Has Your Medicaid Been Recently Terminated?

Recently there has been been a closure of 105,000 Medicaid cases in Pennsylvania. The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) says the overwhelming majority of the terminations are legitimate; however, advocates continue to hear from eligible people who had their benefits terminated.

What To Do If You Or Your Family Member Believes Benefits Were Wrongly Terminated

--File an appeal to the advance termination notice within 13 days on the postmarked date (make a copy to keep).

--Mail the appeal via certified mail and request a return receipt.
 
--Contact the OMHSAS Western Operations Field Office in Pittsburgh at 412-565-5226.

--Contact your respective state legislators to inform them of your situation.

--Contact NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania at 1-888-264-7972 as we are attempting to track the number of people living with mental illness that are affected.

People needing assistance with filing appeals or who have other questions relating to benefits can contact the PA Health Law Project Helpline at 1-800-274-3258.

Next week, we will be posting a questionnaire from Community Legal Services, which is researching and documenting recently closed Medicaid cases and the individuals who are being affected.

Pittsburgh Schizophrenia Conference

The 28th Annual Pittsburgh Schizophrenia Conference is being held on Friday, Dec. 9 at the Sheraton Station Square. This conference is the longest running scientific meeting devoted to exploring the latest research findings related to schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. Each year, internationally recognized experts provide comprehensive reviews of advances in their areas and emphasize the clinical relevance of the research. 

This year's meeting will cover a range of topics, including the neurophysiology of schizophrenia as well as the the significance of inflammation and the role of pharmacogenetics in the treatment of schizophrenia. It will also examine the possible connection between infection, cognitive functioning and schizophrenia.

Presentations by the faculty awarded the two 2011 Pittsburgh Schizophrenia Conference Awards and the Gerard Hogarty Research Excellence Prize will also take place during the meeting. In addition, there will be a panel addressing issues related to the closing of a state hospital.

Details can be found at this website. For additional information, contact Maria Pena-Jordan at penajordanmi@upmc.edu or (412) 802-6917.

Free NAMI Employment Workshop

Join NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania for its first-ever employment workshop for mental health consumers and employers.

In any given workplace, it is likely that one in four employees will experience a mental disorder each year. While common, mental illness in the workplace still poses many questions both to the mental health consumer and the employer. NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania's first ever employment workshop brings together consumers, employers and local experts to help answer questions on this topic, and to enable attendees to ask questions of their own.

WHERE: Allegheny County Dept. of Human Services, The Liberty Room

One Smithfield Street, Pittsburgh PA 15222

WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 1

8 a.m. to 9 a.m. - Registration and Continental Breakfast

9 a.m. to 12 p.m. - Employment Workshop

COST: No cost to attend

Space is limited, and you must RSVP to attend. Please RSVP to Lora at ldziemiela@namiswpa.org or (412) 366-3788 by Nov. 23.

This event is hosted by NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania in partnership with Allegheny County Dept. of Human Services Employment Transformation Committee. It is supported by funds from the CMS Medicaid Infrastructure Grant (CFDA #93.768).

First Media and Mental Illness Awards A Success

NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania was pleased to join the Entertainment Industries Council (EIC) and Staunton Farm Foundation for the first-ever Media and Mental Illness Awards last night at the Sheraton Station Square in Pittsburgh.

Hosted by Susan Brozeck Scott, regional director of EIC, the awards ceremony honored regional journalists who reported accurately and responsibly on mental health topics.

And the winners are...

Television News - Program Length
Losing Lambert: A Journey Through Survival and Hope
Producers David Solomon and Paul Ruggieri of WQED Multimedia

Television Community Affairs Program
Long Road Home
Producers David Solomon and Paul Ruggieri of WQED Multimedia

Television News Series
The Impact of Mental Illness in Pittsburgh and the Hope of Recovery
WTAE-TV's Michelle Wright, Mike Lazorko, Tim Lohle and Terry Connell

Television News Segment
Doctor: Pittsburgh Police Murder Suspect Doesn't Seem Insane
Paul Van Osdol, WTAE-TV

Internet News Story
A Soldiers Heart - Part 3 (PTSD)
Andrew Rush, Michael A. Fuoco and Rebecca Droke of Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Radio
Does Summer Make You Depressed
John Shumway and Larry Richert of KDKA Radio

Magazine
Moving Beyond Mayview
Sean Hamill, Pittsburgh Quarterly

Newspaper Story
Millions of us Have Mental Illness; You Are Not Alone
Tony Tye, Pittsburgh Post Gazette

Outstanding Achievement
Mayview State Hospital: Last Reminder of a Lost Era Closes Parts 1 and 2
Joe Fahy and Dennis Roddy, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The late Joe Fahy, writer for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, was also recognized for his outstanding achievements and contributions to the industry. Joe covered many mental health issues and was a friend of NAMI. A well respected journalist, Joe lost his battle with cancer nearly three years ago. His son drove from New York to accept the award on his dad's behalf.

