SNAPShots

SNAPShots

About jsteinbock

This author has not yet filled in any details.
So far jsteinbock has created 121 blog entries.

PA Health Policy Update for Friday, September 23

The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania for the week of September 19-23, 2022.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents.)

General Assembly

The state House and Senate convened for voting session this week.  The following is an overview of certain health-related legislative activity.

  • The House of Representatives unanimously passed House Bill 2425, which requires the Department of Health or Department of Human Services to report allegations of older adult abuse to local area agencies on aging and the Department of Aging.  The bill was received in the Senate and referred to the Aging & Youth Committee.
  • The House unanimously passed House Bill 2806, which requires DHS to establish a public awareness campaign about programs and services available for first responders, health care workers, other frontline workers, and their families experiencing mental health issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The bill was received in the Senate and referred to the Health & Human Services Committee.
  • The House passed House Bill 2800, which amends the Medical Practice Act to address an issue related to the licensure of prosthetists, orthotists, pedorthists, and orthotic fitters in Pennsylvania. The bill was received in the Senate and referred to the Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure Committee.
  • The House Insurance Committee unanimously reported out of committee Senate Bill 225, which seeks to streamline and standardize the process for prior authorization of medical services.
  • The House Children & Youth Committee favorably reported Senate Bill 522, which requires all pregnant women and children in Pennsylvania to receive blood tests to detect lead poisoning.
  • The Senate Health & Human Services Committee held an informational hearing to examine the tick crisis in Pennsylvania.  A recording of the hearing and witness testimony may be viewed here.
  • The Senate Banking & Insurance Committee favorably reported Senate Bill 1330, which requires insurance coverage for genetic counseling and genetic testing for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutation if a person is diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer or has a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, and Senate Bill 1225, which provides enhanced coverage of MRIs and ultrasounds for women with certain risk factors.
  • The Senate Judiciary Committee favorably reported House Bill 1393, which seeks to prevent overdose deaths by legalizing fentanyl test strips for personal use, and House Bill 2527, which expands Pennsylvania’s “Good Samaritan” law to cover all opioid reversal medicines approved by the FDA.

The Senate will reconvene on Monday, October 17 and the House on Monday, October 24.

Department of Human Services

  • The Department of Human Services (DHS) has published two Pennsylvania Bulletin notices about FY 2023 Medicaid disproportionate share (Medicaid DSH) payments:
  • The first notice conveys DHS’s intention to make $257.760 million in total (state and federal) payments upon approval by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for inpatient DSH, outpatient supplemental, and direct medical education payments based on the current state plan qualification criteria and distribution methodologies.
  • The second notice is DHS’s annual publication listing each facility qualifying for certain disproportionate share hospital payments.
  • DHS has posted information about how new providers and those reactivating a service location that has been closed for two years or longer can obtain an electronic provider enrollment application from the PROMISe provider portal landing page.  Go here to learn more.
  • DHS has issued a Medical Assistance Bulletin to announce that the Medical Assistance program will cover vaccine counseling visits for beneficiaries under the age of 21 for vaccines provided through the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) benefit even when no vaccines are administered.  This policy took effect on September 20.  Find that bulletin here.
  • DHS has issued a Medical Assistance Bulletin to announce the annual update of the Medical Assistance program’s EPSDT Program Periodicity Schedule and Coding Matrix.  The update took effect on September 19.  Find that bulletin here.
  • DHS has issued a Medical Assistance Bulletin to inform providers that the Medical Assistance program will cover COVID-19 vaccine counseling visits for beneficiaries under 21 even when a COVID-19 vaccine is not administered.  Go here to learn more.
  • DHS has issued a Medical Assistance Bulletin to inform Medical Assistance providers that it has added CPT codes 0041A and 0042A to the Medical Assistance program fee schedule for the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by Novavax.  The update is effective as of July 13.  Find that bulletin here.
  • DHS has published a notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin announcing the addition of procedure codes to the Medical Assistance program fee schedule for specific dental services, effective with dates of service on and after May 2.  Find that notice here.
  • DHS has published a notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin announcing the addition of procedure codes to the Medical Assistance program fee schedule for the provision of private duty nursing services provided through home health agencies to Medical Assistance beneficiaries under 21 years of age effective with dates of service on and after October 1.  Find that notice here.
  • DHS has announced the proposed assessment amount, the proposed assessment methodology, and the estimated aggregate impact on nursing facilities that will be subject to the state’s nursing facility assessment program beginning in FY 2023.  Specifically, DHS proposes modifying the assessment methodology by including in the lower rate tier nursing facilities with at least 90,000 Medical Assistance days and with an overall occupancy rate of 77 percent or higher based on calendar year 2021 resident days and also calling for a uniform $3.76 increase of the 2022 assessment rates for both tiers.  Learn more from this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.
  • DHS’s Medical Assistance Advisory Committee has shared the presentations made during its September 22 meeting by its

It also has published a list of Medical Assistance Bulletins issued since its June 23 meeting.

  • DHS has received an estimated $12 million from the federal government for the Money Follows the Person program to continue to support new and existing activities that meet the criteria for that program’s funding.  The Money Follows the Person program enables states to leverage federal funding to help Medicaid beneficiaries who live in institutions receive services they need in community settings instead.  Learn more about the funding and the specific purposes for which it is currently being used from this DHS news release.

COVID-19:  By the Numbers

  • The weekly average of newly reported COVID-19 cases in Pennsylvania and COVID-related deaths continues to hold relatively steady:  roughly 2500 new daily cases and 20 new deaths with weekly variances of about 10 percent.
  • To date, Pennsylvania has registered 2.7 million confirmed cases of COVID-19, 570,000 probable cases, and more than 47,000 deaths from the disease.
  • The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 and in hospital ICUs and on ventilators because of the virus also remains relatively unchanged.
  • According to the CDC, the seven-day moving average of new hospital admissions for COVID-19 in Pennsylvania was 195 admissions a day over the past week.
  • Sixty-six of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties continue to have a high rate of community transmission of COVID-19.  Philadelphia County is currently experiencing “only” a substantial rate.

