SNAPShots

SNAPShots

PA Health Policy Update for January 20

The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania from January 14-20.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents.)

Governor Shapiro

  • Josh Shapiro was sworn in as Pennsylvania’s 48th governor on Tuesday.  Much of the governor’s inaugural speech focused on preserving democracy.  He also highlighted the need for unity and emphasized bringing people together.  Find a transcript of the governor’s speech here.
  • On Wednesday Governor Shapiro issued his first executive order, which prioritizes work experience, skill, and competency for state jobs and highlights that 92 percent of the state’s jobs do not require a four-year college degree.
  • Information about the Shapiro administration’s health-related agency nominees can be found here and a complete list of the Shapiro administration appointments made to date can be found here.

General Assembly

The state Senate convened for voting session this week and the House briefly convened for non-voting session.  Both chambers are now recessed.  The Senate is scheduled to return on Monday, February 27 while the House has yet to release a session calendar.

Department of Human Services

  • The Department of Human Services (DHS) has issued a Medical Assistance Bulletin rescinding Medical Assistance Bulletin 01-22-78, titled “340B Drug Pricing Program – Dispensing 340B Purchased Drugs,” which was issued on December 22, 2022.  Instead, Medical Assistance Bulletin 99-13-08, titled “340B Drug Pricing Program Provider Requirements and Billing Instructions – Pharmacy Services,” remains in effect.  Go here to see the new bulletin rescinding the December 22 version.
  • DHS has extended its calendar for Remittance Advice (RA) notifications and the delivery of electronic payments and checks into early March.  Find the updated calendar here.
  • DHS has issued a Medical Assistance Bulletin informing providers that it has added CPT codes 0124A, 0154A (Pfizer) and 0134A, 0144A (Moderna) to its fee schedule for the administration of a bivalent booster dose COVID-19 vaccine.  Find the bulletin here.
  • DHS’s Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) has written to stakeholders informing them that it has extended until March 31 its requirement that providers capture consent to treat, service verifications, and approval of treatment plans for Medicaid-funded behavioral health services delivered via telehealth.  At the end of this period providers must have an electronic capability to secure auditable electronic signatures for consent and service verification.  Learn more from OMHSAS’s message to stakeholders.
  • DHS has informed stakeholders that Jennifer (Jen) Smith has joined the department as deputy secretary for OMHSAS.  Smith previously served as Secretary of the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs.  Learn more from DHS’s message to stakeholders.
  • DHS has posted information about an electronic submission process for Medicaid fee-for-service 180-day exception requests and other claims requiring documentation that will soon be available in the PROMISE portal.  Find that information here.
  • DHS has updated its Medicaid managed care organization directory.
  • DHS has published its peer groups, peer group medians, and peer group prices for non-public nursing facilities, including hospital-based nursing facilities and special rehabilitation facilities.  DHS used these peer groups, peer group medians, and peer group prices to determine case-mix rates for non-public nursing facilities for FY 2023.  Learn more from this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.
  • DHS has published its final annual case-mix per diem payment rates for FY 2023 for non-public and county nursing facilities that participate in the Medical Assistance program.  Learn about those rates from this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

Department of Health

  • The Department of Health (DOH) has updated its telemedicine interpretive guidance for hospitals.  Find the updated guidance here.
  • DOH has updated its FAQ on innovative care models for hospitals.  Find the updated FAQ here.  The changes, which address critical access hospitals and small rural hospitals, are highlighted in red.
  • DOH has updated its criteria and guidance for establishing an outpatient emergency department.  The changes, which address critical access hospitals, small rural hospitals, and rural emergency hospitals, are highlighted in red.  Find the updated guidance here.
  • DOH also has updated its matrix on how facilities can qualify as an innovative hospital model.  Find the updated matrix here.   Changes again are highlighted in red.
  • DOH has issued guidance requiring prospective new owners of skilled nursing facilities to inform facility residents, representatives, and employees of the possibility of a change of ownership of the facility.  Learn more from this DOH guidance.

