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PA Health Policy Update for Friday, October 28

The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania for the week of October 24-28, 2022.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents.)

Governor Wolf

Governor Wolf signed House Bill 1630 into law earlier today.  Act 98, as it is now known, gives the Pennsylvania Auditor General authority to audit and review pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) that subcontract with Medicaid managed care organizations.  In addition, the bill abrogates a number of regulations to permit the following:

  • audio-only outpatient psychiatric services
  • telehealth services in outpatient drug and alcohol clinic services
  • virtual supervision for psychiatric rehabilitation services
  • physician assistants and nurse practitioners to order home care, home health services, and personal care services under the supervision of a physician

House Chamber of the State HouseGeneral Assembly

The state House and Senate convened for session this week.  The following is an overview of selected health-related legislation that received consideration.

  • The Senate unanimously passed House Bill 2293, which requires the registration and oversight of contract health care service agencies that provide temporary employment in certain health care facilities, and sent it to the governor for his signature.
  • The Senate also unanimously passed House Bill 1393, which seeks to prevent overdose deaths by legalizing fentanyl test strips for personal use, and sent it to the governor for his signature.
  • The House passed Senate Bill 225, which seeks to streamline and standardize the process for prior authorization of medical services, on third and final consideration Wednesday.  The Senate subsequently voted to concur with the House amendments and sent it to the governor for his signature.
  • The House passed Senate Bill 522, which requires all pregnant women and children in Pennsylvania to receive blood tests to detect lead poisoning, on third and final consideration Wednesday.  The Senate concurred with the House amendments and sent it to the governor for his signature.
  • The Senate passed House Bill 2527, which expands Pennsylvania’s “Good Samaritan” law to cover all opioid reversal medicines approved by the FDA, on third and final consideration and sent it to the governor for his signature.
  • The Senate passed House Bill 220, which specifies that a person does not need to test positive for drugs to begin addiction treatment.  The House subsequently concurred with the Senate’s amendment, which added language that enables counties to establish overdose death or suicide review teams, and sent it to the governor for his signature.
  • The Senate unanimously passed 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, and sent it to the governor for his signature.
  • The Senate passed Senate Bill 358, which categorizes maternal deaths and severe maternal morbidity complications as reportable events within the Department of Health and requires the Maternal Mortality Review Committee to submit a report including each reportable event to the Department of Health.  The bill was received in the House and referred to the Health Committee.

The state House and Senate are now in recess until the week on Monday, November 14.

Department of Health

Pennsylvania’s Independent Regulatory Review Commission has approved the first significant revision of the state’s nursing home regulations since the late 1990s.  Among other things, the updated regulations call for higher levels of nurse staffing and publication of changes in the ownership of nursing homes.  The Department of Health also will have to take a more rigorous approach to determining whether it will accept or reject such transactions.  Learn more from this Philadelphia Inquirer article.  A formal notice of the adoption of these new rules should be published shortly in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

The Department of Health has lowered the age at which individuals may request a copy of their birth certificate in Pennsylvania from 18 to 16 and introduced a new waiver to enable individuals aged 16-24 who are, or have been, involved in foster care or juvenile justice to obtain their birth certificate without the $20 fee; the same fee waiver will apply to homeless persons.  Learn more from this Department of Health news release.

Department of Human Services

  • The federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved Pennsylvania’s application to extend Medicaid and CHIP eligibility for newborns and their mothers to 12 months of postpartum care, an option temporarily available to states under the American Rescue Plan.  Learn more from this CMS news release.
  • The Department of Human Services (DHS) has issued the publication “5 Things to Know About the End of the Federal Public Health Emergency.”  While the Medicaid-focused publication is primarily directed to consumers, it includes explanations providers can use when interacting with Medicaid patients and resources to which those who work with Medicaid beneficiaries can direct those clients and patients.  Find that publication here.
  • DHS has posted the presentations delivered during the October 27 meeting of the Medical Assistance Advisory Committee.  See the presentations from the:
  • DHS has closed the county assistance office in the Nicetown/Ridge Avenue area of Philadelphia and is directing residents of that area to other offices in Philadelphia.  Learn more from this DHS news release.

COVID-19:  By the Numbers

  • According to the CDC, the number of new COVID-19 cases reported in Pennsylvania over the past week declined nearly 12 percent; the number of deaths was unchanged.
  • According to the Department of Health, the number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 and in hospital ICUs and on ventilators because of the virus remains relatively steady while the CDC reports a 15 percent decrease in the seven-day rolling average of new daily COVID-19 hospital admissions.
  • The decline in the number of reported COVID-19 cases is reflected in the rate of community transmission among Pennsylvania counties – a major shift after months of virtually all counties experiencing high rates of community transmission with scattered counties occasionally experiencing only substantial rates.  As of October 26, 34 counties are experiencing high rates of community transmission; 31 are experiencing substantial rates of community transmission; and two counties – Clarion and Snyder – are experiencing moderate rates of community transmission, the first Pennsylvania counties to see their rate decline to this level in months.

Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4)

PHC4 has published “Common Procedures Report – October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021 Data.”  The report shares volume and outcome information for three common orthopedic procedures – spinal fusion, total hip replacement, and total knee replacement – performed in Pennsylvania acute-care hospitals that typically perform these procedures on adults.  For further information, including a news release, data, a report summary, the report itself, and more, go here.

Stakeholder Events

Department of Human Services – Medical Assistance Advisory Committee – Managed Long-Term Services and Support Subcommittee – November 2

The Managed Long-Term Services and Support Subcommittee of DHS’s Medical Assistance Advisory Committee will meet publicly on Wednesday, November 2 at 10:00 in Harrisburg.  Interested parties may attend in person or via webinar; those participating through the webinar must register in advance.  For information about the location of the meeting, how to join it virtually, how to register, and how to offer comments or submit questions, see this DHS notice.

Department of Health – Human Immunodeficiency Virus Community Prevention Planning Committee – November 2

The Department of Health’s Human Immunodeficiency Virus Community Prevention Planning Committee will hold a public meeting in Harrisburg on Wednesday, November 2 at 9:00.  Interested parties can participate in person or virtually.  For further information about the committee, the meeting, and how to participate, see this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

Department of Health – Organ Donation Advisory Committee Meeting – November 3

The Department of Health’s Organ Donation Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting in Harrisburg on Thursday, November 3 at 10:00.  Interested parties can participate in person or virtually.  For further information about the committee, the meeting, and how to participate, see this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

Department of Human Services – Trauma-Informed Care – November 3

DHS’s Long-Term Care Learning Network, part of its quality strategy for nursing facilities, is offering in collaboration with the Jewish Healthcare Foundation a webinar on trauma-informed care for skilled nursing facilities.  The webinar will be held on Thursday, November 3 at 2:00.  Learn more about the webinar and how to participate from this notice.

