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PA Health Policy Update for the Week of May 2-6

The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania for the week of May 2-6, 2022.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents.)

General Assembly

The Center for Rural Pennsylvania, a legislative agency of the state’s General Assembly, has issued a report on access to mental health services in rural Pennsylvania that identifies barriers and challenges to obtaining mental health care in rural areas and offers proposals for addressing them, including expanding and funding telehealth services.  Learn more from the report “Access to Mental Health Services in Rural Pennsylvania.”

The House Democratic Policy Committee held an informational hearing this week examining the opioid epidemic.  Find the hearing’s agenda and testimony here.

Revenue Collection Update

Pennsylvania’s General Fund revenue collections in April totaled $6.5 billion, which is $1.8 billion, or 38.7 percent, above estimate.  Fiscal year-to-date General Fund revenue collections are $4.5 billion, or 12.4 percent, above estimate.  Governor Wolf issued a press release noting that April’s revenue collection was the most ever collected by the state in a single month.

Department of Human Services

  • The Department of Human Services (DHS) has announced its intent to allocate funds in FY 2022 for several classes of inpatient disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payments and supplemental payments to Medical Assistance-enrolled, qualifying inpatient acute-care general hospitals.  Specifically, DHS intends to allocate $9.510 million in total funds for DSH payments to qualifying acute-care general hospitals that provide a high volume of services to the Medicaid population to promote continued access to inpatient and ancillary outpatient services and to support academic medical programs that provide integrated, patient-centered medical services; to allocate $5.917 million in total funds for DSH payments to qualifying acute-care general hospitals to promote the availability of professional medical services to Medicaid populations in less urbanized areas by supporting medical education and academic medical programs; and to allocate $40.163 million in total funds for supplemental payments to qualifying acute-care general hospitals that treat a high percentage of Medicaid patients under 18 years of age.  Learn more from this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.
  • DHS has issued a Medical Assistance Bulletin to clarify its guidelines for the delivery of services via telemedicine through the Medical Assistance program’s fee-for-service delivery system.  The bulletin applies to all providers enrolled in the Medical Assistance program.  Providers rendering such services under the managed care delivery system should address coverage and payment questions for the delivery of services via telemedicine to the appropriate managed care organization.  Find the bulletin here.
  • DHS has shared presentations offered at the April 28 meeting of the Medical Assistance Advisory Committee (MAAC) by:
  • DHS has posted a draft file note of the April 14 meeting of the Medical Assistance Advisory Committee’s managed care delivery system subcommittee.

Department of Health

The Department of Health has issued a health alert updating its vaccine recommendations for hepatitis A and B.

The Department of Health has issued a health alert about failure to disinfect assisted blood glucose monitors between uses posing a risk for blood-borne pathogen transmission.  The alert describes the problem, offers suggestions for how to prevent it, and points providers to resources for further information.  Find the alert here.

COVID-19:  By the Numbers

  • Daily COVID-19 case counts climbed for the sixth consecutive week.  The state’s seven-day average of new cases rose eight percent, from 1734 on April 28 to 1834 on May 5.
  • The seven-day average of COVID-19-related deaths rose from nine on April 28 to 13 on May 5.
  • The growing number of COVID-19 cases in the state has led to a corresponding increase in COVID-19-related hospitalizations, with Pennsylvania experiencing a 22 percent increase in COVID-19-related hospitalizations for the second consecutive week.
  • While the number of these patients on ventilators rose 20 percent over the past week and the number in hospital ICUs rose 33 percent, the actual number of such patients remains modest in comparison to times earlier in the pandemic when the daily case counts were comparable.
  • During the past week 35 Pennsylvania counties, up from 22 last week, experienced high rates of community transmission of COVID-19; two counties, one fewer than last week, experienced a low rate of transmission; 21 counties, down from 22 last week, experienced a substantial rate of community transmission; and the remaining nine counties experienced a moderate rate.

Department of State

The Department of State has announced that the professional licensing waivers it issued under the COVID-19 disaster declaration will begin expiring in phases starting on May 23, with all waivers scheduled to expire by June 30.  Go here for a list of the department’s waivers and their expiration dates.

Stakeholder Events

Department of Human Services – Medical Assistance Advisory Committee – Managed Long-Term Services and Supports Subcommittee – May 10

The managed long-term services and supports subcommittee of DHS’s Medical Assistance Advisory Committee will meet virtually on Tuesday, May 10 at 10:00.  To register to participate, go here.

Department of Human Services – Medical Assistance Advisory Committee Managed Care Delivery System Subcommittee – May 12

The managed care delivery system subcommittee of the Medical Assistance Advisory Committee will meet virtually on Thursday, May 12 at 10:00.  For an agenda for the meeting and information about how to participate, go here.

Department of Human Services – Learning Network/Nursing Facilities – May 12

DHS’s Learning Network, part of its Quality Strategy for Nursing Facilities, is offering in collaboration with the Community HealthChoices managed care organizations and the Jewish Healthcare Foundation a special population webinar on avoiding hospitalizations from nursing facilities on Thursday, May 12 at 2:00.  Recommended nursing home participants are admissions coordinators, directors of nursing, and social services staff.  For more information about the webinar and how to register, go here.

Department of Human Services – Learning Network/Nursing Facilities – May 19

DHS’s Learning Network, part of its Quality Strategy for Nursing Facilities, is offering in collaboration with the Community HealthChoices managed care organizations and the Jewish Healthcare Foundation a webinar on the role that vaccinations, including influenza, pneumonia, COVID-19, and others, can play in avoiding hospitalizations from nursing homes.  The webinar will be held on Thursday, May 19 at 2:00.  For further information about the webinar and to register to participate, go here.

DHS – Office of Medical Assistance Programs – Gun Violence Roundtable – date in May to be determined 

DHS’s Office of Medical Assistance Programs will convene a roundtable in May to discuss gun violence as a public health issue and to explore public health strategies that can be used by Medicaid managed care organizations to prevent and respond to gun violence.  A save-the-date will be sent out in the next week or so and the managed care organizations will be given a list of questions to come prepared to discuss.  An opportunity to present on current and planned initiatives, as well as challenges and limitations, will be offered to each managed care organization.

 

2022-05-06T20:29:10+00:00May 6th, 2022|COVID-19, DSH hospitals, Medicaid supplemental payments, Medical Assistance Bulletin, Pennsylvania Department of Health and COVID-19, Pennsylvania Medicaid, Pennsylvania Medicaid policy, Uncategorized|Comments Off on PA Health Policy Update for the Week of May 2-6
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PA Health Policy Update for the Week of April 4-8

The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania for the week of April 4-8, 2022.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents.)

General Assembly

  • The state Senate convened for session in Harrisburg this week.
  • The Senate passed House Bill 245 on third and final consideration this week.  House Bill 245, which will be sent back to the House for concurrence, reduces the clinical residency requirement from three years to two years for an applicant who has graduated from an international medical college to receive licensure in Pennsylvania.
  • The state House and Senate will both be in session next Monday (4/11), Tuesday (4/12), and Wednesday (4/13).
  • As indicated by the House Republican Caucus “Week Ahead,” the House is planning to consider, among other bills, House Bill 2401, which makes permanent two COVID-19 waivers that permit non-physician practitioners to order and oversee orders for home health care services and permits the continued use of remote supervisory visits by registered nurses, and House Bill 2419, which expands access to outpatient psychiatric care via telemedicine.
  • Several committee meetings are scheduled for next week.  The following are health-related.
    • The House Health Committee will hold an informational meeting on Tuesday, April 12 at 8:00 a.m. regarding “Opioids in the Commonwealth:  Lessons learned and next steps.”
    • The House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee will meet on Tuesday, April 12 at 9:00 a.m. to consider House Bill 2097, which would make permanent a COVID-19 regulatory waiver that allows certified emergency personnel, such as firefighters with specific first-aid, CPR, and emergency vehicle training, to drive ambulances with an EMT on board.
    • The House Aging & Older Adult Services Committee will hold an informational meeting on Tuesday, April 12 at 9:30 a.m. to examine long-term-care facility workforce challenges.
    • The Senate Health & Human Services Committee will meet on Tuesday, April 12 at 10:30 a.m. to consider the following bills.
      • Senate Bill 749, which seeks to provide clarity for employees and employers regarding current ambiguity in the state’s medical marijuana law concerning the use of medical marijuana in the workplace.
      • Senate Bill 1121, which requires the Department of Human Services (DHS) to verify wage records from employers and the Department of Revenue for Medicaid and SNAP beneficiaries.
      • Senate Bill 1124, which requires DHS to check death certificates at the Bureau of Vital Statistics against Medicaid and SNAP beneficiaries.
      • Senate Bill 1188, which seeks to increase awareness, testing, and access to treatment for Lyme disease.