COVID-19:  By the Numbers                          

  • The number of new COVID-19 cases reported daily in Pennsylvania declined 27 percent over the past week and the number of new daily deaths, after a 50 percent increase a week ago, returned this week to its level of recent months.
  • According to the Department of Health, the number of Pennsylvanians hospitalized with COVID-19 declined nearly 14 percent last week after an 11 percent decline the previous week; the number on a ventilator because of the virus rose nine percent; and the number in hospital ICUs fell six percent.
  • The CDC reports a five percent decrease in the seven-day average of new hospital admissions in Pennsylvania because of COVID-19 over the past week.
  • As of January 18, four Pennsylvania counties are experiencing a moderate rate of community transmission of COVID-19; eight counties are experiencing a substantial rate of community transmission; and the remaining 55 counties are experiencing high rates of community transmission.

Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4)

PHC4 is beginning the verification process for hospital self-pay records for fiscal year 2021.  Its self-pay data reconciliation web application on the PHC4 portal enables hospitals to reconcile their self-pay records, which eventually will be provided to DHS to be used as a part of its calculation of the extraordinary expense portion under Act 77 (the state’s 2001 tobacco settlement law).  Find PHC4’s letter to hospitals here and the portal for self-pay records here.

Stakeholder Events

Medical Assistance Advisory Committee – Consumer Subcommittee – January 25

The consumer subcommittee of DHS’s Medical Assistance Advisory Committee will meet virtually on Wednesday, January 25 at 1:00.  Go here to register to participate virtually.

Medical Assistance Advisory Committee – January 26

The Medical Assistance Advisory Committee will meet virtually on Thursday, January 26 at 10:00.  Go here to register to participate.

Department of Health – Special Pharmaceutical Benefits Program Advisory Council – January 26

The Department of Health’s Special Pharmaceutical Benefits Program Advisory Council will meet in Harrisburg on Thursday, January 26 at 10:00.  To learn more about the committee, the location of the meeting, and how to join the meeting virtually, see this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

Patient Safety Authority – January 26

The Patient Safety Authority will meet virtually on Thursday, January 26 at 1:00.  For information about how to participate in this meeting, see this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.  Registration is required.

Department of Health – Pennsylvania Achieving Better Care by Monitoring All Prescriptions Board – January 31

The Department of Health’s Pennsylvania Achieving Better Care by Monitoring All Prescriptions Board will meet virtually on Tuesday, January 31 at 9:30.  For more information about the board and how to join the meeting, see this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

Medical Assistance Advisory Committee – Managed Long-Term Services and Supports Subcommittee – February 1

The managed long-term services and supports subcommittee of DHS’s Medical Assistance Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, February 1 at 10:00.  Interested parties may attend in person or virtually.  Go here for further information about the meeting, its location, and how to participate virtually.

Department of Health – Organ Donation Advisory Committee Meeting – February 2

The Department of Health’s Organ Donation Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting on Thursday, February 2 at 10:00.  The purpose of the meeting is to review progress in the area of organ and tissue donation in Pennsylvania, recommend education and awareness activities, recommend priorities in expenditures from the Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Fund, and advise the Department of Health on matters involving administration of that fund.  Interested parties may attend in person or virtually.  For further information about the meeting and how to attend, see this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

Department of Health – Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Board Meeting – February 3

The Department of Health’s Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Board will hold a public meeting in Harrisburg on Friday, February 3 at 10:00.  Meeting materials will be sent out before the meeting and will also be available on the board’s web and at the meeting location.  For further information about the meeting and its location, see this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs – Adolescent ASAM Criteria – March 9

The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs will offer a training program for adolescent service providers on two dates:  March 9 and May 16, both at 8:30.  This training on adolescent ASAM criteria, to be delivered virtually, is designed for participants who already understand the foundational aspects of the ASAM criteria.  The purpose of this training is to explore and discuss the adolescent-specific aspects of the ASAM criteria and offer participants a practical focus through lecture, real-world clinical vignettes, and case studies.  Continuing education credits are available.  Learn more about the program, including requirements for participation and how to join, from this Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs notice.  Please note that the March 9 and May 16 sessions will be identical.

Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs – Adolescent ASAM Criteria – May 16

The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs is offering training on adolescent ASAM criteria, to be delivered virtually, for participants who already understand the foundational aspects of the ASAM criteria.  The purpose of this training is to explore and discuss the adolescent-specific aspects of the ASAM criteria and offer participants a practical focus through lecture, real-world clinical vignettes, and case studies.  The program will be held on May 16 at 8:30.  Continuing education credits are available.  Learn more about the program, including requirements for participation and how to join, from this Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs notice.  Please note that this program is identical to one offered on March 9.

