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

Department of Human Services

The Department of Human Services has issued Medical Assistance Bulletins addressing requirements for prior authorization and the type of information that will be needed, as of January 9, to evaluate the medical necessity of prescriptions for:

Department of Health

  • The Department of Health (DOH) is working to implement Act 128 of 2022, which requires temporary health care services agencies to register with DOH.  Under the act, temporary health care services agencies are agencies that provide temporary health care personnel (RNs, LPNs, nurse aides, or direct care staff) to long-term-care nursing facilities, personal care homes, or assisted living residences.  DOH has developed a survey for long-term-care facility administrators so it can compile information about temporary health care services agencies operating in Pennsylvania.  Long-term-care facility officials can go here to complete the brief survey.
  • DOH has issued an alert advising providers of an outbreak of measles in neighboring Ohio, informing providers about the symptoms they should look for among possible measles patients and how to prevent, test for, and treat measles.  The alert also reminds providers that they are required to report measles cases to the state.  Learn more from this health alert.
  • DOH has issued an alert updating providers on its latest guidance for treating COVID-19.  The alert notes that the most common strains of the virus cannot be treated by the monoclonal antibodies that were effective against earlier strains and that the federal government currently authorizes no such products for use in treating COVID-19 patients.  Despite this, selected anti-viral therapeutics are still available to treat such patients.  Learn more from this health alert.

COVID-19:  By the Numbers                          

  • The number of new COVID-19 cases reported daily in Pennsylvania remained steady over the past week but still at an elevated post-Thanksgiving level.  The number of new deaths remains within the usual range for recent months.
  • According to the Department of Health, the number of Pennsylvanians hospitalized with COVID-19, on ventilators because of the virus, and in hospital ICUs rose, but just slightly, over the past week.
  • The CDC reports a modest increase over the past week in the seven-day rolling average of new daily COVID-19 hospital admissions.
  • As of December 14, 52 Pennsylvania counties were experiencing high rates of community transmission of COVID-19; 14 were experiencing substantial rates of community transmission; and one county was experiencing a moderate rate of community transmission.  This represents deterioration from the previous week, when 39 Pennsylvania counties experienced high rates of community transmission of COVID-19, 25 experienced substantial rates of community transmission, and three experienced moderate rates of community transmission.

Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs

The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs recommends that businesses that provide addiction treatment and supports consider training employees and volunteers regularly on preparing for and responding to an active shooter incident.  Learn more from this message from the department to stakeholders.

Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council

PHC4 has released “Hospital Performance Report – October 2020 through September 2021 Data,” which presents information about the performance of Pennsylvania acute-care hospitals for 13 common medical conditions.  Among the factors reported are hospital-specific mortality, 30-day readmission ratings, case volume, and hospital charges for patients between October 1, 2020 and September 30, 2021.  The report also looks at changes in statewide rates over time.  For additional information see PHC4’s news release; a report summary; an introduction to the report; a summary of key findings; downloadable data sets; technical notes; and data about Medicare payments.