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PA Health Policy Update for the Week of November 1-5

The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania for the week of November 1-5, 2021.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents.)

Governor Wolf

The Wolf administration announced that “Pennie,” the state’s new health insurance exchange, has now begun operations as this year’s Affordable Care Act open enrollment period begins.  Find Pennie here.

General Assembly

  • The House and Senate will be in session next week on Monday (10/8), Tuesday (10/9), and Wednesday (10/10).  The following health care-related committee meetings have been scheduled:
    • The Senate Majority Policy Committee will hold an informational meeting on Monday, November 8 at 10:00 a.m. to examine COVID-19 vaccine mandates and their impact on the workforce.  The hearing will be live-streamed here.
    • The Senate Health & Human Services Committee will convene on Monday, November 8 at 12:30 p.m. to consider Senate Bill 471, which prohibits the mandatory vaccination of Pennsylvania residents by the state or as a condition of employment.  The committee will also consider House Bill 220, which specifies that a person does not need to test positive for drugs to begin addiction treatment.
    • The Senate Aging & Youth Committee will meet on Tuesday, November 9 at 12:00 p.m. to consider, among other bills, House Bill 1260, which increases the maximum income eligibility limits for PACENET from $27,500 to $33,500 for individuals and from $35,500 to $41,500 for married couples.
  • The House of Representatives is planning to consider a few key behavioral health bills next week, including House Bill 1561 and House Bill 1563, which amend the Mental Health Procedures Act and the Drug and Alcohol Abuse Control Act, respectively, to align them with HIPAA and give providers, facilities, and insurers the ability to more easily share patient mental health and substance use disorder treatment information.  The House is also planning to consider House Bill 1308, which enables local communities and agencies to establish overdose fatality review teams.

Department of Human Services

This communication is intended for Department of Human Services (DHS) Sandata Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) and DHS Aggregator users for informational purposes regarding how the DHS Aggregator will be handling the end of Daylight Savings Time (DST) which is set to occur at 2:00 AM this Sunday, November 7, 2021.

For scheduled and completed visits that occur during or crossover the end of DST, the scheduling hours will appear to be short by an hour. This is expected behavior since DHS Aggregator times are calculated based on Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Provider agencies and/or administrators should not adjust visit times related to DST. Visits during this event will continue to be calculated based on the actual visit times so there are no issues with billing requirements.  

Any questions related to this can be submitted to RA-PWEVVNOTICE@pa.gov

Department of Health

The Department of Health has rescinded a May 26, 2021 order that required skilled nursing facilities to make weekly reports of specified data on supplies and equipment.  The department has launched a new data dashboard with facility-level COVID-19 resident and staff cases, deaths, and vaccination rates that uses data that nursing homes are already required to report to the federal government.  The Survey 123 reporting requirement was eliminated effective October 29, 2021.

COVID-19:  By the Numbers

  • While there has been a modest downward trend in new COVID-19 cases in recent weeks, the past two days have seen the two highest single-day counts of new cases since mid-October.
  • Approximately 32,710 of the state’s total cases to date have been among health care workers.
  • The number of COVID-19 cases among school-aged children (between 5-18 years old) is nearly three times greater this year than in 2020.  Between October 27 and November 2, 2020 there were 1,683 COVID-19 cases in school-aged children compared to 4,918 cases in the same age group during the same week this year.
  • In licensed nursing and personal care homes there have been 79,250 resident cases of COVID-19 to date and 17,449 cases among employees for a total of 96,699 at 1,642 facilities in all 67 counties.
  • The number of new COVID-19-related deaths remains high but did not rise during the past week.
  • Sixty-six of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties currently are experiencing high rates of community transmission of COVID-19; Philadelphia County is experiencing “only” a substantial rate of community transmission.
  • The number of Pennsylvanians hospitalized, in hospital ICUs, and on ventilators because of COVID-19 has fallen slightly since the first of the month.
  • 72.2 percent of Pennsylvanians 18 years of age and older are now fully vaccinated – more than 6.5 million people.  38,000 Pennsylvanians were recorded as completing a vaccine regimen in the past week.

Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs

The state’s Independent Regulatory Review Commission has approved the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs’ proposed regulations for drug and alcohol recovery house licensure.  See the approval in this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

Stakeholder Events

Pharmaceutical Assistance Advisory Board – November 15

The Department of Aging’s Pharmaceutical Assistance Advisory Board will hold a virtual meeting on Monday, November 15, 2021 at 8:30 a.m.  To participate virtually or by phone, go here for further information.

Health Research Advisory Committee – November 15

The Department of Health’s Health Research Advisory Committee will hold a virtual public meeting on Monday, November 15 at 1:00 p.m.  For information on how to attend virtually, see this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

Pennsylvania Rural Health Redesign Center Authority Board – November 16

The Department of Health’s Pennsylvania Rural Health Redesign Center Authority Board, which is charged with administering the Pennsylvania Rural Health Model, will hold a virtual public meeting on Tuesday, November 16 at 10:00 a.m.  For information on how to attend virtually, see this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

Newborn Screening and Follow-Up Technical Advisory Board – November 18

The Department of Health’s Newborn Screening and Follow-Up Technical Advisory Board will hold a virtual public meeting on Thursday, November 18 at 10:00 a.m.  For information on how to attend virtually, see this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

Medical Assistance Advisory Committee’s Managed Long-Term Services and Supports Subcommittee Meeting – December 2

The Medical Assistance Advisory Committee’s managed long-term services and supports subcommittee will hold a virtual public meeting on Thursday, December 2 at 10:00 a.m.  To register to participate, go here.

 

2021-11-05T21:56:42+00:00November 5th, 2021|Affordable Care Act, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Meetings and notices, Pennsylvania Bulletin, Pennsylvania Department of Health and COVID-19, Pennsylvania Medicaid|Comments Off on PA Health Policy Update for the Week of November 1-5
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PA Health Policy Update for the Week of October 25-29

The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania for the week of October 25-29, 2021.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents.)

Harrisburg, PA capital buildingGeneral Assembly

  • The Senate passed Senator Vogel’s telemedicine bill (Senate Bill 705) this week by a vote of 46-4.  The bill has been received in the House and referred to the Insurance Committee.
  • The House of Representatives unanimously passed House Bill 1260, which, among other things, increases the maximum income eligibility limits for PACENET from $27,500 to $33,500 for individuals and from $35,500 to $41,500 for married couples.  The bill has been received in the Senate and referred to the Aging & Youth Committee.
  • The House Human Services Committee met on Tuesday, October 26 and favorably reported the following bills:
    • House Bill 1561 and House Bill 1563 amend the Mental Health Procedures Act and the Drug and Alcohol Abuse Control Act, respectively, to align them with HIPAA and give providers, facilities, and insurers the ability to more easily share patient mental health and substance use disorder treatment information.
    • House Bill 1995 clarifies the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs’ ability to promulgate rules and regulations and makes them subject to the regulatory review process, including publication, notice, and comment.
    • House Bill 1308 enables local communities and agencies to establish overdose fatality review teams.
  • The House and Senate will be in recess the week of November 1.

Department of Human Services

The Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Office of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) has posted a Behavioral Health Telehealth Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) memorandum in response to inquiries regarding recent OMHSAS behavioral health telehealth policy changes in OMHSAS-21-09 Guidelines for the Delivery of Behavioral Health Services Through Telehealth.