PHC4 – PHC4 Council Meeting – November 3

PHC4 will hold a regular council meeting at 10:00 on Thursday, November 3.  An agenda will be available here 24 hours in advance.  The public is invited to participate; contact rgreenawalt@phc4.org at least 24 hours in advance for participation instructions.

Department of Health – Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Board Meeting – November 4

The Department of Health’s Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Board will hold a public meeting in Camp Hill, PA on Friday, November 4 at 10:00.  For information about the role of the board, the purpose of the meeting, and the location of the meeting, see this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

Department of Human Services – Management Strategies When Working With Individuals With Acquired Brain Injuries – November 10

DHS’s Long-Term Care Learning Network, part of its quality strategy for nursing facilities, is offering in collaboration with the Jewish Healthcare Foundation a webinar on understanding basic management strategies for working with individuals with acquired brain injuries.  The

webinar will be held on Thursday, November 10 at 2:00.  Learn more about the webinar and how to participate from this notice.

2022-10-28T19:54:44+00:00October 28th, 2022|COVID-19, Meetings and notices, Pennsylvania Bulletin, Pennsylvania Medicaid, Pennsylvania Medicaid policy|Comments Off on PA Health Policy Update for Friday, October 28
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PA Health Policy Update for Friday, October 14

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

The Wolf Administration

Governor Wolf has announced that Pennsylvania is proposing to enter a new profit-sharing agreement with its Medical Assistance physical health managed care organizations.  Under the proposed agreement, the physical health managed care organizations would be limited to three percent profits annually with the requirement to invest additional profits in approved projects and initiatives that directly benefit the health and well-being of Pennsylvanians.  The agreement would take effect for the 2023 contract year.  Learn more about the proposal from this Wolf administration news release.

General Assembly

The state Senate will return to session next week.  Monday, October 17 is a non-voting session day. Tuesday, October 18 and Wednesday, October 19 are voting session days.  The state House will continue to be in recess next week.

The Senate Health & Human Services Committee will convene on Tuesday, October 18 to consider the following bills.

  • Senate Resolution 352 requires the Joint State Government Commission to study the specific data, calculations, and mechanisms the Department of Human Services (DHS) uses to determine the capitation rate paid to drug and alcohol treatment providers in Pennsylvania.
  • Senate Bill 359 requires the Secretary of DHS to apply for a waiver that would extend Medicaid coverage for pregnancy-related and postpartum medical assistance for up to an additional ten months.
  • Senate Bill 1136 amends the Vital Statistics Law to expressly include the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee as a government entity and to clarify that it may have access to vital statistics for research purposes.
  • Senate Bill 1358 places certain restrictions on non-compete clauses for health care practitioners and requires patient notification. Legislative text is not currently available.
  • House Bill 293 allows FDA-approved anti-obesity drugs to be considered a compensable service under the state’s Medicaid program.
  • House Bill 1443 permits certain diagnostic laboratory services to be marketed directly to Pennsylvania consumers.
  • House Bill 1630 grants the Pennsylvania Auditor General the authority to audit managed care contracts and subcontracts with pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in Medicaid.
  • House Bill 2293 requires the registration and oversight of contract health care service agencies that provide temporary employment in certain health care facilities.
  • House Bill 2357 prohibits the preparation, manufacture, sale, or distribution of unsafe kratom products and the sale or distribution of kratom products to individuals younger than 21 years of age.
  • House Bill 2530 ends the practice of prudent pay in the Department of Human Services’ Office of Developmental Programs.

Department of Human Services

  • The Department of Human Services (DHS) has posted information for providers about an electronic submission process that will soon be available in the PROMISe portal for fee-for-service 180-day exception requests and other claims requiring documentation.  Find DHS notice here.
  • Effective October 1, Pennsylvania has increased the income threshold for applicants for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to 200 percent of federal poverty income guidelines.  This will make more than 420,000 Pennsylvanians and more than 174,000 households newly eligible for SNAP and an average of $63 a month to help pay for groceries.  For additional information about these changes and where to direct individuals to apply for them, see this DHS news release.
  • DHS’s Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) has released “Pennsylvania Behavioral Health Telehealth Phase II Roadmap,” which offers and prioritizes recommendations for short-term and long-term implementation of telehealth services in the state.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

The federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved Pennsylvania’s request for a statewide waiver to extend the October 6, 2022 deadline for temporary nurse aides (TNAs) to gain certification to April 5, 2023 or until the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency (whichever comes first).  This statewide approval applies to all nursing care facilities in Pennsylvania, so individual facilities do not need to request a waiver.  For information about how temporary TNAs can pursue certification, see this notice.

To evaluate Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage for children, states report data to CMS about program eligibility, enrollment, operations, expenditures, program goals, and more.  CMS has published CHIP data submitted to it by Pennsylvania for FY 2021.  Find that data here.

Department of Health

The Department of Health has issued a health alert giving providers interim guidance on risk assessment and management of patients who may have been exposed to the Ebola virus.  It issued this guidance after a case of Ebola was recently diagnosed in Uganda but notes that no reported or confirmed cases have been found in the U.S.  Learn more from this health advisory.

COVID-19:  By the Numbers

  • According to the CDC, the number of new COVID-19 cases in Pennsylvania over the past week was down 18 percent from the previous week (which was 20 percent less than the week before that) and the number of deaths was unchanged.
  • According to the Department of Health, the number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 and in hospital ICUs and on ventilators because of the virus remains relatively steady while the CDC reports a nine percent decrease in the seven-day rolling average of new daily COVID-19 hospital admissions (after a seven point increase the previous week).
  • Sixty-two of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties are experiencing a high rate of community transmission of COVID-19.  The remaining five counties – Adams, Centre, Lebanon, Philadelphia, and Snyder – are experiencing moderate rates of community transmission.

Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs

The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) announced that the 2022 open enrollment period is under way for licensed substance use disorder treatment providers in Pennsylvania to submit their information to be included in the Addiction Treatment Locator, Assessment, and Standards Platform (ATLAS).  Treatment facilities currently not enrolled in ATLAS may submit their information during this open enrollment period through December 30, 2022.  In addition, current enrollees may update facility information during this period.  For additional information, see this DDAP news release.

Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4)

PHC4 has released its state ambulatory surgery center financial analysis for 2021.  Its report shows that the average total margin for ambulatory surgery centers increased 1.61 percentage points, from 23.36 percent in fiscal year 2020 to 24.97 percent in FY 2021.  The average statewide operating margin for ambulatory surgery centers increased 1.58 percentage points, from 22.29 percent in FY 2020 to 23.87 percent, in FY 2021.  Learn more from this PHC4 news release and the PHC4 report “Financial Analysis 2021:  Ambulatory Surgery Centers.”  Go here for downloadable data in Excel format (this link opens to a download).