2023-01-20T21:47:06+00:00January 20th, 2023|340b, COVID-19, long-term care, Medical Assistance Bulletin, Meetings and notices, Pennsylvania Bulletin, Pennsylvania Medicaid, Pennsylvania Medicaid COVID-19, Pennsylvania Medicaid laws and regulations, Pennsylvania Medicaid policy|Comments Off on PA Health Policy Update for January 20
Read More

PA Health Policy Update for Friday, September 9

The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania for the week of September 6-9, 2022.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents.)

House Chamber of the State HouseGeneral Assembly

The state House will return to session on Monday, September 12.  The following is an overview of certain health-related committee meetings next week.

  • The House Insurance Committee will meet on Monday, September 12 at 11:00 to consider Senate Bill 1201, which ensures coverage for early refills of prescription eye drops at 70 percent of the original prescription price, and House Bill 2499, which adopts the National Association of Insurance Commissioners model law requiring insurers, with exceptions for small insurers, to conduct an annual risk assessment.
  • The House Professional Licensure Committee will convene on Monday, September 12 at 11:00 to consider, among other measures, House Bill 2800, which amends the Medical Practice Act to address an issue related to the licensure of prosthetists, orthotists, pedorthists, and orthotic fitters in Pennsylvania.
  • The House Republican Policy Committee will hold an informational hearing on Monday, September 12 at 11:00 to examine the Supreme Court’s recent decision to eliminate the existing requirement that a medical professional liability action may only be filed in the county in which the cause of action occurred.
  • The House Human Services Committee will meet on Monday, September 12 at 11:15 to consider House Bill 2686, which establishes a grant program to support the start-up costs of a behavioral health collaborative care model in medical practices.
  • The House Children & Youth Committee will hold an informational meeting on Wednesday, September 14 at 10:00 to examine “Child & Adolescent Fatality Trends & Community Responses.”

Department of Human Services

The Department of Human Services has issued a Medical Assistance Bulletin to notify dentists of updates to the Medical Assistance program dental fee schedule and the program’s Dental PROMISe™ Provider Handbook.  Find the bulletin here.

The Department of Human Services has updated its Pennsylvania Medicaid Managed Care Organization (MCO) Directory.

Department of Health

The Department of Health has written to administrators of long-term-care facilities to encourage them to participate in the state’s Long-term Care Resiliency Infrastructure Supports & Empowerment (LTC-RISE) initiative as a strategy to build workforce resiliency and combat burnout that has resulted from the pandemic.  Find the letter to administrators here and learn more about LTC-RISE and find contact information for LTC-RISE programs serving individual Pennsylvania regions here.

COVID-19:  By the Numbers

Monkeypox

  • The CDC has posted an updated map showing the distribution of 21,504 confirmed cases of monkeypox in the U.S. as of September 8, up from 19,465 cases on September 1.  624 of those cases were in Pennsylvania, up from 561 a week ago.
  • As of September 6, 380 of those Pennsylvania monkeypox cases were in Philadelphia, up from 257 a week ago.  Learn more about monkeypox in Philadelphia from the city Department of Public Health’s digital monkeypox dashboard.

Stakeholder Events

DHS – Assessing and Managing Key Conditions in Long-Term Care – September 15

DHS’s Long-Term Care 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 enhancing skills to assess and manage key conditions in long-term care.  The webinar, to be held on Thursday, September 15 at 2:00, will feature best practices from nursing facilities across the state.  This webinar also offers continuing education units for RNs, MDs, and social workers.  Learn more about the webinar and how to participate from this announcement.

Pennsylvania Cancer Control, Prevention and Research Advisory Board – September 15

The Pennsylvania Cancer Control, Prevention and Research Advisory Board will meet virtually on Thursday, September 15 at 8:30.  In addition, the Pennsylvania Cancer Coalition and the Data Advisory Committee will be holding their meetings at this time.  The purpose of these meetings is to discuss board updates and Pennsylvania Cancer Plan implementation activities.  Learn how to participate virtually from this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

DHS – Behavioral Health Commission for Adult Mental Health – September 16

DHS’s Behavioral Health Commission for Adult Mental Health will meet on Friday, September 16 at 9:00.  Interested parties can attend in person (in Harrisburg) or virtually.  Go here for information on how to participate in the meeting.

