and their school will additionally be featured on Instagram page. Lastly, the winning t-shirt will be offered for purchase at a discounted rate!

Designing Details: We will be utilizing the Bonfire fundraising platform for our t-shirt sales. The following rules are to abide by their design requirements. You can alternatively create a sample custom shirt on your own bonfire account and email us a screenshot of the design to recreate! 

Design rules: 
  1. You can only use up to 8 colors, but 1-3 colors is preferable
  2. Designs must include GOTA or Georgia Occupational Therapy Association on them
  3. Try to keep designs simple, original vector artwork is preferred for Bonfire 
  4. Avoid full color photos and gradients
  5. Files need to be sent in Al, EPS, PDF, PNG, or JPG
  6. 1500px by 1500px transparent artwork is preferred for Bonfire
youtube video to click on to watch a message from the conference co-chairs, a woman sits at a computer waving at the screen

 

 

11/12/20

Click on the video above to hear a message from our 2020 conference co-chairs.

ACT NOW

On December 1st the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized a 9% cut to Medicare Part B therapy services beginning in 2021. Despite ongoing advocacy and thousands of comment letters opposing these cuts, CMS made the decision to implement these payment changes.  These cuts affect a wide range of healthcare providers including therapy practitioners, surgeons, radiologists and more.

Convincing Congress to take action and halt these cuts is the only option we have left.  AOTA is asking for your assistance to make sure Congress prioritizes stopping these cuts in the next week and a half. 

Write to your Members of Congress asking them to stop these cuts through AOTA’s Legislative Action Center: https://cqrcengage.com/aota/app/write-a-letter?4&engagementId=509002 .  We need Congress to take action by the end of next week and stop these cuts! 

Help Links

You can learn more about recent Congressional pressure to stop these cuts here: https://www.aota.org/Advocacy-Policy/Congressional-Affairs/Legislative-Issues-Update/2020/Congress-Stop-Looming-Cuts.aspx

Read in-depth information about the final fee schedule and the impact on occupational therapy services here: https://www.aota.org/Advocacy-Policy/Federal-Reg-Affairs/News/2020/CY2021-Medicare-Physician-Fee%20Schedule.aspx

 

 

Missed the GOTA & AOTA Licensure Compact Meeting?

blue powerpoint slide

Link and Passcode to watch the full recording are on the Membership Resource Page Here 

For more information also Visit: https://otcompact.org/about/

 

 

A woman sits at a laptop on a tall table. The words that surround her thank volunteers and encourage members to view the recorded GOTA conference sessions online.

11/3/2020

 

Click here for the GOTA YouTube Conference Video

10/8/2020

The YouTube Conference Video includes a thank you to our sponsors, how to register, find your session, 
and receive your continuing education certificate.

Click on the image below to watch the 2020 GOTA Virtual Conference: Annual Business Meeting from 10/7/2020.

YouTube Image for Video Containing a prism breaks OT into its foundational parts making a rainbow

Click here to bid on the silent auction. 

Click here for the GOTA Online Store.

 

AOTA Calls for Choosing Wisely Recommendations 

9/16/2020

What is Choosing Wisely?

Choosing Wisely is an initiative of the  American Board of Internal Medicine Foundation that seeks
to advance a national dialogue on avoiding unnecessary medical tests, treatments and procedures.
 The mission of Choosing Wisely is to promote conversations between clinicians and patients by
helping patients choose care that is:
  • Supported by evidence
  • Not duplicative of other tests or procedures already received
  • Free from harm 
  • Truly necessary
Beginning in 2012, national organizations representing medical specialists have asked their
members to identify tests or procedures commonly used in their field whose necessity
should be questioned and discussed. Nearly 80 clinical organizations work with the 
American Board of Internal Medicine to create recommendations for the public. For
a full list of Specialty Society Partners, click here. 

AOTA is a proud partner in the Choosing Wisely Initiative

In providing best practice, AOTA is seeking member input to update their Choosing
Wisely recommendations. They are asking members to provide input through their
 Choosing Wisely Recommendations Survey, which needs to be filled out by
 September 27, 2020. As an incentive you can elect to enter a drawing for a free
year of AOTA membership. For more information on AOTA's involvement in the
initiative, along with resources to support your practice, visit the
 AOTA Choosing Wisely page.
Many thanks to Helene Smith-Gabai, Ph.D., OTR/L, BCPR, GOTA RA
Representative to the AOTA for providing this update. 

 

GOTA 2020 Virtual Conference T-shirt Sale Begins!

9/9/2020

The GOTA launched a Cafe Press page to manage 2020 Virtual Conference T-shirt sales.

