What's New in AWARDS
The following new features, enhancements, and updates will be available in your AWARDS database beginning on Wednesday, May 18th. Once you’ve had a chance to try these new features out, please let us know how they work for you. We welcome your feedback!
BillingBuilder - Calculate Units and Amounts Using Separate Logic
BillingBuilder has been enhanced to allow users to configure separate logic that determines the unit count associated with an invoice and the unit amount associated with the same line item. To support this functionality, a new section has been added to the Procedure Identify Units of Service screen titled “Invoice Units Calculation” and re-labels the existing Service Units of Measure section to “Invoice Amount Multiplier Calculation.” The Invoice Amount Multiplier Calculation allows you to determine the logic used to generate the data that populates the Amount field on your invoices. The Invoice Units Calculation allows you to determine the logic used to generate the data that populates the Units field on your invoices.
The Invoice Unit Calculation section will have all the same fields and functions as the Service Units of Measure section (minus the Calculate Units Using) field; however, the units generated by this section will only be included in the claim file. Additionally, the Invoice Units Calculation section will dynamically change based on the Calculate Units Using value set in the Invoice Amount Multiplier Calculation section.
Lastly, a new field has been added to the BillingBuilder ReportBuilder titled “Claim Amount (Units)” that will only display when the above-listed preference is enabled.
Entitlements Data Entry - Update Authorization Number
A new user-facing permission titled “Entitlements Data Entry - Update Authorization Number” has been enabled within the Entitlements module, Certified Entitlements feature. This permission allows users with the proper permission to update a consumer’s insurance authorization number, rather than having to utilize the Help Desk to do so. Please note that when updating an authorization number, the new value cannot contain spaces.
InSights and DataStudio - Easier FormBuilder Analysis!
Analyzing your FormBuilder data has never been easier! A new dashboard titled “FormBuilder Analysis” is now available to all InSights users. This dashboard allows users to easily analyze specific questions and answers on specific FormBuilder forms. Within DataStudio, this FormBuilder data is included in a table that provides one row per form response, with additional dimension tables.
InSights and DataStudio - Housing Utilization Data is Now Available!
Two new residential utilization dashboards have been added to InSights. A Housing Utilization by Month dashboard has been published that allows users to view utilization per unit per month, showing anticipated billing per unit and consumer. This also shows how hospitalizations can contribute to a lack of utilization. Additionally, a Residential Loss Report dashboard has been published that shows expected and potential billing for stays, services, and entitlements based on a program’s bed capacity.
Within DataStudio, three new Housing Utilization fact tables are provided that are linked by an agency dimension table for row-level permissions purposes. These show one row per unit (and consumer) per month and day, and then a unique monthly utilization table by program.
Additionally, an Active Employee dimension table has been added to DataStudio that tracks when an employee last logged in and whether they are considered active or not, based on a measure of 14 days.
Progress Notes - Prevent Data Entry of Conflicting Progress Notes
An optional workflow enhancement is now available in Progress Notes that will identify overlapping service documentation for clients and/or staff across selected programs. With this enhancement, a conflict notification will appear when a progress note is created that overlaps with a previously saved note for the same client and/or the same worker in another program that has been configured to not allow overlapping notes. If a possible conflict is identified, the user will receive a conflict notification stating “There is a time conflict between this note and a previously saved note. Consider changing time settings.”
By default, this feature will allow a later progress note record to have the same Start Time as the previous record’s End Time but can be configured to only allow the later progress note to have a Start Time set to the minute after the previous progress note’s End Time. This new configuration can be requested through the AWARDS Help Desk.
ReportBuilder/ExportBuilder - Automatic Scheduling is Now Available!
We are excited to announce that users now have the ability to schedule saved report formats to run automatically. ReportBuilders now have a Schedule Report button that is available when a saved report format or saved export format is selected. Users can adjust the program type and date range and then set the report to run on a recurring schedule. Once scheduled, the report will run according to the settings set, and will be delivered to the user’s Messages inbox. If the schedule is set to repeat, AWARDS will then schedule the next run. The Queue ReportBuilder includes a list of the scheduled reports, so users with access can see which reports are scheduled, along with their settings. At this time, each user must schedule their own reports; one user cannot schedule a report to be delivered to another user. However, since the report will be sent to the user’s Messages inbox, it can be forwarded to any other individuals.