DHS – Medical Assistance Advisory Committee Consumer Subcommittee – September 21

The consumer subcommittee of DHS’s Medical Assistance Advisory Committee will meet virtually on Wednesday, September 21 at 1:00.  Go here to register to participate.

DHS – Medical Assistance Advisory Committee – September 22

DHS’s Medical Assistance Advisory Committee will meet virtually on Thursday, September 22 at 10:00.  Go here to register to participate.

Department of Health – Infant Hearing Screening Advisory Committee – September 22

The Department of Health’s Infant Hearing Screening Advisory Committee will hold a virtual public meeting on Thursday, September 22 at 1:00.  For information about how to participate, see this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

Department of Health – Pennsylvania Achieving Better Care by Monitoring All Prescriptions Board – October 25

The Department of Health’s Pennsylvania Achieving Better Care by Monitoring All Prescriptions Board will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, October 25 at 9:30.  The meeting location will depend on COVID-19 mitigation efforts at that time.  If the meeting can be held in person it will be in Room 129 in the Pennsylvania Health and Welfare Building at 625 Forster Street in Harrisburg.  If the meeting is held virtually it will be held at bit.ly/ABC_MAP.  To dial in, call 267-332-8737, conference ID 440 338 696#.  Learn more from this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

2022-09-09T21:12:39+00:00September 9th, 2022|COVID-19, long-term care, Medical Assistance Bulletin, Pennsylvania Bulletin, Pennsylvania Medicaid, Pennsylvania Medicaid policy|Comments Off on PA Health Policy Update for Friday, September 9
Read More

COVID-19 Update: March 27, 2020

The following is a summary of the major COVID-19-related developments in Pennsylvania as of 4:30 p.m. on March 27.

Pennsylvania Updates

Governor Wolf

  • Today Governor Wolf expanded his ‘Stay at Home’ order to include nine more counties to mitigate the spread of the virus:  Berks, Butler, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Luzerne, Pike, Wayne, Westmoreland, and York counties.  The governor’s amended order, the secretary of health’s amended order, and the stay at home guidance are available online.  The order takes effect for these nine counties tonight at 8:00 p.m. and will continue for all of the affected counties until April 6.
  • Today Governor Wolf approved and signed several bills into law to provide emergency relief to schools (SB 751), unemployment compensation rules (HB 68), delaying the primary election (SB 422), and the $50 million in immediate funding for health care supplies via HB 1232.  We do not yet know how this funding will be distributed but are monitoring it closely.  According to the enabling legislation and a press release Governor Wolf issued yesterday, “The $50 million in funding will be deposited into a restricted account under the governor’s jurisdiction and funds will be used if there are insufficient funds available from the disaster proclamation ‘to buy medical equipment and supplies for health care entities to meet urgent patient and staff needs to address surge demand. Health care entities include hospitals, nursing facilities and emergency medical services’.”

Department of Human Services

  • The Department of Human Services (DHS) has published a reminder that Governor Wolf has signed an executive order prohibiting elective medical and surgical procedures for the duration of the COVID-19 crisis.
  • Pennsylvania has been granted a section 1135 Medicaid waiver by the federal government. Key elements of the waiver address:
    • Temporarily suspending Medicaid fee-for-service prior authorization requirements.
    • Extending pre-existing authorizations for which a beneficiary has previously received prior authorization through the end of the public health emergency.
    • Suspending Pre-Admission Screening and Annual Resident Review (PASRR) Level I and Level II Assessments for 30 days.
    • State Fair Hearing Requests and Appeal Timelines.
    • Provider Enrollment.
    • Provision of Services in Alternative Settings.

These waivers will remain in effect until the current health crisis ends.  See the letter from CMS to the state that explains all of these aspects of the waiver in greater detail.

Department of Health

  • During her daily briefing today, Secretary Levine reported that the number of new COVID-19 cases in Pennsylvania yesterday declined slightly from the day before, although she dismissed this decline as “not statistically significant.”  There are now COVID-19 cases in 50 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties.  While the number of hospitalizations, ICU cases, and patients put on ventilators remain low, she said those numbers remain in line with trends elsewhere in the country and her department’s own projections.
  • The department has revised its guidance prohibiting the provision of dental treatment except for urgent and emergency services.