Department of Human Services

  • The Department of Human Services (DHS) has added two procedure codes to the Medical Assistance program fee schedule for use in laboratory testing for multiple respiratory pathogens, including COVID-19, effective with dates of service on and after March 21, 2022.  Find the new codes in this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.
  • DHS’s Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) has issued a Medical Assistance Bulletin addressed to hospital emergency departments, county mental health/intellectual disability administrators, base service units, mental health review officers, and county crisis intervention programs to clarify the part of the Mental Health Procedures Act referring to the involuntary commitment process under section 302 and the 120-hour limit on holding a consumer for involuntary emergency examination and treatment.  Find the bulletin here.
  • DHS has circulated the minutes of the March 24 meeting of the Medical Assistance Advisory Committee.
  • DHS has updated its “Monthly Physical Health Managed Care Program Enrollment Report” to include February 22 data.
  • CMS has released its 2022-2023 Medicaid managed care rate development guide.  This is a federal resource for states to use when setting capitation rates for Medicaid managed care plans.  The guide provides details about information that must be included in states’ actuarial rate certifications for CMS to review and approve for rate periods between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023.  Find the guide here.

Department of Health

  • The Department of Health (DOH) has introduced minor updates of its guidance for hospitals and health systems on “whether measures being implemented or contemplated are compliant with the statutory and regulatory requirements under the jurisdiction of the Department.”  Among other things, the guidance cites June 30, 2022 as the end date for certain regulatory suspensions that were continued through that date by Act 14 of 2022.  Find the updated guidance here.
  • DOH has updated its COVID-19 booster vaccine recommendations to reflect recent changes in CDC guidelines.
  • DOH has updated its reporting requirements for COVID-19 test results to bring them in line with revised federal requirements.
  • DOH has updated information about therapeutics to prevent and treat COVID-19 to reflect federal guidance barring the use of sotrovimab to treat COVID-19 because it is not effective in treating the Omicron BA.2 variant, which is the predominant COVID-19 variant in the country today.

COVID-19:  By the Numbers

  • Daily COVID-19 case counts climbed for the second consecutive week.  The state’s seven-day average of new cases rose nearly 26 percent, from 585 cases on March 31 to 737 on April 7.
  • The number of new COVID-19-related deaths declined slightly, on the other hand, with the seven-day average of new deaths down by one, from 18 on March 31 to 17 on April 7.
  • The number of Pennsylvanians receiving hospital care for COVID-19, in hospital ICU units, and on ventilators because of the virus held steady over the past week.
  • After three weeks with no counties experiencing a high rate of transmission of COVID-19, two Pennsylvania counties found themselves in that category in the past week:  Bradford and Pike.  Another eight counties – Potter, Montgomery, Philadelphia, Adams, Susquehanna, Montour, Wayne, and Northampton – experienced substantial rates of community transmission.  Five counties – up from three last week – experienced low levels of community transmission:  Forest, Cameron, Snyder, Juniata, and Fulton.  The remaining 52 Pennsylvania counties had moderate rates of community transmission over the past week.  Find community transmission and other Pennsylvania-specific COVID-19 data here.

Stakeholder Events

Department of Human Services – Medical Assistance Advisory Committee – Managed Long-Term Services and Supports Subcommittee – April 12

The managed long-term services and supports subcommittee of DHS’s Medical Assistance Advisory Committee will meet virtually on Tuesday, April 12 at 10:00.  To register to participate, go here.  The dial-in number is 631-992-3221 and the access code is 766121118#.

Department of Aging – Pharmaceutical Assistance Advisory Board Virtual Meeting – April 13

The Department of Aging’s Pharmaceutical Assistance Advisory Board will meet virtually on Wednesday, April 13 at 8:30.  For information about how to participate, see this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

Department of Health – Spinal Cord Research Advisory Committee – April 21

The Department of Health’s Spinal Cord Research Advisory Committee will meet virtually on Thursday, April 21 at 10:30.  The purpose of this meeting is to review the committee’s work, review the status and progress of the current request for applications, reaffirm priorities, evaluate and refine the process to review the next spinal cord research applications, and address emerging issues.  For information about how to join the meeting, see this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

Department of Human Services – Medical Assistance Advisory Committee – Consumer Subcommittee – April 27

The Medical Assistance Advisory Committee’s consumer subcommittee will meet virtually on Wednesday, April 27 at 1:00.  Go here to register to participate.

Department of Human Services – Medical Assistance Advisory Committee – April 28

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

Department of Human Services – Medical Assistance Advisory Committee – Managed Long-Term Services and Supports Subcommittee – May 10

The managed long-term services and supports subcommittee of DHS’s Medical Assistance Advisory Committee will meet virtually on Tuesday, May 10 at 10:00.  To register to participate, go here.

2022-04-08T20:56:17+00:00April 8th, 2022|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 April 4-8
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PA Health Policy Update for the Week of March 28-April 1

The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania for the week of March 28-April 1, 2022.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents.)

Bookshelf with law booksGovernor Wolf

Governor Wolf has signed into law Senate Bill 1019, which temporarily extends certain suspensions of regulations and statutes that were issued by agencies under the COVID-19 disaster declaration through June 30, 2022.

General Assembly

  • The House Health Committee convened on Tuesday, March 29 and favorably reported House Bill 2357, which prohibits the preparation, manufacture, sale, or distribution of unsafe kratom products, and House Bill 2401, which makes permanent two COVID-19 waivers that permit non-physician practitioners to order and oversee orders for home health care services and permits the continued use of remote supervisory visits by registered nurses.
  • The House Insurance Committee met on Tuesday and favorably reported House Bill 2419, which expands access to outpatient psychiatric care via telemedicine.
  • The state Senate will be in session next Monday (4/4), Tuesday (4/5), and Wednesday (4/6). The House will be in recess next week.

Revenue Collection Update

The Independent Fiscal Office has released its March 2022 Revenue Update.  General Fund collections for March were $579.2 million or 11.6 percent above estimate.  Year-to-date General Fund revenue is $3.04 billion or 9.8 percent more than projected.

Department of Human Services

  • The Department of Human Services (DHS) has informed providers that effective Friday, April 1 at 12:00 a.m. the current Medical Assistance Provider Forms webpage will no longer be accessible.  Instead, providers may order and receive Medical Assistance provider forms here.  Find updated instructions here.  DHS also offered the following explanation to stakeholders:

Over the next few months, the Department of Human Services (DHS) is transitioning web-based forms to a new enterprise solution. While we strive to provide a seamless transition, we understand there may be issues along the way. If you have any bookmarked links, they may no longer work. If you are trying to access an old link that no longer works, please go to https://www.dhs.pa.gov/docs/Publications/Pages/Express-Forms-Transition.aspx for a list of affected forms.

We understand that there may be confusion and issues that arise during this transition, and we appreciate your patience. If you identify a problem following the transition, please reach out to DHS’s Digital Communications Team at RA-PWDHSSOCIALMEDIA@pa.gov and we will assist you as we are able.

  • DHS has issued a Medical Assistance Bulletin advising providers that the Medical Assistance program is extending postpartum coverage from 60 days to 12 months beginning on April 1 and that this applies to all providers enrolled in the Medical Assistance program.  Find the bulletin here.
  • As part of the response to the COVID-19 emergency, numerous state regulatory requirements were suspended by the legislature and DHS to facilitate an effective, timely response to the pandemic.  Over time, some of those suspended requirements have been restored.  DHS has updated its collection of regulatory requirements to reflect which suspensions remain in effect and which have been lifted.  Find that compendium here.
  • DHS has posted a notice informing providers that the Provider Electronic Solutions software they may have used to submit HIPAA-ready transactions to the PROMISe system will not be supported after June 15 and urging them to use the PROMISe Provider Portal to submit claims, validate eligibility, conduct claim inquiries, and view their weekly remittance advice.  Find that notice here.
  • DHS has posted a notice reminding Medical Assistance billing entities that federal law requires physicians and other practitioners who order, refer, or prescribe items or services for Medicaid beneficiaries to be enrolled in the Medical Assistance program and suggesting that billing entities remind unenrolled billing providers about this requirement.  Find the notice here.
  • DHS has posted a notice reminding providers that the two percent Medicare sequestration imposed in 2013 and suspended in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic will be restored partially on April 1 and fully after July 1.  Find that notice here.
  • DHS has updated its “Monthly Physical Health Managed Care Program Enrollment Report” to include January 2022 data.
  • DHS has posted presentations delivered at the March 24 meeting of its Medical Assistance Advisory Committee (MAAC).  See the presentations from:
  • The federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released an informational bulletin informing state Medicaid agencies that CMS is exercising enforcement discretion during the COVID-19 public health emergency regarding state submissions of updated Medicaid access monitoring review plans.  CMS is delaying enforcement of the updated plans that are due by October 1, 2022 until October 1, 2024.  Find the CMS informational bulletin here.