Stakeholder Events

Department of Health – Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children Advisory Committee – October 18

The Department of Health’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Advisory Committee will meet virtually on October 18 at 1:00 to elect officers and discuss future suggestions and next steps for the committee.  For information about participating in the meeting and obtaining an agenda, see this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

DHS – Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and Office of Developmental Programs – Suicide Prevention – October 21

The Department of Human Services’ Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) and the Office of Developmental Programs will host a quarterly “Statewide Positive Approaches & Practices” meeting that will share the most recent research and resources to help people with mental health and behavioral challenges, intellectual disabilities, autism, and other developmental disabilities live everyday lives.  The specific subject of the meeting, to be held on Friday, October 21 at 9:00, will be suicide prevention and intervention.  Find the meeting agenda and information about how to register to participate from this DHS notice.

Department of Health – Renal Disease Advisory Committee – October 21

The Department of Health’s Renal Disease Advisory Committee will hold its quarterly meeting in person and virtually on Friday, October 21 at 10:00.  For information about participating in the meeting, 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.

DHS – Medical Assistance Advisory Committee – Consumer Subcommittee – October 26

The Medical Assistance Advisory Committee’s Consumer Subcommittee will meet virtually on Wednesday, October 26 at 1:00.  Go here to register to participate.

DHS – Medical Assistance Advisory Committee – October 27

DHS’s Medical Assistance Advisory Committee will meet virtually on Thursday, October 27 at 10:00.  Go here to register to participate.

Department of Health – Special Pharmaceutical Benefits Program – Advisory Council – October 27

The Department of Health’s Special Pharmaceutical Benefits Program Advisory Council will meet in Harrisburg on Thursday, October 27 at 10:00.  Interested individuals may attend in person or participate virtually.  For information on the location of the meeting and how to join the meeting virtually, see this Department of Health notice.

DHS – Medical Assistance Advisory Committee – Managed Long-Term Services and Support Subcommittee – November 2

The Managed Long-Term Services and Support Subcommittee of DHS’s Medical Assistance Advisory Committee will meet publicly on Wednesday, November 2 at 10:00 in Harrisburg.  Interested parties may attend in person or via webinar; those participating through the webinar must register in advance.  For information about the location of the meeting, how to join it virtually, how to register, and how to offer comments or submit questions, see this DHS notice.

2022-10-14T19:19:31+00:00October 14th, 2022|COVID-19, Federal Medicaid issues, Meetings and notices, Pennsylvania Bulletin, Pennsylvania Medicaid, Pennsylvania Medicaid policy|Comments Off on PA Health Policy Update for Friday, October 14
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PA Health Policy Update for Friday, October 7

The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania for the week of October 3-7, 2022.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents.)

Behavioral Health Commission for Adult Behavioral Health

The Wolf administration has released the recommendations of its Behavioral Health Commission for Adult Behavioral Health, which was created to advise the General Assembly on how to spend $100 million in one-time federal American Rescue Plan Act funding, including to support adult behavioral health needs addressed in the state’s 2022-2023 fiscal code.  The commission recommended that the $100 million be used in the following manner:

  • $37 million to stabilize, strengthen, and expand the workforce
  • $23.5 million to improve the criminal justice and public safety systems
  • $39 million to expand capacity for services and supports
  • $500,000 for a future study of the impact of this spending

The commission’s recommendations are only advisory; the General Assembly will consider its recommendations in the coming weeks and decide if and how to appropriate the $100 million.

Find a Wolf administration news release about the report here and the report itself here.

Department of Human Services

The Department of Human Services has announced its intent to allocate funds for FY 2023 supplemental payments to promote the continuation of quality medical services to individuals enrolled in the Medical Assistance program and to provide financial relief to hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic.  It does not intend to otherwise change the qualifying criteria or payment methodology for these payments.  Learn more from this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

Department of Health

  • The Department of Health (DOH) has updated its interim infection prevention and control recommendations for health care settings to reflect recent changes in federal CDC recommendations.
  • DOH  has shared information on severe manifestations of monkeypox among patients who are immunocompromised due to HIV or other conditions.  This is the same alert issued last week by the CDC.
  • DOH has added to its naloxone standing orders that enable residents and first responders to obtain naloxone products to help combat the rise of overdoses in Pennsylvania a non-prefilled syringe with two single-dose vials of liquid naloxone that is injectable.  Residents can present a copy of the state’s standing order, which can be found here, at their local pharmacy to obtain the naloxone.  The medication also is available for free for personal use through a statewide mail-based naloxone program.
  • DOH has issued an advisory about lead exposure in adults.

COVID-19:  By the Numbers

  • According to the CDC, the number of new COVID-19 cases in Pennsylvania over the past week was down 20 percent from the previous week and the number of deaths fell 10 percent.
  • According to the Department of Health, the number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 and in hospital ICUs and on ventilators because of the virus remains relatively steady while the CDC reports a seven percent increase in the seven-day rolling average of new daily COVID-19 hospital admissions.
  • For the first time in several months, all, or almost all, of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties are not experiencing a high rate of community transmission.  Currently, 60 counties are still experiencing a high rate of community transmission while six counties – Forest, Centre, Lycoming, Union, Snyder, and Delaware – are experiencing “only” a substantial rate of community transmission and Philadelphia’s rate is now classified as moderate.

Monkeypox

  • The CDC has posted an updated map showing the distribution of 26,385 confirmed cases of monkeypox in the U.S. as of October 6, up only slightly from 25,613 cases on September 29.  789 of those cases were in Pennsylvania, up from 713 a week ago.
  • As of October 3, 495 of those Pennsylvania monkeypox cases were in Philadelphia, up from 475 on September 25.  Learn more about monkeypox in Philadelphia from the city Department of Public Health’s monkeypox web page.

Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4)

PHC4 has issued the research brief “Hospitalizations for Opioid Overdose, 2016 – 2021” that looks at trends among state residents, ages 15 and older, who have been admitted to Pennsylvania acute-care hospitals for opioid overdoses.  Find a news release about the report here and the report itself here.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

CMS’s Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation has released materials presenting its evaluation of year two of the Pennsylvania Rural Health Model, which seeks to improve access to hospital services and improve population health in underserved rural communities.  New evaluation materials include a summary of the evaluation of the program’s second year; the full report; the report’s executive summary; and an appendix to the report.  Learn more about the Pennsylvania Rural Health Model, including a list of its participating hospitals, from the program’s web page.

Stakeholder Events

DHS – Long-Term Care Workforce Motivation – October 13

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 how to express appreciation for long-term-care workers.  The webinar will be held on Thursday, October 13 at 2:00.  Learn more, including how to participate, from this notice.