DHS has published Medical Assistance physical health managed care enrollment data for September.

Department of Health

COVID-19:  By the Numbers

  • The daily number of new COVID-19 cases remained steady over the past week.
  • The number of new COVID-19-related deaths remains high but did not rise during the past week.  The state surpassed 31,000 deaths from COVID-19 this week.
  • The number of Pennsylvanians hospitalized, in hospital ICUs, and on ventilators because of COVID-19 has remained steady throughout October.
  • 71.6 percent of Pennsylvanians 18 years of age and older are now fully vaccinated – more than 6.4 million people.  43,000 Pennsylvanians were recorded as completing a vaccine regimen in the past week.

Insurance Department

The Insurance Department has notified all basic insurance coverage insurers and self-insured participating health care providers that the annual assessment to be levied for calendar year 2022 shall be 12 percent applied to the prevailing primary premium for each participating health care provider.  Learn more from this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

Stakeholder Events

Health Care Cost Containment Council – November 4

The Health Care Cost Containment Council will meet via teleconference on Thursday, November 4 at 10:00 a.m.  The public is invited to participate.  See this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice about how to join the meeting.

Organ Donation Advisory Committee Meeting – November 4

The Organ Donation Advisory Committee will hold a virtual meeting on Thursday, November 4 at 10:00 a.m.  See this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice for information about how to join the meeting.

Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Board – November 5

The Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Board will hold a virtual meeting on Friday, November 5 at 10:00 a.m.  See this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice for information about how to join the meeting.

Pharmaceutical Assistance Advisory Board – November 15

The Department of Aging’s Pharmaceutical Assistance Advisory Board will hold a virtual meeting on Monday, November 15, 2021 at 8:30 a.m.  To participate virtually or by phone, go here for further information.

Health Research Advisory Committee – November 15

The Department of Health’s Health Research Advisory Committee will hold a virtual public meeting on Monday, November 15 at 1:00 p.m.  For information on how to attend virtually, see this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

Pennsylvania Rural Health Redesign Center Authority Board – November 16

The Department of Health’s Pennsylvania Rural Health Redesign Center Authority Board, which is charged with administering the Pennsylvania Rural Health Model, will hold a virtual public meeting on Tuesday, November 16 at 10:00 a.m.  For information on how to attend virtually, see this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

Newborn Screening and Follow-Up Technical Advisory Board – November 18

The Department of Health’s Newborn Screening and Follow-Up Technical Advisory Board will hold a virtual public meeting on Thursday, November 18 at 10:00 a.m.  For information on how to attend virtually, see this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

Stakeholder Events Materials

Medical Assistance Advisory Committee

Pennsylvania’s Medical Assistance Advisory Committee met on Thursday, October 28.  The Office of Medical Assistance Programs, Office of Long-Term Living, Office of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services, and Office of Developmental Programs all made presentations.  Go here for links to those presentations.

 

2021-10-29T21:31:31+00:00October 29th, 2021|Coronavirus, COVID-19, HealthChoices, Pennsylvania Bulletin|Comments Off on PA Health Policy Update for the Week of October 25-29
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PA Health Policy Update for the Week of October 18-22

The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania for the week of October 18-22, 2021.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents.)

Governor Wolf

Governor Wolf has signed an executive order calling on the state’s Department of Labor & Industry to “study the feasibility of implementing Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards” in state offices and requiring that for profit entities that do business with the state pay “…a minimum wage that meets or exceeds” the state’s minimum wage and offer paid sick leave to their employees.  Go here to see that executive order and here to see a Wolf administration news release about it.

House Chamber of the State HouseGeneral Assembly

  • The House of Representatives’ Democratic Policy Committee held a hearing this week titled “Navigating Healthcare Consolidation.”  Co-hosted by chairman Ryan Bizarro and northeast delegation chair Rep. Maureen Madden, the hearing focused on the market dynamics that contribute to health care consolidation and the effect consolidation has on communities, patients, and employees.  Representatives from the hospital community, organized labor, and patient advocacy groups testified.  A press release issued following the hearing may be viewed here and testimony offered at the hearing may be viewed here.
  • The House and Senate will be in session next Monday (10/25), Tuesday (10/26), and Wednesday (10/27).  As of October 22, the following health care-related committee meetings have been scheduled for next week:
    • The House Aging & Older Adult Services Committee will meet on Tuesday, October 26 to consider, among other bills, House Bill 1356, which amends the Human Services Code to increase the reimbursement rate for guardians of older adults.
    • The House Human Services Committee will meet on Tuesday, October 26 to consider House Bill 1561 and House Bill 1563.  These bills, which amend the Mental Health Procedures Act and the Drug and Alcohol Abuse Control Act, respectively, seek to align them with HIPAA and give providers, facilities, and insurers the ability to more easily share patient mental health and substance use disorder treatment information.  The committee also will consider House Bill 1308, which enables local communities and agencies in Pennsylvania to establish overdose fatality review teams.  Finally, the committee will consider House Bill 1995, which clarifies the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs’ ability to promulgate rules and regulations and makes them subject to the regulatory review process, including publication, notice, and comment.

Department of Human Services

  • The Department of Human Services (DHS) has added November dates to its calendar of when it will be issuing Remittance Advices (RAs) and corresponding checks.  Find the updated calendar here.
  • DHS has updated its information about provider enrollment and revalidation changes during the COVID-19 emergency.
  • DHS’s Office of Medical Assistance Programs has issued a Medical Assistance Bulletin advising providers of updates of certain error status codes for personal care services subject to electronic visit verification, effective for claims received on or after October 22, 2021.  The bulletin also gives providers an updated Provider Assistance Center contact e-mail address for their use.  Go here to find this Medical Assistance Bulletin.
  • DHS’s Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services has informed providers that certain regulatory requirements for on-site inspections have been reinstated as of October 18, 2021.  This includes visitation requirements, the right to enter and inspect, and the requirement to undergo an annual inspection.
  • DHS’s Office of Medical Assistance Programs has issued a Medical Assistance Bulletin to inform Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) and Rural Health Clinics (RHC) of the procedure for submitting claims to DHS for a take-home supply of naloxone distributed to Medical Assistance beneficiaries.  Find that bulletin here.
  • The federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued guidance on coordinating care provided by out-of-state providers for children with medically complex conditions, including a description of best practices and other implementation considerations related to coordination of care from out-of-state providers for children with medically complex conditions.  Go here to see CMS’s guidance memo to state Medicaid programs.

Department of Health

The Department of Health has published an update on point-of-care COVID-19 antigen tests and the interpretation of test results.  The updated guidance replaces previous department guidance.

COVID-19:  By the Numbers

  • The daily number of new COVID-19 cases declined slightly this week.
  • The number of new COVID-19-related deaths remains high but did not rise during the past week.
  • The number of Pennsylvanians hospitalized because of COVID-19, on ventilators because of the disease, and being treated in hospital ICUs has remained relatively steady since the beginning of the month.
  • 71.1 percent of Pennsylvanians 18 years of age and older are now fully vaccinated – more than 6.4 million people.  3000 Philadelphians and 58,000 other Pennsylvanians were recorded as completing a vaccine regimen in the past week.