COVID-19:  By the Numbers

  • Daily COVID-19 case counts climbed slightly over the past week.  On Wednesday, March 23 the state’s seven-day average of new cases was 574 cases a day; on March 31 it was 585 cases a day.
  • The number of new COVID-19-related deaths, on the other hand, fell by more than half over the past week, with the March 24 seven-day average of 37 deaths falling to 18 on March 31.
  • For the third consecutive week, no Pennsylvania counties are experiencing a high rate of community transmission.  For the second consecutive week, just eight counties experienced a substantial rate of community transmission.  Three counties – down from four last week – are experiencing a low rate of community transmission.  The rest of the state – 56 counties – is experiencing a moderate rate of community transmission of COVID-19.
  • The number of Pennsylvanians receiving hospital care for COVID-19 fell significantly during March:  the number hospitalized declined from 1356 on March 1 to 481 on March 31; the number being treated on a ventilator from 163 on March 1 to 54 on March 31; and the number in hospital ICUs from 252 on March 1 to 75 on March 31.

Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs

The departments of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) and Community and Economic Development have announced the availability of more than $1 million in grant funding for recovery houses to provide safe housing for individuals in recovery from a substance use disorder.  The grants are designed to help existing recovery house facilities with physical upgrades to comply with all federal, state, and local laws and ordinances, including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.  Grants of up to $50,000 for a 12-month period beginning July 1, 2022 will be awarded to between 22 and 25 eligible applicants for health and safety upgrades including demolition, debris removal, rehabilitation improvements, environmental remediation costs, and construction and inspections to comply with DDAP’s regulations.  Learn more from this Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs news release and go here for additional information about the grant program and the application process.  There is no application deadline; applications will be accepted until all of the available money is spent.

In September of 2021, Governor Wolf signed into law Act 73, which extended three of DDAP’s temporary regulatory suspensions through March 31, 2022 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  This week Governor Wolf signed Senate Bill 1019, which further extends DDAP’s regulatory suspensions that are “related to federal exemptions granted under the federal public health emergency declaration” until “the last day federal exemptions granted under the federal public health emergency declaration are authorized.”  Three DDAP regulatory suspensions and a relevant Department of State regulation are included in this chart and also remain suspended.  In November of 2021, the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced that methadone take-home flexibilities will be extended for one year after the eventual expiration of the federal COVID-19 public health emergency.  DDAP has submitted its written concurrence with this exemption.  SAMHSA also has indicated that it is considering mechanisms to make this flexibility permanent.  Narcotic treatment programs do not need to do anything additional at this time to continue taking advantage of this flexibility. Similarly, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) also has announced that it is working to make its tele-prescribing regulations permanent.

Stakeholder Events

Department of Health – Health Research Advisory Committee – April 4

The Department of Health’s Health Research Advisory Committee will meet virtually on Monday, April 4 at 10:00 a.m. to review the committee’s work, confirm its 2022 priorities, plan future health research priorities, and address emerging issues.  To learn more about the meeting and how to participate, see this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

Department of Human Services – Medical Assistance Advisory Committee – Managed Long-Term Services and Supports subcommittee – April 5

The Medical Assistance Advisory Committee’s managed long-term services and supports committee will meet virtually on Tuesday, April 5 at 10:00 a.m.  Public comments will be taken after each presentation.  Questions can be entered into the meeting’s chat box during the presentations and will be asked at the end of each presentation.  There will be an additional period at the end of the meeting for additional public comments.  Go here to register to participate.

Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network – Strategies to Reduce Hospitalizations and Emergency Room Visits – April 7

The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network, part of DHS’s Quality Strategy for Nursing
Facilities, is holding a virtual webinar “Strategies to Reduce Hospitalizations and Emergency Room Visits” on Thursday, April 7 at 2:00 p.m.  Go here to register to participate.

Department of Aging – Pharmaceutical Assistance Advisory Board Virtual Meeting – April 13

The Department of Aging’s Pharmaceutical Assistance Advisory Board will meet virtually on Wednesday, April 13 at 8:30 a.m.  For information about how to participate, see this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

Department of Health – Spinal Cord Research Advisory Committee – April 21

The Department of Health’s Spinal Cord Research Advisory Committee will meet virtually on Thursday, April 21 at 10:30 a.m.  The purpose of this meeting is to review the committee’s work, review the status and progress of the current request for applications, reaffirm priorities, evaluate and refine the process to review the next spinal cord research applications, and address emerging issues.  For information about how to join the meeting, see this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

Department of Human Services – Medical Assistance Advisory Committee – Consumer Subcommittee – April 27

The Medical Assistance Advisory Committee’s consumer subcommittee will meet virtually on Wednesday, April 27 at 1:00.  Go here to register to participate.

Department of Human Services – Medical Assistance Advisory Committee – April 28

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

 

2022-04-01T20:56:41+00:00April 1st, 2022|Coronavirus, COVID-19, Federal Medicaid issues, Medical Assistance Bulletin, Meetings and notices, Pennsylvania Bulletin, Pennsylvania Medicaid, Pennsylvania Medicaid COVID-19, Pennsylvania Medicaid policy|Comments Off on PA Health Policy Update for the Week of March 28-April 1
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PA Health Policy Update for the Week of March 21-25

The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania for the week of March 21-25, 2022.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents.)

Hospital buildingGovernor Wolf

  • The Wolf Administration has announced how the state will spend $225 million in federal American Rescue Plan money appropriated through Act 2 of 2022 to support the health care workforce needs of hospitals and behavioral health providers.  The money will be used in the following manner:
  • $100 million to be distributed to acute care, critical access, and children’s hospitals licensed by the Department of Health on a per-bed basis.  The funding will be used strictly for recruitment and retention payments to direct care staff.
  • $110 million to be distributed on a per-bed basis to high-volume Medical Assistance hospitals, designated critical access hospitals, and inpatient and residential behavioral health facilities for recruitment and retention payments to key staff.  In addition to their proportional share of the $100 million pool noted above, all SNAP member hospitals will share in this $110 million distribution as well.
  • $15 million to quadruple the funds available for the nurse loan forgiveness program at Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), a high-demand program that received more than 20,000 applications by the March 1 deadline.

Learn more about the $225 million appropriation and how it will be spent from this Wolf administration news release and this list of funding recipients.

  • The governor’s office has published its regulatory agenda for 2022.  The agenda, which is published semi-annually, is intended to provide the regulated community advance notice of regulations under development or consideration.  Find the full regulatory agenda here.

General Assembly

  • The state House and Senate will return to Harrisburg for session next week.  The House has scheduled a non-voting session day for Monday (3/28) and voting session for Tuesday (3/29) and Wednesday (3/30).  The Senate is scheduled to be in voting session Wednesday (3/30).
  • The House Health Committee will convene on Tuesday, March 29 to consider House Bill 2357, which prohibits the preparation, manufacture, sale, or distribution of unsafe kratom products, and House Bill 2401, which makes permanent two COVID-19 waivers that permit non-physician practitioners to order and oversee orders for home health care services and permits the continued use of remote supervisory visits by registered nurses.
  • The House Insurance Committee will meet on Tuesday, March 29 to consider, among other bills, House Bill 2419, which expands access to outpatient psychiatric care via telemedicine.

Department of Health

The Department of Health has expanded the Pennsylvania physician general’s standing order that enables people to go to pharmacies to obtain a dose of naloxone to include a form of eight milligram naloxone nasal spray.  Members of the general public can print a copy of this standing order and present it at their local pharmacy to obtain naloxone.  Learn more from this news release.

The Department of Health has issued a news release to remind stakeholders that there is a 30-day comment period for the proposed skilled nursing facility regulations it published on March 19.  These proposed regulations include updates to align with federal regulations and expand the information that applicants for licensure must provide to operate a new facility or take ownership of an existing facility.

