The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania from March 18 to March 24.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents.)

General Assembly

• The House Appropriations Committee will hold a budget hearing next Tuesday, March 28 at 10:00 for the Department of Health and at 1:00 for the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs.  The hearings will be held in the House chamber and also will be live-streamed here.  A complete schedule for the House Appropriations Committee can be viewed here and a complete schedule for the Senate Appropriations Committee can be found here.
• The House Health Committee will convene on Wednesday, March 29 to consider, among other bills, House Bill 155, which removes the requirement that direct-care workers be interviewed in person for a position, and House Bill 507, which requires medical schools, teaching hospitals, and medical institutions to receive explicit patient consent for all procedures and exams performed under anesthesia by medical students or for training purposes.
• The state House and Senate are currently recessed.  They will return to Harrisburg on Monday, April 24 following the conclusion of budget hearings.

Department of Human Services

• The Department of Human Services (DHS) has announced updates of the Medical Assistance fee schedule that will take effect on April 1.  Find the affected fees in this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.
• DHS has issued a Medical Assistance Bulletin to inform providers that it has added CPT code 0044A to the Medical Assistance fee schedule for the administration of the booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by Novavax.  The new code takes effect immediately.  Learn more from this Medical Assistance Bulletin.
• DHS has updated its calendar of mailing dates for Remittance Advices and corresponding electronic transfers and checks into early May.  Find the updated calendar here.
• DHS has shared information for its community partners to use when helping their current Medicaid patients complete the process of renewing their Medicaid eligibility.  The information includes key dates, web addresses and phone numbers for further information, links to FAQs, and more.  Go here to find these resources.
• DHS’s Medical Assistance Advisory Committee met on March 23.  See the presentations delivered by the following DHS offices:
  • Office of Medical Assistance Programs
  • Office of Long-Term Living
  • Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
  • Office of Developmental Programs
• DHS has issued its report on Medicaid managed care enrollment in Pennsylvania for the month of February.
• DHS has updated its list of companies that participate in its Medicaid drug rebate program.

Department of Health

• The Department of Health has added Mucopolysaccharidosis Type II Disorder (MPS II) screening to the supplemental conditions mandated for screening and follow-up under the state’s newborn screening program effective July 1.  Learn more from this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.
• The Department of Health, which last month joined the Department of Agriculture and Department of Environmental Protection in establishing a temporary physical presence in Darlington Township, Beaver County to assist residents affected by the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, has announced that the three departments will maintain a weekly presence there to continue addressing the needs and concerns of local residents.  Learn more about when the departments will be on site and what services they will offer from this Department of Health news release.

Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs

The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs has announced an expansion of its free substance use disorder prevention and education tool “Just Five.”  Learn more about the expansion of this tool and its new components from this Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs news release.

COVID-19:  By the Numbers           

• The number of new COVID-19 cases reported in Pennsylvania fell 26 percent last week after 19 percent declines in each of the two previous weeks.  The number of weekly deaths is holding steady.
• In the past week the state surpassed 2.9 million confirmed cases of COVID-19; another 637,000 cases are considered “probable.”
• According to the Department of Health, the number of Pennsylvanians hospitalized with COVID-19 fell 10 percent last week after falling 14 percent the previous week and 16 percent the week before that.  The number of COVID-19 patients on ventilators rose slightly in the past week and the number in hospital ICUs fell slightly.
• The CDC reports a 10 percent decline in the seven-day daily average of new hospital admissions in Pennsylvania because of COVID-19 after an 18 percent decline the previous week and a 13 percent decline the week before that.
• For the week ending March 22, one Pennsylvania county (Sullivan) experienced a low rate of community transmission of COVID-19; 28 counties experienced a moderate rate of community transmission of COVID-19; 23 counties experienced a substantial rate of community transmission; and 15 counties experienced a high rate of community transmission.

Stakeholder Events

DHS – Medical Assistance Advisory Committee – Managed Long-Term Services and Supports Subcommittee Meeting April 5

The Medical Assistance Advisory Committee’s managed long-term services and support subcommittee will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, April 5 at 10:00 in Harrisburg.  For information about how to join the meeting in person or participate remotely, see this DHS notice.

Department of Health – Spinal Cord Research Advisory Committee Meeting – April 10

The Department of Health’s Spinal Cord Research Advisory Committee will meet in Sellersville and be available for participants virtually on Monday, April 1 at 1:00.  For information about the committee, the location of the meeting, and how to join virtually, see this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

 Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs – Adolescent ASAM Criteria – May 16

The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs is offering training on adolescent ASAM criteria, to be delivered virtually, for participants who already understand the foundational aspects of the ASAM criteria.  The purpose of this training is to explore and discuss the adolescent-specific aspects of the ASAM criteria and offer participants a practical focus through lecture, real-world clinical vignettes, and case studies.  The program will be held on May 16 at 8:30.  Continuing education credits are available.  Learn more about the program, including requirements for participation and how to join, from this Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs notice.  Please note that this program is identical to one offered on March 9.