Monkeypox

  • DHS has published a notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin announcing the addition of procedure codes to the Medical Assistance program fee schedule for use when billing for diagnostic laboratory testing for the orthopoxvirus and for the administration of monkeypox vaccines effective with dates of service on and after July 26.  Find that notice here.
  • The CDC has posted an updated map showing the distribution of 23,364 confirmed cases of monkeypox in the U.S. as of September 21, up only slightly from 23,117 cases on September 15.  713 of those cases were in Pennsylvania, up from 684 a week ago.
  • As of September 19, 446 of those Pennsylvania monkeypox cases were in Philadelphia.  Learn more about monkeypox in Philadelphia from the city Department of Public Health’s monkeypox web page.

Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4)

PHC4 has released a new report about the performance of Pennsylvania hospitals for four types of cardiac procedures:  coronary artery bypass graft, percutaneous coronary intervention for a heart attack, percutaneous coronary intervention without a heart attack, and transcatheter aortic valve replacement.  The report includes hospital ratings for in-hospital mortality, seven-, 30-, and 90-day readmissions, and extended post-operative length of stay.  It also documents case volumes, hospital charges, and statewide trends and offers other statistics.  To find PHC4’s news release on the report, a summary, the report itself, downloadable data sets, information about Medicare payments, and more, go here.

Stakeholder Events

Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council – Special Executive Committee Meeting – September 26

The Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4) has scheduled a meeting of its Special Executive Committee on Monday, September 26 at 3:00.  The meeting will be held virtually. An agenda will be available here 24 hours in advance.  Contact rgreenawalt@phc4.org at least 24 hours in advance for participation instructions.

Department of Health – Health Research Advisory Committee Meeting – October 3

The Department of Health’s Health Research Advisory Committee will meet virtually on Monday, October 3 at 10:00 to hold a formal vote on upcoming priorities.  Learn more about the meeting and how to participate from this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

DHS – Medical Assistance Advisory Committee – Managed Long-Term Services and Supports Subcommittee Meeting – October 4

The Medical Assistance Advisory Committee’s managed long-term services and supports subcommittee will meet in Harrisburg on Tuesday, October 4 at 10:00; interested parties also may participate virtually.  For information about the location of the meeting or to register to participate virtually, see this DHS notice.

Department of Human Services Preventing Workplace Injuries – October 6

DHS’s Long-Term Care Learning Network, part of its quality strategy for nursing facilities, is offering in collaboration with the Community HealthChoices managed care organizations and the Jewish Healthcare Foundation a webinar on “Protecting and Preserving our Workforce by Preventing Common Injuries” among health care workers on Thursday, October 6 at 2:00.  Learn more about the webinar and how to register to participate from this notice.

DHS – Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and Office of Developmental Programs – Suicide Prevention – October 21

The Department of Human Services’ Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) and the Office of Developmental Programs will host a quarterly “Statewide Positive Approaches & Practices” meeting that will share the most recent research and resources to help people with mental health and behavioral challenges, intellectual disabilities, autism, and other developmental disabilities live everyday lives.  The specific subject of the meeting, to be held on Friday, October 21 at 9:00, will be suicide prevention and intervention.  Find the meeting agenda and information about how to register to participate from this DHS notice.

Department of Health – Pennsylvania Achieving Better Care by Monitoring All Prescriptions Board – October 25

The Department of Health’s Pennsylvania Achieving Better Care by Monitoring All Prescriptions Board will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, October 25 at 9:30.  The meeting location will depend on COVID-19 mitigation efforts at that time.  If the meeting can be held in person it will be in Room 129 in the Pennsylvania Health and Welfare Building at 625 Forster Street in Harrisburg.  If the meeting is held virtually it will be held at bit.ly/ABC_MAP.  To dial in, call 267-332-8737, conference ID 440 338 696#.  Learn more from this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

 

PA Health Policy Update for Friday, September 16

The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania for the week of September 12-16, 2022.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents.)

General Assembly

The state House convened for voting session this week.  The following is an overview of selected health-related legislative activity.

  • The House unanimously passed House Bill 1630, which grants the Pennsylvania Auditor General the authority to audit managed care contracts and subcontracts with pharmacy benefit managers in Medicaid.  The bill was received in the Senate and referred to the Health & Human Services Committee.
  • The House unanimously passed House Bill 1693, which requires nursing home residents to be notified at the time of their admission that they have the option of having legal representation to assist with applying for Medicaid benefits.  The bill will now be sent to the Senate.
  • The House Insurance Committee favorably reported Senate Bill 1201, which ensures coverage for early refills of prescription eye drops at 70 percent of the original prescription price, and House Bill 2499, which adopts the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ model law requiring insurers, with exceptions for small insurers, to conduct an annual risk assessment.
  • The House Professional Licensure Committee favorably reported House Bill 2800, which amends the Medical Practice Act to address an issue related to the licensure of prosthetists, orthotists, pedorthists, and orthotic fitters in Pennsylvania.
  • The House Republican Policy Committee held an informational meeting on Monday to examine the Supreme Court’s recent decision to eliminate the existing requirement that a medical professional liability action may only be filed in the county in which the cause of action occurred.  A recording of the meeting and testimony submitted to the committee may be viewed here.
  • The House Human Services Committee favorably reported House Bill 2686, as amended, which establishes a grant program to support the start-up costs of a behavioral health collaborative care model in medical practices.
  • The House Children & Youth Committee held an informational meeting this week to examine “Child & Adolescent Fatality Trends & Community Responses.”  A video recording of the hearing may be viewed here.

The state House and Senate will be in session next Monday (9/19), Tuesday (9/20), and Wednesday (9/21).  The following is an overview of selected health-related committee meetings next week.

  • The House Insurance Committee will convene on Tuesday, September 20 at 10:00 a.m. to consider Senate Bill 225, which seeks to streamline and standardize the process for prior authorization of medical services.
  • The Senate Health & Human Services Committee will hold an informational hearing on Tuesday, September 20 at 11:00 a.m. on the tick crisis in Pennsylvania.
  • The House and Senate Democratic Policy Committees will hold a joint hearing on Friday, September 23 to discuss Senate Bill 860 and House Bill 1848 and the need for Pennsylvania to establish a statewide rape-kit tracking system.