NAMI would like to extend its heartfelt congratulations to all of the winners, as well as the other distinguished nominees. We know the impact the media can have on the public's perception of mental illness, and we are grateful to have worked with many of you in the past few years. Thank you for all of your efforts to portray mental illness accurately in the news.

Flu and Pneumonia Vaccines Available

Community Human Services (CHS) opened a influenza and pneumonia vaccine clinic on Oct. 1. The clinic offers flu and pneumonia vaccines, while supplies last, at the following locations, days and times:

• Every Monday through 12/12/2011:
Location: CHS Health Station, 374 Lawn Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Time: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

• Every Tuesday through 12/13/2011:
Location: Jubilee Medical Clinic, 2005 Wyandotte Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Time: 9 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.

The vaccine will be provided free of charge to adults 18 years and older. Individuals who are specifically targeted are adults with chronic medical issues, person aged 65 and older and populations who suffer disparity and may not otherwise have access to receiving these vaccinations.

The vaccine protects against three strains of influenza virus expected to circulate this season –H1N1 Type A, H3N2 Type A, and a Type B influenza virus. 

Influenza is a highly contagious upper respiratory infection that can cause mild to severe illness, sometimes leading to death, primarily in the elderly and the chronically ill. 

There are many sources for the flu vaccine. Ample supplies are expected to be available this flu season and can be obtained with minimal charge through many local pharmacies, primary care physician offices and the Allegheny County Health Department. Anyone who wants the vaccine should be able to get it.

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can cause mild to severe illness, sometimes leading to death, primarily in the elderly and chronically ill.

There are many sources for the pneumonia vaccine. Ample supplies are typically available and can be obtained through primary care physician offices.

Suggested ways to find where you can receive information about a vaccination:

• Call your Primary Health Care Provider
• Call your local Health Department
• Check your local newspaper or local newsletters
• Check with your employer/employee health if applicable

For more information, contact:
Community Human Services Corporation
374 Lawn Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
412-246-1600

Contact: Rebecca LaBovick, RNBC
412-532-2132, e-mail: rlabovick@chscorp.org

Top Walk Fundraisers... WOW!

For the NAMI Walk, our participants were given a deadline of Oct. 31 to turn in funds for our team and walker contests. We will be announcing winners and totals over the next week. Today we are thrilled to announce our top five fundraisers for 2011. Their enthusiasm and commitment to NAMI is evident in their efforts. The funds they have raised--along with the rest of our walkers and sponsors--will support the NAMI mission all year long. Thank you, our superstar fundraisers!

1. Jim Ehrman (Jim's Jocks) - $7,850

2. Raymond Baum (Leo's Team) - $2,234.44

3. Lora Dziemiela (Porky's Paws for a Cause) - $2,175

4. Stephanie Sluka (NHS Human Services) - $1,745

5. Eileen Lovell (South Hills Stampede) - $1,565

We are collecting donations through November for the NAMI Walk. If you have not yet made your donation, click here and support us today.

NAMI Walk In The News

Did you happen to see our NAMI Walk in the news? Take a look below at some of the great coverage we received. The Pittsburgh media have been extremely helpful in raising awareness of mental illness and recovery!

Channel 11 News did a two-minute segment on the walk! Take a look.

Channel 4 Action News also covered the event with their News Anchor Michelle Wright leading the walk.

Michelle Wright also posted this video on Facebook of her interview with NAMI Southwestern PA Executive Director Chris Michaels at the walk.

The Pittsburgh Tribune Review made the NAMI Walk the cover story of its magazine insert with four pages of editorial content on NAMI, mental illness and the walk! Special thanks to journalist Gen Payne for her work on this piece.

If you are not already following us on Facebook or Twitter, please do so and keep abreast of happenings, photos and more. You can also link to our social media on the NAMI Southwestern PA website.