Multiple designs & colors available. Click the link below to order. 

70s style tshirt reveals pink floyd inspired design of GOTA 2020 Conference shirt. One white bean of OT goes into prims and rainbow describing OT comes out other side.

Click here to order. 

 

 

GOTA Virtual Conference

prism breaks OT into its foundational parts making a rainbow

8/31/2020

Follow the link below for program & registration details.

Click here for information on the 2020 Conference. 

AOTA Representative Assembly Seeks:

Members for Ad-Hoc Committees

7/24/2020

As a result of business approved during the May 2020 meeting series, the RA is seeking members for the following

ad hocs:

Call for Dry Needling Task Force Applicants: July 31 Deadline

Call for Mentorship Task Force Applicants: July 31 Deadline

Please encourage members and colleagues in your state to apply who may meet the criteria outlined by

sharing the links above.

Benjamin J Gross OTR/L
[email protected]
Vice Chairperson of the Affiliated State Association Presidents 
Representative Assembly State Presidents' Voting Proxy
 

Response to Racial Discrimination & Violence

 Black background with white words: "History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people." -Martin Luther King, Jr.
6/10/2020
The Georgia Occupational Therapy Association recognizes that silence is not an option. The GOTA is
currently working to identify concrete steps to hold ourselves, organization, and our community
accountable. The GOTA reached out to our community leaders regarding next steps. We plan to
directly engage members in the upcoming days. GOTA recognizes that violence and discrimination
against African Americans and persons of color is unacceptable. 

The GOTA in-line with the American Occupational Therapy Association’s Code of Ethics “affirms the
right of every individual to access and fully participate in society.” AOTA’s Statement on Justice and
Systemic Racism indicates that “we must address the fundamental issues of diversity, equity, and
inclusion beyond conceptual factors.”

The GOTA encourages our members and the community to work towards social justice.
We call on members and the community to:

--Join the Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity (COTAD) for their Ignite Change series!
Educating yourself and others is the first step to addressing the challenges we are facing. 
--Participate in the American Occupational Therapy Association’s Governance Enhancement Town Hall Meetings
to help determine how the national association moves forward. 

--Support Campaign Zero’s 8 Can’t Wait campaign. Learn more about their agenda to end police violence & join
their call for change. 
--Contact your community leaders. Call on them to implement The Leadership Conference Education Fund’s Guide
to Fair, Safe, and Effective Community Policing. 

--Use the Multicultural, Diversity, and Inclusion (MDI) Network’s Cultural Competency Toolkit in your home, community,
and place of employment. 

--Engage with the National Black Occupational Therapy Caucus by heading to AOTA’s website. Utilize the 9 resources
NBOTC suggests as guidance on diversity issues as they relate to African Americans.

Action is needed now more than ever. Engage your community. Help us stand up to discrimination and violence. 

Georgia Occupational Therapy Association

 

Georgia Occupational Therapy Association

COVID-19 Response

5/26/2020

The American Occupational Therapy Association recently updated their COVID-19 resource page.
This included reorganizing the way content was presented for ease of use.
Click here to view the AOTA Coronavirus (COVID-19) response page. As indicated in previous
GOTA releases, the AOTA has made this content public to assist in response to the pandemic. 
The GOTA would like to highlight the following resources:

Members and the public are encouraged to access content

via the GOTA YouTube Channel.

Recently published videos include:

The Membership Committee is currently conducting interviews with occupational therapists
impacted by the pandemic. Stay tuned to watch the upcoming mini-series
 Field Report: OTs & COVID-19. If you are interested in being interviewed or if you would
like to connect us with a clincian, please email [email protected] with contact information.
Clinicians featured in the Field Report: OTs & COVID-19 are
from around the United States. 

2020 Annual Conference Update

Black background with prism filtering white light to colored light: visioning the future- through the prism we see all the positive impact of OT
 

Interested in being a virtual exhibitor for the

2020 GOTA Annual Conference and Business Meeting?

Click Here to find out how to register!

OTAs Added as Authorized TRICARE Providers

4/16/2020 
On March 16, the U.S. Department of Defense released the long awaited final rule that added occupational therapy
assistants (OTAs), as well as physical therapist assistants, as authorized providers of care in TRICARE, the health
care program for uniformed service members, retirees, and their family members. The final rule affirms OTAs' position
is April 16, 2020, meaning that services provided by licensed and qualified OTAs under the supervision of an
occupational therapist after that date are eligible for reimbursement by TRICARE. 