Pennsylvania Rural Health Model

The federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation has posted its first evaluation of its Pennsylvania Rural Health Model, a federally approved program that seeks “…to improve population health outcomes, increase access to high-quality care, and improve the financial viability of acute care hospitals in rural Pennsylvania.  Designed to reduce the risk of rural hospital closures, the Model seeks to stabilize participating hospitals’ finances by providing a predictable revenue stream through global budgets.”  Go here and scroll down for information about the model and links to additional resources.

Stakeholder Events

Medical Assistance Advisory Committee – Consumer Subcommittee – October 27

The Medical Assistance Advisory Committee’s Consumer Subcommittee will meet virtually on Wednesday, October 27 at 1:00 p.m.  Go here to register to participate.

Medical Assistance Advisory Committee – October 28

The Medical Assistance Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday, October 28 at 10:00 a.m.  Go here to register to participate virtually.

Special Pharmaceutical Benefits Program Advisory Council – October 28

The next meeting of the Special Pharmaceutical Benefits Program Advisory Council will be held virtually on Thursday, October 28, 2021 at 10:00 a.m.  To participate:

Health Care Cost Containment Council – November 4

The Health Care Cost Containment Council will meet via teleconference on Thursday, November 4 at 10:00 a.m.  The public is invited to participate.  See this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice about how to join the meeting.

Organ Donation Advisory Committee Meeting – November 4

The Organ Donation Advisory Committee will hold a virtual meeting on Thursday, November 4 at 10:00 a.m.  See this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice for information about how to join the meeting.

Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Board – November 5

The Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Board will hold a virtual meeting on Friday, November 5 at 10:00 a.m.  See this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice for information about how to join the meeting.

Pharmaceutical Assistance Advisory Board – November 15

The Department of Aging’s Pharmaceutical Assistance Advisory Board will hold a virtual meeting on Monday, November 15, 2021 at 8:30 a.m.  To participate virtually or by phone, go here for further information.

 

2021-10-22T21:03:04+00:00October 22nd, 2021|Coronavirus, COVID-19, Medical Assistance Bulletin, Meetings and notices, Pennsylvania Bulletin, Pennsylvania Department of Health and COVID-19, Pennsylvania Medicaid, Pennsylvania Medicaid COVID-19, Pennsylvania Medicaid policy|Comments Off on PA Health Policy Update for the Week of October 18-22
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PA Health Policy Update for the Week of October 11-15

The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania for the week of October 11-15, 2021.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents.)

Governor Wolf

Governor Wolf announced a new grant program to support community organizations conducting outreach on COVID-19 vaccines.  The $5 million COVID-19 Vaccine Outreach Grant Program is available to eligible organizations, including non-profits, child care, and educational institutions.  The program will provide grants from $10,000 up to $100,000 to support targeted outreach efforts such as sponsorship of vaccine-related community events, equipment rental to assist with setting vaccine appointments, local media buys, creation of outreach and training materials, and more.  Learn more about the program from this news release from the governor’s office and the program’s web page, which includes a link to application guidelines.  The deadline for the first round of grant applications is November 1.

General Assembly

The House of Representatives’ Democratic Policy Committee held a hearing this week titled “Saving Community Hospitals:  Keeping Care Close.”  The informational hearing, held in Downingtown, focused heavily on Tower Health’s recent decision to sell Chestnut Hill Hospital and close Jennersville Hospital.  Labor issues, including clinical staffing levels, also were discussed.  Panelists included representatives from SEIU Healthcare, the Pennsylvania State Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals (PASNAP), and first responders.  A press release issued following the hearing can be found here.  The same committee will hold another hearing in Stroudsburg on Monday, October 18 at 1:00 p.m. focused on consolidation in the health care sector.

Department of Human Services

Department of Health

The departments of Human Services and Health have announced that the Regional Congregate Care Assistance Teams (RCAT) will continue to provide COVID-19 prevention, preparation, and response support to long-term-care facilities from October 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021.  More information, including contact information for each regional lead, can be found here.

The Department of Health has developed a series of new vaccine hesitancy materials to assist long-term-care facilities with their vaccine outreach efforts.  These materials include:

Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs

The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) will propose changes to modernize the confidentiality of substance use records in the state, the department informed stakeholders in a message delivered through its listserv.  Another message to stakeholders elaborates on the department’s intentions.

In preparation for this undertaking, DDAP surveyed stakeholders on the state’s substance use confidentiality policies and has posted the appendices to its summary report.

COVID-19:  By the Numbers

  • The daily number of new COVID-19 cases remained very high this week and today it passed the 1.5 million mark since the pandemic began.  Approximately 31,780 of these cases have been among health care workers.
  • The number of COVID-19 cases among school-aged children (between 5-18 years old) is nearly six times greater this year than in 2020.  Between October 6 and October 12, 2020 there were 1101 COVID-19 cases in school-aged kids compared to 6433 cases in the same age group during the same week this year.
  • The number of new COVID-19-related deaths continues to rise slightly.  This week Pennsylvania passed 30,000 deaths from the disease since the pandemic began.
  • Every county in Pennsylvania continues to experience a high level of COVID-19 transmission.
  • The number of Pennsylvanians hospitalized because of COVID-19, on ventilators because of the disease, and being treated in hospital ICUs has remained relatively steady since the beginning of the month.
  • 70.1 percent of Pennsylvanians 18 years of age and older are now fully vaccinated – nearly 6.4 million people.  3000 Philadelphians and 77,000 other Pennsylvanians were recorded as completing a vaccine regimen in the past week; the latter number represents a much larger weekly total than in recent months.

Stakeholder Events

Independent Regulatory Review Commission – Consideration of Department of Drug and Alcohol Regulation – October 21

Pennsylvania’s Independent Regulatory Review Commission will consider final-omitted rulemaking Standards for Drug and Alcohol Recovery House Licensure (#74-4).  The commission will be considering a revised version of a proposed regulation it rejected in July.  To review a history of the regulation and its latest version, go here.  To register to view the meeting virtually or offer testimony, send an email to irrchelp@irrc.state.pa.us.

Infant Hearing Screening Advisory Committee- October 21

The Department of Health’s Infant Hearing Screening Advisory Committee will hold a virtual public meeting on Thursday, October 21, 2021 at 1:00.  Go here for information on how to participate.

Medical Assistance Advisory Committee – Consumer Subcommittee – October 27

The Medical Assistance Advisory Committee’s Consumer Subcommittee will meet virtually on Wednesday, October 27 at 1:00 p.m.  Go here to register to participate.

Medical Assistance Advisory Committee – October 28

The Medical Assistance Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday, October 28 at 10:00 a.m.  Go here to register to participate virtually.

Special Pharmaceutical Benefits Program Advisory Council – October 28

The next meeting of the Special Pharmaceutical Benefits Program Advisory Council will be held virtually on Thursday, October 28, 2021 at 10:00 a.m.  To participate:

Pharmaceutical Assistance Advisory Board – November 15

The Department of Aging’s Pharmaceutical Assistance Advisory Board will hold a virtual meeting on Monday, November 15, 2021 at 8:30 a.m.  To participate virtually or by phone, go here for further information.

 

2021-10-15T21:19:47+00:00October 15th, 2021|Coronavirus, COVID-19, Pennsylvania Department of Health and COVID-19, Pennsylvania Department of Health coronavirus, Pennsylvania Medicaid, Pennsylvania Medicaid coronavirus, Pennsylvania Medicaid COVID-19|Comments Off on PA Health Policy Update for the Week of October 11-15
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PA Health Policy Update for the Week of September 27-October 1

The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania for the week of September 27-October 1, 2021.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents.)