Department of Human Services

  • The Department of Human Services (DHS) has issued a Medical Assistance Bulletin notifying providers of updates to the Medical Assistance program fee schedule for adult vaccines.  Find the bulletin here.
  • DHS has extended its calendar for remittance advice (RA) electronic transfer and mailing dates into November.  Find the updated calendar here.
  • DHS has published information about improvements in how providers can update their enrollment summary in the state’s PROMISe provider internet portal.  Find the notice here.
  • DHS has revised its list of drug companies participating in the state’s Medicaid drug rebate program.  Find the updated list here.
  • In July, DHS proposed new regulations governing the delivery of psychiatric rehabilitation services, and in particular, on the use of telehealth in the delivery of those services.  Now, Pennsylvania’s Independent Regulatory Review Commission has published its analysis of the proposed regulation and shared comments submitted by stakeholders in response to the proposed changes.  Find the commission’s analysis and stakeholder comments in this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.
  • DHS has issued a Medical Assistance Bulletin to announce that it has issued an updated School-Based ACCESS Program provider handbook.  Find that bulletin and the updated handbook here.
  • DHS has posted a notice announcing to stakeholders that it has not yet calculated Medicaid hospice rates for FY 2023 and explaining its process for completing those calculations and notifying affected parties.  Find that notice here.

Behavioral Health Commission for Adult Mental Health

The Behavioral Health Commission for Adult Mental Health created to develop recommendations for how to allocate $100 million appropriated for adult mental health purposes in the state’s FY 2023 budget held its fourth public meeting this week.  The first part of the meeting focused on workforce development issues, with participants identifying the biggest challenges in workforce development as recruitment, retention, licensing, lack of funding for loan repayment and salary increases, lack of career pathways and pipelines, and burnout.

After additional discussion, commission members decided they should organize their spending recommendations into four categories:  workforce ($37 million of the $100 million available), expanding services ($36.7 million), criminal justice ($23.3 million), and other ($3 million); they also discussed priorities within each category.  The commission’s final report and recommendations should be presented to the legislature next week but no money will be spent until the General Assembly, which will only meet a few more days this year, specifically authorizes it.  Learn more about the Behavioral Health Commission for Adult Mental Health from its section of the DHS web site.

Department of Health

The Department of Health has notified licensed providers that although the CDC now considers individuals up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations only if they have had a dose of the new bivalent booster shot, providers should continue to consider individuals up to date if they have received either a monovalent or bivalent booster shot on the recommended schedule.   Learn more from the Department of Health’s letter to providers.

COVID-19:  By the Numbers

  • The weekly average of newly reported COVID-19 cases in Pennsylvania and COVID-related deaths continues to hold relatively steady.
  • The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 and in hospital ICUs and on ventilators because of the virus also remains relatively unchanged.
  • According to the CDC, 74.5 percent of Pennsylvanians five years of age and older are now vaccinated.
  • Sixty-five of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties continue to have a high rate of community transmission of COVID-19.  Delaware and Philadelphia counties are currently experiencing “only” substantial rates.

Monkeypox

The CDC has posted an updated map showing the distribution of 23,117 confirmed cases of monkeypox in the U.S. as of September 15, up from 21,504 cases on September 1.  684 of those cases were in Pennsylvania, up from 624 a week ago.

Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs

The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs is offering online training on substance use disorder confidentiality.  This updated training incorporates changes based on passage of Pennsylvania Act 33, the Pennsylvania Drug and Alcohol Abuse Control Act, in July.  Learn how to receive the training from this Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs notice.  Participants can earn PCB continuing education credits.

Stakeholder Events

DHS – Medical Assistance Advisory Committee Consumer Subcommittee – September 21

The consumer subcommittee of DHS’s Medical Assistance Advisory Committee will meet virtually on Wednesday, September 21 at 1:00.  Go here to register to participate.

DHS – Medical Assistance Advisory Committee – September 22

DHS’s Medical Assistance Advisory Committee will meet virtually on Thursday, September 22 at 10:00.  Go here to register to participate.

Department of Health – Infant Hearing Screening Advisory Committee – September 22

The Department of Health’s Infant Hearing Screening Advisory Committee will hold a virtual public meeting on Thursday, September 22 at 1:00.  For information about how to participate, see this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

Pennsylvania Rare Disease Advisory Council Stakeholder Summit – September 22

The Rare Disease Advisory Council will hold a stakeholder summit on Thursday, September 22.  The summit will feature panels on gene therapy, newborn screening, and the results of the council’s Patient Needs Assessment Survey.  Learn more about the stakeholder summit here.

Department of Human Services – Special Populations/Dementia Issues September 22

DHS’s Long-Term Care Learning Network, part of its quality strategy for nursing facilities, is offering in collaboration with the Community HealthChoices managed care organizations and the Jewish Healthcare Foundation a webinar on how facilities can help community members understand what dementia is, how it affects people, and how individuals can make a difference in the lives of those touched by dementia.  The webinar, to be held on Thursday, September 22 at 2:00, is especially recommended for community liaisons, non-clinical teams, nurse educators, service coordinators, and volunteers.  Learn more from this webinar notice.

DHS – Medical Assistance Advisory Committee – Managed Long-Term Services and Supports Subcommittee Meeting – October 4

The Medical Assistance Advisory Committee’s managed long-term services and supports subcommittee will meet in Harrisburg on Tuesday, October 4 at 10:00; interested parties also may participate virtually.  For information about the location of the meeting or to register to participate virtually, see this DHS notice.

DHS – Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and Office of Developmental Programs – Suicide Prevention – October 21

The Department of Human Services’ Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) and the Office of Developmental Programs will host a quarterly “Statewide Positive Approaches & Practices” meeting that will share the most recent research and resources to help people with mental health and behavioral challenges, intellectual disabilities, autism, and other developmental disabilities live everyday lives.  The specific subject of the meeting, to be held on Friday, October 21 at 9:00, will be suicide prevention and intervention.  Find the meeting agenda and information about how to register to participate from this DHS notice.

Department of Health – Pennsylvania Achieving Better Care by Monitoring All Prescriptions Board – October 25

The Department of Health’s Pennsylvania Achieving Better Care by Monitoring All Prescriptions Board will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, October 25 at 9:30.  The meeting location will depend on COVID-19 mitigation efforts at that time.  If the meeting can be held in person it will be in Room 129 in the Pennsylvania Health and Welfare Building at 625 Forster Street in Harrisburg.  If the meeting is held virtually it will be held at bit.ly/ABC_MAP.  To dial in, call 267-332-8737, conference ID 440 338 696#.  Learn more from this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

 

PA Health Policy Update for Friday, September 9

The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania for the week of September 6-9, 2022.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents.)

House Chamber of the State HouseGeneral Assembly

The state House will return to session on Monday, September 12.  The following is an overview of certain health-related committee meetings next week.

