August 4 SCO Subcommittee Meeting Summary
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ODP Health Alert: Monkeypox Virus Facts
On August 4, 2022, the Biden administration declared monkeypox a public health emergency due to rising cases across the United States. The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) created this Health Alert based on information available from the PA Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help create awareness about monkeypox.
Medication Administration Platform Overview for Trainer Candidates & Primary Contacts — Webinar August 10
Wednesday, August 10, 2022
10:00 am – 11:00 am
REGISTER
This webinar will provide an overview of the new Medication Administration Platform for Trainer Candidates and Primary Contacts that launches on August 8, 2022. You will learn how to create an account, enroll in the Train-the-Trainer course, submit payment, view the lessons and exams, and register for the face-to-face session.
*Trainer facilitated Student Courses will be available on September 6, 2022, and a separate training will be held for certified trainers closer to that date.
PDE Releases Guidance on Act 1 of 2022
The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has released guidance on Act 1 of 2022, which promotes timely high school graduation, facilitates equal access to academics and extracurricular activities, and the removal of systemic barriers for students who experience education instability as defined by the legislation.
Additionally, Act 1 confers specific duties on all school entities, including school districts, charter schools, regional charter schools, cyber charter schools, intermediate units, and career and technical schools. Act 1 does not in any way alter or undermine the rights of students with disabilities or abridge other state or federal laws that protect eligible students.
If you have further questions, please contact RCPA Policy Director Jim Sharp.
Reminder: FMS Stakeholder Meeting Today at 1:00 pm
This is a reminder that there is a Financial Management Services (FMS) stakeholder meeting today, August 5, from 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm.
The purpose of this public meeting is to discuss upcoming changes for the administration of FMS under the Community HealthChoices (CHC), OBRA Waiver, and Act 150 programs. Representatives from the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) and CHC Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) will be in attendance to discuss upcoming changes.
Please register using this link. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
If you choose to use your phone to call in, please use the numbers below:
Dial in: 415-930-5321
Access Code: 264854023#
Audio PIN: shown after joining the webinar
PFSA Offers Free Virtual Mandated Reporter Training
PFSA is continuing to offer virtual Mandated Reporter Training at no cost to mandated reporters in Pennsylvania.
This three-hour virtual training is approved by the Departments of Human Services, Education, and State and meets all requirements for training on recognizing and reporting child abuse (to include Act 126 for school employees). It is also approved for continuing education credits under Act 31 (Department of State for health-related licenses) and Act 48 (Department of Education for teachers) at no cost. PFSA will submit your training verification to the Department of State or Education as appropriate on your behalf (details provided during training).
Please register for your preferred training date and time by selecting one of the session links below. Each person must log in through separate devices using the unique access link emailed to them after registration in order to receive credit.
For questions or to schedule a session specifically for your organization, please email PFSA. If you have further questions please contact, RCPA Children’s Policy Director Jim Sharp.
Monday. Aug. 8, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Wednesday, Aug. 10, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Friday, Aug. 12, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Saturday, Aug. 13, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Tuesday, Aug. 16, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Open for Public Comment — Additional ARPA Initiatives in ODP
ODP Announcement 22-088 reports that ODP is seeking public comment on the proposed initiatives specific to programs and services for individuals with an intellectual disability and/or autism (ID/A) for which ARPA funds will be used.
ARPA provides a temporary 10% increase to the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for certain Medicaid expenditures for home and community-based services (HCBS). The funding must be used to enhance, expand, or strengthen HCBS beyond what is available under Medicaid programs, including ODP’s waivers.
ODP is proposing additional initiatives in the following areas:
- Data Management Enhancements;
- Targeted Program Recovery; and
- Expansion Supplemental Payments.
Interested persons are invited to submit written comments regarding the proposed ODP ARPA initiatives. Comments should be addressed to: Department of Human Services, Office of Developmental Programs, Division of Provider Assistance and Rate Setting, 4th Floor, 625 Forster Street, Harrisburg, PA 17120.
Comments may also be submitted to the Department via email using the subject header “ODP ARPA Initiatives.” Comments received by 11:59 pm on August 19, 2022, will be reviewed and considered for final implementation.
ODP Claim and Service Documentation Updates
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) presented updated details regarding requirements for providers regarding claim and service documentation in a webinar on August 4, 2022. Bulletin 00-22-03 “Technical Guidance for Claim and Service Documentation” was reviewed along with the following documents:
- Claim and Service Documentation for Programs Funded by the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP);
- Attachment 1: Technical Guidance for Claim and Service Documentation; and
- Attachment 2: Technical Guidance for Claim and Service Documentation for Providers of Services in the Adult Autism Waiver.
CMS Releases RFI Seeking Public Comments on Medicare Advantage Program
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released a Request for Information (RFI) requesting public comments on the Medicare Advantage program. CMS is asking for input on ways to achieve the agency’s vision so that all parts of Medicare are working towards a future where people with Medicare receive more equitable, high quality, and person-centered care that is affordable and sustainable, essentially asking for ways to strengthen this program.
CMS’s intent is to better align the Medical Assistance (MA) program with the agency’s vision for Medicare and the CMS Strategic Pillars. CMS is strongly emphasizing the importance of stakeholder comments for this process. This openness to feedback presents MA plans, providers, and other stakeholders an opportunity to inform the agency’s early thinking as it considers potential regulatory actions impacting supplemental benefits, value-based contracting arrangements, risk adjustment, prior authorization, and marketing among other issues.
CMS will accept comments on the RFI until August 31, 2022.
OMHSAS: Act 32 Amends Access to Confidential Info
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