Governor Wolf

Governor Tom Wolf announced that the state’s open data portal now includes COVID-19 vaccination rates by legislative district.  The vaccination data by legislative district excludes districts fully or partially located in Philadelphia County, which is a separate CDC-designated vaccine jurisdiction.   The legislative district dashboard will be updated monthly.  Find the data here.

General Assembly

  • House Bill 1861 (Act 73) was unanimously passed by the House and Senate and signed by Governor Wolf.  This legislation extends the COVID-19 regulatory waivers and flexibilities issued by the Department of Health, Department of Human Services, and the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs at the Department of State until March 31, 2022.  The bill also extends certain waivers issued by the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs.  These waivers were previously set to expire on September 30, 2021.  In addition to the extension, Act 73 requires state agencies to publicly issue a report on their respective suspended regulations by May 1, 2022.  Similar to Act 21 (House Bill 854), which extended the waivers to September 30, 2021, state agencies retain the authority to terminate a suspension before March 31, 2022.  If an agency does so, it must notify the General Assembly.
  • House Bill 1774 (Act 72) was passed by the House and Senate and signed by the governor.  The bill amends the Achieving Better Care by Monitoring All Prescriptions Program (ABC-MAP), extending the sunset date to December 31, 2028 and granting the Department of Labor & Industry access to the prescription drug monitoring program.
  • Senate Bill 397 and Senate Bill 398, which modernize Pennsylvania laws governing physician assistants and their oversight, were passed by the House and Senate and sent to the governor on Wednesday, September 29.
  • The House will be in session next week on Monday (10/4), Tuesday (10/5), and Wednesday (10/6).  The Senate is currently in recess until October 18.  As of Friday afternoon the following relevant committee meetings have been scheduled for next week:
    • The House Professional Licensure Committee will convene for a voting meeting on Monday, October 4 at 10:00 a.m. to consider, among other bills, House Resolution 142, which requires the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a review of the State Board of Nursing, including the “Authorization to Test” process.  The committee also will meet on Wednesday, October 6 for an informational meeting on House Bill 1440, which provides for the regulation and licensure of medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals.

Department of Human Services

  • The Department of Human Services (DHS) has published a Medical Assistance Bulletin notifying providers of its intent to permanently expand access to telemedicine and establish guidelines for services rendered via telemedicine.  The bulletin applies to providers enrolled in the Medical Assistance program who deliver physical health services to Medical Assistance fee-for-service beneficiaries.  Highlights of the Bulletin include:
    • DHS will permit providers to use audio-only telecommunication when the beneficiary does not have access to video capability or for an urgent medical situation.
    • Services rendered via telemedicine to Medical Assistance fee-for-service beneficiaries will be reimbursed at the same rate as if the services were rendered in person.
    • This bulletin only applies to Medical Assistance fee-for-service.  Medical Assistance managed care plans “may, but are not required to” permit the use of telemedicine services.  They also may negotiate reimbursement for services rendered via telemedicine.
    • Out-of-state licensed practitioners who render services via telemedicine to Medical Assistance fee-for-service beneficiaries in Pennsylvania must meet licensing requirements established by the Department of State and be enrolled in the Medical Assistance program.

This new policy takes effect on September 30, 2021.  See the Medical Assistance Bulletin establishing this new policy here.

Department of Health

  • The Department of Health (DOH) has updated its guidance on hospitals’ responses to COVID-19.
  • DOH and Department of Community and Economic Development have announced a new $5 million grant program to help grassroots organizations encourage vaccine-hesitant populations to get the COVID-19 vaccine.  The COVID-19 Vaccine Outreach Grant Program will provide grants up to $100,000 to non-profit organizations and child care and educational institutions.  These grants will support grassroots outreach efforts including local media buys, creation of outreach and training materials, sponsorship of vaccine-related community events, equipment rental to assist with scheduling vaccine appointments, and more.  Learn more about the program and how to apply for grant funding from the departments’ joint announcement of this initiative and this program overview and accompanying guidelines on the Department of Community and Economic Development’s web site.
  • Based on recommendations from the CDC, DOH has updated its guidance on the use of antibody testing in determining quarantine status.  Find that updated guidance here.
  • DOH has published a health advisory echoing a CDC message that pregnant people should receive COVID-19 vaccines to prevent serious illness, deaths, and adverse pregnancy outcomes from COVID-19.  Find that advisory here.
  • DOH issued a message to long-term-care facilities regarding staff vaccination and testing requirements.  Read that notice here.
  • DOH updated its guidance for long-term-care facilities responding to an outbreak of COVID-19 among residents, including removing recommendations for quarantine of fully-vaccinated personnel in most circumstances.
  • DOH has updated infection control and prevention strategies for long-term-care facilities that supplement general guidance for all health care facilities that was issued last month.  Key changes include removal of the sections on source control, eye protection, and physical distancing measures recommended for vaccinated and unvaccinated health care personnel and residents.
  • DOH has awarded $1 million in grants to six recipients focused on spinal cord injury research.  Learn about the research the money will support and the recipients of the grant funding in this department news release.

Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs

The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs sent out guidance on June 14, 2021 about three temporary regulatory suspensions granted through the governor’s declaration of a disaster emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  House Bill 1861, which was signed into law this week by Governor Wolf, further extends those regulatory suspensions from September 30, 2021 until March 31, 2022 unless terminated sooner.  These three regulatory suspensions and an additional relevant suspension by the Department of State that also is extended until March 31, 2022 are summarized in this chart.

COVID-19:  By the Numbers

  • The daily number of new COVID-19 cases remained very high this week.
  • The number of new COVID-19-related deaths also remains high.  Yesterday’s total of 97 deaths was the highest single-day figure since mid-February.
  • For the fourth consecutive week, every county in Pennsylvania is experiencing a high level of COVID-19 transmission (scroll down to page 13).
  • According to Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 dashboard, only 44 pediatric intensive care beds in the state – 11 percent of the total number of such beds state-wide – are currently unoccupied.
  • The number of Pennsylvanians hospitalized because of COVID-19 rose seven percent in the past week and rose 53 percent during the month of September; the number on ventilators rose 19 percent in the past week and 63 percent since September 1; and the number in hospital intensive care units rose five percent in the past week and 44 percent during September.
  • 68.8 percent of Pennsylvanians 18 years of age and older are now fully vaccinated – 6.2 million people – up from 68.2 percent last week.  7000 Philadelphians and 32,000 other Pennsylvanians were recorded as completing a vaccine regimen in the past week.

Independent Fiscal Office

Pennsylvania’s Independent Fiscal Office has released a research brief that uses preliminary data for 2020 and 2021 (through September) to compute excess deaths above pre-COVID-19 historical trends in the state for those two years.  After accounting for a notable increase in homicides and overdoses, the analysis finds 20,700 excess deaths in 2020 and projects 6,700 excess deaths for 2021. For 2020 the analysis finds that decedents age 65 or older comprised 86 percent of excess deaths.  Find that report here.