  • The House Insurance Committee will meet on Monday, September 12 at 11:00 to consider Senate Bill 1201, which ensures coverage for early refills of prescription eye drops at 70 percent of the original prescription price, and House Bill 2499, which adopts the National Association of Insurance Commissioners model law requiring insurers, with exceptions for small insurers, to conduct an annual risk assessment.
  • The House Professional Licensure Committee will convene on Monday, September 12 at 11:00 to consider, among other measures, House Bill 2800, which amends the Medical Practice Act to address an issue related to the licensure of prosthetists, orthotists, pedorthists, and orthotic fitters in Pennsylvania.
  • The House Republican Policy Committee will hold an informational hearing on Monday, September 12 at 11:00 to examine the Supreme Court’s recent decision to eliminate the existing requirement that a medical professional liability action may only be filed in the county in which the cause of action occurred.
  • The House Human Services Committee will meet on Monday, September 12 at 11:15 to consider House Bill 2686, which establishes a grant program to support the start-up costs of a behavioral health collaborative care model in medical practices.
  • The House Children & Youth Committee will hold an informational meeting on Wednesday, September 14 at 10:00 to examine “Child & Adolescent Fatality Trends & Community Responses.”

Department of Human Services

The Department of Human Services has issued a Medical Assistance Bulletin to notify dentists of updates to the Medical Assistance program dental fee schedule and the program’s Dental PROMISe™ Provider Handbook.  Find the bulletin here.

The Department of Human Services has updated its Pennsylvania Medicaid Managed Care Organization (MCO) Directory.

Department of Health

The Department of Health has written to administrators of long-term-care facilities to encourage them to participate in the state’s Long-term Care Resiliency Infrastructure Supports & Empowerment (LTC-RISE) initiative as a strategy to build workforce resiliency and combat burnout that has resulted from the pandemic.  Find the letter to administrators here and learn more about LTC-RISE and find contact information for LTC-RISE programs serving individual Pennsylvania regions here.

COVID-19:  By the Numbers

Monkeypox

  • The CDC has posted an updated map showing the distribution of 21,504 confirmed cases of monkeypox in the U.S. as of September 8, up from 19,465 cases on September 1.  624 of those cases were in Pennsylvania, up from 561 a week ago.
  • As of September 6, 380 of those Pennsylvania monkeypox cases were in Philadelphia, up from 257 a week ago.  Learn more about monkeypox in Philadelphia from the city Department of Public Health’s digital monkeypox dashboard.

Stakeholder Events

DHS – Assessing and Managing Key Conditions in Long-Term Care – September 15

DHS’s Long-Term Care Learning Network, part of its quality strategy for nursing facilities, is offering in collaboration with the Community HealthChoices managed care organizations and the Jewish Healthcare Foundation a webinar on enhancing skills to assess and manage key conditions in long-term care.  The webinar, to be held on Thursday, September 15 at 2:00, will feature best practices from nursing facilities across the state.  This webinar also offers continuing education units for RNs, MDs, and social workers.  Learn more about the webinar and how to participate from this announcement.

Pennsylvania Cancer Control, Prevention and Research Advisory Board – September 15

The Pennsylvania Cancer Control, Prevention and Research Advisory Board will meet virtually on Thursday, September 15 at 8:30.  In addition, the Pennsylvania Cancer Coalition and the Data Advisory Committee will be holding their meetings at this time.  The purpose of these meetings is to discuss board updates and Pennsylvania Cancer Plan implementation activities.  Learn how to participate virtually from this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

DHS – Behavioral Health Commission for Adult Mental Health – September 16

DHS’s Behavioral Health Commission for Adult Mental Health will meet on Friday, September 16 at 9:00.  Interested parties can attend in person (in Harrisburg) or virtually.  Go here for information on how to participate in the meeting.

DHS – Medical Assistance Advisory Committee Consumer Subcommittee – September 21

The consumer subcommittee of DHS’s Medical Assistance Advisory Committee will meet virtually on Wednesday, September 21 at 1:00.  Go here to register to participate.

DHS – Medical Assistance Advisory Committee – September 22

DHS’s Medical Assistance Advisory Committee will meet virtually on Thursday, September 22 at 10:00.  Go here to register to participate.

Department of Health – Infant Hearing Screening Advisory Committee – September 22

The Department of Health’s Infant Hearing Screening Advisory Committee will hold a virtual public meeting on Thursday, September 22 at 1:00.  For information about how to participate, see this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

Department of Health – Pennsylvania Achieving Better Care by Monitoring All Prescriptions Board – October 25

The Department of Health’s Pennsylvania Achieving Better Care by Monitoring All Prescriptions Board will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, October 25 at 9:30.  The meeting location will depend on COVID-19 mitigation efforts at that time.  If the meeting can be held in person it will be in Room 129 in the Pennsylvania Health and Welfare Building at 625 Forster Street in Harrisburg.  If the meeting is held virtually it will be held at bit.ly/ABC_MAP.  To dial in, call 267-332-8737, conference ID 440 338 696#.  Learn more from this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

2022-09-09T21:12:39+00:00September 9th, 2022|COVID-19, long-term care, Medical Assistance Bulletin, Pennsylvania Bulletin, Pennsylvania Medicaid, Pennsylvania Medicaid policy|Comments Off on PA Health Policy Update for Friday, September 9

PA Health Law Project Newsletter

The Pennsylvania Health Law Project has published its August 2022 Health Law News newsletter.

Included in this month’s issue are articles about:

  • Pennsylvania Medicaid beneficiaries who have been auto-assigned to a HealthChoices plan
  • an upcoming deadline for dual-eligible (Medicare and Medicaid) individuals to change Medicare plans
  • an introduction to the state’s new “Whole Home Repair Program” for low- and middle-income families
  • the new National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Read about these subjects and more in the Pennsylvania Health Law Project’s August 2022 newsletter.

2022-09-07T15:38:12+00:00September 7th, 2022|HealthChoices, Pennsylvania Medicaid, Pennsylvania Medicaid policy|Comments Off on PA Health Law Project Newsletter

PA Health Policy Update for Friday, September 2

The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania for the week of August 29-September 2, 2022.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents.)