ReportBuilder - Saved System Formats Using UserID Filter
We have created and distributed some useful sample saved formats in various ReportBuilders throughout AWARDS that use the recently released UserID filter. These formats all have names beginning with “Foothold Report - My”, as the report will run and filter on the logged-in user’s records. These saved report formats are available for immediate use within your agency database. Agencies can use these reports as-is, or build their own based on these existing report formats.
Listed below you will find the report names and their associated ReportBuilders, along with any necessary report settings, and the employee ID field used for the =userID filter. We will also be adding helpful information to the Resource Center over time to share guidance and suggestions for how to best tap into the full power of this new feature. We can’t wait to hear how you choose to use it!
- Demographics ReportBuilder:
- Foothold Report - My Caseload > Primary Worker ID
- Calendar Events ReportBuilder:
- Foothold Report - My Events by Date > display one row per: Attendee > Employee ID
- Charting Events ReportBuilder:
- Foothold Report - My Overdue Charting Events > Worker ID
- Foothold Report - My Charting Events - Not Done, Due Soon > Worker ID
- Plans and Reviews ReportBuilder:
- Foothold Report - My Notes > display one row per: Note > Note Writer AWARDS Employee ID
- Foothold Report - My Caseload Notes > display one row per: Note > Primary Worker ID
- Foothold Report - My Supervisee(s) Notes > display one row per: Note > Note Writer Work Supervisor ID
- Foothold Report - My Notes Available for Signing > display one row per: Signature Action > Signer ID
- Service Contacts ReportBuilder:
- Foothold Report - My Service Contacts > Note Writer AWARDS Employee ID
A Look at What's Ahead...
AWARDS User Interface (UI) Refresh will be released in June!
The AWARDS UI Refresh initiative, scheduled as part of our June 28th release, will uplift the current design of AWARDS to a more modern look while also standardizing our back-end code to prepare for the larger AWARDS Redesign initiative. There will be no workflow or functionality changes introduced as a part of the UI Refresh (other than small, quality of life improvements whenever possible.)
Throughout the month of May, we will be sharing some resources to help you prepare for this exciting launch. We will publish details, screenshots, and highlight videos in the AWARDS Resource Center, and we’ll provide a list of FAQs for you to share within your agency. We also invite you to join us on June 6th at 2:00 ET as the AWARDS Product team gives a guided tour of all the exciting changes. You can register for that Preview session here.
Two-Factor Authentication by Email
Currently, our Two-Factor Authentication functionality requires an Authentication app. We care a lot about security and want to make sure this security feature is accessible, even to users without smartphones. We are working to enable an “authentication by email” method, and hope to make this available to users in early Q3.
Future Enhancement Release Dates
Here are the dates for the next couple of AWARDS product releases so that you can keep them on your radar:
- June 29, 2022
- August 10, 2022
All deployments (subject to change) are scheduled for the evenings prior to the dates listed here, making the new features and functionality they provide available to users bright and early on release days.
Connect With Us!
To see which training sessions and webinars are coming soon, check out the Upcoming Events in FootholdConnect (accessible from your AWARDS navigation bar). You can also see a current Upcoming Events Calendar in the Resource Center. See something you're interested in? Register today!
News You Can Use!
We will begin accepting applications on June 22nd, and we are excited to hear from you! For more information, or to learn more about previous winners, click here.
Tip of the Month - PlanBuilder Tips & Tricks
As part of our recent effort to help customers transition out of the old Service Plans feature and into the new PlanBuilder / Plans & Reviews, we thought it would be helpful to share some tips and tricks for building top notch plan formats in PlanBuilder! This Tip of the Month covers several of our favorites, but there are so many Fields / Options that can be used creatively. As a reminder, we intend to sunset the legacy Service Plans feature at the end of December 2022. If you haven’t made the switch yet, click here to get started, and read on to learn more about our favorite options!
