Pennsylvania Independent Regulatory Review Commission Archives

PA Health Policy Update for February 17

The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania from February 11-17. (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents.)

General Assembly

The state House of Representatives will convene for session on Tuesday, February 21 at 12:00 p.m. The state Senate is scheduled to return on Monday, February 27.

Department of Human Services

The fee-for-service subcommittee of the Department of Human Services (DHS) Medical Assistance Advisory Committee met on Wednesday, February 8. See the presentation made by Office of Medical Assistance officials during that meeting.
DHS’s Office of Long-Term Living offered a presentation during the February 14 meeting of the Medical Assistance Advisory Committee’s long-term services and supports subcommittee. Find that presentation here.
DHS has published a notice of its funding allocation for FY 2023 inpatient disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payments to qualifying inpatient acute-care general, psychiatric, and rehabilitation hospitals and qualifying psychiatric and rehabilitation units of acute-care general hospitals; outpatient supplemental payments to qualifying inpatient acute-care general hospitals; direct medical education payments to qualifying inpatient acute-care general hospitals; and certain DSH and supplemental payments to new hospitals. It is not otherwise changing the qualifying criteria or payment methodology for these payments. These payments will amount to $257.76 million in total funds. Learn more from this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.
DHS has published a notice of its funding allocation for DSH payments to qualifying acute-care general hospital burn centers, to qualifying acute-care general hospitals providing obstetrical and neonatal services, to critical access and qualifying rural hospitals, and to qualifying acute-care general hospitals that treat a high percentage of Medical Assistance patients under 18 years of age. Together, the payments amount to $107.655 million in total state and federal funds. Learn more from this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.
DHS has published procedure codes and payment rates for the administration of the Pfizer and Moderna bivalent booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccines. Find the codes, the rates, and their effective dates in this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.
DHS’s Office of Long-Term Living has informed stakeholders that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has approved renewal of the Community HealthChoices waiver, effective January 1, 2023, for five years. See the DHS message here.
DHS has published a notice announcing that it will increase fees in the Medical Assistance Program for certain ambulance transportation services in both the fee-for-service and managed care delivery systems, effective with dates of service on and after January 1, 2023. Those fees will be not less than $325 for basic life support ambulance transportation services, not less than $400 for advanced life support ambulance transportation services, and not less than $4 per loaded mile for each loaded mile beyond 20 loaded miles for ground ambulance transportation. Learn more from this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

Department of Health

The Department of Health (DOH) has issued a health alert to providers advising them about a possible nation-wide increase in invasive group A streptococcal (iGAS) infections in children. This increase, however, reflects only a return to pre-pandemic levels. The alert includes information about the condition and offers guidance for clinicians and laboratories. Find the alert here.
DOH has published information about its Medical Care Availability and Reduction Error (MCARE) Act surcharge for FY 2023, a per unit assessment of approximately $156.56 payable by June 1. Learn more about the surcharge and the providers to which it applies from this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.
DOH has published information about its Nursing Home Patient Safety Trust Fund surcharge for FY 2023. That surcharge will be $13.83 per nursing facility bed. Learn more from this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.
DOH has published a list, as required by regulation, of hospitals that have chosen to exercise their religious or moral beliefs regarding the provision of certain contraception-related emergency services and will instead refer patients to other hospitals to receive such services. Learn more from this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

COVID-19: By the Numbers

The number of new COVID-19 cases reported daily in Pennsylvania and the number of new daily deaths in the past week remained at the same levels as last week.
According to the Department of Health, the number of Pennsylvanians hospitalized with COVID-19 and on ventilators held steady over the past week while the number in hospital ICUs declined 25 percent.
The CDC reports a six percent decline in the seven-day daily average of new hospital admissions in Pennsylvania because of COVID-19.
For the week ending February 15, five Pennsylvania counties experienced a moderate rate of community transmission of COVID-19; 16 counties experienced a substantial rate of community transmission; and the remaining 46 counties experienced a high rate of community transmission – all the same numbers as last week.

Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs

In response to the continuing challenge health care providers are having maintaining an adequate workforce, the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs is conducting a workforce climate survey among drug and alcohol service providers to learn about which jobs and positions are in short supply or understaffed, the challenges these providers face, what they are doing to address them, and how they think the state can help them address those challenges. Find that survey here.

Independent Regulatory Review Commission

The Independent Regulatory Review Commission has issued comments in response to regulations proposed by the State Board of Nursing that address licensure by endorsement and reactivation. Find those comments in this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

Stakeholder Events

DHS – Medical Assistance Advisory Committee – Consumer Subcommittee – February 22

The consumer subcommittee of the Medical Assistance Advisory Committee will meet virtually on Wednesday, February 22 at 1:00. Learn more from the meeting’s agenda and go here to register to participate.

DHS – Medical Assistance Advisory Committee Meeting – February 23

The Medical Assistance Advisory Committee will meet virtually on Thursday, February 23 at 10:00. For the meeting agenda go here and to register to participate go here.

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

The Medical Assistance Advisory Committee’s Managed Long-Term Services and Supports Subcommittee will meet in Harrisburg on Wednesday, March 1 at 10:00. For information on the location of the meeting or how to participate virtually, see this DHS notice.

Department of Aging – Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Council – March 9

The Department of Aging’s Long-Term Care Council will meet in Harrisburg on Thursday, March 9 at 10:00. For information on the location of the meeting or how to participate virtually, 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.

jsteinbock2023-02-17T21:42:53+00:00February 17th, 2023|COVID-19, DSH hospitals, long-term care, Medicaid supplemental payments, Meetings and notices, Pennsylvania Medicaid, Pennsylvania Medicaid policy|Comments Off

PA Health Policy Update for Friday, November 18

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

Governor-Elect Shapiro

Governor-Elect Josh Shapiro held a press conference Wednesday, November 16 along with Governor Wolf and Lieutenant Governor-Elect Austin Davis to discuss the gubernatorial transition process. The governor-elect announced that Akbar Hossain, who previously served as his campaign’s policy director, will be executive director of the transition. Amanda Warren, formerly director of finance for the campaign, will serve as executive director of the inauguration. Additional transition announcements will be made in the coming weeks. Further information about the transition will be available here.

General Election Update

State Representative Todd Stephens (R-151) conceded to his challenger, Melissa Cerrato (D), yesterday afternoon. Representative Stephens’ concession gives Democrats the 102 seats needed to control the state House of Representatives; Republicans have 101 seats. The initial path forward for Democratic control is unclear, however, because of three impending vacancies in the Democratic caucus that will require special elections in early 2023.

General Assembly Update

The state House and Senate briefly convened for voting session this week – the final voting session of the year. Both chambers will return to Harrisburg for the commencement of the new legislative session on January 3.
The Senate Health & Human Services Committee held a hearing on Tuesday to examine the Behavioral Health Commission’s recommendations for the allocation of $100 million earmarked in the FY 2023 budget. Testimony and a recording of the hearing may be viewed here.
The Senate Republican and Democratic caucuses held leadership elections this week for the new legislative session. Senator Kim Ward (R-39) was elected the state’s first female Senate President Pro Tempore. Senator Joe Pittman (R-41) was elected majority leader and Senator Scott Martin (R-13) was chosen chairman of the Appropriations Committee. Senator Jay Costa (D-43) was re-elected by his caucus to serve as minority leader. A complete list of the Senate Republican leadership team can be found here and a list of the Senate Democratic leadership team can be found here.