Revenue Collection Update

The Department of Revenue has released its monthly revenue update for August.  General Fund revenue collection exceeded estimate by $63.8 million, or 2.3 percent, for the month.  Fiscal year-to-date General Fund collections total $5.6 billion, which is $60.4 million, or 1.1 percent, above estimate.

Department of Human Services

  • The Department of Human Services (DHS) has published a Medical Assistance Bulletin to notify providers of updates to the Medical Assistance fee schedule for adult vaccines.  Find the bulletin here.
  • DHS has published a Medical Assistance Bulletin to expand the scope of eligible providers that may render certain services to include psychiatric outpatient clinics, outpatient drug and alcohol clinics, and physicians and to add behavioral health providers to certain procedure codes and make other procedure code changes.  Find the bulletin here.
  • DHS has published a Medical Assistance Bulletin to announce changes to the Medical Assistance fee schedule, including changes resulting from the implementation of the 2022 Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) procedure codes updates.  In addition, it also is adding other procedure codes and making changes to procedure codes currently on the Medical Assistance fee schedule, including setting limitations and prior authorization requirements.  These changes are effective for dates of service on and after August 29, 2022.  Find the bulletin here.
  • DHS has published a Medical Assistance Bulletin to inform Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics of updates to the Medical Assistance fee schedule for the distribution of take-home supplies of nasal or injectable naloxone to Medicaid
    beneficiaries.  Find the bulletin here.
  • DHS has published brief notices addressing extra recoupments it has returned to some providers and provider enrollment summary enhancements.
  • DHS has posted federal financial participation rate changes and continued billing requirements for community support service providers.  Find the notice here.
  • DHS has posted HealthChoices enrollment and Medical Assistance Transportation Program utilization data for July.  Find the information here.

Department of Health

  • The Department of Health (DOH) has updated its “Innovative Hospital Model” guidance to make requested changes about locations eligible to operate outpatient emergency departments.  Find that updated information here.
  • DOH has revised its guidance for contacting the Division of Acute and Ambulatory Care prior to an event or change that requires advance notification, such as addition of new equipment or occupancy.  The updated guidance includes email subjects that providers should use when sending these notices to expedite review by the Division of Acute and Ambulatory Care.  Find the updated guidance here.
  • DOH’s annual Pennsylvania Long Term Care Questionnaire is now open until Friday, October 28.  Providers that have not received an email containing login information and instructions should contact Thomas Gavrish at tgavrish@pa.gov.
  • DOH will offer free potassium iodide, or KI, tablets on Thursday, September 15 to Pennsylvanians who are within 10 miles of the state’s four active nuclear power plants as part of routine preventive efforts in case of future emergencies.  Learn more from this department news release.

COVID-19:  By the Numbers

Monkeypox

  • DHS has published a Medical Assistance Bulletin to advise providers of the addition of procedure codes to use when billing for diagnostic laboratory testing for the orthopoxvirus and for the administration of the monkeypox vaccines.  Find the bulletin here.
  • The CDC has posted an updated map showing the distribution of 19,465 confirmed cases of monkeypox in the U.S. as of September 1, up from 16,926 cases on August 25.  561 of those cases were in Pennsylvania, up from 465 a week ago.
  • As of August 29, 327 of those Pennsylvania monkeypox cases were in Philadelphia, up from 257 a week ago.  Learn more about monkeypox in Philadelphia from the city Department of Public Health’s digital monkeypox dashboard.

Stakeholder Events

Department of Human Services – Mental and Behavioral Health Considerations for Long-Term Care – September 8

DHS’s Long-Term Care Learning Network, part of its quality strategy for nursing facilities, is offering in collaboration with the Community HealthChoices managed care organizations and the Jewish Healthcare Foundation a webinar on mental and behavioral health considerations for long-term care on Thursday, September 8 at 2:00.  This presentation will explore the most common behavioral health diagnoses seen among residents living in nursing facilities and will share approaches to managing appropriate use of psychotropic medication and best practices around deprescribing.  Learn more about the event and how to participate from this notice.

Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council – September 8

The Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4) will meet virtually on Thursday, September 8 at 10:00.  Agendas will be available here 24 hours.  The public is invited to participate. Contact rgreenawalt@phc4.org at least 24 hours in advance for participation instructions.

Patient Safety Authority – September 8

The Patient Safety Authority will meet virtually on Thursday, September 22 at 1:00.  For information about how to participate, see this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

DHS – Medical Assistance Advisory Committee Consumer Subcommittee – September 21

The consumer subcommittee of DHS’s Medical Assistance Advisory Committee will meet virtually on Wednesday, September 21 at 1:00.  Go here to register to participate.

DHS – Medical Assistance Advisory Committee – September 22

DHS’s Medical Assistance Advisory Committee will meet virtually on Thursday, September 22 at 10:00.  Go here to register to participate.

Department of Health – Pennsylvania Achieving Better Care by Monitoring All Prescriptions Board – October 25

The Department of Health’s Pennsylvania Achieving Better Care by Monitoring All Prescriptions Board will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, October 25 at 9:30.  The meeting location will depend on COVID-19 mitigation efforts at that time.  If the meeting can be held in person it will be in Room 129 in the Pennsylvania Health and Welfare Building at 625 Forster Street in Harrisburg.  If the meeting is held virtually it will be held at bit.ly/ABC_MAP.  To dial in, call 267-332-8737, conference ID 440 338 696#.  Learn more from this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

 

2022-09-02T18:45:52+00:00September 2nd, 2022|COVID-19, HealthChoices, Medical Assistance Bulletin, Meetings and notices, Pennsylvania Bulletin, Pennsylvania Medicaid, Pennsylvania Medicaid policy|Comments Off on PA Health Policy Update for Friday, September 2

PA Health Policy Update for Friday, August 26

The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania for the week of August 22-26, 2022.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents.)

Governor Wolf

In the wake of the governor’s signing of Act 54, the Wolf administration has written to institutional facilities and programs that will receive American Rescue Plan Act funding.  Among the recipients will be nursing facilities, personal care homes, assisted living residences, home- and community-based providers, and LIFE programs.  The correspondence outlines how much funding has been allocated to each category of recipient, notes any tasks recipients may need to complete to receive their money, explains that recipients should know how much they will receive before their money arrives, and notes that payments will be made during the fall of 2022.  Find the communication here.

