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QUESTION: For organizations who require the use of internet-based systems (such as Therap, Acceltrax, Relias, I-TRAIN, etc.) at waiver locations, who pays for the internet connection and what do you use? If you require that the client provides their own internet connection, are there any rules or agreements you put in place with the client in terms of what type of connection you require, or what happens if service is turned off due to nonpayment or other event? Do you allow your staff to use a client’s internet connection for non-business use, and if not, how do you hold them accountable? We pay for the Wi-Fi portion of the monthly bill for all of our homes that require Wi-Fi connection to our computers and for the employees who are using their own phones to do their charting. If there are individuals in the home that also want to use the Wi-Fi they are only obligated to pay their portion. Wi-Fi is usually an add on to their cable service or their phone service in the house. When the bill comes in we take the itemized portion of the Wi-Fi and subtract that from the total cost of the bill and pay it. All cable companies and phone companies are willing to work out the specifics when it comes to the charges. Out employees working at most Supported Living Homes utilize a company supplied laptop and company supplied Verizon MiFi for their computing needs. This includes entering time in AccelTrax, accessing agency email, accessing the company network to complete assigned paperwork or to enter support tickets. There are some Supported Living Homes where company has been given written consent for employees to use the consumers’ internet service. The Internet Usage Agreement form is signed by all consumers who use and pay for internet service and is also signed by their guardians if applicable. The agreement also indicates half of the consumers’ Internet fees be paid by or reimbursed by our company. See a copy of our Internet Usage Agreement. If a client uses internet, we split the cost. If they do not, we pay 100%. We use Comcast Business unlimited. We do use Therap and if the individuals use the internet, we do pay half. If they don't use it, or didn't have it, we pay the whole amount. We also use remote monitoring and the same applies. As far as internet at waiver settings, we use Accel, so staff have to enter time/notes on site. For 24 hour settings, we have assigned a cellular iPad to each setting and staff can access internet through that. The iPads are centrally managed, so internet access is limited to apps and websites that have been installed on the iPad. In non-24 hour sites we have not provided iPads and suggested staff could come to the office to use the office internet. In reality, most staff prefer to use their cell phones even where there are iPads available. We do not expect staff to use client’s internet access, and have a policy prohibiting non-business use of electronics while on duty. Enforcement is limited to observing a violation or receiving a complaint. The reality is there is no way to enforce this (same with trying to enforce a policy against using client’s internet). We pay for a business internet connection in each site that requires the use of internet based systems. Since we are already providing the connection for staff at the location, we allow the client to use it as well where appropriate. The bills come directly to us as the provider under an umbrella business account. Our connections are through Comcast Business. We use AccelTrax. We require staff to use their own mobile phones and data connection. The cost of this (in terms of proportion of phone bill) to the staff is negligible because AccelTrax uses so little data (when we implemented we projected less than 1 MB / month). This information is a compilation of suggestions, ideas, and opinions shared by INARF Members in response to the featured question. This information should not be considered official interpretation or guidance of State or Federal Policy. Additionally, statements within this document do not necessarily reflect an official position or opinion of INARF.
QUESTION: For organizations who require the use of internet-based systems (such as Therap, Acceltrax, Relias, I-TRAIN, etc.) at waiver locations, who pays for the internet connection and what do you use?
We pay for the Wi-Fi portion of the monthly bill for all of our homes that require Wi-Fi connection to our computers and for the employees who are using their own phones to do their charting. If there are individuals in the home that also want to use the Wi-Fi they are only obligated to pay their portion. Wi-Fi is usually an add on to their cable service or their phone service in the house. When the bill comes in we take the itemized portion of the Wi-Fi and subtract that from the total cost of the bill and pay it. All cable companies and phone companies are willing to work out the specifics when it comes to the charges.
Out employees working at most Supported Living Homes utilize a company supplied laptop and company supplied Verizon MiFi for their computing needs. This includes entering time in AccelTrax, accessing agency email, accessing the company network to complete assigned paperwork or to enter support tickets. There are some Supported Living Homes where company has been given written consent for employees to use the consumers’ internet service. The Internet Usage Agreement form is signed by all consumers who use and pay for internet service and is also signed by their guardians if applicable. The agreement also indicates half of the consumers’ Internet fees be paid by or reimbursed by our company.
See a copy of our Internet Usage Agreement.
If a client uses internet, we split the cost. If they do not, we pay 100%. We use Comcast Business unlimited.
We do use Therap and if the individuals use the internet, we do pay half. If they don't use it, or didn't have it, we pay the whole amount. We also use remote monitoring and the same applies.
As far as internet at waiver settings, we use Accel, so staff have to enter time/notes on site. For 24 hour settings, we have assigned a cellular iPad to each setting and staff can access internet through that. The iPads are centrally managed, so internet access is limited to apps and websites that have been installed on the iPad. In non-24 hour sites we have not provided iPads and suggested staff could come to the office to use the office internet. In reality, most staff prefer to use their cell phones even where there are iPads available.
We do not expect staff to use client’s internet access, and have a policy prohibiting non-business use of electronics while on duty. Enforcement is limited to observing a violation or receiving a complaint. The reality is there is no way to enforce this (same with trying to enforce a policy against using client’s internet).
We pay for a business internet connection in each site that requires the use of internet based systems. Since we are already providing the connection for staff at the location, we allow the client to use it as well where appropriate. The bills come directly to us as the provider under an umbrella business account. Our connections are through Comcast Business.
We use AccelTrax. We require staff to use their own mobile phones and data connection. The cost of this (in terms of proportion of phone bill) to the staff is negligible because AccelTrax uses so little data (when we implemented we projected less than 1 MB / month).