Department of State

The Department of State requested, and Governor Wolf granted, an extension for 90 days of certain license renewal deadlines that fall between April 30, 2020, and June 30, 2020.  Affected boards include the State Board of Medicine, State Board of Nursing, and State Board of Examiners of Nursing Home Administrators.  Any associated regulations that establish these dates are temporarily suspended.  While the department will provide guidance encouraging licensees to renew on time, if possible, this waiver ensures that if they miss the deadline their licenses will remain valid and they will have an additional 90 days to renew them.

Federal Updates

Congress

The House of Representatives passed the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act passed by the Senate late Wednesday.  It now goes to the president for his signature and he has indicated he will sign it.

President Trump

President Trump sent a letter to governors thanking them for their efforts in fighting the COVID-19 emergency, outlining upcoming federal efforts, and expressing hope for the future.

Department of Health and Human Services

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Food and Drug Administration

Resources to Consult

Pennsylvania Department of Human Services

Main COVID-19 Page

COVID-19 Provider Resources

Press Releases

Pennsylvania Department of Health

Main COVID-19 Page

Pennsylvania Emergency Preparedness Guide

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Main COVID-19 Page

FAQ

 

 

2020-03-27T17:25:53+00:00March 27th, 2020|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 COVID-19 Update: March 27, 2020
Read More

COVID-19 Update: March 24, 2020

The following is a summary of the major COVID-19-related developments in Pennsylvania as of 4:45 today.

For your convenience, copies of our daily updates are also posted to the SNAP Blog available here.

State Updates

The State Legislature

House Chamber of the State HouseThe legislature continues to deliberate on a number of measures to respond to the COVID-19 crisis.  Among the issues being discussed between the administration and legislature are:

  • Declaring a public health emergency and providing funding to respond to the crisis.
  • Advancing telemedicine legislation.
  • Amending the rules of unemployment compensation during an emergency declaration such as easing work search requirements and extending the length of time that benefits are available.
  • Providing assistance to small businesses and non-profits through the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority.
  • Amending the state’s election code to move the primary election to June 2.
  • Amending the school code to protect employees and address various changes in state education requirements.

Department of Health Daily Briefing

Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Rachel Levine, M.D., provided her daily COVID-19 briefing.  She reported that the number of cases in the state is doubling every two to three days and she expects the pandemic to spread to additional rural counties.

The state is sharing personal protective equipment and ventilators with providers as providers request them and its stock is being replenished by the federal government.  Despite this, the state continues to seek to purchase more N-95 masks and ventilators.

Direct caregivers, she warned, cannot use homemade masks.  They are not effective.

Turnaround time for COVID-19 testing in the state lab and most hospital labs is 24 hours.  The major commercial testing companies are experiencing a backlog.

Health care personnel are being given priority for COVID-19 testing but only if they show symptoms.

While the state is discussing adapting facilities for post-acute care and other COVID-19-related purposes, Secretary Levine said she thinks it is unlikely the state would reopen Hahnemann Hospital.

People with chronic medical conditions such as lupus are starting to report trouble getting drugs like chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine because of unsubstantiated suggestions that they can help fight COVID-19.  The Department of Health and Department of Human Services are talking to pharmacies about this and working to ensure access for patients who need these drugs for medically approved purposes.

The state is not prepared to consider easing its stay-in-place and non-essential business closure orders at this time.

Department of Human Services

The Department of Human Services (DHS), Office of Child Development and Early Learning has issued two documents.  The first is titled “Infant Toddler Early Intervention Procedures during COVID-19 pandemic” and it describes how early intervention services can be delivered while face-to-face interactions are limited during the COVID-19 crisis.  See the document here.

The second addresses child care program closures, waivers for child care programs to remain open, safety recommendations, and resources for workers who lose their jobs because of facility closures.  Find that document here.

Home Care, Home Health, and Hospice Document Recirculated

On March 21, DOH published COVID-19 emergency response information for home care agencies, home health care agencies, and hospices.  Today, in an effort to broaden the reach of that document, DHS shared it via its long-term care listservs.

Federal Updates

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

CMS issued an FAQ explaining requirements for and distribution of the 6.2% enhanced FMAP stipulated in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.  States should expect to see their first payments no later than tomorrow.  The document explains that the enhanced FMAP doesn’t apply to expansion population, though it does apply to DSH.  It will flow through to the CHIP enhanced FMAP calculation but not in equal percentage point values for all states and the 100% cap on matching remains in effect. States will not need to submit a state plan amendment in order to receive the funding.  The complete guidance document is available here.