DHS – Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and Office of Developmental Programs – Suicide Prevention – October 21

The Department of Human Services’ Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) and the Office of Developmental Programs will host a quarterly “Statewide Positive Approaches & Practices” meeting that will share the most recent research and resources to help people with mental health and behavioral challenges, intellectual disabilities, autism, and other developmental disabilities live everyday lives.  The specific subject of the meeting, to be held on Friday, October 21 at 9:00, will be suicide prevention and intervention.  Find the meeting agenda and information about how to register to participate from this DHS 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.

DHS – Medical Assistance Advisory Committee – October 27

DHS’s Medical Assistance Advisory Committee will meet virtually on Thursday, October 27 at 10:00.  Go here to register to participate.

Department of Health – Special Pharmaceutical Benefits Program – Advisory Council – October 27

The Department of Health’s Special Pharmaceutical Benefits Program Advisory Council will meet in Harrisburg on Thursday, October 27 at 10:00.  Interested individuals may attend in person or participate virtually.  For information on the location of the meeting and how to join the meeting virtually, see this Department of Health notice.

DHS – Medical Assistance Advisory Committee – Managed Long-Term Services and Support Subcommittee – November 2

The Managed Long-Term Services and Support Subcommittee of DHS’s Medical Assistance Advisory Committee will meet publicly on Wednesday, November 2 at 10:00 in Harrisburg.  Interested parties may attend in person or via webinar; those participating through the webinar must register in advance.  For information about the location of the meeting, how to join it virtually, how to register, and how to offer comments or submit questions, see this DHS notice.

2022-10-07T21:24:30+00:00October 7th, 2022|COVID-19, DSH hospitals, Federal Medicaid issues, Meetings and notices, Pennsylvania Bulletin, Pennsylvania Department of Health and COVID-19, Pennsylvania Medicaid policy, Uncategorized|Comments Off on PA Health Policy Update for Friday, October 7
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PA Health Policy Update for Friday, August 5

The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania for the week of August 1-5, 2022.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents.)

Department of Human Services

  • The Department of Human Services (DHS) has issued a news release reminding current HealthChoices participants that as a result of changes in that program, approximately 500,000 people must select a new health plan by August 16.  Those people have received written notices explaining the situation and their need to act.  Individuals who do not choose a new plan will have one auto-assigned to them.  Learn more about this situation, including where individuals can turn for assistance, from this DHS news release.
  • Providers also can help their Medical Assistance patients select new plans, if they need to do so, by directing them to a virtual event during which representatives from DHS, PA Enrollment Services (the state’s independent enrollment service), the Pennsylvania Health Law Project, and the Pennsylvania Health Access Network will answer questions about enrollment concerns.  The webinar will be held on Wednesday, August 10 at 2:00.  Registration is required and space is limited.  For further information and registration information, providers should direct Medical Assistance patients here.
  • While Governor Wolf signed legislation last month amending the state’s Mental Health Procedures Act to align with federal health privacy standards to permit providers, facilities, and health plans to share patient mental health and substance use disorder-related information more easily, DHS’s Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) has informed stakeholders that it is still reviewing the new law to determine its next steps and will be in touch with stakeholders when it is prepared to act.  Learn more in the message OMHSAS sent to stakeholders about this subject.
  • DHS has published Medicaid managed care enrollment data for April, May, and June of 2022.
  • DHS has announced a grant opportunity for home health agencies that provide pediatric shift nursing services to fund the installation and use of certified electronic health record technology.  Learn more about the grant opportunity here.  Applications are due September 19.

Department of Health

  • The Department of Health (DOH) has issued guidance on the implementation of Act 87 of 2022, which amends the Health Care Facilities Act by expanding what procedures may be performed in an ambulatory surgical facility without an exception; creating a time frame in which exception requests must be denied, approved, or determined to be incomplete; and requiring an explanation of the basis for a denied or incomplete request.  Find that guidance here.
  • The Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) has issued its comments, and shared the comments of stakeholders, in response to DOH’s proposed revision of state regulations governing long-term care nursing facilities.  Those comments include IRRC questions to DOH about selected aspects of its proposed revisions.  Find the IRRC’s comments and questions in this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.
  • DOH has announced the creation of a new Women, Infants and Children Advisory Group that will focus on providing support to foster healthier pregnancies and better postpartum care.  Learn more about the advisory group and the 16 individuals appointed to serve on it from this news release.
  • DOH has updated its alcohol-based hand rub memo, seeking to promote use of alcohol-based hand rubs by addressing misconceptions regarding their safety, use, and efficacy in health care facilities.  Find that updated memo here.
  • DOH has sent an email to all long-term-care facilities with their annual Department of Health long-term-care questionnaire.  This questionnaire is mandatory for facilities and must be completed and returned to DOH by October 28.  Facilities that have not yet received this email from Thomas Gavrish should contact him at tgavrish@pa.gov or call 717-547-3660.

COVID-19:  By the Numbers

  • The daily average of newly reported COVID-19 cases in Pennsylvania fell 21 percent over the past week and the number of COVID-related deaths fell 29 percent.
  • The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 and on ventilators changed only slightly in the past week but the number in hospital ICUs because of the virus rose 21 percent.
  • Sixty-five of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties are currently experiencing a high rate of community transmission of COVID-19, down from 67 counties last week.  The other two counties, McKean and Warren, are experiencing a substantial rate of community transmission.
  • The Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4) has released COVID-19 hospitalization data for the 21-month period March 1, 2020 through December 31, 2021.  The report covers number of hospitalizations by month; age, gender, and ethnicity of hospitalized patients; the socioeconomic status of the communities in which hospitalized patients reside; in-hospital mortality rates, including by age; length of stay; and frequency of ventilator use, including by age, patient ethnicity, and the socioeconomic status of the communities in which patients resided.  Learn more from this PHC4 news release; a summary of the report’s findings; county rates (this link opens a downloadable Excel file); and patient demographics (this link also opens a downloadable Excel file).

Monkeypox

The Department of Health has posted a monkeypox fact sheet that addresses what the virus is, its symptoms, how it is transmitted, how it is treated, and how vaccines are being used to prevent it among high-risk individuals.  Find the fact sheet here.

The CDC has posted an updated map showing the distribution of 7102 confirmed cases of monkeypox in the U.S. as of August 4, a 53 percent increase in the last week.  192 of those cases were in Pennsylvania, a 68 percent increase over a week ago.

As of August 1, eighty-two of those Pennsylvania monkeypox cases were in Philadelphia.  The city has responded in part by establishing a new digital monkeypox dashboard with case and vaccination data.

Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs

The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs has released a licensing alert that gives providers information about its process for investigating complaints about licensed drug and alcohol treatment facilities.  Find that alert here.