Department of Human Services

  • The Department of Human Services (DHS) has issued a Medical Assistance Bulletin to announce the addition of two procedure codes, 87636 and 87637, to the Medical Assistance fee schedule for use in laboratory testing for multiple respiratory pathogens, including COVID-19.  Find that bulletin here.
  • DHS has issued a Medical Assistance Bulletin informing Medical Assistance providers that it has added CPT codes 90619 for the administration of the MenQuadfi® vaccine and 90697 for the administration of the Vaxelis® vaccine to the Medical Assistance fee schedule effective for dates of service on and after June 1, 2021.  In addition, effective June 1, 2021 it has added MenQuadfi® and Vaxelis® to the list of vaccines available through the Department of Health’s Vaccines for Children Program.  Find that March 21 bulletin here.
  • DHS has issued a Medical Assistance Bulletin to introduce updated handbook pages that include the requirements for prior authorization and the type of information needed to evaluate the medical necessity of prescriptions for anticonvulsants submitted for prior authorization.  The revised handbook pages take effect on April 1.  Find the bulletin here.
  • DHS has issued a Medical Assistance Bulletin to introduce updated handbook pages that include the requirements for prior authorization and the type of information needed to evaluate the medical necessity of prescriptions for sedative hypnotics submitted for prior authorization.  The revised handbook pages take effect on April 1  Find the bulletin here.
  • DHS’s Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) has updated guidance on its outpatient competency evaluation program for the psychological assessment by OMHSAS providers of incarcerated individuals awaiting adjudication.  Learn more from this updated program memo and find a referral form and a rescind form that are part of the process described in the guidance.
  • DHS has updated its list of drug companies that participate in the state’s Medicaid drug rebate program.  Find the revised list here.

COVID-19:  By the Numbers

  • Daily COVID-19 case counts continue to fall in Pennsylvania.  A week ago the state’s seven-day average of new cases was 750 cases a day; today (March 25) it is 625 cases a day.
  • The number of new COVID-19-related deaths is following the same downward trend:  Pennsylvania’s seven-day average of deaths was 32 deaths a day a week ago but is 23 deaths a day today (March 25).
  • The decline in the number of Pennsylvania counties experiencing higher rates of community transmission of COVID-19 continues.  For the second consecutive week, no counties are experiencing a high rate of community transmission.  Last week, 21 counties were experiencing a substantial rate of community transmission; this week, just eight are.  For the first time since the fall, some Pennsylvania counties – four of them (Forest, Snyder, Sullivan, and Cameron) – are experiencing a low rate of community transmission.  The rest of the state – 55 counties – is experiencing a moderate rate of community transmission.
  • The number of Pennsylvanians hospitalized with COVID-19 has fallen 60 percent since March 1; the number in hospital ICUs because of the virus has fallen 63 percent since the beginning of the month; and the number being treated for the virus on a ventilator has fallen 69 percent since the first of the month and is at its lowest level since last July 29.

Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs

The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs has created an informational flyer, suitable for posting in public places, with resources for individuals and their loved ones with substance use disorder, including QR code links to find treatment, order naloxone, and obtain educational materials.

Stakeholder Events

Department of Health – Advisory Health Board – March 31

The Department of Health’s Advisory Health Board will meet virtually on Thursday, March 31 at 10.00 a.m. to discuss programmatic and departmental activities.  This meeting was a previously scheduled for March 16.  For information about how to participate, see this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice, which has the original, superseded meeting date but still has the latest information on how to participate in the meeting.

Department of Health – Newborn Screening and Follow-Up Technical Advisory Board – March 30

The Department of Health’s Newborn Screening and Follow-Up Technical Advisory Board will hold a virtual public meeting on Wednesday, March 30, 2022 at 10:00 a.m.  The agenda will include discussions about board member terms; updates from the Bureau of Family Health and the RUSP workgroup; a discussion on pyruvate dehydrogenase; and updates from the Ethics, Lysosomal Storage Disorders/X-ALD, Cystic Fibrosis, Hemoglobinopathy, and Critical Congenital Heart Defects subcommittees.  Learn how to join the meeting in this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

Department of Health – Health Research Advisory Committee – April 4

The Department of Health’s Health Research Advisory Committee will meet virtually on Monday, April 4 at 10:00 a.m. to review the committee’s work, confirm its 2022 priorities, plan future health research priorities, and address emerging issues.  To learn more about the meeting and how to participate, see this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

Department of Human Services – Medical Assistance Advisory Committee – Managed Long-Term Services and Supports subcommittee – April 5

The Medical Assistance Advisory Committee’s managed long-term services and supports committee will meet virtually on Tuesday, April 5 at 10:00 a.m.  Public comments will be taken after each presentation.  Questions can be entered into the meeting’s chat box during the presentations and will be asked at the end of each presentation.  There will be an additional period at the end of the meeting for additional public comments.  Go here to register to participate.

Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network – Strategies to Reduce Hospitalizations and Emergency Room Visits – April 7

The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network, part of DHS’s Quality Strategy for Nursing
Facilities, is holding a virtual webinar “Strategies to Reduce Hospitalizations and Emergency Room Visits” on Thursday, April 7 at 2:00 p.m.  Go here to register to participate.

Department of Health – Spinal Cord Research Advisory Committee – April 21

The Department of Health’s Spinal Cord Research Advisory Committee will meet virtually on Thursday, April 21 at 10:30 a.m.  The purpose of this meeting is to review the committee’s work, review the status and progress of the current request for applications, reaffirm priorities, evaluate and refine the process to review the next spinal cord research applications, and address emerging issues.  For information about how to join the meeting, see this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

 

2022-03-25T20:01:47+00:00March 25th, 2022|COVID-19, Medical Assistance Bulletin, Pennsylvania Bulletin, Pennsylvania Department of Health and COVID-19, Pennsylvania Medicaid, Pennsylvania Medicaid policy|Comments Off on PA Health Policy Update for the Week of March 21-25
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PA Health Policy Update for the Week of March 7-11

The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania for the week of March 7-11, 2022.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents.)

General Assembly

  • The Department of Human Services appeared before the Senate and the House appropriations committees this week.  A recording of the House budget hearing can be viewed here and a recording of the Senate hearing can be viewed here.
  • The Department of Health also appeared before the Senate Appropriations Committee for its FY 2023 budget hearing.  A recording of the hearing can be viewed here.
  • The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs will appear before the Senate Appropriations Committee next Wednesday, March 16 at 2:00 p.m.

Department of Health

In light of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s confirmation of higher-than-expected rates of Powassan virus in ticks located in multiple Pennsylvania counties during the 2021 surveillance season, the Department of Health has issued a health advisory to give providers background information on POW virus disease, including transmission, clinical signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and prevention.

Department of Human Services

The Department of Human Services has issued a Medical Assistance Bulletin to inform providers enrolled in the Medical Assistance program that the state is expanding the beneficiary age for which Medical Assistance payment will be made for the administration of the Flucelvax Quadrivalent vaccine to include beneficiaries ages six months and older effective October 14, 2021.

The Department of Human Services has posted presentations delivered during the February 24 Medical Assistance Advisory Committee meeting by its:

COVID-19:  By the Numbers

  • Daily COVID-19 case counts continue to fall.  A week ago the state’s seven-day average of new cases was 1299 cases a day; yesterday (March 10) it was 954 cases a day.
  • The number of new COVID-19-related deaths is following the same downward trend:  Pennsylvania’s seven-day average of deaths was 65 deaths a day a week ago but was 40 deaths a day yesterday (March 10).
  • The decline in the number of Pennsylvania counties experiencing a substantial rate of community transmission of COVID-19 – the highest rate – continues.  Last week, 38 counties were in the highest rate of community transmission of COVID-19 cases; this week, only seven are.  Last week, 26 counties were experiencing a substantial rate of community transmission; this week, 37 are.  Last week, only three counties were experiencing only a moderate rate of community transmission; this week, 23 are.
  • March 9 was the first day fewer than 1000 Pennsylvanians were hospitalized with COVID-19 since August 12; March 11 was the first day fewer than 100 were on ventilators because of the virus since August 5; and March 7 was the first day fewer than 200 were in hospital ICUs because of COVID-19 since August 5.

Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4)

PHC4 has released the new report “COVID-19 Hospitalizations ‒ March 2020 to June 2021.”  The paper looks at patients who were hospitalized with COVID-19 and discharged from Pennsylvania acute-care hospitals from March 2020 through June 2021.  It examines hospitalization rates and in-hospital mortality by month and for the entire period.  Go here for links to the news release announcing the report, key findings, county rates, patient characteristics and outcomes, and the report itself.