Around the State

  • “Beginning in October 2021, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) will begin terminating state-funded Medicaid coverage for individuals who are found ineligible for the program. This is true despite the ongoing federal Public Health Emergency (PHE), which prevents Medicaid terminations for the majority of Medicaid recipients,” the Pennsylvania Health Law Project reports.
  • With Pennsylvania hospitals serving so many COVID-19 patients, some are transferring behavioral health patients and diverting incoming patients with behavioral health issues elsewhere, according to WITF.
  • Pennsylvania reportedly will allocate $6.5 million in federal funds to support and retain nurses, the Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports.
  • Central Pennsylvania is facing a blood supply shortage.  Lancaster Online offers the details.
  • A lack of clarity about the state’s response to federal rules about the use of medical marijuana to treat addiction had led to confusion in Pennsylvania, Spotlight PA suggests in a recent report.
  • Pennsylvania is one of six states in which the proportion of children with elevated levels of lead in their blood (5.0 percent) is more than twice the national average (1.9 percent), according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
  • Two new hospitals opened this week:  Penn State Health’s Hampden Medical Center and AHN Wexford.
  • “Sharon Regional Medical Center announced Monday that it will discontinue its maternity and obstetrics services Wednesday, weeks before hospital officials had originally scheduled the department’s closure,” the Sharon Herald reported.
  • Centre County officials are considering funding a feasibility study to evaluate whether they should establish a county health department, the Centre Daily Times reports.

Stakeholder Events

Special Pharmaceutical Benefits Program Advisory Council – October 28

The next meeting of the Special Pharmaceutical Benefits Program Advisory Council will be held virtually on Thursday, October 28, 2021 from 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. to participate:

Stakeholder Events Materials

On September 23 the Medical Assistance Advisory Committee (MAAC) met virtually.  Among the materials presented during that meeting were:

 

2021-10-01T20:33:49+00:00October 1st, 2021|Coronavirus, COVID-19, long-term care, Medical Assistance Bulletin, Pennsylvania Bulletin, Pennsylvania Medicaid, Pennsylvania Medicaid coronavirus|Comments Off on PA Health Policy Update for the Week of September 27-October 1
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PA Health Policy Update for the Week of September 13

The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania for the week of September 13-17, 2021.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents.)

House Chamber of the State HouseGeneral Assembly

  • The House Aging & Older Adult Services Committee held a hearing on Monday, September 13 to review the waivers and regulatory flexibilities related to the treatment and care of older adults in Pennsylvania.  The departments of Aging, Health, and Human Services appeared before the committee.  Find the Department of Human Services testimony here, the Department of Aging’s testimony here, and a video of the hearing here.
  • On Tuesday the House Health Committee voted to send a letter to the Commonwealth Joint Committee on Documents requesting a determination of whether the Acting Secretary of Health’s order mandating masks in K-12 schools and child care centers is subject to the regulatory process and the Regulatory Review Act.
  • The Senate Health & Human Services and Aging & Youth committees held a joint hearing on Wednesday, September 15 to examine Part 1 of the Department of Health’s proposed long-term-care nursing facility regulations.  Find testimony submitted to the committees and a video of the hearing here.
  • The House and Senate will return to voting session next week.  The House will convene on September 20, 21, and 22 and the Senate will be in session on September 21 and 22.  The General Assembly will focus on the Wolf administration’s mask mandate for K-12 schools and COVID-19 regulatory waivers and flexibilities.  A number of committee meetings are scheduled as well.  The following is a list of selected health-related committee meetings and legislation that will be considered.
    • The House Professional Licensure Committee will meet on Monday, September 20 to consider Senate Bills 397 and 398, which amend the Medical Practice Act and the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act, respectively, to update the requirements for physician assistants.  Following its voting meeting the committee will hold an informational hearing on the pharmacy-related regulatory waivers and suspensions issued by the Department of State during the COVID-19 pandemic.
    • The House State Government Committee will meet on Monday, September 20 to consider House Bill 1861, which amends the Administrative Code to provide for certain definitions and temporary regulatory flexibility.
    • The House Health Committee will meet on Monday, September 20 to consider House Bill 1774, which extends the sunset date for the Achieving Better Care by Monitoring All Prescriptions Program.
    • The Senate Health & Human Services Committee will meet on Tuesday, September 21 to consider, among other bills, Senate Bill 815, which prohibits pelvic, rectal, and prostate exams without explicit consent of the patient, and Senate Bill 818, which aligns Pennsylvania’s ambulatory surgical center-approved procedures with those of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
    • The House Human Services Committee will hold an information hearing on Wednesday, September 22 to review the opioid litigation settlements.

Department of Health

  • The Department of Health has published data on “breakthrough” COVID-19 cases, including how many people who have been vaccinated have contracted COVID-19, how many vaccinated people have been hospitalized because of the virus, and how many have died because of the virus.  The department’s announcement also explains its methodology for arriving at these figures.  Find the information here.  The results also are summarized in this Wolf administration news release.
  • The Department of Health has updated its guidance for return to work criteria for health care workers with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infection and work restrictions for health care personnel exposed to COVID-19.
  • The Department of Health has circulated updated guidance it received from CMS regarding long-term-care facility testing requirements for staff and residents.  The revised requirements call for staff testing based on the facility’s county level of community transmission rather than county test positivity rate and the frequency of testing has also been updated.  Go here to see the full guidance; changes are noted in red.
  • Acting Physician General Dr. Denise Johnson and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia director of the Vaccine Education Center and professor of pediatrics Dr. Paul Offit have developed a video for Pennsylvanians answering questions about vaccine safety.  Find the video here.

Department of Human Services

  • The Department of Human Services announced that effective June 1, 2021, it has reinstated the provider revalidation requirements that were applicable prior to the public health emergency.  See its notice here.
  • In response to the COVID-19 emergency, the Department of Human Services suspended many state regulatory requirements for health and human services providers.  Now, it has published an updated list of regulatory suspensions that will expire on September 30.  The department’s notice explains that “…the September 30, 2021 expiration date only affects state regulations that were suspended under the state disaster emergency declaration.  Federal flexibilities provided through the federal public health emergency will remain in place as long as the federal public health emergency remains in effect.”  Find the announcement here.
  • DHS has updated its order directing licensed child care providers to wear face masks.
  • DHS has announced that it will distribute $278 million in American Rescue Plan funds appropriated by the General Assembly to nursing facilities, personal care homes, and assisted living residences in DHS’s Office of Long-Term Living system.  An additional $5 million will be spent to provide grants of $15,000 per grantee for long-term-care facilities to improve indoor air quality.  See the DHS announcement here.

COVID-19:  By the Numbers

  • The daily number of new COVID-19 cases remained high this week, including the highest single-day count of new cases since April 13.
  • The number of new COVID-19-related deaths increased over the past week.
  • For the second consecutive week, every county in Pennsylvania is experiencing a high level of COVID-19 transmission.
  • The number of Pennsylvanians hospitalized because of COVID-19, on ventilators, and in hospital intensive care units because of the virus continued to rise over the past week but more slowly than in recent weeks.
  • According to the state’s revised figures, 67.5 percent of Pennsylvanians 18 years of age and older are now fully vaccinated – 6.1 million people – up from 66.8 percent last week.  Only 13,000 Philadelphians and 54,000 other Pennsylvanians (fewer than last week) completed a vaccine regimen in the past week.

