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Substance Use Disorder

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The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) has released the OMHSAS-24-05 Peer Support Services (PSS) Bulletin and PSS Provider Handbook, updating the requirements for Peer Support Services. OMHSAS significantly reorganized the existing language in the Handbook to better clarify which requirements apply to OMHSAS licensure and which apply to Medical Assistance payment. Along with these formatting changes, OMHSAS-24-05 includes the following updates:

  • Staff Qualifications and Requirements for Certified Peer Specialists (CPS)
    • The requirement for a CPS to have a high school diploma or GED has been removed.
    • The requirement for a Serious Mental Illness (SMI) or Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED) has been replaced with a requirement to have a mental health diagnosis. Please note, to be eligible to receive PSS services, there is still a requirement for “the presence or history of an SMI or SED.”
    • The clause requiring CPSs “to attain certification through the PCB within six months of hire” has been removed, as the certification examination is now available on-demand, eliminating the need for a grace period for testing to be completed.
  • Staff Qualifications and Requirements for CPS Supervisors
    • Adding a new qualification category for individuals with an associate degree.
    • Supervisory meetings held in an audio-only format shall not be considered supervision.
    • Supervisory meetings shall be provided at a minimum of one hour each week.
  • Telehealth
    • The prior requirement that only 25% of total services provided per beneficiary per calendar year can be delivered by telephone has been removed.
    • PSS may be provided via telehealth technology, including audio-only service delivery, when it is clinically appropriate to do so.
    • PSS providers must ensure that the preference of individuals receiving services (or their legal guardian) is given a high priority when determining the appropriate service delivery modality.

Please review all other revisions to OMHSAS-24-05 here.

Comments and questions regarding this bulletin should be directed to:
Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Bureau of Policy, Planning and Program Development,
P.O. Box 2675,
Harrisburg, PA 17105
General Office Number: 717-772-7900
Email

If you have any questions, please contact RCPA COO and Mental Health Policy Director Jim Sharp.

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Capitol hill building in the morning with colorful cloud , Washington DC.

On December 21, President Biden signed into law the 2025 American Relief Act, a stopgap funding bill passed by Congress on December 20 that funds the federal government through March 14, 2025, and includes over $110 billion for disaster relief.

The bill extends certain Medicare telehealth flexibilities through March 31, 2025, under Section 3207, including the six-month in-person requirement for mental health services, the expanded originating sites, and coverage of audio-only services.

The bill also extends funding for several expiring health care programs through March 31, 2025, including the National Health Service Corps at $85 million and the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education Program at $43 million, both under Section 3101.

In addition, the stopgap bill delays scheduled reductions to the Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospitals allotments, which are currently set to result in a total reduction of $32 billion between 2025 and 2027. Under Section 3401, the bill delays these cuts through April 1, 2025.

You can read the bill text and a summary of the health care provisions.

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Warfel Construction: A Trusted Partner for Behavioral Health Providers

At Warfel Construction, we specialize in creating spaces that promote healing, care, and community. With over 113 years of experience, we have built a reputation for excellence in the construction industry, delivering high-quality projects across a wide range of sectors, including health care, education, commercial, and more. Proudly serving clients in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and surrounding areas, our team is committed to providing tailored, client-focused services that ensure the success of each project from start to finish.

A Proven Leader in Behavioral Health Projects

We are proud to have worked on over 500,000 square feet of behavioral health space, collaborating with top-tier organizations like Acadia Healthcare and Penn Medicine. Our expertise spans a variety of behavioral health settings, including inpatient and outpatient facilities, addiction treatment centers, mental health treatment environments, and rehabilitation spaces. At Warfel, we understand the unique requirements of behavioral health construction and design, and we are dedicated to providing safe, functional, and supportive spaces for both patients and providers.