Insurance Department

The Insurance Department has released the requested rate filings for health insurance plans for 2023 that plans are required to file with the state.  As filed, 2023 will see increased competition and more choices for consumers in some counties.  Insurers offering plans in the individual market filed plans requesting an average state-wide increase of 7.1 percent and those currently selling in Pennsylvania’s small group market filed plans requesting an average state-wide increase of 5.2 percent.  Learn more from this Insurance Department news release and find the rate filings here.

Stakeholder Events

Department of Health – State Child Death Review Team – August 10

The Department of Health’s State Child Death Review Team will hold a virtual public meeting on

Wednesday, August 10 at 1:00.  The state’s Child Death Review Program provides training and technical assistance to local child death review teams.  Learn more about the State Child Death Review Team and how to join the August 10 meeting from 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.

 

2022-08-05T19:18:57+00:00August 5th, 2022|COVID-19, HealthChoices, Meetings and notices, Pennsylvania Bulletin, Pennsylvania Medicaid, Pennsylvania Medicaid policy|Comments Off on PA Health Policy Update for Friday, August 5
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PA Health Policy Update for Friday, June 10

The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania for the week of June 6-10, 2022.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents.)

Governor Wolf

Governor Wolf has signed House Bill 889, which authorizes the State Board of Nursing to approve graduates of international nursing education programs to sit for the RN licensure examination provided that such international programs are determined to be equivalent to that which is required in Pennsylvania.  The bill is now Act 22 of 2022.

General Assembly

  • The state House and Senate convened for voting session this week in Harrisburg.
  • The House passed on final consideration House Bill 2585, which prohibits the Department of Human Services from developing or using bidding or service zones that limit a health service corporation or hospital plan corporation contractor from submitting a bid.  The bill will now be sent to the Senate for consideration.  The Senate passed a companion bill, Senate Bill 1235, which will now be sent to the House for consideration.
  • The House Insurance Committee held an informational meeting on Wednesday, June 8 to examine cybersecurity and insurance data security.  Find a recording of the hearing here.
  • The Senate Health & Human Services Committee met on June 7 and favorably reported the following bills.
    • Senate Bill 571, which establishes a uniform time frame for distributing SNAP benefits.
    • Senate Bill 1198, which seeks to promote and improve the availability of and access to assisted living residences.
    • Senate Bill 1202, which requires health insurers to cover the use of medically prescribed pasteurized donor human milk in inpatient and outpatient settings for children under the age of 12 months.
    • 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.

Find a recording of the hearing here.

  • The Senate Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee met on Monday and favorably reported House Bill 2097, which makes permanent a COVID-19 regulatory waiver that permits certified emergency personnel, such as firefighters with specific first-aid, CPR, and emergency vehicle training, to drive ambulances with an EMT on board.

Department of Human Services

  • The Department of Human Services (DHS) has updated its Act 2 payment guidance to incorporate additional questions the department has received.  The updated guidance provides further clarification on eligible staff, employer tax withholding, and more.   Find the expanded guidance here.
  • DHS has unveiled new provider enrollment portal enhancements designed to improve providers’ enrollment experience.  Learn more about these enhancements here.
  • DHS has issued a Medical Assistance Bulletin to inform providers enrolled in the Medical Assistance program that it has updated its blood lead reference value and updated the qualifications for environmental lead investigators to enroll in the program.  Find that Medical Assistance Bulletin here.
  • DHS has issued a Medical Assistance Bulletin to inform Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics that it is implementing an alternative payment methodology to pay the Medical Assistance program fee schedule rate for administering COVID-19 vaccines during vaccine-only visits for dates of service on and after December 1, 2020 and that it will pay the enhanced Medical Assistance program fee schedule rate for administering COVID-19 vaccines to homebound Medical Assistance beneficiaries during vaccine-only visits for dates of service on and after April 1, 2021.  Find that Medical Assistance Bulletin here.
  • DHS has posted the minutes of the May 26 meeting of the Medical Assistance Advisory Committee.  Find those minutes here.

HealthChoices Changes

Department of Health

  • The Department of Health (DOH) has issued a health advisory alerting providers to an anticipated seasonal increase in Legionella infections combined with a potential increase in cases resulting from changing building occupancies.  The advisory describes the symptoms of Legionella infection, risk factors, testing, and treatment and provides links to additional resources.  Find the health advisory here.
  • DOH has sent a reminder to long-term-care facilities about the outpatient COVID-19 therapeutics available to them and how to obtain these medications through the agency’s health care partner portal.
  • DOH has shared recommendations for residents of long-term-care facilities (a Word download) to receive a second COVID-19 vaccine booster this summer based on updated CDC guidance.

COVID-19:  By the Numbers

  • The Department of Health has issued its monthly report on COVID-19 trends in Pennsylvania.  Find it here.
  • For the second consecutive week COVID-19 case counts fell, declining from a seven-day average of 3552 on June 1 to 3228 on June 8, a nine percent decline.
  • The seven-day average of COVID-19-related deaths rose, however, from 15 to 23, over the same period of time.
  • The number of Pennsylvanians hospitalized with COVID-19 and on ventilators and in hospital intensive care units remained mostly steady over the past week.
  • Sixty-five of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties are currently experiencing high rates of community transmission of COVID-19.  The exceptions were Juniata County, with a moderate rate of community transmission, and Fulton County, with a substantial rate.

Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4)

PHC4 has published volume one of its annual analysis of the financial performance of Pennsylvania’s acute-care hospitals.  The analysis found that hospital total margins across the state increased 7.84 percentage points, from 3.93 percent in FY 2020 to 11.77 percent in FY 2021, and statewide operating margins increased 4.18 percentage points, from 3.73 percent in FY 2020 to 7.91 percent in FY 2021.  The analysis also found that in FY 2021, 25 percent of the state’s acute-care hospitals posted a negative total margin, 10 percent posted a total margin between 0 percent and four percent, and the remaining 65 percent posted a total margin higher than four percent.  The analysis found that for FY 2021, acute-care hospitals’ uncompensated care rose from $832 million in the previous year to $866 million, an increase of 4.1 percent.  Go here to find a PHC4 news release describing the agency’s report, the report itself, and a link to downloadable data from the report.

