The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania from July 10 – 14. (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents.)
Medicaid Continuous Coverage Unwinding
The Department of Human Services (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.
FY 2023-2024 Budget Update
It remains unclear when a final agreement will be reached on the FY2023-2024 budget; however, it appears unlikely an agreement will be reached in the immediate future. This week, Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman sent a letter to House Majority Leader Matt Bradford outlining the Senate’s position on the current budget impasse.
General Assembly
The House of Representatives adjourned from voting session Friday, July 7 until Tuesday, September 26 or unless sooner recalled by the Speaker.
Both chambers released their fall voting session schedules and indicated that they would return to Harrisburg sooner if a budget agreement is reached. Find the House’s schedule here and the Senate’s schedule here.
Department of Human Services
- The Department of Human Services (DHS) has provided final notice of its FY 2022-2023 funding allocation for several classes of disproportionate share hospital (DSH) and supplemental payments to qualifying acute care general hospitals. The department is not changing the qualifying criteria or payment methodology for these payments. Find additional information in this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.
- DHS has published the minutes of the June 22, 2023 Medical Assistance Advisory Committee (MAAC) meeting.
- DHS has published a notice of recission in the Pennsylvania Bulletin for its statement of policy clarifying the term “within a provider’s office” due to the promulgation of the Interrelationship of Providers final-form rulemaking. The final rule deleted language previously prohibiting co-located providers from enrolling in the Medical Assistance (MA) program.
- DHS has issued a correction to its previously published annual list of exceptional Durable Medical Equipment, which included an incorrect email address. Find the revised Pennsylvania Bulletin notice here.
Stakeholder Events
DOH – Specialty Pharmaceutical Benefits Program – July 20
The next Specialty Pharmaceutical Benefits Program Advisory Council meeting will be held virtually on Thursday, July 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Find additional information and details on how to participate in this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.
DHS – Medical Assistance Consumer Subcommittee – July 26
The Consumer Subcommittee of the Medical Assistance Advisory Committee (MAAC) will meet on Wednesday, July 26 at 1:00 p.m. Click here to register to participate.
DHS – Medical Assistance Advisory Committee – July 27
The MAAC will meet on Thursday, July 27 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Click here to register to participate.
DOH – Newborn Screening and Follow-Up Technical Advisory Board – July 27
The Newborn Screening and Follow-Up Technical Advisory Board will hold a public meeting on Thursday, July 27 from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. The meeting will be conducted in person. The agenda will include discussions about Board member terms; updates from the Bureau of Family Health; and updates from the Lysosomal Storage Disorders/X-ALD, Cystic Fibrosis, Hemoglobinopathy and Critical Congenital Heart Defects subcommittees. Find additional information and details on how to participate in this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.
DHS – Managed Long-Term Services and Supports Subcommittee – August 2
The Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) Subcommittee meeting will take place on Wednesday, August 2 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in-person and via webinar. The meeting location is the Department of Education Building’s Honors Suite, 1st floor, 333 Market Street, Harrisburg. Register here to attend.