Department of Human Services

As of December 5, DHS is adding a new procedure code to the Medical Assistance fee schedule for COVID-19 tests provided to Medicaid beneficiaries and removing the previous code for those tests. Learn more from this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.
DHS will increase Medical Assistance fees for certain ambulance transportation services beginning on January 1. Learn more, including the new fees, from this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.
Pennsylvania’s Independent Regulatory Review Commission has received final form rulemaking from DHS that would effectively rescind a provision in existing regulations that prohibits providers from co-locating or leasing space to another provider within a provider’s office. This change was originally proposed in July 2021 and the commission is expected to approve the change at its December 8 meeting. Find notice of the action in this Pennsylvania Bulletin listing.
Next month, DHS’s Office of Long-Term Living will submit a proposed amendment to Pennsylvania’s OBRA 1915(c) home and community-based waiver to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). To view a side-by-side comparison of the current and revised language and to see the amendment in its entirety, go to the OLTL Waiver Amendments, Renewals, and Accompanying HCBS Transition Plans webpage and select “2023 OBRA Waiver Amendment” under “Additional Resources.” For additional information about the proposed amendment and how to submit written comments, see this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice. The deadline for submitting comments has been extended to December 14.
Next month, DHS’s Office of Long-Term Living will submit to CMS a proposed amendment to Pennsylvania’s Community HealthChoices 1915(c) home and community-based waiver. To view a side-by-side comparison of the current and revised language and see the amendment in its entirety, go to the OLTL Waiver Amendments, Renewals, and Accompanying HCBS Transition Plans webpage and select “2023 Community HealthChoices (CHC) Waiver Amendment” under “Additional Resources.” Learn more about the proposed amendment from this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice. The deadline for submitting comments has been extended to December 14.
DHS is making available for public review and comment the Office of Long-Term Living’s proposed home and community-based services provider sites that qualified for heightened scrutiny under CMS requirements. Learn more about the types of sites to which this requirement applies and DHS’s actions to bring them into compliance with federal standards from this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

COVID-19: By the Numbers

According to the CDC, the number of new COVID-19 cases reported daily in Pennsylvania over the past week declined 18 percent while the number of deaths remains unchanged. The state is now averaging more than 1400 new reported cases a day and about 19 daily deaths.
According to the Department of Health, the number of Pennsylvanians hospitalized with COVID-19 and on ventilators because of the virus remains relatively steady but the number in hospital ICUs fell 16 percent from the last week after two weeks of rising totals.
The CDC reports a modest decrease in the seven-day rolling average of new daily COVID-19 hospital admissions.
As of November 18, 27 Pennsylvania counties are experiencing high rates of community transmission of COVID-19; 34 are experiencing substantial rates of community transmission; and six counties are experiencing moderate rates of community transmission.

Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council

PHC4 has published “Financial Analysis 2021: Rehabilitation • Psychiatric • Long-Term Acute Care • Specialty: An Annual Report on the Financial Health of Pennsylvania Non-GAC Hospitals.” The report’s highlights include:

During FY 2021, the operating margin for rehabilitation hospitals was 9.19 percent, for psychiatric hospitals was negative 2.86 percent, for long-term acute-care hospitals was 8.98 percent, and for specialty hospitals was negative 11.76 percent.
During FY 2021, the total margin for rehabilitation hospitals was 12.04 percent, for psychiatric hospitals was negative 3.02 percent, for long-term acute-care hospitals was 7.76 percent, and for specialty hospitals was 9.9 percent.
As a group, the foregone dollar value of uncompensated care for non-general acute-care hospitals decreased 6.19 percent, or $1.1 million, from $18.7 million during FY 2020 to $17.7 million in FY 2021. Uncompensated care as a percentage of net patient revenue in FY 2021 among non-general acute-care hospitals ranged from 0.22 percent for long-term acute-care hospitals to 1.44 percent for psychiatric hospitals.

Learn more about the PHC4 report from this news release and the report itself. In addition, go here to download data from the report in Excel format.

Stakeholder Events

DHS – Medical Assistance Advisory Committee – Managed Long-Term Services and Supports Subcommittee – December 7

The managed long-term services and supports subcommittee of DHS’s Medical Assistance Advisory Committee will meet in Harrisburg on Wednesday, December 7 at 10:00. Interested parties can join the meeting in person or via webinar. For information about the location of the meeting and how to join virtually, see this DHS notice.