The Courts

The state Supreme Court has issued an order amending the Pennsylvania Rules on Civil Procedure governing venue for medical malpractice.  The amendment eliminates the existing requirement that a medical professional liability action may only be filed in the county in which the cause of action occurred.  The court’s order, amendment, and the Civil Procedural Rules Committee adoption report may be viewed here.  It will take effect January 1, 2023.

Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Court has ordered the state’s Department of Health to make public information about how many medical marijuana patients have been authorized by the state to use cannabis to treat an opioid addiction.  Learn more from the Commonwealth Court decision.

Department of Health

The Department of Health announced in this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice that it will adopt the 2022 edition of the Guidelines for Design and Construction of Hospitals and Guidelines for Design and Construction of Outpatient Facilities (Guidelines) to set the standard for renovation and constructions at hospitals and ambulatory surgery facilities effective February 1, 2023.  The department had previously adopted the 2018 Guidelines and will permit hospitals and ambulatory surgical facilities to elect to use either the 2018 or 2022 Guidelines from August 1, 2022, until January 31, 2023.  After February 1, 2023, the 2022 Guidelines must be used.

The Department of Health announced details on how it will implement the Cytomegalovirus Education and Newborn Screening Act that was signed into law on June 27, 2022 in this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs

The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs has issued an information bulletin implementing Act 33, which Governor Wolf signed on July 7 and took effect immediately.  Act 33 makes significant changes in the confidentiality provisions for substance use disorder treatment records under Pennsylvania law and in the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs’ enforcement of those provisions.  Find the bulletin here.

Auditor General

The Pennsylvania Department of the Auditor General announced the release of tobacco settlement fund audits for 22 health care facilities in Allegheny, Berks, Bucks, Chester, Clarion, Cumberland, Dauphin, Luzerne, Montour, Montgomery, Philadelphia, Schuylkill, Washington, Westmoreland, and York counties.

COVID-19:  By the Numbers

Monkeypox

The Department of Health has established a “what you need to know about monkeypox” web page.  Find it here.

The CDC has posted an updated map showing the distribution of 16,926 confirmed cases of monkeypox in the U.S. as of August 25.  465 of those cases were in Pennsylvania.

As of August 22, 257 of those Pennsylvania monkeypox cases – more than half of them – were in Philadelphia.  Learn more about monkeypox in Philadelphia from the city Department of Public Health’s digital monkeypox dashboard.

Stakeholder Events

Department of Human Services – Improving Resident Relationships in Long-Term Care– September 1

DHS’s Long-Term Care Learning Network, part of its quality strategy for nursing facilities, is offering in collaboration with the Community HealthChoices managed care organizations and the Jewish Healthcare Foundation a webinar on improving resident relationships in long-term-care facilities.  The webinar will seek to educate staff about the prevalence of resident-to-resident aggression in nursing facilities and teach webinar participants how to recognize and address it in their facilities.  The webinar will be held on Thursday, September 1 at 2:00.  Learn more about the webinar and how to participate from this notice.

Behavioral Health Commission for Adult Mental Health – September 1

The next meeting of the Behavioral Health Commission for Adult Mental Health will take place on September 1 from 1:00-6:30.  Interested individuals may attend in person or virtually.  Go here to learn more about the participation options.

Department of Health – Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Community Prevention Planning Committee – September 7-8

The Statewide HIV Planning Group will hold a public meeting at the Best Western Premier Central Hotel and Conference Center, 800 East Park Drive, Harrisburg, PA on Wednesday, September 7, 2022, and Thursday, September 8, 2022, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Learn more from this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

Department of Health – Pennsylvania Achieving Better Care by Monitoring All Prescriptions Board – October 25

The Department of Health’s Pennsylvania Achieving Better Care by Monitoring All Prescriptions Board will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, October 25 at 9:30.  The meeting location will depend on COVID-19 mitigation efforts at that time.  If the meeting can be held in person it will be in Room 129 in the Pennsylvania Health and Welfare Building at 625 Forster Street in Harrisburg.  If the meeting is held virtually it will be held at bit.ly/ABC_MAP.  To dial in, call 267-332-8737, conference ID 440 338 696#.  Learn more from this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

 

 

 

2022-08-29T15:44:30+00:00August 29th, 2022|COVID-19, Meetings and notices, Pennsylvania Bulletin, Pennsylvania Medicaid, Pennsylvania Medicaid policy|Comments Off on PA Health Policy Update for Friday, August 26

PA Health Policy Update for Friday, August 19

The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania for the week of August 15-19, 2022.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents.)

Governor Wolf

Governor Wolf signed Executive Order 2022-2, directing state agencies to discourage conversion therapy in the commonwealth.  It directs agencies update policies and procedures to better support LGBTQIA+ employees and Pennsylvanians.  It also directs the Department of Human Services (DHS), the Insurance Department, the Department of State, and other appropriate agencies to explore and implement all options to ensure that state funds, programs, contracts, and other resources are not used for the purposes of providing, authorizing, endorsing, reimbursing for, or referring for conversion therapy, to the extent permitted by law.

Behavioral Health Commission

The new Behavioral Health Commission established by Act 54 (House Bill 1421) held its inaugural meeting on Thursday, August 18.  The commission is tasked with making recommendations to the General Assembly on how to allocate up to $100 million in behavioral health funding.  The commission is co-chaired by Acting Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphreys and Dr. Dale Adair, Medical Director of the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) at DHS.  The next meeting will take place on Thursday, September 1.

Department of Human Services

  • The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) issued an updated frequently asked questions (FAQ) document in response to numerous requests for clarification on its telehealth bulletin (OMHSAS-22-02). DHS indicated that the document, which is designed to ensure that providers are aware of current regulatory suspensions and legal expectations, will be updated again as the use of telehealth continues to evolve.
  • DHS has extended its calendar of remittance advice (RA) delivery dates, mailing of checks, and electronic transfers of funds into early October.  Find the updated schedule here.
  • DHS has issued a remittance advice alert notifying providers of a claims recovery that was done to recoup monies paid in error due to its eligibility records indicating recipients being deceased prior to the dates of service being billed.

Department of Health

The Department of Health updated its COVID-19 quarantine guidance for the general population to reflect CDC guidance that quarantine is no longer recommended for exposed individuals.

The Department of Health issued recommendations for providers treating Ukrainian refugees, including information on how those individuals can seek Medicaid coverage.