Stakeholder Events

Department of Health – Advisory Health Board – March 16

The Department of Health’s Advisory Health Board will meet virtually on Wednesday, March 16 at 2:00 p.m. to discuss programmatic and departmental activities.  For information about how to participate, see this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

Patient Safety Authority – March 17

The Patient Safety Authority will hold a virtual public meeting on Thursday, March 17 at 1:00 p.m.  Learn how to join the meeting from this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

Department of Health – Newborn Screening and Follow-Up Technical Advisory Board – March 30

The Department of Health’s Newborn Screening and Follow-Up Technical Advisory Board will hold a virtual public meeting on Wednesday, March 30, 2022 at 10:00 a.m.  The agenda will include discussions about board member terms; updates from the Bureau of Family Health and the RUSP workgroup; a discussion on pyruvate dehydrogenase; and updates from the Ethics, Lysosomal Storage Disorders/X-ALD, Cystic Fibrosis, Hemoglobinopathy and Critical Congenital Heart Defects subcommittees.  Learn how to join the meeting in this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

2022-03-11T22:00:40+00:00March 11th, 2022|COVID-19, Medical Assistance Bulletin, Meetings and notices, Pennsylvania Bulletin, Pennsylvania Department of Health and COVID-19, Pennsylvania Medicaid, Pennsylvania proposed FY 2023 budget|Comments Off on PA Health Policy Update for the Week of March 7-11
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PA Health Policy Update for the Week of February 14-18

The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania for the week of February 14-18, 2022.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents.)

General Assembly

House Chamber of the State HouseThe state House Appropriations Committee began its FY 2023 budget hearings this week.  The Senate Appropriations Committee will begin hearings next week.  Hearings will conclude on March 17.  A complete schedule of the hearings can be found here.  The following is a selection of health-related budget hearings.

  • Department of Health/Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (House Appropriations Committee) – Thursday, March 3 at 10:00 a.m.
  • Department of Human Services (Senate Appropriations Committee) – Tuesday, March 8 at 10:00 a.m.
  • Department of Health (Senate Appropriations Committee) – Wednesday, March 9 at 10:00 a.m.
  • Department of Human Services (House Appropriations Committee) – Wednesday, March 9 at 10:00 a.m.
  • Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (Senate Appropriations Committee) – Wednesday, March 16 at 2:30 p.m.

Department of Human Services

Department of Health

  • Two additional state-directed health care strike teams and another long-term care regional support team are providing requested assistance for hospitals and skilled nursing facilities caring for patients with COVID-19.  Clinical staff are supporting staff at Geisinger Wyoming Valley and Lehigh Valley Hospital – Cedar Crest.  These teams are on a two-week deployment and vary in size and scope based on the daily needs of the facilities and include registered nurses and respiratory therapists provided through a staffing firm.  Another team is working with the Pleasant Valley Manor nursing home in Monroe County, providing clinical and non-clinical support staff to allow for more rapid discharge of patients from area hospitals and freeing additional acute-care space to meet COVID-19 demands.  Supplemental staff includes RNs, LPNs, and CNAs; Pennsylvania National Guard is providing non-clinical staffing to support the facility’s existing staff and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency is assisting with coordination.  Learn more from this Department of Health news release.
  • The Department of Health (DOH) has updated its information about state-sponsored COVID-19 testing sites throughout Pennsylvania, including new sites in McKean, Susquehanna, Washington, and York counties.  Go here for information about locations and hours and for a link to a map with other testing sites across the state.
  • DOH has issued an alert providing guidance to long-term-care facilities on response to exposure and outbreaks of COVID-19.  This guidance incorporates recent changes made by the CDC.
  • DOH has issued guidance on core infection prevention and control measures for long-term-care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic and incorporates recent updates made by the CDC.  This guidance also supplements previous guidance issued by DOH.
  • DOH has reminded long-term-care facilities that they can order the oral antiviral treatments molnupiravir and Paxlovid from the strategic reserve specifically for residents of those facilities and other congregate settings and has updated an FAQ about the program.
  • DOH has published a health alert about a significant increase in the number of cases of syphilis in Pennsylvania in 2021 and offering testing and treatment recommendations for providers.  Find the alert here.

COVID-19:  By the Numbers

  • Daily COVID-19 case counts remain very high but fell significantly again over the past week.  Pennsylvania’s seven-day average yesterday (February 17) was 3159 cases day; a week ago (February 10) its seven-day average was 5163 cases a day.
  • The number of new COVID-19-related deaths also remains high but declined again over the past week.  Pennsylvania’s seven-day average yesterday (February 17) was 83 deaths a day; a week ago (February 10) its seven-day average was 109 deaths a day.
  • The Department of Health reports that the percentage of available adult ICU beds fell from 23.6 percent to 22 percent during the past week and the percentage of available pediatric ICU beds fell from 14 percent 8.5 percent over the same period of time, leaving just 33 unoccupied pediatric ICU beds in the state.
  • The Department of Health also reports that approximately 12.7 percent of all staffed adult ICU beds in the state are occupied by COVID-19 patients this week, down from 17.3 percent last week, and that 26.6 percent of all ventilators in the state are currently in use, down from 27.6 percent last week.
  • All 67 Pennsylvania counties continue to experience a high rate of COVID-19 transmission.
  • The decline in the number of new COVID-19 cases is reflected in a 53 percent decline since February 1 in the number of Pennsylvanians hospitalized with the virus.  The number of people on ventilators also has fallen 49 percent since the first of the month and the number in ICUs has fallen 48 percent over that same period.

Around the State

As the number of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths continues to decline across Pennsylvania, newspapers are reporting on changes in their own coverage areas.  Among them:

Insurance Department

Jessica Altman has resigned as commissioner of the Pennsylvania Insurance Department; her last day on the job will be February 25.  Current department chief of staff Mike Humphreys will serve as acting commissioner.  Learn more from this Wolf administration news release.

Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA)

PHEAA’s PA Student Loan Relief for Nurses Program makes available to qualified applicants student loan relief of up to $2,500 for each year of work (beginning with 2020) for no more than three years, with a maximum benefit of $7,500.  To learn more about eligibility, benefits, and how to apply, go here.  Applications are due March 1.

Stakeholder Events

Medical Assistance Advisory Committee Consumer Subcommittee – February 23

The Medical Assistance Advisory Committee’s consumer subcommittee will meet virtually on Wednesday, February 23 at 1:00 p.m.  Go here to register to participate.

Medical Assistance Advisory Committee – February 24

The Medical Assistance Advisory Committee will meet virtually on Thursday, February 24 at 10:00 a.m.  Go here to register to participate.  Find the meeting agenda here.

DHS – Managed Long-Term Services and Supports Subcommittee – March 1

The Medical Assistance Advisory Committee’s managed long-term services and support (MLTSS) subcommittee will meet virtually on Tuesday, March 1 at 10:00 a.m.  Go here to register to participate.

2022-02-18T22:01:36+00:00February 18th, 2022|COVID-19, Medical Assistance Bulletin, Meetings and notices, Pennsylvania Department of Health and COVID-19, Pennsylvania Medicaid, Pennsylvania proposed FY 2023 budget|Comments Off on PA Health Policy Update for the Week of February 14-18
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PA Health Policy Update for the Week of February 7-11

The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania for the week of February 7-11, 2022.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents.)

Proposed State FY 2023 Budget

This week Governor Wolf proposed his state budget for FY 2023.  Pennsylvania will go into FY 2023 with a budget surplus of approximately $3 billion and more than $2 billion in unspent federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.  Health care highlights include a $91 million increase in Medicaid rates for skilled nursing facilities; a $37 million increase in funding for county mental health services; and $325 million in ARPA fund spending for long-term care recruitment and retention, health care workforce development, behavioral health workforce expansion, and loan forgiveness for critical care workers (highlighted here).

The proposed state funding for the Department of Human Services is nearly $4 billion more than the current fiscal year’s total, though much of that reflects increased spending attributable to the loss of enhanced federal matching funds.  Proposed spending increases include:

  • rate increases for HealthChoices, Community HealthChoices, and CHIP managed care plans
  • increased Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits
  • increased supplemental payments to personal care homes
  • increased county mental health funding
  • reducing the waiting list for intellectual disability services
  • expanding court-appointed child special advocates
  • expanding access to evidence-based home visiting programs (for parents of young children).

The budget also assumes a slight decrease in Medicaid spending attributable to the expectation that once the COVID-19 public health emergency officially ends states will be required to redetermine eligibility for the program – they are not permitted to do this during the emergency in exchange for additional federal assistance – and that Pennsylvania’s Medicaid enrollment will then be reduced.  The budget assumes a smaller increase in CHIP spending for the same reason.

For further information, find Wolf administration budget documents here and a summary of the proposed Department of Human Services budget here.

Governor Wolf

Governor Wolf signed House Bill 1082 into law on Wednesday following its unanimous passage by the House and Senate.  Act 9 of 2022 directs the Department of Health to establish and maintain an “Early Detection and Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease or a Related Disorder” toolkit that includes best practices and cognitive assessment tools, including the use of appropriate diagnostics, to assist the primary care workforce with the detection, diagnosis, treatment, and care planning for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.  It also makes a technical change in the definition of “High Medical Assistance hospital” in Act 2 (House Bill 253) to align it with the legislation’s original intent.