Stakeholder Events

Rural Health Redesign Center Authority – June 21

The board of the Pennsylvania Rural Health Redesign Center Authority will meet virtually on Tuesday, June 21 at 10:00.  Learn more about the board and how to participate in this meet from this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

Department of Health – Preventative Health and Health Services Block Grant Application for Federal Fiscal Year 2022; Public Hearing – June 21

The Department of Health is making available copies of its proposed Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant Application for federal FY 2022.  This block grant application shall serve as the state’s request to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for block grant funding to address the Healthy People 2030 Health Status Objectives.  A public hearing will be held virtually on June 21 at 10:00.  Learn more about the hearing, how to participate, and how to obtain a copy of the grant funding application from this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

Department of Human Services – Long-Term Care Learning Network/Nursing Facilities – June 23

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 “learning collaborative” webinar in which participants in past Long-Term Care Learning Network events share information about best practices for avoiding hospitalizations from nursing homes.  The webinar will be held on Thursday, June 23 at 2:00 and the deadline to sign up to share best practices is June 1.  For further information about the webinar, sharing best practices, and participating virtually, go here.

Patient Safety Authority – June 23

The board of the Patient Safety Authority will meet virtually on Thursday, June 23 at 1:00.   Registration is required.  Learn about how to participate in the meeting from this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

DHS – Medical Assistance Advisory Committee – Managed Long-Term Services and Supports Subcommittee Meeting – July 6

The managed long-term services and supports subcommittee of DHS’s Medical Assistance Advisory Committee will meet in Harrisburg on Wednesday, July 6 at 10:00; the meeting also will be available virtually.  For further information about the location of the meeting and how to participate virtually, see this announcement.

 

 

2022-06-10T20:21:36+00:00June 10th, 2022|HealthChoices, Medical Assistance Bulletin, Meetings and notices, Pennsylvania Bulletin, Pennsylvania Medicaid, Pennsylvania Medicaid coronavirus, Pennsylvania Medicaid COVID-19, Pennsylvania Medicaid policy|Comments Off on PA Health Policy Update for Friday, June 10
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PA Health Policy Update for Friday, May 27

The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania for the week of May 23-27, 2022.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents.)

General Assembly

  • The Senate unanimously passed House Bill 889, which authorizes the State Board of Nursing to approve graduates of international nursing education programs to sit for the RN licensure examination provided that such international programs are determined to be equivalent to that which is required in Pennsylvania.  The bill will now be sent to the governor.
  • The Senate passed Senate Bill 848 by a vote of 35-12.  This legislation creates a Chief Nursing Officer position in the Department of Health.  The bill will now be sent to the House for consideration.
  • The House unanimously passed House Bill 1644, which directs the Department of Human Services to develop an escalation process to place Medicaid patients with behavioral health or long-term-care needs in an appropriate care setting.  The bill now will be sent to the Senate for consideration.
  • The House unanimously passed House Bill 2530, which ends the practice of prudent pay in the Department of Human Services’ Office of Developmental Programs.  The bill will now be sent to the Senate for consideration.
  • The House Insurance Committee favorably reported House Bill 2585, which prohibits the Department of Human Services from developing or using bidding or service zones that limit a health service corporation or hospital plan corporation contractor from submitting a bid.
  • The Senate Banking & Insurance Committee favorably reported House Bill 2419, which expands access to outpatient psychiatric care via telemedicine.
  • The Legislative Budget and Finance Committee released a report on the Pennsylvania CARE Act (Act 20 of 2016) and its impact on patient outcomes.  Find the report’s highlights here and the full report here.

Independent Fiscal Office

The Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) has revised its revenue estimate for the current fiscal year, increasing it to $47.7 billion, a $5.8 billion increase over its initial estimate.  According to the IFO, revenue in most categories, including corporate net income tax, sales tax, and personal income tax, exceeded projections.  The IFO also cautioned that the state will likely see reduced revenue collections in future years.  Find the IFO’s full report here and a PowerPoint presentation of its initial FY 2023 revenue estimate here.

Office of the Attorney General

The Office of the Attorney General released a report on the significant increase in fentanyl importation and use across the commonwealth.  The report highlights the Bureau of Narcotics Investigations’ seizure of more fentanyl in the first three months of 2022 than it seized in all of 2021.  The report recommends weighing the costs and benefits of legalizing fentanyl test strips to combat the increase in overdoses and continuing to make access to substance use disorder treatment a priority. Find the full report viewed here.

Department of Human Services

Department of Health

  • The Department of Health (DOH) has issued an alert updating previously released information about monkeypox in the U.S. and elsewhere and offering information for clinicians and the public, including links to additional resources.  Find the alert here.
  • DOH has notified skilled nursing facilities that they will no longer be permitted to hire temporary nurse aides after June 6, 2022 due to the expiration of a CMS waiver related to the COVID-19 pandemic.  That waiver enabled nursing facilities to hire nursing assistants who had not yet passed the skills and written portions of the state nurse aide examination.  In addition, nurse aides hired under the waiver must pass the skills and written portions of the state nurse aide examination by October 6 or they cannot continue to work in that capacity.  Go here to read the letter explaining this change.
  • DOH has published its final set of proposed amendments to the state’s long-term-care facility regulations.  Learn more about the changes that have been proposed and the process DHS intends to use to move from proposed to final regulations from this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

COVID-19:  By the Numbers

  • Daily COVID-19 case counts climbed for the ninth consecutive week, rising seven percent, from a seven-day average of 3971 new daily cases on May 18 to 4238 new daily cases on May 25.
  • The seven-day average of COVID-19-related deaths tripled, from 12 to 36.
  • The growing number of COVID-19 cases in the state led to an 11 percent increase in COVID-19-related hospitalizations in the past week.
  • The number of these patients on ventilators, on the other hand, declined 19 percent over the past week while the number in hospital intensive care units rose 12 percent.
  • Sixty-four of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties are currently experiencing high rates of community transmission of COVID-19, leaving three counties experiencing “only” a substantial rate of community transmission.

Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4)

PHC4 has published a new report on the number of cancer-related surgeries performed in Pennsylvania during the state’s 2021 fiscal year.  Go here to learn about the report and find a link to the report itself.

Stakeholder Events

DHS – Medical Advisory Committee – Managed Long-Term Services and Supports Subcommittee – June 1

The Medical Assistance Advisory Committee’s managed long-term services and supports subcommittee will be held virtually on Wednesday, June 1 at 10:00.  There will be an opportunity to submit questions and offer comments.  Go here to register to participate or dial in at 415-655-0052, access code 498030891#.

DHS – Office of Long-Term Living – Financial Management Services Stakeholder Meeting – June 3

DHS’s Office of Long-Term Living will hold a financial management services stakeholder meeting on Friday, June 3 at 1:00.  The purpose of this virtual meeting is to discuss upcoming changes for the administration of financial management services under the Community HealthChoices, OBRA Waiver, and Act 150 programs.  Representatives from the Office of Long-Term Living and Community HealthChoices managed care organizations will discuss upcoming changes.  Go here to register to participate.

Department of Human Services – Long-Term Care Learning Network/Nursing Facilities – June 23

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 “learning collaborative” webinar in which participants in past Long-Term Care Learning Network events share information about best practices for avoiding hospitalizations from nursing homes.  The webinar will be held on Thursday, June 23 at 2:00 and the deadline to sign up to share best practices is June 1.  For further information about the webinar, sharing best practices, and participating virtually, go here.