Keep Your Community Safe

GOTA encourages virtual engagement for members at this time 

With the onset of COVID-19 the Georgia Occupational Therapy Association encourages members to
closely follow Center for Disease Control and Prevention Guidelines. Until further notice, the GOTA
encourages members to engage in meetings and with fellow members virtually.


In line with the CDC, the GOTA recognizes that “for the majority of people, the immediate risk of being
exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to be low. There is not widespread circulation in
most communities in the United States.” 


The GOTA is doing its part to lessen the spread and impact of the virus by encouraging regional leaders,
members, and the community to follow the CDC’s guidelines to:

  • Practice good hygiene
  • Be careful with meetings and travel
  • Handle food carefully
  • Stay home if you are sick or someone in the home is sick
Please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention webpage for the most up-to-date
information and to share educational materials with your workplace and community. 

We look forward to engaging with members virtually via internet conferencing, our webpage,
and via the GOTA YouTube channel.
 
The Georgia Occupational Therapy Association Board
 GA tele health news

GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY HEALTH APPROVES

MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

SERVICES VIA TELEHEALTH

 
The current coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has highlighted an issue that GOTA was 
already addressing.  Specifically, GOTA has  received clarification from the Georgia Department
of Community Health (DCH) that that occupational therapists will be able to bill for telehealth
services provided under the Medicaid Children’s Intervention Services (CIS) program. 


In line with GOTA’s advocacy efforts, GOTA applauds the DCH's decision to waive certain policies
related to the use of telehealth in diagnosis and treatment. This is in response to the viral
pandemic and to provide continuity of services and treatment with reduced risk of exposure
to Medicaid/PeachCare for Kids members and providers. Please see attached document.
 
DCH is currently in the process of making adjustments, including the codes to be allowed,
in the Georgia Medicaid Management Information system (GAMMIS ) at this time so that the
therapy providers can submit claims for services. DCH has especially emphasized that
providers MUST comply with the billing rules for Telehealth. and must include the
appropriate Place of Service code and/or the appropriate modifiers (e.g., GT). 
 
DCH is reviewing all categories of service codes to identify additional codes that
can be included in telehealth reimbursement.  MMIS will be modified to include new codes
following DCH review.  We will post additional information as needed. If you have questions
related to telehealth/telemedicine, please contact the DXC Technology Provider Contact
Center at 1-800-766-4456 and/or your assigned Provider DXC Representative.
 
Providers may locate the Telehealth Guidance manual by accessing the following
link:  www.mmis.georgia.gov.  Select the “Provider Information” tab, then select
“Provider Manuals.”  Scroll down to locate the Telehealth/Telemedicine manual.
 
GOTA also reminds OTs that the Georgia Telehealth Act has recently gone into effect, and
occupational therapy provided via telehealth is included as a covered service.   
 
In addition, GOTA is creating a resource center to equip you with information and
guidance related to occupational therapy and Telehealth. We will be updating this
information on GOTA webpage www.gaota.com  as information becomes available.
Provider Messages-Telemedicine.pdf

Aileen Deogracias, OTR/L
Georgia Occupational Therapy Association
Regulatory & Reimbursement Committee Chair
[email protected]

 

 

Thank you to the 110 occupational therapists who

participated in Legislative Action Day 2020!

OTs stand inside the capital on steps, below the image the words read: Occupational Therapy Association Legislative Action Day 2020
 The goal for the 2020 Legislative Day was to thank our legislators who supported HB 253 & encourage
continued support on current legislation important to occupational therapy practitioners. 
HB253: http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/2...
 
Thank you to Aileen Deogracias, OTR/L Chair of the Regulatory and Reimbursement Committee.

 

Click here to see what Legislative Action Day is all about.

 

GOTA Launches YouTube Channel

Click the preview below to watch the first video & here for submission details.

Screenshot of the GOTA YouTube Channel featuring Kelsey Reeves of the Membership Committee.  

  

New to the profession or to GOTA? If you are a first time GOTA member join NOW to receive your first year of
membership for only $45. Please follow the link below to join.

GOTA Membership Application

*Please note this special is only for 2019*

 

 

 

GOTA Website Crash Course

2019 GOTA Website Crash Course.pdf

First page of the Crash Course PDF with the summary in front of text

Volunteer Opportunities

Feel like you need to make a bigger impact in your profession? Want to help advance Occupational Therapy in the state of Georgia? GOTA is the perfect organization to get started! We are actively looking for members to fill different executive board and committee positions. If you would like to get more involved, please click on the link below to learn more.

Continue Reading
 

© Georgia Occupational Therapy Association
P.O. Box 1495
Gainesville, GA 30503
United States
[email protected]