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The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) announced that they will be offering a webinar on the topic of the PA Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Savings Program. The webinar is scheduled for June 8, 2023, from 10:00 am – 11:00 am and will be presented by a representative of the PA Treasury Department.
A PA ABLE account gives individuals with qualifying disabilities (eligible individuals) and their families and friends a tax-free way to save for disability-related expenses while maintaining government benefits. Federal and state law authorized the creation of PA ABLE accounts.
OLTL Service Coordinators, Direct Service Providers, Community HealthChoices (CHC) managed care organization (MCO) staff, and any individuals that work on employment are strongly encouraged to participate in this webinar to assist with understanding the PA ABLE Program and how it can benefit OLTL participants.
Please register here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Questions about this webinar should be directed to Ryan Dorsey, OLTL.
A workplace culture that prioritizes well-being improves employee engagement and increases the retention of passionate, competent staff. Research shows that positivity is essential to promoting well-being, yet many still have a very misguided view of what positivity really means. Over the last several years, however, researchers have proven that we can measure, induce, and cultivate greater positivity.
Join Relias Thursday, June 1, 2023, to hear Michele Mavi and Liana Slater, Co-Founders of Monumental Me, discuss what positivity means and tips on cultivating greater positivity on your team to increase well-being at work.
On Thursday, May 25, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) posted updated information to the Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (IRF) Review Choice Demonstration (RCD) website. Included in this updated information is the Review Choice Demonstration for Rehabilitation Facility Services Operational Guide and the IRF RCD Process Flowchart. The flowchart is also contained as an appendix in the operational guide.
The Operational Guide provides additional detail on the processes for IRFs impacted by the RCD. The IRF RCD is expected to begin in Alabama on August 21, 2023. The next phase of the rollout has not been shared yet; however, Pennsylvania is expected to be one of the next states to be impacted.
ODP Announcement 23-043 shares that the proposed amendments to the Consolidated, Person/Family Directed Support (P/FDS), Community Living, and Adult Autism Waivers and proposed rates for select services are available for public review and comment. There is a 30-day public comment period that starts on May 27, 2023, and ends on June 27, 2023, at 11:59 pm.
These proposed changes are scheduled to take effect November 1, 2023. ODP is also making available for public review and comment the rate setting methodology and fee schedule rates for select services in the waivers that are scheduled to take effect January 1, 2024.
The waiver amendments in their entirety can be found here.
Additional fee schedule rates are being added for:
The new Specialty Health Assessment and Coordination service in the Consolidated, Community Living, and P/FDS Waivers will be reimbursed monthly as a vendor service based on the cost that the provider charges to the general public. The rate changes proposed above are planned to become effective January 1, 2024.
In addition, ODP proposes to adopt the temporary enhanced rates for CPS and Transportation Trip as the fee schedule rates on November 1, 2023.
Information regarding the proposed waiver amendment changes and rates, including how to provide comments, can be found in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, Volume 53, Number 21, published on Saturday, May 27, 2023.
Comments and requests for copies of this notice and documents may be submitted to ODP via email. Comments submitted should use subject header ”Waiver and Rate Comments.” There are also webinars scheduled to provide public comment.
RCPA will be asking members for their input to our comments as well and will schedule a meeting to review this information shortly. If you have any questions or comments that you would like to be sure we include, please contact Carol Ferenz or Cathy Barrick.
The agenda for the June 1, 2023, Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) Subcommittee meeting has been released. The meeting will take place from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm and will be held at the Pennsylvania Department of Education in the Honors Suite, 1st Floor, at 333 Market Street in Harrisburg. The meeting will be held in person and will also offer the ability to participate via webinar and remote streaming. The links to participate are provided below.
Comments and questions may be sent electronically.
Conference line/Bridge Number:
1-562-247-8321
PIN: 856702912#
Webinar Link
Remote Streaming Link
The next meeting is scheduled for July 6, 2023.