Governor Wolf signed Senate Bill 739 following its unanimous passage in the House and Senate.  Act 10 of 2022 appropriates $25 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to support Pennsylvania’s emergency management services (EMS) companies.  A press release issued by the governor’s office can be viewed here.

General Assembly

  • The state House and Senate convened for voting session this week.  The following is a selection of health-related bills that received consideration.
    • House Bill 1440 passed on third and final consideration by a vote of 132 to 67.  This bill provides for the regulation and licensure of medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals.  It will now be sent to the Senate.
    • House Bill 19, which creates professional licensure for behavior analysts, passed on third and final consideration by a vote of 134-66.  The bill was received in the Senate and referred to the Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee.
  • The House Health Committee convened on Monday, February 7 and favorably reported House Bill 1741, which allows for the prescribing and dispensing of off-label drugs to treat COVID-19, and House Bill 1693, which requires nursing home residents to be notified at the time of their admission that they have the option of having legal representation to assist with applying for Medicaid benefits.
  • The Senate Health & Human Services Committee met on Wednesday, February 9 and favorably reported Senate Bill 1057, which enables pharmacists to be reimbursed for administering COVID-19 antigen tests.
  • The House Appropriations Committee will begin budget hearings next Tuesday, February 15.  The Senate Appropriations Committee will begin budget hearings the following week, on February 22.  The hearing schedules can be viewed here.

Department of Human Services

  • The Department of Human Services (DHS) has issued a Medical Assistance Bulletin informing providers that Chartwell Pennsylvania will be the preferred specialty pharmacy in the Medicaid fee-for-service specialty pharmacy drug program effective July 1 and explaining to providers how to access drugs included in that program.  The bulletin applies to pharmacies and prescribers enrolled in Medicaid that serve participants in the fee-for-service delivery system.  Find the bulletin here.
  • DHS has updated the Medicaid program fee schedule to include a CPT code for dispensing the oral antiviral therapeutics Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir tablets and ritonavir tablets, co-packaged for oral use) and molnupiravir capsules for treatment of COVID-19.  Learn more, including the new CPT code, in this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice, which also includes information about submitting comments in response to this action.  Such comments are due within 30 days.
  • DHS has released the minutes of the January 27 meeting of the Medical Assistance Advisory Committee meeting.  Find them here.

Department of Health

The Department of Health (DOH) has updated its infection prevention and control recommendations for health care settings during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The update reflects a recent revision in the CDC’s guidance.  Find the state update here.

DOH has updated its information about state-sponsored COVID-19 testing sites in Berks, Blair, Centre, Clinton, Clearfield, Fayette, Monroe, Somerset, and Venango counties and its map of additional testing sites around the state.  Learn more in this DOH news release.

COVID-19:  By the Numbers

  • Daily COVID-19 case counts remain very high but fell significantly again over the past week.  Pennsylvania’s seven-day average yesterday (February 10) was 5163 cases day; a week ago (February 3) its seven-day average was 8512 cases a day.
  • To date, Pennsylvania has experienced more than 2.7 million cases of confirmed or probable COVID-19.
  • The number of new COVID-19-related deaths also remains very high but declined slightly over the past week.  Pennsylvania’s seven-day average yesterday (February 10) was 119 deaths a day; a week ago (February 3) its seven-day average was 135 deaths a day.
  • To date, more than 42,000 Pennsylvanians have died from COVID-19.
  • The Department of Health reports that the percentage of available adult ICU beds rose from 18.9 percent to 23.6 percent during the past week but the percentage of available pediatric ICU beds fell slightly, from 14.4 percent to 14 percent, over the same period of time.
  • The Department of Health also reports that that in approximately 17.3 percent of all staffed adult ICU beds are COVID-19 patients this week, down from 22.1 percent last week, and that 27.6 percent of all ventilators in the state are currently in use, down from 30.6 percent last week.
  • All 67 Pennsylvania counties continue to experience a high rate of COVID-19 transmission.
  • The decline in the number of new COVID-19 cases is reflected in a 36 percent decline over since February 1 in the number of Pennsylvanians hospitalized with the virus.  The number of people on ventilators also has fallen 36 21 percent since the first of the month and the number in ICUs has fallen 37 percent.

Stakeholder Events

Human Immunodeficiency Virus Community Prevention Planning Committee – February 16 and 17

The Statewide HIV Planning Group will hold virtual public meetings on Wednesday, February 16 and Thursday, February 17, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Learn more about the meetings and how to participate from this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

DHS – Managed Long-Term Services and Supports Subcommittee – March 1

The Medical Assistance Advisory Committee’s managed long-term services and support (MLTSS) subcommittee will meet virtually on Tuesday, March 1 at 10:00 a.m.  Go here to register to participate.

 

2022-02-11T21:54:18+00:00February 11th, 2022|Coronavirus, COVID-19, HealthChoices, Medical Assistance Bulletin, Meetings and notices, Pennsylvania Bulletin, Pennsylvania Department of Health and COVID-19, Pennsylvania Department of Health coronavirus, Pennsylvania Medicaid, Pennsylvania Medicaid laws and regulations, Pennsylvania Medicaid policy, Pennsylvania proposed FY 2023 budget|Comments Off on PA Health Policy Update for the Week of February 7-11
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PA Health Policy Update for the Week of January 31-February 4

The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania for the week of January 31-February 4, 2022.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents.)

Governor Wolf

As part of a preview of the budget proposal Governor Wolf will deliver to the legislature on Tuesday, February 8, his office has issued a news release  announcing “…his $1.7 billion plan to help Pennsylvania fully recover from the pandemic and pave the way for a successful future with support for families and workers, small businesses, the healthcare system, and statewide community revitalization through the American Rescue Plan​ Act (ARPA).”  Included in that news release is the following:

Support for Pennsylvania’s Healthcare System, $325 million

This investment would recognize healthcare workers for their heroic dedication and hard work throughout the pandemic and give healthcare providers resources to recruit and retain a skilled workforce​:

    • $250 million for long-term care recruitment and retention incentives and workforce development initiatives to grow the critical healthcare workforce​;
    • $40 million for the behavioral health workforce to expand county mental health programs; and 
    • $35 million to expand the student loan forgiveness program at PHEAA to include additional critical healthcare workers.

Redistricting Update

This afternoon the Legislative Reapportionment Commission voted 4-1 to approve new state House and Senate legislative district maps.  The final maps can be viewed here.  Pennsylvanians who are “aggrieved” by the approved maps have one month to appeal them to the Supreme Court, which has the authority to send the maps back to the commission.  Earlier this week the state Supreme Court assumed responsibility for drawing the state’s congressional district map.

House Chamber of the State HouseGeneral Assembly

  • The General Assembly will be in session next Monday (2/7), Tuesday (2/8), and Wednesday (2/9).
  • The state House and Senate will convene for a joint session on Tuesday (2/8) for Governor Wolf’s final budget address.
  • The House of Representatives is planning to consider the following health-related bills on second and third consideration next week.  Please note that this list is subject to change.
    • House Bill 1440, which provides for the regulation and licensure of medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals.
    • House Bill 19, which creates professional licensure for behavior analysts.
    • Senate Bill 1019, which addresses COVID-19 regulatory waivers and suspensions.
  • The House Health Committee will convene on Monday, February 7 to consider House Bill 1741, which allows for the prescribing and dispensing of off-label drugs approved by the FDA to treat coronavirus infections, and House Bill 1693, which requires nursing home residents to be notified at the time of their admission that they have the option of having legal representation to assist with applying for Medicaid benefits.

Department of Human Services

  • The Department of Human Services (DHS) has issued a Medical Assistance Bulletin to notify providers that the Medical Assistance program will pay for FDA-authorized over-the-counter COVID-19 tests provided to Medical Assistance beneficiaries, effective with dates of service on and after August 30, 2021.  This bulletin applies to Medical Assistance-enrolled pharmacies that serve Medical Assistance beneficiaries.  Providers serving Medical Assistance beneficiaries in physical health HealthChoices or Community HealthChoices should address any billing and payment questions with the applicable managed care organization.  Learn more from this Medical Assistance Bulletin.
  • DHS has published notice of its final $255.556 million funding allocation for various FY 2022 disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payments.  DHS is not otherwise changing the qualifying criteria or payment methodology for any of these payments.  Learn more in this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.
  • Thirty Pennsylvania counties have received nearly $28 million in federal funding to enhance their behavioral health programs.  Administered through DHS, this one-time funding consists of money granted to states through the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 combined with funds from Pennsylvania’s annual Community Mental Health Services Block Grant award.  The grants will target specific state priorities, including mobile crisis mental health services, telehealth, student assistance programs, start-up funding for residential treatment services and assisted outpatient treatment, and additional crisis services projects.  These projects include walk-in and remote crisis supports, expanding crisis, respite, and residential care capacity, and enhanced collaboration with law enforcement to assist with crisis response.  Learn more about the services this funding will support and which counties received grants from this news release.
  • DHS has circulated a briefing document on pharmacy prior authorization for sedative hypnotics when prescribed for Medical Assistance beneficiaries and has invited stakeholder comment.  Comments are due by February 8 and should be sent in MS Word to c-bstarr@pa.gov.
  • DHS has published a notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin announcing its final annual case-mix per diem payment rates for FY 2022 for non-public and county nursing facilities that participate in the Medical Assistance program.
  • DHS has published its latest “Monthly Physical Health Managed Care Enrollment Report,” which updates the report to include January 2022 enrollment data.

