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Children's Services

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The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) issued a temporary rule extending the allowance for physicians and practitioners to prescribe controlled medications to new patients based on a relationship solely established through telemedicine (live video or telephone for buprenorphine) until December 31, 2024. The extension will give the DEA time to consider permanent changes to their rules around prescribing controlled substances moving forward.

Key concerns from stakeholders expressed during the listening sessions were related to in-person visit requirements, the 30-day prescribing limit in the initially proposed rules, and adding various reporting requirements, such as notating on prescriptions that they were prescribed via telemedicine. The rule itself lists additional reasons the extension is being issued:

  • “Prevent a reduction in access to care for patients who do not yet have an existing telemedicine relationship;
  • For relationships established both during the COVID-19 PHE and those established shortly after, prevent backlogs with respect to in-person medical evaluations in the months shortly before and after the expiration of the telemedicine flexibilities;
  • Address the urgent public health need for continued access to the initiation of buprenorphine as medication for opioid use disorder in the context of the continuing opioid public health crisis;
  • Allow patients, practitioners, pharmacists, service providers, and other stakeholders sufficient time to prepare for the implementation of any future regulations that apply to prescribing of controlled medications via telemedicine; and
  • Enable DEA, jointly with HHS, to conduct a thorough evaluation of regulatory alternatives in order to promulgate regulations that most effectively expand access to telemedicine encounters in a manner that is consistent with public health and safety, while also effectively mitigating against the risk of possible diversion.

RCPA will continue its advocacy work in partnering with the National Council on Mental Wellbeing to support the flexibility becoming part of reimagined legislation. Also, RCPA will continue its efforts on the current appeal it has filed with the DEA and OMHSAS to provide regulatory clarification on the licensing classification for those provider members who submitted applications for DEA Site Registration to disseminate Controlled Substances under the titled Act of 1970.

If you have questions, please contact RCPA Policy Director Jim Sharp.

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Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey, the Chairman of the Special Committee on Aging, will be introducing new legislation on the floor of Senate titled “The Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Relief Act of 2023.”

The HCBS Relief Act of 2023 would provide dedicated Medicaid funds to states for two years to stabilize their HCBS service delivery networks, recruit and retain HCBS direct care workers, and meet the long-term service and support needs of people eligible for Medicaid home and community-based services. States would receive a 10-point increase in the federal match (FMAP) for Medicaid for two fiscal years to enhance HCBS. Funds could be used to increase direct care worker pay, provide benefits such as paid family leave or sick leave, and pay for transportation expenses to and from the homes of those being served. The additional funds also can be used to support family caregivers, pay for recruitment and training of additional direct care workers, and pay for technology to facilitate services. The funds can help decrease or eliminate the waiting lists for HCBS in the states.

The HCBS Relief Act of 2023 will be introduced during the fourth week of October with a House companion bill expected to be released in the near future. Please join RCPA in supporting this critical piece of legislation to create a viable and sustainable pathway for HCBS.

If you have any questions, please contact your respective RCPA Policy Director.

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The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released updated guidance on the CCBHC Quality Measurements. The guidance provides revisions regarding monitoring of the demonstration project programs:

Additionally, SAMHSA has released a series of webinars and PowerPoints aimed at providing technical assistance for CCBHC providers, listed below:

If you have any questions or feedback, please contact RCPA Policy Director Jim Sharp.

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As we make our final preparations for the 2023 RCPA Annual Conference A Decade of Unity, we would like to showcase and take the opportunity to thank our sponsors and exhibitors! We encourage attendees to meet and get to know these organizations in our Connections Hall Wednesday, October 11 and Thursday, October 12. View the full list below, and thank you once again to everyone who supports our conference! We are excited to see you at the Hershey Lodge!

View Our 2023 Sponsors!

View Our 2023 Exhibitors!

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Time is running out for your chance to register for the 2023 RCPA Annual Conference A Decade of Unity! Registration will be closing this Friday, September 29, 2023. Register today and claim your seat to view and participate in exciting, engaging, and educational workshops as well as learn from a wide-ranging group of plenary and keynote speakers. You will also have opportunities for networking, particularly in our Connections Hall, with attendees, speakers, sponsors, and exhibitors. Lastly, by registering today, you will ensure you gain access to the conference mobile app when it goes live, allowing you to create your schedule, engage with exhibitors, participate in our Connections Hall game for prizes, and more! View the registration brochure for full details, and note that hotel rooms are quickly filling, so if you have difficulties making your reservation, please contact Carol Ferenz. Register directly for the 2023 RCPA Annual Conference today!

We also wish to extend our thanks to those organizations that have contributed and shown their support. View our full list of sponsors and exhibitors at our Conference website. We look forward to seeing everyone at the Hershey Lodge!

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Registration for the 2023 RCPA Annual Conference A Decade of Unity will be closing this Friday, September 29, 2023, so register today to reserve your seat! By registering, you will gain access to engaging workshops for CE credits, networking opportunities in Connections Hall, and live entertainment. When launched, the conference app will also become available, so you can create your schedule, engage with exhibitors, participate in our Connections Hall game for prizes, and more! View the registration brochure for full details, and note that hotel rooms are quickly filling, so if you have difficulties making your reservation, please contact Carol Ferenz. Register directly to claim your seat at the conference today!

We also wish to extend our thanks to those organizations that have contributed and shown their support. View our full list of sponsors and exhibitors at our Conference website. We look forward to seeing everyone at the Hershey Lodge!

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The Department of Human Services (DHS) has made the Medical Assistance (MA) and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Managed Care Quality Strategy (MCQS) for the Commonwealth available for public review and comment. The MCQS is an updated version of the previous strategy submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in December 2020 and accounts for the ongoing post-pandemic delivery system pressures that have affected how managed care organizations (MCOs) deliver care. The MCQS may be viewed online. Comments may be submitted via email, and those received within 30 days will be reviewed and considered. Additional information is available on the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

If you have any questions, please contact Fady Sahhar.

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