Around the State

  • “Regulatory waivers established last year to help hospitals and health-care workers fight COVID-19 will expire this month, and those in the field are warning the lapse could exacerbate an ongoing staffing crisis as coronavirus cases rise again,” according to Spotlight PA.  Learn more from its report.
  • Driven by rising numbers of COVID-19 cases, waiting times in western Pennsylvania emergency departments are “…the worst I’ve seen them for very long periods of time, and I’ve been around for over 30 years in emergency medicine,” a doctor told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
  • Some doctors in Pennsylvania may be offering notes to people seeking COVID-19 mask mandate exemptions for their school-aged children without a legitimate basis for those exemptions.  The Department of Health is looking into this, according to the Associated Press.
  • Federal law enforcement officials seized two shipments of fake COVID-19 vaccination cards, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review informed its readers.
  • Pennsylvania’s Office of Open Records has ordered the Department of Health to disclose how many people have been certified to use medical marijuana to treat their opioid use problem.  Spotlight PA tells the story.
  • “Blair County will be adding five staffers to address mental health issues after the state approved two grants for the mobile crisis and student assistance programs,” the Altoona Mirror reports.
  • Citing reduced patient demand and staffing shortages, the Sharon Regional Medical Center will close its maternity unit around the end of the year, according to the Sharon Herald.
  • Spotlight PA has been reporting on what it calls “Pa.’s looming dementia care crisis.”  Now, the organization has published numbers to illustrate the extent of the problem.

Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4)

PHC4 has issued its latest legislatively mandated report summarizing the additional expenses the state’s hospitals have incurred and the revenue losses they have experienced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.  The report covers the period from January of 2020 through June of 2021 but does not reflect federal emergency funding provided to help offset both the additional expenses and the lost revenue.  Find the report here.

Stakeholder Events

  • The consumer subcommittee of the Medical Assistance Advisory Committee will meet on September 22 at 1:00 pm.  Go here to register to participate remotely.
  • The Medical Assistance Advisory Committee will meet on September 23, 2021 at 10:00 am.  Go here to register to participate remotely.
  • The Patient Safety Authority will hold a virtual public meeting on Thursday, September 23 at 1:00 p.m. and it is open to the general public.  For information about how to join the meeting, see this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.
2021-09-17T21:05:29+00:00September 17th, 2021|Coronavirus, COVID-19, Pennsylvania Medicaid|Comments Off on PA Health Policy Update for the Week of September 13
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PA Health Policy Update for the Week of September 6

The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania for the week of September 6-10, 2021.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents.)

General Assembly

The House of Representatives announced it will return to session a week early to address the Wolf administration’s implementation of a mask mandate for K-12 schools and child care facilities.  The House, which was originally scheduled to return on September 27, has added September 20, 21, and 22 as voting session days.

Department of Health

Department of Human Services

  • The Department of Human Services has issued a Medical Assistance Bulletin announcing the addition of CPT codes 0003A and 0013A to the Medical Assistance Program Fee Schedule for the administration of a third dose of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines.  See the notice here.
  • The Department of Human Services has posted a notice announcing FY 2022 rates for selected services provided by the state’s Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS).
  • The Department of Human Services has announced that it will allocate $255.556 million in total funds in FY 2022 for inpatient disproportionate share hospital (Medicaid DSH) payments to qualifying inpatient acute-care general, psychiatric, and rehabilitation hospitals and qualifying psychiatric and rehabilitation units of acute-care general hospitals, outpatient supplemental payments to qualifying inpatient acute-care general hospitals, and direct medical education payments to qualifying inpatient acute-care general hospitals.  The department is not changing the state plan provisions addressing the qualifying criteria or payment methodology for these payments.  Learn more from this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.
  • The Department of Human Services has announced its intention to make COVID-19-related Medicaid DSH payments to qualified hospitals and how much it will pay hospitals based on their Medical Assistance days and their degree of Medicaid dependence.  See the Pennsylvania Bulletin notice here.
  • The Department of Human Services is adding and end-dating procedure codes as a result of implementing the 2021 updates published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS).  The department also is adding other procedure codes and making changes to procedure codes currently on the Medical Assistance Program Fee Schedule, including fee adjustments.  Learn more from this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.
  • The Department of Human Services has published its latest monthly physical health managed care enrollment report.  Find it here.

Pennsylvania Rural Health Model

The federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation has posted its first report on the performance of its Pennsylvania Rural Health Model.  Find that report here and go here for further information about the program.

COVID-19:  By the Numbers

  • The daily number of new COVID-19 cases remained high this week, including the first day (today) with more than 5000 new cases since mid-April.
  • The number of new COVID-19-related deaths increased over the past week.
  • For the week ending September 9 in Pennsylvania, every county in the state is experiencing a high level of COVID-19 transmission.  The CDC classifies transmission as follows:
    • Low:  0-10 new cases per 100,000 residents over the past week or 0-5% positivity rate
    • Moderate: 15-50 new cases per 100,000 residents over the past week or 5-8% positivity rate
    • Substantial:  50-100 new cases per 100,000 residents over the past week or 8-10% positivity rate
    • High: 100+ new cases per 100,000 residents over the past week or 10%+ positivity rate
  • The number of Pennsylvanians hospitalized because of COVID-19 has risen 17 percent since the beginning of the month, the number on ventilators has risen 14 percent, and the number in hospital intensive care units has risen 11 percent.
  • According to the state’s revised figures, 66.8 percent of Pennsylvanians 18 years of age and older are now fully vaccinated – 6.0 million people – up from 66.0 percent last week.  Only 11,000 Philadelphians and 65,000 other Pennsylvanians (fewer than last week) completed a vaccine regimen in the past week.

Around the State

Independent Regulatory Review Commission

Pennsylvania’s Independent Regulatory Review Commission has rejected regulations proposed by the state’s Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs for the licensure or certification of drug and alcohol recovery houses that receive funds or referrals from the department or a federal, state, or other county agency to ensure that a drug and alcohol recovery house provides a safe environment for residents.  See the commission’s explanation of its decision in this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

Stakeholder Events

  • The consumer subcommittee of the Medical Assistance Advisory Committee will meet on September 22 at 1:00 pm.  Go here to register to participate remotely.
  • The Medical Assistance Advisory Committee will meet on September 23, 2021 at 10:00 am.  Go here to register to participate remotely.
  • The Patient Safety Authority will hold a virtual public meeting on Thursday, September 23 at 1:00 p.m. and it is open to the general public.  For information about how to join the meeting, see this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.
2021-09-10T21:48:42+00:00September 10th, 2021|Coronavirus, COVID-19, DSH hospitals, Medicaid supplemental payments, Medical Assistance Bulletin, Pennsylvania Bulletin, Pennsylvania Department of Health and COVID-19, Pennsylvania Department of Health coronavirus, Pennsylvania Medicaid, Pennsylvania Medicaid coronavirus, Pennsylvania Medicaid COVID-19, Pennsylvania Medicaid laws and regulations, Pennsylvania Medicaid policy, Pennsylvania Medical Assistance|Comments Off on PA Health Policy Update for the Week of September 6
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PA Health Policy Update for the Week of August 30-September 2

The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania for the week of August 30-September 2, 2021.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents.)

The Wolf Administration

The Wolf administration has ordered that masks be worn by all students and staff in school buildings.  Learn more from this administration news release, the order from the Department of Health, and this FAQ about the new requirement.  The order also applies to licensed child care facilities.

General Assembly

House and Senate Republicans denounced the Wolf administration’s mask mandate for K-12 schools and child care centers this week and Senate Republicans circulated a co-sponsorship memo seeking support from fellow senators for a constitutional amendment that would restrict the Secretary of Health’s power to issue such orders in the absence of a formal public health disaster declaration.