Department of Health – Infant Hearing Screening Advisory Committee – December 8

The Infant Hearing Screening Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting in Harrisburg on Thursday, December 8 at 1:00; individuals also may participate virtually. For more information about the meeting, including its location and how to join virtually, see this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

DHS – Medical Assistance Advisory Committee – Consumer Subcommittee – December 7

The consumer subcommittee of DHS’s Medical Assistance Advisory Committee will meet virtually on Wednesday, December 7 at 1:00. Go here to register to participate.

DHS – Medical Assistance Advisory Committee – December 8

DHS’s Medical Assistance Advisory Committee will meet virtually on Thursday, December 8 at 10:00. Go here to register to participate.

jsteinbock2022-11-18T22:22:41+00:00November 18th, 2022|COVID-19, Meetings and notices, Pennsylvania Bulletin, Pennsylvania Medicaid, Pennsylvania Medicaid laws and regulations, Pennsylvania Medicaid policy|Comments Off

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

General 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.

jsteinbock2022-10-28T19:54:44+00:00October 28th, 2022|COVID-19, Meetings and notices, Pennsylvania Bulletin, Pennsylvania Medicaid, Pennsylvania Medicaid policy|Comments Off

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.

jsteinbock2022-08-05T19:18:57+00:00August 5th, 2022|COVID-19, HealthChoices, Meetings and notices, Pennsylvania Bulletin, Pennsylvania Medicaid, Pennsylvania Medicaid policy|Comments Off

PA Health Policy Update for Friday, July 22

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

Governor Wolf

The Wolf administration highlighted the launch of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which officially went live on July 16. Department of Human Services Acting Secretary Meg Snead joined Department of Health Acting Secretary Dr. Denise Johnson at an event this week to mark the occasion. This press release includes additional information about 988.

Department of Human Services

The Department of Human Services has updated the Medical Assistance fee schedule with a new procedure code for disposable surgical masks. Find details in this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.
Pennsylvania’s Independent Regulatory Review Commission has posted psychiatric rehabilitation services regulations proposed by the Department of Human Services’ Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS). The proposed regulations would enable individuals who are 14 years of age or older but under the age of 18 and who meet admissions requirements to gain access to psychiatric rehabilitation services. The proposed regulations also would amend the diagnoses that would enable such individuals to gain access to psychiatric rehabilitation services without using the exception process. Go here to find the proposed regulations. Public comments are due by August 8.
DHS has posted the minutes of the June 23 meeting of the Medical Assistance Advisory Committee. Find those minutes here.

Department of Health

Pennsylvania’s first probable human cases of West Nile virus infection in 2022 have been detected in Berks, Lancaster, Luzerne, and Philadelphia counties. Learn more about West Nile, the state’s response, and how to avoid it from this Department of Health news release and find additional information in a department West Nile fact sheet.
The Department of Health has issued an advisory with new recommendations for rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis to prevent human rabies. Find the advisory message here.
The Department of Health advised clinicians and public health officials that parechovirus (PeV) is currently circulating in the United States and recommends that clinicians consider PeV infection in a neonate or infant presenting with fever, sepsis-like syndrome, or signs of neurologic involvement.

COVID-19: By the Numbers

The daily average of newly reported COVID-19 cases remained relatively steady over the past week, as did the number of COVID-related deaths.
The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 rose modestly over the past week, the number in hospital ICUs remained similar to last week, and the number on ventilators rose 37 percent but the number itself is modest.
Sixty-three of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties are currently experiencing a high rate of community transmission of COVID-19, up from 52 counties last week. The remaining four counties – Forest, Snyder, Sullivan, and Susquehanna – experienced a substantial rate.