Department of Health

  • Leaders of the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH), Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, and Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) announced that they would establish four long-term care regional support sites to relieve pressure on hospitals and skilled nursing facilities due to a high number of patients with COVID-19.  Each facility will receive clinical and non-clinical support staff to open up to 30 beds to allow for more rapid discharge of patients from hospitals, when clinically safe to do so, freeing additional acute care space to meet COVID-19 demands.  A staffing firm will provide clinical staff, including RNs, LPNs and CNAs; the Pennsylvania National Guard will provide non-clinical staffing to support the facilities’ existing staff; and PEMA will assist with coordination.  The four regional support sites will open at the following skilled nursing facilities:  Vincentian Home in Pittsburgh; Lutheran Home in Hollidaysburg, Blair County; Springs at the Watermark in Philadelphia; and Clarview Nursing Home and Rehabilitation in Sligo, Clarion County.  Learn more from this news release.
  • DOH this week established new COVID-19 testing sites in Clearfield, Fayette, Monroe, Somerset, and Venango counties, joining previous sites it opened in Berks, Blair, Centre, and Clinton counties.  Learn more about individual clinic locations and hours in this DOH news release.
  • DOH has posted information about two options for DHS-certified child care facilities to report positive COVID-19 cases.

COVID-19:  By the Numbers

  • Daily COVID-19 case counts remain very high but fell significantly again over the past week.  Pennsylvania’s seven-day average yesterday (February 3) was 8512 cases day; a week ago (January 27) its seven-day average was 14,025 cases a day.
  • The number of new COVID-19-related deaths also remains very high but declined over the past week.  Pennsylvania’s seven-day average yesterday (February 3) was 135 deaths a day; a week ago (January 27) its seven-day average was 166 deaths a day.
  • The Department of Health reports that the percent of available adult and pediatric ICU beds in the state rose to 18.9 percent and 14.4 percent, respectively; that in approximately 22.1 percent of all staffed adult ICU beds are COVID-19 patients; and that 30.6 percent of all ventilators state-wide are in use.
  • All 67 Pennsylvania counties continue to experience a high rate of COVID-19 transmission.
  • The decline in the number of new COVID-19 cases is reflected in a 25 percent decline over the past week in the number of Pennsylvanians hospitalized with the virus.  The number of people on ventilators fell 21 percent over the past week and the number in ICUs fell 25 percent.

Stakeholder Events

Public Health Advisory Council – February 7

The Public Health Advisory Council hold a virtual meeting on Monday, February 7 at 11:30 a.m.

to discuss the Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant work plan.  The meeting will be held by phone.  For information about how to participate, see this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus Community Prevention Planning Committee – February 16 and 17

The Statewide HIV Planning Group will hold virtual public meetings on Wednesday, February 16 and Thursday, February 17, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Learn more about the meetings and how to participate from this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

DHS – Managed Long-Term Services and Supports Subcommittee – March 1

The Medical Assistance Advisory Committee’s managed long-term services and support (MLTSS) subcommittee will meet virtually on Tuesday, March 1 at 10:00 a.m.  Go here to register to participate.

2022-02-04T21:42:47+00:00February 4th, 2022|COVID-19, Medicaid supplemental payments, Meetings and notices, Pennsylvania Bulletin, Pennsylvania Department of Health and COVID-19, Pennsylvania Medicaid, Pennsylvania Medicaid COVID-19, Pennsylvania Medicaid laws and regulations, Pennsylvania Medicaid policy|Comments Off on PA Health Policy Update for the Week of January 31-February 4
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PA Health Policy Update for the Week of January 10-14

The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania for the week of January 10-14, 2022.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents.)

Governor Wolf

The Wolf administration has announced the creation of the Long-Term Care Resiliency, Infrastructure Supports, and Empowerment program, or LTC RISE, which seeks to give long-term-care facilities “…the support they need to battle COVID-19, recover, and rebuild.”  Under the program, long-term-care facilities can pursue improvement projects in the areas of infection prevention and control and emergency preparedness; building a sustainable outbreak response operation; and promoting professional development and a resilient long-term-care facility workforce.  The program is funded by a federal grant and replaces the state’s Regional Congregate Care Assistance Teams program, which expired at the end of 2021.  Learn more about LTC RISE from this Wolf administration news release and from the LTC RISE web page.

General Assembly

  • The House of Representatives unanimously passed House Bill 1280, which amends the Patient Test Result Information Act.  This bill eliminates the definition of “significant abnormality” and revises the written notice requirement for health care providers in an effort to provide clarity and eliminate conflicting interpretations of the act.  The bill was received in the Senate and referred to the Health and Human Services Committee.
  • The House Health Committee convened on Tuesday, January 11 and favorably reported House Bill 1630, which would grant the Pennsylvania Auditor General the authority to audit managed care contracts and subcontracts with pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in Medicaid.  The committee also reported Senate Bill 709, which would create public awareness of cytomegalovirus (CMV) and provide for CMV screening for certain newborns.
  • The House Republican Policy Committee is scheduled to hold a public hearing on rural health care issues next Wednesday, January 19 at 9:30 a.m.  The hearing will take place at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.
  • The state Senate will hold voting session during the week of January 17 on Tuesday (1/18) and Wednesday (1/19).
  • The Senate Health and Human Services Committee will convene on Tuesday, January 18 to consider Senate Bill 1019, which addresses COVID-19 regulatory waivers and suspensions.
  • The Senate Appropriations Committee is scheduled to convene on Tuesday January 18 to consider, among other bills, Senate Bill 818, which aligns the procedures permitted in ambulatory surgery centers with those permitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS); Senate Bill 861, which enters Pennsylvania into the EMS interstate compact; and Senate Bill 927, which expands eligibility for the Medical Officer Health Incentive Program.
  •  The Senate Aging and Youth Committee will convene on Tuesday, January 18 at 11:30 a.m. to consider the following bills:
    • Senate Bill 936, which mandates the reporting and tracking of infants born with an addiction to opioids or other illegal substances within the state.
    • House Bill 996, which requires the departments of Health and Human Services to establish protocols to allow a resident of a long-term-care facility to receive visits by a member of the clergy during a disaster emergency.
    • House Bill 1737, which enables a county children and youth agency to petition the court for an order to compel a drug screening when there is evidence that substance use may be a contributing cause of child abuse or neglect.

Department of Human Services

  • Various Department of Human Services (DHS) regulations were suspended to facilitate the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Some of those suspensions have been lifted, so some of the temporarily suspended regulations are being enforced again.  For an updated list of regulations and their current status, organized by offices within DHS and with the most recent changes highlighted, go here.
  • DHS has announced the addition of procedure codes to the Medical Assistance fee schedule for the administration of booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines.  To find those new codes and the rates to be paid, see this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.
  • DHS has announced the addition of procedure codes to the Medical Assistance fee schedule for the administration of the Pfizer pediatric COVID-19 vaccine.  Find the procedure codes, rates, and more in this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.
  • DHS has issued a Medical Assistance Bulletin informing providers of changes in billing procedures for certified registered nurse practitioners and physician assistants serving fee-for-service patients.
  • DHS has issued a Medical Assistance Bulletin informing providers and pharmacies that the fee-for-service program will require prior authorization for prescribing Aduhelm (aducanumab), the new drug to treat Alzheimer’s disease.
  • DHS has issued a Medical Assistance Bulletin informing providers and pharmacies that it has issued updated handbook pages presenting the requirements for prior authorization and the type of information needed to evaluate the medical necessity of prescriptions for Xyrem (sodium oxybate)/Xywav (calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium oxybates) for fee-for-service patients.  Find the notice here.
  • DHS announced that it intends to continue making Medical Assistance Day One Incentive payments to qualified non-public nursing facilities in FY 2022.   These payments seek to give incentives to non-public nursing facilities to serve individuals who are Medical Assistance-eligible on the day of admission.  Learn more about how and when the payments will be made and how they will be calculated in this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.
  • DHS is making available for public review and comment its proposed renewal application for extension of the Section 1115 Medicaid demonstration titled “Medicaid Coverage for Former Foster Care Youth from a Different State and SUD Demonstration.”  The effective dates of the current approved demonstration are October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2022.  The extension requested will be for an additional five years, through September 30, 2027.  Learn more about the program and the state’s planned request from this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.
  • DHS’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning has updated its FAQ on its guidance for tuberculin skin testing and COVID-19 vaccinations for providers participating in its licensed programs.  Find that FAQ here.