2022-05-27T20:41:50+00:00May 27th, 2022|COVID-19, Medicaid supplemental payments, Meetings and notices, Pennsylvania Bulletin, Pennsylvania Department of Health and COVID-19, Pennsylvania Medicaid, Pennsylvania Medicaid policy, Pennsylvania Medical Assistance|Comments Off on PA Health Policy Update for Friday, May 27
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PA Health Policy Update for the Week of April 18-22

The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania for the week of April 18-22, 2022.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents.)

Governor Wolf

Governor Wolf has signed House Bill 245, which reduces the graduate medical training required for international medical graduates from three years to two years; removes the limit on the number of affiliated facilities at which a doctor with an institutional license may practice or teach; and expands and clarifies the scope of practice of temporarily licensed physicians.

General Assembly

  • The state House will be in session next Monday (4/25), Tuesday (4/26), and Wednesday (4/27). The Senate is in recess.
  • The House Professional Licensure Committee will meet on Monday, April 25 at 10:00 a.m. to consider House Bill 1956, which creates a license for certified anesthesiologist assistants.
  • The House Health Committee will convene on Tuesday, April 26 at 9:30 a.m. to consider the following bills.
    • House Bill 398, which requires a non-custodial parent of a child to enroll their child in their own health insurance plan before seeking Medicaid coverage.
    • House Bill 2441, which gives legislative agencies access to records information for research purposes under the Vital Statistics Law.
    • Senate Bill 317, which provides for the authority to prescribe antibiotics to treat sexually transmitted infections without having examined the individual for whom the drug is intended, in accordance with the Expedited Partner Therapy in the Management of Sexually Transmitted Diseases guidance issued by the CDC.
    • Senate Bill 818, which seeks to align procedures permitted in licensed ambulatory surgery centers with those of the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Department of Human Services

  • Act 2 of 2022 appropriated $225 million to support the health care workforce needs of hospitals and behavioral health providers.  The law directed that the funding be used strictly for recruitment and retention payments to direct care staff.  Entities receiving payments under Act 2 must submit a report to the Department of Human Services (DHS) documenting staff retention payments by September 30, 2022 and a report on staff recruitment spending by December 31, 2022.  DHS has posted an FAQ describing how Act 2 works and has added to that FAQ a template for submitting the required reports.  Find the FAQ and the report template here.
  • DHS has updated its calendar for delivering Remittance Advice and corresponding checks to extend into early June.
  • DHS has issued a Medical Assistance Bulletin to announce the addition of new procedure codes to the Medical Assistance program fee schedule for the provision of personal care services that are provided through home health agencies to Medicaid beneficiaries under 21 years of age.  Find that bulletin here.
  • DHS has posted a notice to Medical Assistance fee-for-service providers reminding them of the recommended documentation needed to support the review of authorization requests for private duty/shift nursing and home health aide service hours provided to children under the age of 21.  Find that notice here.
  • DHS has shared the minutes of the February 23 meeting of the Medical Assistance Advisory Committee’s consumer subcommittee.
  • DHS has updated its “Monthly Physical Health Managed Care Program Enrollment Report” to include March 2022 data.

Department of Health

  • Keara Klinepeter has resigned as Pennsylvania’s Acting Health Secretary.  She will be replaced by the state’s Physician General, Dr. Denise Johnson.  Learn more from this Wolf administration news release.
  • The Secretary of Health issued a letter to the hospital community clarifying that the intention of the recently issued innovative hospital guidance was to preserve access to care in rural communities in a financially sustainable way.  Find a copy of that letter here.
  • The Department of Health has updated its guidance to providers caring for adults and children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome.
  • The Department of Health has updated its information about state-sponsored free COVID-19 testing sites to reflect that it currently operates such sites in Berks, Blair, Centre, and Clinton counties and at Edinboro University in Erie.  Learn more about the locations and hours of operation in this department news release.

COVID-19:  By the Numbers

  • Daily COVID-19 case counts climbed for the fourth consecutive week.  The state’s seven-day average of new cases rose 26 percent, from 1067 cases on April 14 to 1343 on April 21.
  • The seven-day average of COVID-19-related deaths, which has long been declining, rose during the past week from 10 on April 13 to 16 to April 21.
  • The rising number of COVID-19 cases in Pennsylvania has led to increases in some but not all measures of COVID-19-related hospital care.  In the past week the number of Pennsylvanians hospitalized with the virus rose 13 percent and has now risen 21 percent since the beginning of the month.  The number of COVID-19 patients in hospital ICUs rose 15 percent in the past week but remains modest.  The number of such patients being treated on ventilators, on the other hand, declined 22 percent and remains very low.
  • During the past week nine Pennsylvania counties, up from five last week, experienced high rates of community transmission of COVID-19; three counties, down from five last week, experienced a low rate of transmission; 20 counties, up from 15 last week, experienced a substantial rate of community transmission; and the remaining 35 counties experienced a moderate rate.

Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4)

PHC4 has released a fourth quarter 2021 report on the effect of COVID-19 on hospitals and health care facilities in Pennsylvania.  In the report, PHC4 aggregates data on fourth quarter of 2021 COVID-19 expenses and lost revenue as reported by hospitals and health systems to show the impact of the public health emergency on those institutions.  The data in the report reflects financial performance for fewer than half of the hospitals in the state and does not include emergency funding the providers received from the federal or state government.  Learn more from this PHC4 news release and the agency’s “COVID-19 Disaster Emergency Report.”

Stakeholder Events

Behavioral Health Services for the Nursing Facility Population – April 26 and May 3

The Department of Human Services’ Office of Long-Term Living, Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS), the HealthChoices behavioral health managed care organizations, and the Community HealthChoices managed care organizations will host a joint webinar on the importance of providing behavioral health services in nursing facilities and making sure nursing facilities know how to gain access to these services.  The webinar will be held two more times and the material presented will be the same at each session.  The webinars will be recorded.  The session on Tuesday, April 26 will be held at 2:00; go here for more information and to register to participate.  The session on Tuesday, May 3 also will be held at 2:00; go here for more information and to register to participate.

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.

Special Pharmaceutical Benefits Program Advisory Council – April 28

The Department of Human Services’ Special Pharmaceutical Benefits Program Advisory Council will meet by teleconference on Thursday, April 28 at 10:00.  Join the meeting at 866-588-4789 and use conference ID code 211 418 005#.