Insurance Department

The Insurance Department has announced a network adequacy study as part of the State Flexibility to Stabilize the Market Grant Program Cycle II provided by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. One of the proposed projects includes studying the accessibility of medical providers, especially specialty providers, throughout the state. The goal of this study is to understand areas of need based on the current availability of providers to accept new patients and how much time it takes to get an appointment with these providers and to help assess if the state’s current health care network can adequately address the needs of the population. The Insurance Department welcomes public comment from organizations, consumer advocates, providers, and consumers about their experience with access to various in-network providers. The department has developed a list of targeted provider areas but welcomes input, comments, lived experiences, and suggestions of other provider types and areas of need. Learn more about the study, the provider types on which the department believes it should focus, and how to submit comments from this Insurance Department news release. Comments are due by August 5.

Monkeypox

The CDC has posted an updated map showing the distribution of 2108 confirmed cases of monkeypox in the U.S. as of July 19 – twice as many as a week ago. Sixty-four of those cases were in Pennsylvania – also twice as many as a week ago.

Stakeholder Events

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

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

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

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

Department of Human Services – Long-Term Care Learning Network – July 28

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 special population webinar on advance care planning and Pennsylvania orders for life-sustaining treatment in long-term-care settings. The webinar is especially oriented for nurse practitioners, medical directors, directors of nursing, social workers, and managed care organization case workers. Learn more about the webinar here and register to participate here.

Department of Health – Special Pharmaceutical Benefits Program Advisory Council – July 28

The Department of Health’s Special Pharmaceutical Benefits Program Advisory Council will hold a public teleconference meeting on Thursday, July 28 at 10:00. For more information about the role of the council and how to dial into the meeting, see this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

Department of Health – Organ Donation Advisory Committee – August 4

The Organ Donation Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting on Thursday, August 4, 2022. The purpose of the meeting is to review progress in organ and tissue donation in this Commonwealth, recommend education and awareness activities, and recommend priorities in expenditures from the Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Fund. Information on how to participate in the meeting can be found here.

Department of Health – Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Committee – August 5

The Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Board will hold a public meeting on Friday, August 5, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For more information about the role of the council and how to dial into the meeting, see this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

Department of Health – Health Care Policy Board – August 10

The Health Policy Board of the Department of Health will meet on Wednesday, August 10, 2022, at 2 p.m. The purpose of this meeting is to consult with the Board on the Department’s draft final-form long-term care nursing regulations. Information on how to participate in the meeting can be found here.

jsteinbock2022-07-25T17:08:27+00:00July 25th, 2022|COVID-19, Pennsylvania Bulletin, Pennsylvania Medicaid|Comments Off

PA Health Policy Update for the Week of October 4-8

The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania for the week of October 4-October 8, 2021. (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents.)

Governor Wolf

The Wolf administration announced the recipients of more than $12 million in federal funding for services and supports designed to improve outcomes for individuals in recovery from substance use disorder. The grants are part of $55 million in federal funding awarded to Pennsylvania through the federal SAMHSA Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant Program COVID-19 Supplemental Awards.

General Assembly

Senate Bill 397 and Senate Bill 398 were signed by Governor Wolf; they are now Act 78 and Act 79, respectively. These bills add a physician assistant to the State Boards of Medicine and Osteopathic Medicine. They also eliminate the countersignature requirement under certain conditions, increase the number of physician assistants a physician may supervise, and streamline the written agreement. Acts 78 and 79 require the boards to promulgate rules and regulations necessary to carry out the acts within 180 days.
House Bill 1893 was passed by the House of Representatives on a party-line vote Monday. This bill makes all disease information under the Disease Prevention and Control Act of 1955 subject to the state’s right-to-know law. The bill will now head to the Senate.
The House Professional Licensure Committee met to consider a number of bills, including:
- House Resolution 142 was reported as committed. This resolution directs the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a comprehensive study and review of the State Board of Nursing.
- House Bill 889 was also reported as committed. This bill authorizes the State Board of Nursing to approve graduates of international nursing education programs to sit for the RN licensure examination provided such programs are determined to be equivalent to that which is required in Pennsylvania.
- The committee held an informational meeting on Wednesday to discuss House Bill 1440, which provides for the regulation and licensure of medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals. A video transcript of the meeting can be found here.

