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Carol Ferenz
Governor’s Office Budget Briefing on ID/A Services for FY 2024/25 Postponed
With the passing of the FY 2024/25 PA budget last week, intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism (ID/A) associations are attempting to obtain clarity regarding its impact on services. The Governor’s Office announced, however, that the scheduled meeting to review these impacts has been postponed in order to allow the Department of Human Services (DHS) more time to analyze the details of the budget. The Governor’s Office shared the following message:
The Commonwealth’s enacted FY24-25 budget includes a philosophical shift in how Pennsylvania approaches service delivery for individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism – a much needed and overdue course change to invest in dignity and opportunity for this community. In February, Governor Shapiro announced the intent to tackle the waiting list for services with a new approach, the Multi-Year ODP Program Growth Strategy. Accompanying this structural change is a substantial investment in services for individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism totaling $354.8M combined state and federal funds – an investment that supports providers, direct support professionals, and families who help make our vision of Everyday Lives a reality.
Included in the total funding is $280M in federal and state funds, which averages 7 percent rate increases for FY24-25. DHS is continuing the analysis of the funds appropriated for FY24-25 for ID/A services and how this will reflect in final rates that will take effect for FY24-25. Also included is an investment of $74.8M in combined federal and state funds for FY24-25 to put the commonwealth on a path to end the emergency waiting list by offering 1,500 adults enrollment in the Consolidated or Community Living Waivers and altering the management of home and community-based services capacity.
In addition to rate increases, the enacted budget includes funding for the implementation of performance-based contracting and the addition of sign language interpretation services. Performance-based contracting is scheduled to be implemented for residential services beginning in FY24-25. Sign language services will be added to ODP’s home and community-based waivers beginning January 1, 2025, pending approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
We know there is great interest to further discuss the impact of the enacted budget on your programs and services. DHS will provide additional information to stakeholders related to the necessary recalculation for the fee schedule rates for FY24-25 and performance-based contracting upon completion of the analysis.
Reminder for RCPA Member Webinar on Putting Strategy Into Your Consumer Funds Management July 31
August IDD Committee Meeting Rescheduled to August 2
LNP | LancasterOnline: Accessible to All? Pennsylvania’s Capitol an Obstacle Course for Many Citizens Living With Disabilities
ODP Reminder on MA Course Changes; New Classes Added for July 2024
ODP Announcement 24-068 is to remind trainers and learners about changes in the Medication Administration (MA) Training course and possible impacts of those changes:
- Written Documentation – Part 1: Pharmacy Label/Medication Record Comparison (Exam)
- Lesson Quizzes (1 through 9)
New Trainer and Recertification Face-to-Face classes have been added to the July schedule, and additional Summer and Fall classes will be announced soon. If you have any issues with registering, please submit a ticket electronically.
Reminder: Free RCPA Member Webinar on Clinical AI in MH Crisis to Be Held July 25
Putting Strategy Into Your Consumer Funds Management: RCPA Member Webinar on July 31
Registration Now Open for the 2024 RCPA Conference!
Registration is now officially open for the 2024 RCPA Conference Embracing Challenges, Empowering Success! By registering, you will gain access to over sixty workshops, live updates from both state and national partners, and the ability to interact with exhibitors and sponsors in our Connections Hall! You’ll also gain access to the mobile app, which will contain CE information, a detailed agenda, and more!
View our registration brochure for complete details on the conference schedule, current sponsors and exhibitors, and a word from RCPA President and CEO Richard Edley. You can also register directly here.
If your organization is interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at our conference, you can complete our Sponsors, Exhibitors, and Advertisers Brochure or contact Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinator. Spaces are filling up, so don’t delay!
We look forward to sharing more details in the near future and would like to extend a thank you to those organizations who have already pledged support for the conference! View our current sponsors and exhibitors on the RCPA Conference website!
ODP Announces Adjusted Timeframes and Changes to Performance-Based Contracting Plans
After reviewing hundreds of comments from stakeholders, the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has made some initial adjustments to the proposed Performance-Based Contracting waiver for Residential Services. Areas with high volumes of comments included:
- Select/Clinically Enhanced Tiers being reserved for agencies serving 10 or more individuals;
- Competitive Integrated Employment standards;
- Populations served with average Needs Level 4.5+ and average Health Care Level 3.5+ (HCL is established using the Health Risk Screening Tool);
- Primary providers being limited to Needs Group 1-3;
- The number of measures; and
- The timeline for implementation.
ODP is now offering Residential providers a choice of when they are assigned into a tier. This will be based on which data they chose for ODP to review and make a tier determination upon. The choices will be:
- Calendar year 2023 data reviewed with notification of tier assignment occurring in November, to be effective January 1, 2025 – June 2026; or
- Review of Calendar year 2024 data with notification of tier assignment occurring in May, to be effective July 2025 – July 2026.
ODP plans to continue their review of public comments and intends to publish additional information. On July 19, ODP hopes to submit amended the 1915(c) waivers and 1915(b)4 waiver as well as publish the following supporting documents:
- Performance Standards;
- Implementation Plan;
- Attestation; and
- Provider Data Submission Tool.
On January 1, 2025, ODP intends to begin Performance-Based Contracting (pending CMS approval).
ODP will conduct a webinar for residential providers on Monday, July 22, 2024, from 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm, to review publications, changes made as a result of public comment, and instructions for tier determination and data submission. Register here. This webinar will be posted on the PBC Resource Page located on the MyODP website.
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