The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania from December 18 – 21.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents). There will be no update the week of December 25. The next update will be Friday, January 5, 2024. 

Governor Shapiro 

The Shapiro administration has issued a press release highlighting its first-year public health accomplishments, including the expansion of maternal health services, support for emergency medical services, and more.  

General Assembly 

The state House of Representatives and Senate are in recess until 2024. The Senate is scheduled to return to voting session on January 16 and the House is scheduled to return to voting session March 18. Find the House’s current 2024 session schedule here and the Senate’s schedule here. 

Department of Human Services

  • The Department of Human Services (DHS) has issued two Medical Assistance (MA) bulletins regarding the submission of claims, including those claims outside the 180-day timeframe, for MA beneficiaries whose MA coverage has been reinstated.
  • DHS has updated its calendar of mailing dates for Remittance Advices and corresponding electronic transfers and checks through January 2024. Find the updated calendar here.
  • DHS has issued a Medical Assistance Bulletin relating to prior authorization of pharmacy services for hypoglycemics, incretin mimetics/enhancers.
  • The public comment period for Pennsylvania’s proposed 1115 waiver application – Bridges to Success: Keystones of Health for Pennsylvania – is open through January 2, 2024. During this period, interested stakeholders can review the draft waiver application and provide comments online, in writing via mail, or during multiple advisory and stakeholder meetings. Those details can be found here. 

Department of Health 

  • The Department of Health (DOH) has posted a solicitation for proposals that seek to foster and encourage innovative research for treatment and rehabilitative techniques for the functional improvement of people with spinal cord injuries. Find the solicitation on eMarketplace here.
  • DOH has issued a Health Advisory (PAHAN – 731) to alert health care providers of low vaccination rates against influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). DOH also advised health care providers that they should recommend and provide antiviral medications for influenza and COVID-19 for all eligible patients, especially patients at high-risk of progression to severe disease.
  • DOH has also issued a Health Advisory (PAHAN – 732) to notify health care providers of an increase in pertussis across Pennsylvania, primarily among high school students and their close contacts. Providers should have an increased suspicion of pertussis if patients have certain symptoms. 

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.