';
CLOSE
Featured
Featured posts

0 584

On February 28, 2026, the Department of Human Services (DHS) Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) published a notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin announcing a change in the fee schedule rates in the OBRA Waiver and the Act 150 Program for Participant-Directed Personal Assistance Services (PAS) procedure codes W1792 and W1792 TU. This fee schedule rate change is effective January 1, 2026. A revised fee schedule is available here.

Written comments regarding these fee schedule rates can be sent to the Department of Human Services, Office of Long-Term Living, Bureau of Policy Development and Communications Management, P.O. Box 8025, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8025. Comments can also be submitted via email. Comments received within the 30-day comment period will be considered in subsequent revisions to the fee schedule.

OLTL previously issued a listserv on December 19, 2025, confirming the Fiscal Year 2025/26 budget, signed into law on November 12, 2025, which included a $21 million investment to strengthen the workforce through increased wages for direct care workers (DCW) providing services in the Participant-Directed model for OLTL Fee-for-Service programs.

To support the January 1, 2026, effective date, OLTL updated the PROMISe™ system and the Home and Community Services Information System (HCSIS) with the revised rates. Service Coordinators (SC) did not need to make any service plan updates for the rate change, as a HCSIS system-wide update was implemented to make the necessary service data rate updates to the affected service plans.

SCs are encouraged to reach out to OBRA Waiver and Act 150 Program participants that utilize Participant-Directed PAS to ensure they are aware of the rate change and that their DCWs may receive increases in their pay rates.

SCs may also receive specific questions from OBRA Waiver and Act 150 Program participants that utilize Participant-Directed PAS supported by Financial Management Services (FMS) through the FMS vendor Public Partnerships, LLC (PPL). SCs should refer participants to the PPL Customer Service hotline at 877-908-1750 for specific questions about how the rate increase in the OBRA Waiver and Act 150 Program will impact the pay of their DCWs.

0 312

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 26-030. The purpose of this communication is to introduce the guide Sensory Friendly Preparedness Guide for Large-Scale Events and the accompanying social story. The guide is designed to support providers in assessing and preparing for planned large-scale public events. This resource aims to help ensure that individuals receiving services remain safe and continue to access the support they need throughout such events.

Please view the announcement for more details.

ATTACHMENTS:

0 644

From RCPA member Beechwood NeuroRehab:

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness, share knowledge, and support those affected by brain injuries. In recognition of this important month, we invite you to join the Beechwood clinical team for a special Zoom presentation, “Bridging the Gap to Independence.”

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

4:00 pm – 5:30 pm

Brain injuries affect millions of individuals and families each year. These injuries can be caused by falls, motor vehicle accidents, sports impacts, medical conditions, or other traumatic events. While some effects are visible, many survivors live with invisible challenges such as cognitive changes, fatigue, memory issues, and emotional impacts. In this presentation, the clinical team will share how Beechwood can help participants navigate around many of the challenges associated with having sustained an acquired brain injury, discuss their specialties, and talk about how they help participants become as independent as possible.

Join the Zoom Presentation

0 1038

The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) published a proposed rule concerning the process and criteria used to determine a worker’s classification as an employee or an independent contractor under the Fair Labor Standards Act and related federal laws.

This proposed rule would rescind DOL’s 2024 Final Rule addressing the classification of independent contractors and replace it with an analysis for employee classification similar to the one adopted by DOL in 2021. The classification analysis in the proposed rule would:

  • Apply an “economic reality” test to determine whether a worker is in business for himself or herself as an independent contractor or is an employee economically dependent on an employer for work;
  • Identify and explain two “core factors” to help determine if a worker is economically dependent on an employer for work or in business for him- or herself:
    • The nature and degree of control over the work; and
    • The worker’s opportunity for profit or loss based on initiative and/or investment;
  • Identify other factors to help determine a worker’s status as an employee or independent contractor, including the amount of skill required for the work, degree of permanence of the working relationship, and whether the work is part of an integrated unit of production;
  • Advise that the actual practice of the worker and the potential employer is more relevant than what may be contractually or theoretically possible; and
  • Provide eight fact-specific examples applying the factors to real-life circumstances.

Last year, DOL published guidance advising WHD field staff on the analysis to apply when determining employee or independent contractor status. That guidance instructed agency investigators to stop applying the analysis from DOL’s 2024 rule in current enforcement matters but, instead, rely on the principles outlined in Field Assistance Bulletin No. 2025-1 and Fact Sheet #13.

The 2024 final rule prompted a number of federal lawsuits challenging its legality. As a result, DOL said last year that it would be “…reconsidering the 2024 Rule, including whether to rescind the regulation.”

DOL will be accepting comments on this proposed rule through 11:59 pm (ET) April 28, 2026.

0 840
Glowing blue dotted texture. Abstract curved dot grid wallpaper. Circle halftone pattern background. Dark navy backdrop for technology, business, science, healthcare, medicine design. Vector
Press release by McAuley Ministries: Published February 26, 2026

Excerpt below:

PITTSBURGH (February 26, 2026) – McAuley Ministries, Pittsburgh Mercy’s grant-making foundation, awarded 29 grants totaling over $2 million. The grants help fund capacity building, education, empowerment, essential needs & social services, legacy programs, and whole-person health initiatives in Pittsburgh’s Hill District, Uptown, and West Oakland communities, its three focus neighborhoods, collectively referred to as the Mercy Corridor.

 

0 1076

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the calendar year (CY) 2026 KX modifier threshold amounts for therapy services.

The CY 2026 KX modifier threshold amount is $2,480 for:

  • Physical therapy and speech-language pathology services combined; and
  • Occupational therapy services.

Additional information on this topic is provided below:

Therapy Services web page, including CY 2026:

0 459

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared communication ODPANN 26-029. The purpose of this communication is to announce that new live case study sessions for the AR Course are now available, featuring a new case study that allows participants to actively engage and apply their learning. The AR course page can be accessed by using the AR Training link and logging into MyODP.

Registration for the case study sessions is currently scheduled for:

  • Tuesday, April 28, 2026 (1:00 pm – 4:00 pm)
  • Wednesday, June 10, 2026 (9:00 am – 12:00 pm)

Please review the announcement for more details.

Prev1...567...510Next Page 6 of 510
© 2021 - Rehabilitation & Community Providers Association