New Field > Most field types > Display Options > Conditionally Displayed & Required
In some cases, there are certain fields in a plan that should only be collected based on the response to a previous question. The Conditionally Displayed & Required option allows you to build this type of workflow into your plan formats. It can really help streamline content on a plan and is a favorite of ours, as well as our PlanBuilder users.
New Field > Most field types > Default Values > Value Type = Dynamic
Plans are often comprehensive documents that should include data fields that already exist elsewhere in AWARDS, such as Date of Birth, Admission Date, Primary Diagnosis, or even fields you have in specific FormBuilder fields. You can find most if not all of these fields in the Dynamic Default Value search list. Once selected as the default value for a field, they will display in read-only mode in the plans. Note that there is also a field type to include full dynamic sections like Medications, Diagnoses, Providers, and more.
New Field > Checklist or Selection List > List Options > Save to ListBuilder
When creating a field that uses a checklist or selection list, you define the values available for selection. Choosing to save the list to the ListBuilder\ feature allows you to easily use that pre-defined list again if needed, without having to recreate it. Further, and perhaps more importantly, it allows you the ability to make future changes to the list if needed, without risking any data loss in previously saved plans. We recommend always checking off the Save to ListBuilder option.
Add Custom Section > Make this Section Optional
Agencies often have specific data or assessments they want to collect with plans that are not part of the formal goals portion of the plan. These data collection needs can be addressed by creating Custom Sections in the plan format. In many cases, these specific data needs only apply when certain criteria are met, and do not need to be collected for each plan. In these cases, you can choose to have a Custom Section set as Optional, and train users when to include it in the plans.
Plan Details > Show Discontinued Items in View Mode
By default, Plans & Reviews display all plan goals that were previously discontinued in an earlier instance of the plan. Users sometimes find this adds too much clutter to the page for both viewing and printing. When this becomes an issue, you can simply flip this field to “No” in PlanBuilder and easily solve the problem.
We're Back! - In-Herson Training has Resumed
It’s been a long time and we are ready to (safely) return to in-person training! Our dynamic trainers will travel to your site for full day sessions. Please review our in-person training guidelines intended to keep us all safe. At this time we cannot offer training sessions at our NYC office, but we continue to offer remote training sessions. To request either in-person or remote training, contact your Customer Experience representative.
Got 90 Minutes? - We’ve Got a Great Training Option for You!
90 minutes to win it! - Purchase training in 90-minute blocks so you can hone in on the content that your staff need and nothing else! Wonder what 90 minutes of training can get you? How about a team review of how to complete treatment plans? Or do you need to build a form and not know where to begin? We can help with that! Plus, all sessions will be recorded so you can have them in your training library. Click here to check out some other ways to win in just 90 minutes! Sessions are $300 each and can be purchased now for later use. To purchase training, contact your Foothold Customer Experience representative today!
Blog of the Month - Tips for Safeguarding Human Services Software Data in Times of Crisis
As security concerns continue to rise in the wake of global events, VP of Customer Experience, Melissa Seymour, gives her tips on safeguarding human services data. Read our blog to find out how every person in your organization can play a part in securing protected health information.
Social Media Push - Follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook
We’re working to expand the influence of our social media, and we need your help! Please make sure to follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. Also, we want to celebrate all the amazing work you do, so tag us in your posts or email elliot@footholdtechnology.com and we’ll make sure we help spread the word.
Nominate a Social Enterprise - Chance to Win a $500 Donation!
Does your agency run a social enterprise? Or do you know a social enterprise that is doing incredible work in your community? Nominate them for a chance to win a $500 donation to support that organization’s efforts. Support your favorite social enterprise by sharing their story with us. Click here to start your nomination!
Our Podcast Continues - Sharing In Our Caring
If you haven’t yet, Click here to check out our podcast, or you can search for it on your preferred podcast platform (you can find it on most podcast platforms.) We can't wait to hear what you think! If you're a podcast listener, please subscribe, rate, review, and help us spread the word! We’re working on our next episode and have more episodes planned. If there is a particular topic that you think we should cover, or if you want to be a guest on our podcast, please email elliot@footholdtechnology.com. We’ll review your suggestions and see if we can work them into the programming.