COVID-19:  By the Numbers

Monkeypox

  • The CDC has posted an updated map showing the distribution of 14,115 confirmed cases of monkeypox in the U.S. as of August 18, a nearly 50 percent increase over the previous week.  371 of those cases were in Pennsylvania.
  • As of August 17, 203 of those Pennsylvania monkeypox cases were in Philadelphia. Learn more about monkeypox in Philadelphia from the city Department of Public Health’s digital monkeypox dashboard.
  • Penn State University announced this week that the Department of Health confirmed a student at Penn State’s University Park campus tested positive for Monkeypox.

Stakeholder Events

Department of Human Services & Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network – Special Population Webinar – August 25

On behalf of the Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network, the Jewish Healthcare Foundation will host its next webinar in the series focused on special populations in nursing facilities.  This webinar, “Acute Change in Condition Due to Aspiration Events,” will focus on a collaborative approach to managing these conditions.  For more information and a link for registration, click here.

 

2022-08-21T16:17:51+00:00August 21st, 2022|COVID-19, Pennsylvania Department of Health and COVID-19, Pennsylvania Medicaid|Comments Off on PA Health Policy Update for Friday, August 19

PA Health Policy Update for Friday, August 5

The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania for the week of August 1-5, 2022.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents.)

Department of Human Services

  • The Department of Human Services (DHS) has issued a news release reminding current HealthChoices participants that as a result of changes in that program, approximately 500,000 people must select a new health plan by August 16.  Those people have received written notices explaining the situation and their need to act.  Individuals who do not choose a new plan will have one auto-assigned to them.  Learn more about this situation, including where individuals can turn for assistance, from this DHS news release.
  • Providers also can help their Medical Assistance patients select new plans, if they need to do so, by directing them to a virtual event during which representatives from DHS, PA Enrollment Services (the state’s independent enrollment service), the Pennsylvania Health Law Project, and the Pennsylvania Health Access Network will answer questions about enrollment concerns.  The webinar will be held on Wednesday, August 10 at 2:00.  Registration is required and space is limited.  For further information and registration information, providers should direct Medical Assistance patients here.
  • While Governor Wolf signed legislation last month amending the state’s Mental Health Procedures Act to align with federal health privacy standards to permit providers, facilities, and health plans to share patient mental health and substance use disorder-related information more easily, DHS’s Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) has informed stakeholders that it is still reviewing the new law to determine its next steps and will be in touch with stakeholders when it is prepared to act.  Learn more in the message OMHSAS sent to stakeholders about this subject.
  • DHS has published Medicaid managed care enrollment data for April, May, and June of 2022.
  • DHS has announced a grant opportunity for home health agencies that provide pediatric shift nursing services to fund the installation and use of certified electronic health record technology.  Learn more about the grant opportunity here.  Applications are due September 19.

Department of Health

  • The Department of Health (DOH) has issued guidance on the implementation of Act 87 of 2022, which amends the Health Care Facilities Act by expanding what procedures may be performed in an ambulatory surgical facility without an exception; creating a time frame in which exception requests must be denied, approved, or determined to be incomplete; and requiring an explanation of the basis for a denied or incomplete request.  Find that guidance here.
  • The Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) has issued its comments, and shared the comments of stakeholders, in response to DOH’s proposed revision of state regulations governing long-term care nursing facilities.  Those comments include IRRC questions to DOH about selected aspects of its proposed revisions.  Find the IRRC’s comments and questions in this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.
  • DOH has announced the creation of a new Women, Infants and Children Advisory Group that will focus on providing support to foster healthier pregnancies and better postpartum care.  Learn more about the advisory group and the 16 individuals appointed to serve on it from this news release.
  • DOH has updated its alcohol-based hand rub memo, seeking to promote use of alcohol-based hand rubs by addressing misconceptions regarding their safety, use, and efficacy in health care facilities.  Find that updated memo here.
  • DOH has sent an email to all long-term-care facilities with their annual Department of Health long-term-care questionnaire.  This questionnaire is mandatory for facilities and must be completed and returned to DOH by October 28.  Facilities that have not yet received this email from Thomas Gavrish should contact him at tgavrish@pa.gov or call 717-547-3660.

COVID-19:  By the Numbers

  • The daily average of newly reported COVID-19 cases in Pennsylvania fell 21 percent over the past week and the number of COVID-related deaths fell 29 percent.
  • The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 and on ventilators changed only slightly in the past week but the number in hospital ICUs because of the virus rose 21 percent.
  • Sixty-five of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties are currently experiencing a high rate of community transmission of COVID-19, down from 67 counties last week.  The other two counties, McKean and Warren, are experiencing a substantial rate of community transmission.
  • The Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4) has released COVID-19 hospitalization data for the 21-month period March 1, 2020 through December 31, 2021.  The report covers number of hospitalizations by month; age, gender, and ethnicity of hospitalized patients; the socioeconomic status of the communities in which hospitalized patients reside; in-hospital mortality rates, including by age; length of stay; and frequency of ventilator use, including by age, patient ethnicity, and the socioeconomic status of the communities in which patients resided.  Learn more from this PHC4 news release; a summary of the report’s findings; county rates (this link opens a downloadable Excel file); and patient demographics (this link also opens a downloadable Excel file).

Monkeypox

The Department of Health has posted a monkeypox fact sheet that addresses what the virus is, its symptoms, how it is transmitted, how it is treated, and how vaccines are being used to prevent it among high-risk individuals.  Find the fact sheet here.

The CDC has posted an updated map showing the distribution of 7102 confirmed cases of monkeypox in the U.S. as of August 4, a 53 percent increase in the last week.  192 of those cases were in Pennsylvania, a 68 percent increase over a week ago.

As of August 1, eighty-two of those Pennsylvania monkeypox cases were in Philadelphia.  The city has responded in part by establishing a new digital monkeypox dashboard with case and vaccination data.

Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs

The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs has released a licensing alert that gives providers information about its process for investigating complaints about licensed drug and alcohol treatment facilities.  Find that alert here.

Insurance Department

The Insurance Department has released the requested rate filings for health insurance plans for 2023 that plans are required to file with the state.  As filed, 2023 will see increased competition and more choices for consumers in some counties.  Insurers offering plans in the individual market filed plans requesting an average state-wide increase of 7.1 percent and those currently selling in Pennsylvania’s small group market filed plans requesting an average state-wide increase of 5.2 percent.  Learn more from this Insurance Department news release and find the rate filings here.