Patient Safety Authority – April 28

The Patient Safety Authority will hold a virtual public meeting of its board on Thursday, April 28 at 1:00 p.m.  For information about how to participate see this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

2022-04-22T18:48:43+00:00April 22nd, 2022|Coronavirus, COVID-19, Medical Assistance Bulletin, Meetings and notices, Pennsylvania Bulletin, Pennsylvania Department of Health and COVID-19, Pennsylvania Medicaid, Pennsylvania Medicaid laws and regulations, Pennsylvania Medicaid policy|Comments Off on PA Health Policy Update for the Week of April 18-22
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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 November 15-19

The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania for the week of November 15-19, 2021.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents.)

Governor Wolf

Governor Wolf, the Department of Human Services, and the Department of Community and Economic Development announced a plan to spend nearly $300,000 on the state’s Pre-Apprentice and Apprenticeship Program to expand its nurse residency apprenticeship program.  Go here to read the announcement and here to learn more about the state’s apprenticeship programs.

General Assembly

  • The House of Representatives passed House Bill 1995 by a vote of 115-85 this week.  This legislation clarifies the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs’ authority to promulgate regulations that affect licensed drug and alcohol treatment providers and subjects those regulations to the formal regulatory review process, including publication, notice, and comment.
  • The House Health Committee met on Tuesday, November 16 and favorably reported the following bills:
    • House Bill 1005 adds information to the prescription drug monitoring program (ABC-MAP) when Narcan/Naloxone is used to combat an overdose by emergency responders or medical professionals.
    • House Bill 1644 directs the Department of Human Services to develop a state-wide process to place patients enrolled in Medicaid who have behavioral health or other long-term-care needs in appropriate care settings in a timely manner.
    • House Bill 1959 authorizes the clinical study of the efficacy and cost/benefit optimization of psilocybin-assisted therapy in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and various mental health conditions.
    • House Bill 2013 adds language to the state constitution establishing an individual’s right to refuse any medical procedure, treatment, injection, or vaccine.
    • House Bill 2033 extends the reporting requirement on the status of COVID-19 testing at the state laboratory until December 31, 2022.
    • House Bill 2077 creates certain exceptions to the COVID-19 vaccine requirement.
  • The House Human Services Committee held an informational hearing on reimbursement rates for drug and alcohol, mental health, and intellectual disability treatment.  A recording of the hearing may be viewed here.

Department of Human Services

Department of Health

  • The Department of Health shared updated guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services about visitation in nursing homes during the pandemic.
  • The Department of Health has produced a neonatal abstinence syndrome family guide toolkit in partnership with the Northwestern Pennsylvania Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Coalition and the Ohio Perinatal Quality Collaborative to help educate families on the symptoms of neonatal abstinence syndrome and treatment resources.
  • The Department of Health has posted a notice on its message board explaining that its Bureau of Epidemiology and Bureau of Facility Licensure and Certification have notified skilled nursing facilities that they are not required to call 1-877-PA-HEALTH or email Bureau of Epidemiology staff with each new case of COVID-19 identified in staff and residents.  Facilities should continue to call 1-877-PA-HEALTH only to report new outbreaks within their building.  Bureau of Epidemiology staff may request line lists or updates about the status of an outbreak during specific situations.  Facilities should continue to follow all other reporting mandates, including reporting to ERS, CMS, NHSN, or PA-NEDSS.

COVID-19:  By the Numbers

  • The general downward trend in new daily COVID-19 cases in Pennsylvania has ended.  The new case totals for Wednesday, November 16 and Thursday, November 17 were the highest the state has experienced since mid-April.
  • The number of new COVID-19-related deaths remains high.
  • “About nine in ten COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths in Pennsylvania have involved people who are less than fully vaccinated against the virus, according to new data from the state health department,” PennLive reports.
  • All 67 Pennsylvania counties continue to experience a high rate of COVID-19 transmission.
  • The number of Pennsylvanians hospitalized because of COVID-19, in hospital ICUs because of COVID-19, and on ventilators because of the virus, all of which had declined during the first two week of November, are now higher than they were on the first of the month.
  • 73.3 percent of Pennsylvanians 18 years of age and older are now fully vaccinated – more than 6.5 million people.  49,000 Pennsylvanians were recorded as completing a vaccine regimen in the past week.

Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs

The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs has announced the availability of $10 million in grant funding for stabilization payments to substance use disorder treatment providers to assist with pandemic-related expenses.  Learn more about the program and how to apply for funding in this department news release.  The deadline for funding applications is noon on December 8,

The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs is in the process of implementing the ATLAS® (Addiction Treatment Locator, Analysis, and Standards) platform in Pennsylvania in the coming months.  Affected providers previously were asked to complete a survey for this purpose.  Find that survey here.  The following resources are available for those seeking assistance completing the survey:

Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4)

PHC4 has published volume two of its annual ambulatory surgery centers financial analysis for 2020.  Its analysis found that the average total margin for ambulatory surgery centers decreased 1.66 percentage points, from 25.04 percent in FY 2019 to 23.38 percent in FY 2020, with the state-wide average operating margin decreasing 2.88 percentage points, from 25.13 percent in FY 2019 to 22.25 percent in FY 2020.  Go here (under “Ambulatory Surgery Centers Volume Two”) for the agency’s news release about the report, the report itself, and a link to downloadable data from the report.

Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA)

“Pennsylvania-licensed nurses could soon have some of their student loan debt paid off for them,” reports PennLive, explaining that “A one-time student loan forgiveness program will provide up to $7,500 in debt reduction under a program that the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency’s board authorized on Thursday.”  Learn more about the PHEAA board action here and about the PA Student Loan Relief for Nurses Program here.

Stakeholder Events

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

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

Medical Assistance Advisory Committee – December 9

The Medical Assistance Advisory Committee will meet virtually on Thursday, December 9 at 10:00 a.m.  Go here to register for the web event.

Patient Safety Authority – December 9

The Patient Safety Authority will hold a virtual public meeting of its board on Thursday, December 9, 2021, at 1 p.m.  Go here for information about registering and participating.

2021-11-19T22:17:34+00:00November 19th, 2021|Coronavirus, COVID-19, Pennsylvania Department of Health and COVID-19, Pennsylvania Medicaid coronavirus, Pennsylvania Medicaid COVID-19, Pennsylvania Medicaid policy|Comments Off on PA Health Policy Update for the Week of November 15-19
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PA Health Policy Update for the Week of August 30-September 2

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

The Wolf Administration

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

General Assembly

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

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

Department of Health

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

COVID-19:  By the Numbers

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

Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4)

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

Around the State

2021-09-02T22:00:43+00:00September 2nd, 2021|Coronavirus, COVID-19|Comments Off on PA Health Policy Update for the Week of August 30-September 2
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Home / About Us / Advocacy / Why Join? / SNAPShots / Contact Us

  • P: (717) 234-6970

  • 2020 Safety-Net Association of Pennsylvania

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