The Senate revised its scheduled session days for the fall. Sessions previously scheduled for October 20, November 15, 16, and 17 have been canceled and November 8, 9, and 10 have been

Independent Regulatory Review Commission

The Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) has issued comments on the Department of Health’s proposed update of regulations affecting long-term-care facilities. Most significant among the IRRC’s comments is a concern that the Department of Health has not fully explored the financial impact of these changes on the regulated community. The Department of Health is required to respond to the IRRC’s concerns as part of the continuing review of these regulations.

Department of Health

The Department of Health issued recommendations for certain individuals to receive a booster dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.

The Department of Health released an updated report on post-vaccination COVID-19 events. The report found that 91 percent of reported COVID-19 cases were among unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated people and 93 percent of hospitalizations and deaths were among unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated people.

COVID-19: By the Numbers

The daily number of new COVID-19 cases remained high this week.
The Department of Health reported 93 new COVID-19-related deaths yesterday. County-specific information and a statewide map are available on the COVID-19 Data Dashboard.
There are 2,930 Pennsylvanians hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 680 are in an intensive care unit with COVID-19. The trend in the 14-day moving average number of hospitalized patients continues to rise. The full 14-day moving average since the start of the pandemic can be found here.
According to the CDC, as of Wednesday, October 6, 69.3 percent of Pennsylvanians age 18 and older are fully vaccinated, up from 68.2 percent last week.
The Department of Health is now publishing vaccination data by legislative district (state Senate, state House, and Congress). The data may be found here.

Economic Impact of Hospitals

The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) announced the release of a report this week on the economic impact of hospitals on the state and local economies. The report found that hospitals contribute $155 billion to Pennsylvania’s economy, support more than 615,000 jobs, and generate $38 billion in wages, salaries, and benefits. Find the report here and an executive summary here.

Around the State

Public health officials in Pittsburgh warned about the dangerous effects of vaccine misinformation, reports the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Senator Scott Martin (R-Lancaster County) has criticized the Department of Health for “bullying” individuals who fail to comply with COVID-related quarantine requirements. The Department of Health maintains the letter cited by Senator Martin was taken out of context for “political gain.” The Pennsylvania Capital Star details the competing narratives.
Spotlight PA has reported that even as COVID-19 cases have increased among children, schools across Pennsylvania have not widely used a state program offering free COVID-19 testing for students.
Abortion rights are quickly becoming a prominent issue for the upcoming 2022 election season, according The Philadelphia Inquirer.
The Associated Press detailed efforts by the Republican-controlled General Assembly to make information on COVID-19 and other diseases more readily available. Democratic lawmakers expressed concern about the unintended consequences of making this information available.

Stakeholder Events

Maternal Mortality Review Committee Virtual Public Meeting

October 20 at 9:00 a.m.

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

Spinal Cord Research Advisory Committee

October 21, 2021 at 9:30 a.m.

The purpose of this virtual public meeting is to review the work of the committee, review the status of the current request for application, and plan the process to review the next spinal cord research applications. For information on how individuals can participate virtually, see the meeting announcement in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

Special Pharmaceutical Benefits Program Advisory Council

October 28, 2021 at 10:00 a.m.

The Special Pharmaceutical Benefits Program Advisory Council will provide program guidance and recommendations to the Department of Health’s Special Pharmaceutical Benefits Program on drug formulary; covered lab services; drug utilization review; clinical programs; eligibility; and program management. For information on how individuals can participate virtually, see the meeting announcement in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

jsteinbock2021-10-12T17:45:33+00:00October 12th, 2021|Coronavirus, COVID-19, long-term care, Pennsylvania Bulletin, Pennsylvania Department of Health and COVID-19, Pennsylvania Department of Health coronavirus, Pennsylvania Medicaid|Comments Off

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