';
Policy Areas

MEDICAID text on a keyboard with stethoscope , medical concept

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared a reminder of the importance of supporting individuals in maintaining their eligibility for Medicaid and in verifying an individual’s eligibility for Medicaid prior to delivering services.

Each month, the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) generates an “MA Reapplications Due Soon” report for each Administrative Entity (AE) and Supports Coordination Organization (SCO). The report is uploaded to the internet version of DocuShare and can be found using the following path:

AEs: ODP –> Division of Program Analysis –> Select Region Folder –> Select County/Joinder Folder –> County Dashboards

Intellectual Disability/Autism (ID/A) SCOs: ODP –> Division of Program Analysis –> ID/A Supports Coordination Organization –> Select Region Folder –> Select the ID/A SCO

Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) SCOs: ODP’s Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations (BSASP) sends each SCO a monthly report of impacted individuals they serve for follow-up. Please note that AAW SCOs who are serving individuals whose MA is not coming due within the next four months will not receive a monthly report.

Please view ODPANN 25-097 for additional details and information.

Attachments:

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) shared this important announcement from the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA is aware that Philips has issued a letter to affected customers recommending all Trilogy ventilators be corrected prior to continued use. This includes Trilogy EVO, Trilogy EV300, Trilogy Evo O2, and Trilogy Evo Universal devices.

Philips has identified three issues affecting Trilogy Evo Platform ventilators:

  • Using non-pneumatic nebulizers with Trilogy Evo Platform ventilators may result in a discrepancy between the set tidal volume and the tidal volume received by the patient.
  • Aerosol buildup on the internal flow sensor may interfere with the sensor’s ability to accurately measure airflow, leading to incorrect flow calculations and potentially impacting the therapy delivered to the patient.
  • In some situations, the Obstruction Alarm does not trigger within the timeframe dictated by the relevant standards – two breath cycles, or five seconds. In certain ventilation modes, with or without backup rates, the alarm could be delayed by up to four breaths.

This recall involves correcting devices and does not involve removing them from where they are used or sold. The FDA has identified this recall as the most serious type. This device may cause serious injury or death if you continue to use it without correction. View the full list of affected products here.

What to Do:

Update all Trilogy Evo Platform ventilators with software version 1.05.15.00. Stop all use of non-pneumatic nebulizers with all Trilogy Evo Platform ventilators. Review the latest User Manual Addendum.

On March 2, Philips sent all affected customers a letter recommending the following actions:

  • Update all Trilogy Evo Platform ventilators with software version 1.05.15.00. The software is available as free download through the My Philips for Professionals (MyP4P) and InCenter websites.
  • Review the latest version of the User Manual Addendum. Ensure a copy of all product literature, including the User Manual Addendum, is included with every Trilogy Evo Platform ventilator in your fleet.
  • Stop all use of non-pneumatic nebulizers, including vibrating mesh nebulizers, with all Trilogy Evo Platform ventilators.
  • Communicate this notice to anyone in your organization who interacts with a Trilogy Evo Platform ventilator, including clinicians, therapists, nurses, caregivers, and patients. Ensure they are aware of the changes regarding the use of nebulizers with these ventilators and that non-pneumatic nebulizers are not to be used.
  • If a Trilogy Evo Platform ventilator previously in your possession has been transferred, ensure this information is communicated to them, including the User Manual Addendum.

Visit the FDA’s website for additional information and next steps.

0 183
physiotherapist helping patient to walk

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released the fiscal year (FY) 2027 hospital inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) proposed rule. Included in this rule is a proposal for the expansion of CMS’s Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement (CCJR) model nationwide to improve care coordination and reduce costs for Medicare patients undergoing hip, knee, and ankle replacements. The model would hold hospitals accountable for the full episode of care, including surgery and 90 days of recovery, encouraging better outcomes and a more efficient use of resources.

For background purposes, from April 2016 through December 2024, the CMS Innovation Center tested the CJR Model to improve care for Medicare patients undergoing joint replacement procedures. During that time, the model generated significant Medicare savings while maintaining quality of care for beneficiaries. Under the CJR Model, hospitals were held responsible for Medicare spending for the joint replacement surgery, the hospital stay, and the first 90 days of recovery, including follow-up care such as physical therapy.

Based on the evaluation of the CJR Model, the CJR Expanded (CJR-X) Model would create strong incentives for hospitals to coordinate care more effectively, avoid unnecessary services like avoidable re-hospitalization and emergency care, and focus on delivering the best outcomes for patients. It would specifically encourage better communication with post-acute care providers to support recovery. Beginning October 1, 2027, CJR-X would be required for most hospitals, making it the first mandatory, nationwide test of an episode-based payment model.

Comments on the proposed rule are due by June 9, 2026.

The Brain Injury Advisory Board (Board), established under section 1252 of the Federal Traumatic Brain Injury Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. § 300d-52), will hold a public meeting on May 1, 2026, from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. The meeting will be held in person at the Health and Human Services Building, 7th Floor, Conference Room A, 625 Forster Street, Harrisburg, PA 17120. A virtual meeting option is available via Microsoft Teams. To join the Microsoft Teams meeting, call (267) 332-8737. The phone conference ID is 428991948#.

Meeting materials will be sent out before the meeting and will also be available on the Department of Health’s (DOH) website. Questions should be sent to Nicole Johnson electronically.

DOH’s Head Injury Program (HIP) strives to ensure that eligible individuals who have a traumatic brain injury (TBI) receive high quality rehabilitative services aimed at reducing functional limitations and improving quality of life. The Board assists DOH in understanding and meeting the needs of persons living with acquired brain injuries, both traumatic and nontraumatic, and their families. This quarterly meeting will provide updates on a variety of topics, including the number of people served by HIP. In addition, meeting participants will discuss budgetary and programmatic issues, community programs relating to traumatic and nontraumatic brain injuries and available advocacy opportunities.

For additional information or for persons with a disability who wish to attend the meeting and require an auxiliary aid, service, or other accommodation to do so, contact Nicole Johnson, Division of Community Systems Development and Outreach, (717) 772-2763. For individuals who need assistance with speech or for deaf or hard of hearing persons, contact the Pennsylvania Hamilton Relay Service at (800) 654-5984 (TDD users) or (800) 654-5988 (voice users).

Please share these important workshops and support groups with your networks! Register here for upcoming events.

Good Life Group, Support Groups

LifeCourse Workshops

Waiver Workshops

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 26-042. This communication announces updated SPeCTRUM training is now available on MyODP for Consolidated and Community Living Waiver Providers. This announcement obsoletes ODPANN 19-072, 19-121, and 20-032.

The updated SPeCTRUM training consists of multiple self-paced modules and has enhanced webinar capabilities, updated content, and has been streamlined while continuing to provide foundational information necessary to support adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Users must complete all the modules for the training to be considered complete. To satisfy the basic autism training requirement for Residential Performance-Based Contracting measures CN-DD/Bx.01.1S and CN-DD/Bx.01.1CE for all Direct Support Professionals (DSP), Frontline Supervisors (FLS), and program managers must complete SPeCTRUM: Office of Developmental Programs Online Autism Competency Training. This training also fulfills §6100.143 ongoing training requirements. Users will be required to view all 8 modules and receive a 100% on related quiz questions for the training to populate on the MyTranscript Report.

Effective July 1, 2026, previously accepted Relias trainings will no longer be accepted as alternatives for meeting the requirements associated with Residential Performance-Based Contracting measures CN-DD/Bx.01.1S and CN-DD/Bx.01.1CE.

SPeCTRUM training is available on MyODP’s website.