The House Health Committee’s hearing to examine the end of Pennsylvania’s opioid disaster declaration scheduled for this week was postponed until Monday, September 27 at 8:00 a.m.

Department of Health

  • The Department of Health announced changes in the electronic reportable disease surveillance system (PA-NEDSS) to enhance data submitted by hospitals daily on COVID-19 admissions and patient vaccination status.  Go here to view the department’s announcement of these new requirements.
    • Additions and amendments to questions in the Corvena capacity reporting tool will be made on Friday, September 3 and these new data fields must be completed by 10:00 am on Tuesday, September 7 and daily thereafter.
    • Find details on the Corvena changes with a screenshot of edits here and a dictionary of terms here.
    • Hospitals are directed to fill out a one-time form with historical admissions by vaccination status for the period from January 1, 2021 through September 6, 2021; this must be completed by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 8.
    • The Department of Health will host a webinar explaining these changes on Friday, September 3 at 1:00 p.m. at the Zoom link here.
  • The Department of Health has created an attestation form for hospitals to use when bringing online multiple pieces of new equipment or services during the same time period.  The Multiple Equipment Attestation form enables hospitals to attest to up to 100 pieces of unique equipment.  If a hospital has more than 100 pieces of new, unique equipment it must submit an additional form.  The original Equipment Attestation form can be used only when submitting for one piece of equipment.  To learn more see this announcement from the department’s Division of Acute and Ambulatory Care, the attestation form for new equipment, and the attestation form for new services.

COVID-19:  By the Numbers

  • The daily number of new COVID-19 cases continued to rise during the past week. Today’s new case total was the highest single-day figure since April 17.  To date, more than 1.3 million Pennsylvanians have contracted reported cases of COVID-19.
  • Similarly, the number of deaths, while slightly higher during the past week, remains far lower than when comparable numbers of new cases were being reported in the spring.  Still, today’s total was the highest single-day figure since March 5.  To date, more than 28,000 Pennsylvanians have died from COVID-19.
  • For the week of August 20-26 the state’s overall COVID-19 test positivity rate was 7.8 percent, up from 6.9 percent last week and the seventh consecutive week with an increase.
  • For the week ending September 1 in Pennsylvania, according to the CDC’s COVID Data Tracker, 66 of the state’s 67 counties were experiencing a high level of COVID-19 transmission, with Bradford County “only” in a substantial level of community transmission.
  • The number of Pennsylvanians hospitalized because of COVID-19, on ventilators because of the virus, and in hospital intensive care units because of the disease continued to rise during the past week.
  • According to the state’s revised figures, 66 percent of Pennsylvanians 18 years of age and older are now fully vaccinated – 5.93 million people – up from 65.3 percent last week.  Only 15,000 Philadelphians and 70,000 other Pennsylvanians completed a vaccine regimen in the past week.

Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4)

PHC4 has hired a new executive director.  Learn more in this agency news release.

Around the State

2021-09-02T22:00:43+00:00September 2nd, 2021|Coronavirus, COVID-19|Comments Off on PA Health Policy Update for the Week of August 30-September 2
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PA Health Policy Update for the Week of August 16-20

The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania for the week of August 16-20, 2021.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents.)

The Wolf Administration

The Wolf administration has directed vaccine providers to support COVID-19 vaccination clinics and has introduced a free COVID-19 testing program for schools across the state.  Learn more from this news release and from a Department of Health order in support of the governor’s directive.

General Assembly

The Senate Aging & Youth Committee held a hearing this week to examine proposed revisions of the state’s Child Protective Services Law.  Testimony presented to the committee and a video transcript may be found here.

Next week the Senate Health & Human Services and Aging & Youth committees will hold a joint hearing with the House Aging & Older Adult Services and Human Services committees to “discuss the Department of Human Services’ intent to contract with Maximus as its independent enrollment broker (IEB) and the impact this will have on seniors and adults with disabilities.”  The hearing will take place on Monday, August 23 at 12:30 p.m.  Livestream the hearing here.

Department of Health

  • Effective August 18, the Department of Health’s order regarding daily hospital data reporting through the Corvena system is amended to add new data fields related to the vaccination status of hospital patients.  View details in the amended order here.
  • The Department of Health has issued an advisory to health care facilities and providers caring for people whose immune systems are moderately to severely compromised about the CDC’s recommendation that such individuals may benefit from an additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine to ensure they have enough protection against COVID-19.  Find the advisory here.
  • The Department of Health has informed health care facilities and providers of the CDC’s recommendation that pregnant people should be vaccinated against COVID-19.  Learn more from a department health advisory.
  • In July the Department of Health’s nursing home surveyors conducted 466 inspections, including 289 complaint investigations, of 329 separate nursing homes.  Of these inspections, 30 were COVID-19-specific investigations.  There were five new sanctions finalized against nursing care facilities in the past month resulting in a total of $40,150 in fines.  Learn more from this department news release.

Department of Human Services

  • DHS has added September dates to its calendar of MA remittance advice delivery dates.  Find the updated list here.
  • DHS has published a Medical Assistance Bulletin announcing changes in the Medical Assistance program fee schedule, including changes resulting from the implementation of the 2021 Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System procedure codes updates.  In addition, DHS also is adding other procedure codes and making changes to procedure codes currently in the MA program fee schedule, including fee adjustments, as well as setting limitations and prior authorization requirements.  These changes are effective for dates of service on and after August 23, 2021.  Find this Medical Assistance Bulletin here.
  • Officials from DHS and the Department of Health have introduced the PA Health Equity Analysis Tool (HEAT), an interactive map that synthesizes Medical Assistance and population health data to show opportunities for intervention to promote better health and promote health equity.   PA HEAT provides state, county, zip code, and census track-level data on a number of population health measures and social determinants of health and how they affect local communities and Pennsylvania as a whole.  Results can also be displayed according to environmental justice areas, which are calculated based on concentrations of people living at or below the federal poverty line, based on resident demographics.  Learn more about PA HEAT from this DHS announcement and from the PA HEAT web site.
  • DHS has released quarterly licensing and enforcement activity data for its five licensing offices that oversee providers of long-term care, child care, behavioral health care, day activity programs, and residential care for individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism.  Find a summary of the report in this DHS announcement.
  • A notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin announces that documents are now available on DHS’s web site about proposed annual case-mix per diem rates for state fiscal year 2021-2022 for non-public and county nursing facilities and the budget adjustment factor that will be applied to non-public and county nursing facilities.  Find the Pennsylvania Bulletin notice here and the DHS web site with the nursing facility rates here.

COVID-19:  By the Number

  • The daily number of new COVID-19 cases continued to rise during the past week.  The 3451 new cases reported on Thursday was the highest single-day total since April 30.
  • The number of deaths, while slightly higher during the past week, remains far lower than when comparable numbers of new cases were being reported in the spring.
  • For the week of August 6-12 the state’s overall COVID-19 test positivity rate was 6.0 percent, up from 5.4 percent last week and the fifth consecutive week with an increase.
  • In Pennsylvania, only Sullivan County is classified as having a low rate of COVID-19 transmission this week; three counties – Forest, Tioga, and Warren – have a moderate rate of transmission; 25 counties are currently experiencing a substantial rate of transmission; and 38 currently show a high rate of transmission, including nine of the ten most populous counties in the state:  Philadelphia, Allegheny, Delaware, Bucks, Montgomery, York, Lehigh, Berks, and Lancaster.
  • The number of Pennsylvanians hospitalized because of COVID-19 has more than doubled since the beginning of the month; the number on ventilators because of the virus is two-and-half times greater than it was at the beginning of the month; and the number in hospital intensive care units has more than tripled since the beginning of the month.
  • According to the state’s COVID-19 Dashboard, only 57 pediatric ICU beds in the state are not currently occupied.  That figure represents 14.7 percent of the total of such beds in Pennsylvania.
  • According to the state’s revised figures, 64.7 percent of Pennsylvanians 18 years of age and older are now fully vaccinated – 5.86 million people – up from 62.8 percent last week.  Only 54,000 Pennsylvanians completed a vaccine regimen in the past week and only 134,000 have done so since the beginning of August.