Late yesterday the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Center for Clinical Standards and Quality/Quality Safety & Oversight Group issued a 28-page memo to state survey agency directors on the subject of prioritization of survey activities.  During the three-week period following the March 13 declaration of a national emergency, state survey agencies are to have as their priorities complaint/facility-reported incident surveys, targeted infection control surveys, and self-assessments.  They are not authorized to perform surveys on long-term-care facilities, hospitals, home health agencies, intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities, and hospices.  See the CMS guidance letter.

CMS also has issued 11 more section 1135 Medicaid waivers.  They are summarized in a CMS news release.

Health Resources and Services Administration

Today the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) awarded $100 million in grants to 1381 health centers to address screening and testing needs, purchase medical supplies, and boost capacity in response to the COVID-19 crisis.  See an HHS news release here.

National Institutes of Health

The NIH is launching training for health care workers who interact with COVID-19 patients.  The worker-based program will include a web site with training resources.  Learn more from an NIH news release that describes the new initiative.

Food and Drug Administration

The FDA has updated its FAQ on diagnostic testing with new information for providers having trouble obtaining viral transport media.  Read it here.

The FDA also has issued a safety alert addressing the use of fecal microbiota for transplantation and additional safety protections involving COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2.  Find it here.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The CDC has issued new guidance to state and local agencies and service providers on working with their homeless population.  Find it here.

FEMA

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has updated its COVID-19 pandemic advisory.  See the updated advisory here.

Resources to Consult

Pennsylvania Department of Human Services

Main COVID-19 Page

COVID-19 Provider Resources

Press Releases

Pennsylvania Department of Health

Main COVID-19 Page

Pennsylvania Emergency Preparedness Guide

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Main COVID-19 Page FAQ

Conclusion

Please let us know if you have any questions or need additional information or resources.

 

 

 

2020-03-25T06:00:19+00:00March 25th, 2020|Coronavirus, COVID-19, Federal Medicaid issues, Pennsylvania Medicaid coronavirus, Pennsylvania Medicaid COVID-19|Comments Off on COVID-19 Update: March 24, 2020
Read More

SNAP to PA Delegation: Help Us Fight Coronavirus

Pennsylvania safety-net hospitals need help fighting COVID-19, the Safety-Net Association of Pennsylvania declared in a letter to members of the state’s congressional delegation.

Safety-Net Association of Pennsylvania logoIn addition to the resources sought by hospitals everywhere – equipment, supplies, funding for expanded capacity to accommodate patients suffering from COVID-19 – SNAP emphasized three specific types of assistance in its letter to the delegation:

  • Help with cash flow.  As requested by the federal government and others, SNAP hospitals have limited or suspended elective surgery so they can focus their resources on COVID-19 patients.  This will create a cash-flow problem for them:  while they will be doing everything they can to care for their patients and will be expending considerable resources doing so, their revenue will decline.  These hospitals need up-front funding to replace the revenue they will lose and to help compensate them for the considerable costs they are incurring to prepare for the surge of patients they have been told to expect so they can keep the lights on, patient rooms and supply closets adequately stocked, and staff paid.
  • The elimination of Affordable Care Act-mandated reductions of Medicaid DSH allotments to the states.  Congress has already delayed these reductions on numerous occasions and late last year there was every indication that Congress would do so again.  At a time when hospitals are facing the gravest threat to the public health that they have seen in many years they should not be forced to waste valuable time planning the reductions in staffing and spending they would need to make if the cuts are implemented as scheduled on May 23.
  • No new programs or requirements in future COVID-19-related legislation that would increase hospitals’ regulatory burden.  In recent weeks Congress and the administration have appropriately reduced certain regulatory requirements on a temporary basis and it would be counterproductive to offset this much-needed regulatory relief by introducing new regulations and requirements.

See SNAP’s letter to the Pennsylvania congressional delegation here.

2020-03-23T13:00:25+00:00March 23rd, 2020|Coronavirus, Pennsylvania safety-net hospitals, Safety-Net Association of Pennsylvania|Comments Off on SNAP to PA Delegation: Help Us Fight Coronavirus
Read More

COVID-19 Update: March 18, 2020

The following is a summary of today’s major COVID-19-related developments.

