Indiana Music Therapy Academic Program featured

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College has had a music therapy program since 1983. An article was released this week that highlights the profession itself, and features graduates of the MAMT graduate program, current students in the undergraduate music therapy program, along with faculty. To view the article, click here.

Coming Soon!

An interview with the new president of AIMT, Lindsey Oldham, will be posted soon. In the meantime, we congratulate her on her upcoming wedding!

Music Tip of the Day, courtesy of Soundscape Music Therapy

Thoughtful Blog Post from The Mindful Music Therapist

Ever feel as though you have to know what is happening in all facets of your music therapy session? Uncomfortable with that feeling of "not knowing"? Check out Roia's (aka: the Mindful Music Therapist) reflections in her blog journal about this topic here: http://mindfulmusictherapist.blogspot.com/2011/07/journal-prompt-4-uncertainty.html

Important Indiana Medicaid Waiver Bulletin-July 2011

On Monday, May 16, Casey DePriest, IN Task Force Chair, and Lindsey Oldham, AIMT President, met with Julia Holloway, Director of DDRS, and Tracy Myszak, Deputy Director of DDRS. We discussed the newest DD Waiver Application to CMS that utilizes different language than that of the Support Service Waiver, Autism Waiver Applications, and of 460 IAC. Although the new DD Waiver Application includes some of our previously suggested language and is written to be more consistent with the other therapy descriptions, AIMT and the Task Force had noticed some confusion about which service description and Waiver Application music therapy providers were to use as guidelines.

We were informed that there has been an effort to make all of the therapy descriptions more consistently worded. It was explained to us that a new version of the Support Services Waiver Application has been submitted to CMS, and as the Autism Waiver Application and 460 IAC are revised, they will be modeled after the most recent language, that which is currently listed on the DD Waiver Application. This implies that this DD Waiver Application (Dated Oct. 1, 2010) is the intended interpretation of the 460 IAC guidelines.
Listed on the following page is the newly posted DD Waiver Application that has been accepted by CMS. Notice the addition of the definition of the clinical hour as well as the list of “Allowable Activities” which are in line with our Scope of Practice. In addition, the bullet point for “planning, reporting, and write-up” has been clarified and no longer contradicts the 460 IAC guidelines. Again, we are pleased that this language more closely matches the other therapy descriptions.

AIMT has made a few additional language suggestions that will increase consistency across the therapies and better support our Standards of Clinical Practice. These suggestions will be considered for future amendments of current documents, or for inclusion in documents/applications, which will be written in the future. For example, it was suggested that our MT-BC credential be specifically noted as a requirement for qualified therapists.

Thank you for your service to individuals with disabilities in Indiana. If there are any questions regarding this meeting or the DD Waiver Application, please contact the Indiana Music Therapy Task Force, noting our contact information below. In addition, we ask that all waiver providers seek information/clarification through the task force. We hope to keep open the lines of communication with DDRS. This can best be accomplished by fielding questions through the task force and allowing us to be the contact point for these state agencies. AIMT and the Music Therapy Task Force work for you, so please don’t hesitate to contact us with questions or concerns at any time.

Lindsey Oldham, MT-BC, NMT                                        Casey DePriest, MT-BC            

AIMT President                                                            IN Music Therapy Task Force Chair        

IN Music Therapy Task Force Member                             812-205-6834

317-374-9366                                                              casey@inmusictherapy.com

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Excerpt from DD Waiver Application (Dated Oct. 1, 2010)

Music Therapy
Music Therapy Services means services provided for the systematic application of music in the treatment of the physiological and psychosocial aspects of an individual’s disability and focusing on the acquisition of nonmusical skills and behaviors.

Allowable Activities

• Therapy to improve:
Self-image and body awareness
Fine and gross motor skills
Auditory perception

• Therapy to increase:
Communication skills
Ability to use energy purposefully
Interaction with peers and others
Attending behavior
Independence and self-direction

• Therapy to reduce maladaptive (stereotypic, compulsive, self-abusive, assaultive, disruptive, perseverative, impulsive) behaviors.
• Therapy to enhance emotional expression and adjustment.
• Therapy to stimulate creativity and imagination. The music therapist may provide services
directly or may demonstrate techniques to other service personnel or family members.
• Planning, reporting and write-up when in association with the actual one-on-one direct
care/therapy service delivery with the waiver participant.

One (1) hour of billed therapy service must include a minimum of forty-five (45) minutes of direct patient care/therapy with the balance of the hour spent in related patient services.

ACTIVITIES NOT ALLOWED
• Any services that are reimbursable through the Medicaid State Plan
• Therapy services furnished to the participant within the educational/school setting or as a component of the participant’s school day
• Specialized equipment needed for the provision of Music Therapy Services should be purchased under
“Specialized Medical Equipment and Supplies Supports”
• Activities delivered in a nursing facility

Agency
Agency that Employs DDRS Approved Music Therapist
Certified Music Therapist by a Certification Board for Music Therapists, that is Accredited by a National Commission for Certifying Agencies.

DDRS Approved
460 IAC 6-10-5 Criminal Histories,
460 IAC 6-12 Insurance,
460 IAC 6-11 Provider Financial Status,
460 IAC 6-5-15 Music Therapy Provider qualifications
Must comply with BDDS Music Therapy Service Standards and Guidelines.
Initially, BDDS. For re-approval, BDDS or BQIS.
Up to 3 years.

Terre Haute welcomes another MT-BC

Morgan May, MT-BC, began working with Bridges of Indiana, Inc. as a music therapist in 2011. May is a graduate of the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Music Therapy Program. Her office and clinical space is on 3rd Street in Terre Haute.

Music Therapy Drumming: Michael Marcionetti, MT-BC, Teaches Basic Frame Drum Technique