Stakeholder Events

Department of Health – State Child Death Review Team – August 10

The Department of Health’s State Child Death Review Team will hold a virtual public meeting on

Wednesday, August 10 at 1:00.  The state’s Child Death Review Program provides training and technical assistance to local child death review teams.  Learn more about the State Child Death Review Team and how to join the August 10 meeting from this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

Department of Health – Pennsylvania Achieving Better Care by Monitoring All Prescriptions Board – October 25

The Department of Health’s Pennsylvania Achieving Better Care by Monitoring All Prescriptions Board will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, October 25 at 9:30.  The meeting location will depend on COVID-19 mitigation efforts at that time.  If the meeting can be held in person it will be in Room 129 in the Pennsylvania Health and Welfare Building at 625 Forster Street in Harrisburg.  If the meeting is held virtually it will be held at bit.ly/ABC_MAP.  To dial in, call 267-332-8737, conference ID 440 338 696#.  Learn more from this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

 

2022-08-05T19:18:57+00:00August 5th, 2022|COVID-19, HealthChoices, Meetings and notices, Pennsylvania Bulletin, Pennsylvania Medicaid, Pennsylvania Medicaid policy|Comments Off on PA Health Policy Update for Friday, August 5

Pennsylvania Health Law Project Newsletter

The Pennsylvania Health Law Project has published its July 2022 newsletter.

Included in this month’s edition are articles about:

  • The need for some current Medicaid-covered HealthChoices participants to choose a new managed care plan by August 16.
  • The end of the freeze on the prior authorization requirement for Medicaid-covered pediatric shift nursing care as of November 1.

Read about these subjects and more in the July 2022 edition of Health Law News, the Pennsylvania Health Law Project’s newsletter.

2022-07-28T20:00:02+00:00August 2nd, 2022|HealthChoices, Pennsylvania Medicaid, Pennsylvania Medicaid policy|Comments Off on Pennsylvania Health Law Project Newsletter

PA Health Policy Update for Friday, July 29

The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania for the week of July 25-29, 2022.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents.)

Governor Wolf

Governor Wolf has issued an executive order on reproductive health services that addresses the delivery of legal reproductive health services in Pennsylvania; investigations of reproductive health services initiated by or in other states regarding services that are legal in Pennsylvania; the protection of health care and other professionals involved in the provision of reproductive health services; communication about reproductive health services; and circumstances under which the governor will not approve interstate extradition for alleged violations of reproductive health laws in other states that are not violations of reproductive health laws in Pennsylvania.  Learn more from the governor’s executive order on reproductive health services.

Governor Wolf has filed a lawsuit against the General Assembly for what the Wolf administration calls its “…unconstitutional attempt to ban abortion in Pennsylvania” through an amendment of the state’s constitution.  The governor’s suit also cites what he believes to be procedural flaws in the manner in which the legislature adopted the proposed amendment.  Learn more from this news release from the governor’s office.

Bookshelf with law booksExecutive Branch Regulatory Agenda

Pennsylvania Executive Order 1996-1 requires all agencies under the jurisdiction of the governor to submit for semi-annual publication an agenda of regulations under development or consideration.  These agendas are compiled to give the regulated community advance notice of regulatory activity.  This week’s Pennsylvania Bulletin includes the latest such publication of regulations under development and consideration.  They include:

  • Department of Aging – matters involving older adult living centers and the Pennsylvania Community Adult Respite Program.
  • Department of Health – matters involving long-term-care facilities.
  • Department of Human Services – matters involving psychiatric rehabilitation services, Medical Assistance manual changes, the Office of Developmental Programs, county children’s and youth social programs, child residential and day treatment facilities, medical marijuana in facilities, adult protective services, crisis regulations, children with intellectual disabilities and autism, child care regulations, the county mental health and intellectual disabilities fiscal manual, and psychiatric residential treatment facilities.

Learn more about what these agencies are contemplating and find contact information for seeking additional information from this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

Department of Human Services

The Department of Human Services has extended its calendar of remittance advice (RA) delivery dates, mailing of checks, and electronic transfers of funds into early September.  Find the updated schedule here.

Department of Health

The Wolf administration has expanded the Department of Health’s naloxone standing order to combat the rise of opioid overdoses to include ZIMHI, an intra-muscular version of naloxone in the form of an injection device that comes as a single-dose pre-filled syringe or a carton containing two cases of the pre-filled syringes.  Pennsylvanians can present a copy of the standing order at pharmacies to obtain naloxone and can obtain the standing order here.  Learn more from this news release.

COVID-19:  By the Numbers

Monkeypox

The CDC has posted an updated map showing the distribution of 4639 confirmed cases of monkeypox in the U.S. as of July 27 – more than twice as many as a week ago.  114 of those cases were in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4)

PHC4 has issued its latest legislatively mandated report on the financial impact of COVID-19 on the state’s hospitals; the report covers the first quarter of the 2022 calendar year.  Hospitals that submitted data to PHC4 (71 percent of the state’s hospitals and health systems) reported $418.8 million in COVID-19-related costs – a combination of COVID-related expenses and revenue losses – during that period and a collective COVID-related revenue loss of $95.7 million.  The figures do not reflect COVID-related emergency funding from either the state or federal government.  Learn more from this PHC4 news release and the report itself.

Stakeholder Events

Department of Health – State Child Death Review Team – August 10

The Department of Health’s State Child Death Review Team will hold a virtual public meeting on

Wednesday, August 10 at 1:00.  The state’s Child Death Review Program provides training and technical assistance to local child death review teams.  Learn more about the State Child Death Review Team and how to join the August 10 meeting from this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

Department of Health – Pennsylvania Achieving Better Care by Monitoring All Prescriptions Board – October 25

The Department of Health’s Pennsylvania Achieving Better Care by Monitoring All Prescriptions Board will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, October 25 at 9:30.  The meeting location will depend on COVID-19 mitigation efforts at that time.  If the meeting can be held in person it will be in Room 129 in the Pennsylvania Health and Welfare Building at 625 Forster Street in Harrisburg.  If the meeting is held virtually it will be held at bit.ly/ABC_MAP.  To dial in, call 267-332-8737, conference ID 440 338 696#.  Learn more from this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

 

2022-07-29T19:57:25+00:00July 29th, 2022|COVID-19, Pennsylvania Bulletin, Pennsylvania Medicaid laws and regulations|Comments Off on PA Health Policy Update for Friday, July 29
Go to Top