Pennsylvania Updates

PACE Prescription Drug Program

Department of Health Secretary Rachel Levine announced that for individuals who participate in the state’s PACE program, which provides financial assistance on prescription drugs for low-income seniors, the state is waiving the current requirement that participants must use at least 75 percent of their supply of an individual drug before being eligible to renew their prescription.  This does not apply to opioids and other controlled substances but participants who use those drugs can apply for a waiver from the 75 percent requirement.

In addition, PACE participants will not have to pay the cost of home delivery of their prescriptions.

COVID-19 Testing

Secretary Levine said that her department is working with hospitals on testing sites.  The state is working with the county health departments in Philadelphia and Montgomery counties and the federal government to develop mass testing sites in those counties.  Meanwhile, Quest and Labcorp are now doing COVID-19 testing and other commercial labs should be coming online soon.  Hospitals, too, are developing their own testing capacity, and she specifically mentioned the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Penn Medicine, UPMC, and the Allegheny Health Network as now having FDA-approved testing programs.

Ventilators

Secretary Levine announced that the state has its own stock of extra ventilators and is hoping to acquire more of them.

Hospital Beds

The state, Secretary Levine said, is waiving the requirement that hospitals notify the state before they increase their bed complement.

Unemployment Compensation

With unemployment claims in Pennsylvania up sharply, the state is streamlining its process for applying for benefits, waiving a one-week waiting period while it verifies unemployment and proof of a job search while also encouraging people to apply online.  Read an account of the changes in this Pittsburgh Business Times article and find the official state notice here on the state’s unemployment compensation web page.

House Chamber of the State HousePA General Assembly Update

Today the Senate met briefly at the Capitol to pass temporary rules to allow its members to work and vote remotely should the need arise in the coming weeks/months.  This is similar to the temporary rules adopted by the House earlier this week.  In his floor remarks, Majority Leader Corman (R-Centre) committed to being as transparent as possible throughout this process with the public, press, administration, and House.  He also committed to only move legislation forward during this remote time that is directly related to the pandemic.  He noted that the time may come in the months ahead that the primary election or state budget could require the Senate’s attention in accordance with this remote voting authority.

Federal Updates

Senate Passes Emergency COVID-19 Aid Bill

Late this afternoon the Senate passed the COVID-19 aid bill that had already passed the House.  President Trump is expected to sign it.

Elective Surgery

Today Vice President Pence urged hospitals to delay elective procedures.  Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) administrator Verma said her agency will issue recommendations on such limits.

Practicing Medicine Across State Lines

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is expected to issue regulations later today addressing the practice of medicine across state lines by doctors and medical professionals to meet the demands of caring for COVID-19 patients.

Section 1135 Waivers

The declaration of a national emergency included an invitation to states to apply for waivers of some federal regulations to facilitate caring for COVID-10 patients.  As we wrote to you yesterday, Florida already has received such a waiver.  Yesterday the California Hospital Association applied for such a waiver on behalf of the state’s hospitals and a published report suggests that almost every state is expected to apply for a section 1135 waiver.

Safety-Net Association of Pennsylvania logoInfection Control

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)  has issued new infection prevention and control recommendations for patents with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.  See those recommendations here.

The CDC also has issued guidelines that address health care workers returning to work after suffering from COVID-19 or who were suspected of suffering from or being exposed to it.  Find those guidelines here.

HIPAA

Late yesterday HHS released a bulletin detailing the provisions of HIPAA that it will not be enforcing for covered hospitals that have implemented a disaster protocol.  The waiver became effective on March 15, 2020.  Find it here.

Telehealth

Yesterday the HHS Office of the Inspector General issued a policy statement regarding physicians and other practitioners that reduce or waive amounts owed by federal health care program beneficiaries for telehealth during the COVID-10 outbreak.  Find that policy statement here and an accompanying fact sheet here.

On the same subject, the HHS Office of Civil Rights issued a notification of enforcement discretion for telehealth remote communications during the COVID-19 emergency.  Find that document here.

JCAHO

Yesterday the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) announced that it has suspended its surveying activities at least until the end of April.

2020-03-19T15:44:02+00:00March 19th, 2020|Coronavirus, COVID-19|Comments Off on COVID-19 Update: March 18, 2020
Read More

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

  • P: (717) 234-6970

  • 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

Go to Top