Around the State

  • Governor Wolf is “…reinstating a mask mandate for all state employees and contracted staff working under his jurisdiction regardless of their vaccination status, starting on Monday,” PennLive reports.
  • A shortage of nurses in the Philadelphia area has led hospitals to offer signing and retention bonuses of as much as $20,000 to experienced nurses.  The Philadelphia Inquirer offers the details.
  • “Overburdened health care systems from Texas to Florida are pleading with Western Pennsylvania hospitals to take on transfer patients at record-high rates as beds and ventilators reach capacity in covid-19 hot spots across the country,” the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.
  • “While nearly a third of deer tested in Pennsylvania carried antibodies indicating they were exposed to COVID-19, the Pennsylvania Game Commission noted there is no evidence that deer can transmit the virus to humans and advised hunters to ‘take usual precautions when handling their harvests.’”  The Bradford Era explains what this means.
  • WTAE TV in Pittsburgh has published on its web site an interactive map showing the COVID-19 transmission rate for every county in the state.  Find the map here (scroll down to see it).
  • The Wolf administration plans to engage at least 100 people to perform COVID-19 contact tracing, Spotlight PA reports.

Stakeholder Event

The Department of Health’s Health Research Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting on Monday, August 23, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.  The meeting will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams at +1 267-332-8737 with Conference ID: 545 844 262#.  The purpose of the meeting is to review the work of the committee and plan future health research priorities.  Find the meeting agenda here.

2021-08-20T21:33:37+00:00August 20th, 2021|Coronavirus, COVID-19, Medical Assistance Bulletin, Meetings and notices, Pennsylvania Bulletin, Pennsylvania Department of Health and COVID-19, Pennsylvania Department of Health coronavirus, Pennsylvania Medicaid, Pennsylvania Medicaid coronavirus, Pennsylvania Medicaid laws and regulations, Pennsylvania Medicaid policy, social determinants of health|Comments Off on PA Health Policy Update for the Week of August 16-20
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PA Health Policy Update for the Week of August 2-6

The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania for the week of August 2-6, 2021.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents.)

The Wolf Administration

The Wolf administration has announced plans to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage for mothers.  Federal law requires Medicaid to extend eligibility for pregnant women with incomes up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level for 60 days following the birth of a baby but the American Rescue Plan Act authorizes states to expand the Medicaid postpartum coverage period for mothers to one year following the birth of a baby beginning on April 1, 2022.  Learn more from this Wolf administration news release.

Department of Health

  • The Department of Health announced that it will begin sending text messages to people who received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine but have not received their second dose.  See the department’s announcement about this effort.
  • The Department of Health has updated its guidance for who should quarantine if they have been exposed to someone who is diagnosed with COVID-19 or has been in contact with someone who has COVID-19 and for how long they should quarantine.  See the updated guidance here.
  • The Department of Health has published a Health Alert Network notice that provides an update on the outbreak of C. auris in Pennsylvania, first reported in March of 2020 and affecting 52 cases in 13 health care facilities since then.  The notice describes the current epidemiology of C. auris and discusses risk factors, transmission, diagnosis, and prevention.  See the notice here.
  • The Department of Health will be publishing facility-level COVID-19 vaccination rates (as reported to the CDC) on its website next week.  It compiled materials from multiple sources to help educate skilled nursing facility staff about the safety and benefits of COVID-19 vaccines.  Those sources include:

Department of State

The Department of State notified providers about its plans to phase out many of the current waivers and flexibilities in place for the pandemic as a result of legislation calling for an end to such waivers by September 30, 2021 or earlier at the discretion of each department.  These flexibilities will expire on either August 17, August 31, or September 15, 2021, as indicated in this announcement.  Licensees and other affected stakeholders are urged to return to compliance with all requirements without delay but in any event no later than the relevant expiration dates.

Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs

The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs has issued an information bulletin explaining that the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has removed from its terms and conditions for grant funding a statement that prohibited any entity from receiving funds if the entity provides or permits marijuana use for the purposes of treating substance use or mental disorders.  Updated manuals can be found on the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs website.

Department of Aging

The Department of Aging announced changes to the maximum amount available to a qualified primary caregiver for out-of-pocket expenses incurred for services and the lifetime amount for home modifications or assistive devices.  The new maximum amounts will be effective August 10, 2021 and are the result of legislative changes enacted earlier this summer.  Find the new amounts in this Pennsylvania Bulletin announcement.

COVID-19:  By the Numbers

  • The daily number of new COVID-19 cases rose considerably again over the past week.  Thursday’s new case count was the highest single day total since May 21.
  • The number of deaths, however, remains very low.
  • For the week from July 23 through July 29 the state’s overall COVID-19 test positivity rate was 3.9 percent, up from 2.6 percent last week and the fourth consecutive week with an increase after more than two months of declining rates.
  • The number of Pennsylvanians hospitalized because of COVID-19, in hospital intensive care units because of COVID-19, and on ventilators because of COVID-19 rose sharply in the past week.
  • According to the state’s revised figures, 63.4 percent of Pennsylvanians 18 years of age and older are now fully vaccinated, a small increase over last week’s number.  In Philadelphia, only 17,000 people reached full vaccination status in the past week and 46,000 have done so since July 1.

Around the State

Stakeholder Events

  • Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Community Prevention Planning Committee

August 11-12 at 9:00 a.m.

The state-wide Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Community Prevention Planning Committee will hold public meetings on Wednesday, August 11, 2021, and Thursday, August 12, 2021 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  To see the agenda and find information about where the meeting will be held and how individuals can participate virtually, see the meeting announcement in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

  • Pennsylvania Rural Health Redesign Center Authority Board

August 17 at 10:00 a.m.

The Board is charged with administering the Pennsylvania Rural Health Model and the virtual meeting will provide updates on a variety of topics including model status updates, Federal grant deliverables, global budget methodology, and more.  For information on how individuals can participate virtually, see the meeting announcement in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

  • Maternal Mortality Review Committee Virtual Public Meeting

August 18 at 9:00 a.m.

The purpose of the virtual public meeting is to discuss new and ongoing issues relating to treatment of maternal mortality and the Department of Health’s programs related to care and treatment.  For information on how individuals can participate virtually, see the meeting announcement in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

Stakeholder Event Materials

 

 

 

 

2021-08-16T15:17:35+00:00August 16th, 2021|Coronavirus, COVID-19, Medical Assistance Bulletin, Pennsylvania Bulletin, Pennsylvania Medicaid COVID-19, Pennsylvania Medicaid policy|Comments Off on PA Health Policy Update for the Week of August 2-6
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  • 2020 Safety-Net Association of Pennsylvania

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