PA Health Policy Update for November 17
The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania from November 13 – 17. (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents.)
General Assembly
The state House of Representatives and Senate convened for voting session this week. Following is an overview of selected health-related legislative activity.
- The House of Representatives unanimously passed Senate Bill 500, which provides Medicaid coverage for pasteurized donor human milk, as amended. The Senate subsequently concurred with the House amendments and sent it to the governor’s desk.
- The Senate unanimously passed House Bill 507, which requires health care providers to obtain informed consent, both verbal and written, before performing a pelvic examination, a rectal examination, or a prostate examination while the patient is anesthetized or unconscious. The House subsequently concurred with the Senate amendments and sent it to the governor’s desk.
- The Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 668, which permits certified nurse aides to become certified medication aides (CMA) in long-term care facilities, assisted living residences, and personal care homes. Following Senate passage the bill was received in the House and referred to the Health Committee.
- The House Human Services Committee held a meeting on Monday, November 15 and favorably reported House Bill 1650, which authorizes the establishment of a grant program for recovery houses, and House Bill 1690, which establishes a public awareness campaign about the growing threat of Xylazine.
- The House Health Committee held a meeting on Wednesday, November 15 and favorably reported House Bill 1657, which eliminates exemptions in the state’s Clean Indoor Air Act and expands the definition of smoking to include e-cigarettes, and Senate Bill 414, which authorizes the establishment of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) programs by hospitals, mandates the creation of a comprehensive list of such programs, and authorizes a grant program to establish and support SANE services.
Department of Human Services
- The Department of Human Services (DHS) has issued a Medical Assistance Bulletin informing stakeholders about updates to the Statewide Preferred Drug List (PDL), effective January 8, 2024.
- DHS has also issued several Medical Assistance bulletins relating to prior authorization for pharmacy services.
- Prior Authorization of Migraine Prevention Agents
- Prior Authorization of Natalizumab [formerly Tysabri (natalizumab)]
- Prior Authorization of Pituitary Suppressive Agents, LHRH
- Prior Authorization of Sedative Hypnotics
- Prior Authorization of Tubeless Insulin Delivery Devices
- Prior Authorization of Antibiotics, GI and Related Agents
- Prior Authorization of Antipsychotics
- Prior Authorization of Bone Density Regulators
- Prior Authorization of Estrogens
- Prior Authorization of Hypoglycemics, Incretin Mimetics/Enhancers
- Prior Authorization of Obesity Treatment Agents
- The Department of Human Services (DHS) has updated its calendar of mailing dates for Remittance Advices and corresponding electronic transfers and checks through December. Find the updated calendar here.
- DHS has announced it will add sexually transmitted infection (STI) test kits for at-home specimen collection to the Medical Assistance (MA) Program fee schedule, effective with dates of services on and after December 1, 2023. Find additional information in this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.
Department of Health
The Department of Health is soliciting applications from hospitals and health systems for up to $325,000 in grant funding to support care navigators in emergency departments as part of the Pennsylvania Substance Use Navigation Program. One grantee will be selected in each of four regions, based on the location of the emergency department where care will be provided, and funds can be used to build and implement health system-wide clinical capacity to screen, diagnose, and support longitudinal care for opioid use disorder and stimulant use disorder and support recovery for adults and adolescents. The RFA closes on January 16, 2024.
In anticipation of the holiday season, DOH has issued vital safety tips to avoid holiday accidents. On behalf of DeBrunner & Associates, we hope you don’t burn the turkey and wish you a very happy Thanksgiving.
Medicaid Continuous Coverage Unwinding
DHS is maintaining an online dashboard with Medicaid continuous coverage unwinding data. The data on this dashboard tracks the renewal process by county and zip code. Additional updates and resources about the Medicaid eligibility renewal process may be found here.
DHS has published the following resources to help providers educate patients about Medicaid renewals and what to do if they are no longer eligible for Medicaid.
Stakeholder Events
DOH – HIV Community Prevention Planning Committee – November 29
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Community Prevention Planning Committee will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, November 29 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The meeting will be conducted in person and virtually. Find additional information and details on how to participate in this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.
Patient Safety Authority – December 7
The Patient Safety Authority will hold a public board meeting on Thursday, December 7 at 1:00 p.m. The meeting will be held virtually. Find additional information and details on how to participate in this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.