Department of Health

In the past week the Department of Health announced the opening of a new COVID-19 testing site in Cambria County to go along with other recently opened testing sites in Berks, Blair, Centre, Clinton, Delaware, Luzerne and Mifflin counties.  In addition, the state has announced that a new high-volume and high-throughput COVID-19 testing site will be opening soon in Delaware County at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital.  This site will be staffed by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services contractors with additional support from the host location, the costs for which will be eligible for reimbursement by FEMA.  The Department of Health continues to talk to federal officials about the possibility of opening an additional high-volume testing site in the south-central part of the state.

The Department of Health has announced that Credentia will serve as its new contractor to operate the Pennsylvania nurse aide registry previously operated by Pearson Vue.  Go here for the nurse aide registry search.  The Pearson Vue link no longer works as of January 3.

COVID-19:  By the Numbers

Stakeholder Events

Pennsylvania Rural Health Redesign Center Authority Board – January 18

The Pennsylvania Rural Health Redesign Center Authority Board will hold its next virtual meeting on Tuesday, January 18 at 10:00 a.m.  The meeting will provide updates on a variety of topics, including model status updates, federal grant deliverables, global budget methodology, and more.  It also will address current and upcoming activities.  For information about how to join the meeting, see this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

Infant Hearing Screening Advisory Committee – January 20

The Infant Hearing Screening Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting both in person and virtually on Thursday, January 20 at 1:00 p.m.  Agenda items will include reports by the cytomegalovirus and audiology subcommittees, an assessment of audiology training currently in development, and a review of upcoming program activities.  For information about how to join the meeting, either virtually or in person, see this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

Medical Assistance Advisory Committee’s Consumer Subcommittee – January 26

The consumer subcommittee of the Medical Assistance Advisory Committee will meet virtually on Wednesday, January 26 at 1:00 p.m.  Go here to register to participate.

Medical Assistance Advisory Committee – January 27

The Medical Assistance Advisory Committee will meet virtually on Thursday, January 27 at 10:00 a.m.  Go here to register to participate.

Medical Marijuana Advisory Board – January 27

The Medical Marijuana Advisory Board will hold a virtual meeting on Thursday, January 27 at 10:00 a.m.  This meeting will be broadcast live through Commonwealth Media Services.  Check www.medicalmarijuana.pa.gov and click on the Medical Marijuana Advisory Board tab for live streaming information on the day of the virtual meeting.  Learn more from this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

Patient Safety Authority – January 27

The Patient Safety Authority will hold a virtual public meeting on Thursday, January 27 at 1:00 p.m.  For information about how to join the meeting, see this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

Special Pharmaceutical Benefits Program Advisory Council – January 27

The Statewide Special Pharmaceutical Benefits Program Advisory Council will hold a public teleconference meeting on Thursday, January 27 at 10 a.m.  To participate, call 412-648-8888 or 866-588-4789.  The meeting ID is 487 872 318#.  Learn more from this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

Medical Assistance Advisory Committee – Managed Long-Term Services and Supports Subcommittee – February 2

The DHS Medical Assistance Advisory Committee’s managed long-term services and supports subcommittee will meet virtually on Wednesday, February 2 at 10:00 a.m.  Interested parties can join the meeting here or call in at 914-614-3221, access code 300-175-489.

Office of Long-Term Living – Financial Management Services Stakeholder Meeting – February 4

The DHS Office of Long-Term Living’s financial management services stakeholder group will hold a virtual public meeting on Friday, February 4 at 1:00 p.m. to discuss upcoming changes for the administration of financial management services under the Community HealthChoices, OBRA                     Waiver, and Act 150 programs.  Go here to participate or join by phone at 1-408-418-9388.

 

2022-01-14T22:33:59+00:00January 14th, 2022|Coronavirus, COVID-19, HealthChoices, 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 policy|Comments Off on PA Health Policy Update for the Week of January 10-14
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PA Health Policy Update for the Week of December 27-30

The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania for the week of December 27-30, 2021.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents.)

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

CMS directed state survey agencies in certain states, including Pennsylvania, to begin surveying for compliance with the agency’s November 5, 2021 final rule requiring vaccination of health care staff. Click here to read the guidance to states and find provider-specific guidance documents.  CMS has authorized state surveyors to find facilities out of compliance with the rule within 30 days of the issuance of this guidance if less than 100 percent of all staff have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Department of Health

  • The Department of Health (DOH) and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency announced that the federal Department of Health and Human Services will be sending “strike teams” to Scranton Regional Hospital and Wellspan York to increase acute care capacity. In addition, EMS “strike teams” will be deployed in those regions to support the increased capacity.
  • DOH, in partnership, with the Department of Human Services, announced it will be transitioning its Regional Congregate Care Teams (RCATs) to the new LTC RISE (Long-term Care Resiliency, Infrastructure Supports, and Empowerment) program, effective January 1, 2022. This program will continue to provide long-term-care facilities with COVID-19 outbreak response support.  Additional information on the LTC RISE program may be found here.
  • DOH issued updated guidance to providers on COVID-19 treatment options with direction to limit the use of sotrovimab because of a current nationwide supply shortage.  This particular monoclonal antibody should be reserved for eligible outpatients at the highest risk who are diagnosed with the omicron variant of COVID-19 or exposed to local settings where omicron is prevalent.
  • DOH updated its recommendations for when health care personnel with COVID-19 infection could return to work and its contingency and crisis strategies for providers mitigating staff shortages.
  • DOH updated its guidance on isolation and quarantine periods for COVID-19 for the general population.

Department of Human Services

  • The Department of Human Services (DHS) has announced the addition of community-based care management services to the Medical Assistance fee schedule and its intent to seek CMS approval to add to the Medicaid state plan community-based care management services provided by Centers of Excellence for opioid use disorders.  See details in the Pennsylvania Bulletin notice here.
  • DHS has issued a Medical Assistance Bulletin to add to the MA fee schedule procedures codes for the administration of  booster doses of the Janssen and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines.
  • DHS has issued a Medical Assistance Bulletin with information on two CPT codes added to the MA fee schedule for the administration of Pfizer’s pediatric COVID-19 vaccine.
  • DHS has issued a Medical Assistance Bulletin about reimbursement of licensed pharmacists administering vaccines to Medicaid fee-for-service beneficiaries.

COVID-19:  By the Numbers

  • Daily COVID-19 case counts remain at their highest levels since the beginning of the pandemic.  To date, more than 1.9 million Pennsylvanians have contracted COVID-19.
  • The number of new COVID-19-related deaths remains high.
  • Nearly all Pennsylvania counties continue to experience a high rate of COVID-19 transmission.
  • The number of Pennsylvanians hospitalized because of COVID-19 remains high.  There currently are only 533 unoccupied adult ICU beds – 15.1 percent of the total of such beds in the state; 2369 unoccupied medical/surgical beds – 11.9 percent of such beds in the state; 40 pediatric ICU beds (10.7 percent); 234 pediatric beds (23.4 percent); and 991 airborne isolation beds (31.0 percent).
  • DOH reports that 6.9 million Pennsylvanians, excluding those in Philadelphia, are now fully vaccinated; it appears likely, although not certain, that this figure reflects the original concept of “fully vaccinated” and not whether such individuals have received boosters.  Philadelphia’s Department of Public Health reports slightly more than 1.05 million people fully vaccinated and that 224,000 boosters have been administered to city residents since August 13.

 

2022-01-03T16:31:32+00:00January 3rd, 2022|Coronavirus, COVID-19, Medical Assistance Bulletin, Pennsylvania Bulletin, Pennsylvania Department of Health coronavirus, Pennsylvania Medicaid, Pennsylvania Medicaid policy|Comments Off on PA Health Policy Update for the Week of December 27-30
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  • 2020 Safety-Net Association of Pennsylvania

Home / About Us / Advocacy / Why Join? / SNAPShots / Contact Us

  • P: (717) 234-6970

  • 2020 Safety-Net Association of Pennsylvania

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