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Transition Plans Released to Phase Out Temporary Changes to CHC Waiver, OBRA, and Act 150
The Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) has released the transition plans that outline how the Appendix K flexibilities will be phased out on May 11, 2023, with the end of the Public Health Emergency. The transition plans apply to the Community HealthChoices (CHC) Waiver, OBRA Waiver, and Act 150 program.
Since March 6, 2020, the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) has been operating under an Appendix K Emergency Preparedness and Response amendment that was approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Appendix K allowed temporary changes to the CHC Waiver, OBRA waiver, and Act 150 waiver in response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.
Effective May 11, 2023, OLTL is discontinuing the emergency flexibilities noted in the attached guidance and is returning to pre-emergency operations. Providers should make any changes that are necessary to resume normal operations and be in compliance by May 11, 2023. Service Coordinators have been instructed to work with participants and providers to ensure a seamless transition to normal operations.
The transition plans have been updated to reflect the new expiration date for the flexibilities. In addition, as a general note, resuming pre-emergency waiver operations means the following:
- All assessments, including the comprehensive needs assessments and reassessments, must be conducted face-to-face;
- Service Coordinators must monitor participants and Individual Services Plans (ISPs) through face-to-face contacts; and
- ISP meetings and development must be conducted face-to-face.
Questions about this information should be directed to the OLTL Provider Helpline at 800-932-0939.
Reminder: Registration is Open for the ODP 2023 Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Virtual Seminar
Through the Lens of Autism: Exploring Priority Areas and Building Support for Everyday Challenges
Through research and experience, we have learned that implementing the right tools can help us be better supporters for people on the autism spectrum. But what are those tools? How do you know what the needs are so you can begin to gather effective resources? This year’s Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) training needs survey asked you to share the top areas of need that people on the autism spectrum experience. As a response to the survey, this seminar will provide a deeper look into a variety of priority areas, including communication, mental health, online safety, and family systems that impact everyday life. We will invite you to join in the conversation and share your experiences, successes, and resources. Together we will expand our understanding of key challenges that people are facing and brainstorm multiple ways to provide effective and meaningful supports.
Please join ODP on one of the dates listed below:
Wednesday, April 12, 2023, from 9:30 am – 1:30 pm
Monday, April 24, 2023, from 11:30 am – 3:30 pm
How to Register:
Visit MyODP and log in to your account. If you do not have an account, you can create one for free. Complete the demographics form. Select the “Microsoft Teams” link for the date you wish to attend and enter your name and email to register. An email confirmation will be sent.
If you have questions, please contact ODP via email with subject line “ASD Seminar.”
CMS Approves OLTL’s OBRA Waiver Amendment
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved the Office of Long-Term Living’s (OLTL) OBRA Waiver Amendment. Changes in the approved OBRA Waiver Amendment include:
- Revised the Benefits Counseling service definition;
- Amended the responsibilities of the Fiscal/Employer Agent;
- Updated Appendix H Quality Improvement Strategy to the current process; and
- Removed performance measure AA-6, as the data in AA-6 is being collected by AA-5.
The current approved OBRA Waiver document can be viewed here. If you have any questions, please contact the OLTL Bureau of Policy Development and Communications Management at (717) 857-3280.
PA ODP Division of Quality Management’s QM Spotlight Issue 4, Spring 2023 Released
ODP Releases QA&I Interim Year 1 and Interim Year 2 Individual Interviews Report
ODP Announcement 23-033 shares that data is now available from the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) Quality Assessment and Improvement (QA&I) Individual Interviews Report for Interim Year 1 and Interim Year 2. The report provides aggregated individual response data from QA&I individual interviews conducted during IY1 and IY2 of the QA&I cycle for all ODP waivers.
Access this report here. This document can also be found by visiting MyODP and following this path: Resources > Quality Management > QAI Reports. All QA&I reports are available here.
Area Long-Term Care Facilities Receive Funding
AAW Quarterly Incident and Risk Management Meeting on April 14
The upcoming AAW quarterly meetings will be held for all Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) providers and Support Coordinators (SC) providing AAW services. Pam Treadway and Heather Easley will facilitate these meetings with the intent to provide updates on incident and risk management related activities, share AAW data, inform providers of any upcoming changes, review ODP expectations, etc. Providers will be able to network with one another and ask questions directly to BSASP.
The upcoming meeting will have a focus on restrictive interventions. Our BSASP clinical colleague, Jordan Hollander, will join for this focused topic presentation/discussion.
Friday, April 14
2:30 pm – 4:00 pm
Register Here
Multiple staff from a provider may attend but should register separately. Be sure to complete all required information to confirm attendance. A link to the meeting will be send prior to the scheduled meeting date.
Future Meeting Dates:
- July 18, 9:00 am – 10:30 am
- October 19, 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm
Registration announcements for future dates will be sent out prior to the meeting date.
Please contact the Provider Support inbox with questions.
Gov. Shapiro Proclaims April 2023 as Autism Acceptance Month
RCPA ICWC/CCBHC Meeting Rescheduled to May 24
The RCPA ICWC/CCBHC meeting that was originally scheduled for April 11 has been rescheduled to May 24. This is so RCPA Policy Directors and members can view the House Budget Hearings for DHS, which are scheduled April 11. The meeting time will remain the same, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, as will the format. Please register for the meeting here, and note that if you registered for the April 11 meeting, you will need to re-register for this event.
We apologize for any inconvenience; however, the activities at the hearings are critical to our ongoing advocacy efforts. Please contact Jim Sharp if you have any questions or concerns.
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