Supporting Multi-location Clients & Comprehensive Facilities Management

Warfel’s capabilities extend beyond the initial build. Many of our clients have multiple locations, from group homes to larger behavioral health facilities. Our Facilities Management team offers consistent, reliable service as dedicated team leaders who understand your building and business needs. We provide tailored preventative maintenance plans and schedule routine visits to ensure prompt repairs through our dedicated software, ensuring that your spaces are always functioning optimally. Additionally, Warfel is equipped to handle renovations, many of which are managed internally, making us a one-stop solution for ongoing facility needs.

Building Relationships That Last

Our mission, Clients for Life, speaks to our commitment to providing exceptional service and support throughout every project’s lifecycle. Our team upholds fundamental values of honesty, integrity, accountability, initiative, and teamwork in every endeavor we undertake. We remain continually focused on nurturing our existing Clients for Life relationships and building new ones.

Excited to Partner with RCPA in 2025

As we embark on our partnership with the Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association (RCPA) in 2025, we are thrilled to support their mission of advancing the quality of care and services provided by Pennsylvania’s behavioral health and rehabilitation providers. By joining forces with RCPA, we look forward to connecting with their network, exchanging ideas, and contributing to the ongoing success and growth of the behavioral health community. Together, we will continue to build spaces that foster positive outcomes and better serve individuals in need of care.

We are excited for the opportunity to collaborate with RCPA and its members to improve the landscape of behavioral health services in our communities. We look forward to supporting your mission and working together to build a healthier future.

For more information, visit our website at www.warfelcc.com, or reach out directly to Colleen Lynn, Director of Client Experience, to discuss how we can partner on your next behavioral health project.

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The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) today issued Licensing Alert 08-2024 to detail the steps for SUD treatment providers to obtain a telehealth-only license from the department.

These DDAP-licensed telehealth-only providers may provide intake, evaluation, and referral, as well as outpatient or partial hospitalization services, via telehealth only without a physical plant location in Pennsylvania to individuals who are located in the commonwealth as long as the provider complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws. Any DDAP-licensed provider can also provide some telehealth services as an option to in-person treatment. However, only a telehealth-only provider may provide 100 percent of its treatment services via telehealth.

DDAP will not require the provider to maintain a physical location in Pennsylvania. DDAP also will grant all telehealth-only providers an exception to § 709.11(b) regarding the requirement to conduct an onsite inspection for the renewal of a license as part of licensure.

Licensing Alert 08-2024 applies only to DDAP licensure. Providers that are considering applying for a telehealth-only license should consult their public and private insurance payers to confirm whether they will meet conditions for network enrollment and payment, as DDAP cannot guarantee a DDAP-licensed telehealth-only provider funding or a contract.

The full licensing alert provides additional information, including how to apply for the license.

Contact RCPA SUD Treatment Services Policy Director Jason Snyder with any questions.

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Photo by Markus Winkler from Pexels

Philadelphia, PA – December 17, 2024 – COMHAR Inc. Board of Directors announced that Trapeta B. Mayson has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Office (CEO) of the agency. The Board held an Executive Session, in which they unanimously voted to remove the interim tag from Trapeta B. Mayson and make her the Chief Executive Officer, effective December 16, 2024. As an experienced human service leader, Trapeta’s career spans over 25 years across nonprofit, government, and civic sectors. Trapeta’s appointment is historic as the first woman and first African American to hold the role of CEO at COMHAR [read full release].

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The Department of Human Services (Department) issued bulletin OMHSAS-16-03, “Revised Procedure for Waiver of Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) Program Regulations and Standards,” on April 19, 2016, to update and clarify the procedure for submitting and processing of waiver requests to OMHSAS. OMHSAS has issued OMHSAS-24-04 to further update regulatory waiver language and the process to appeal a waiver determination. The issued bulletin can be found here. OMHSAS-16-03 is obsoleted by this bulletin.

OMHSAS licenses or approves community mental health facilities and agencies and other service providers operating in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In accordance with this responsibility, the Department’s authorized agents periodically inspect mental health facilities and agencies. If regulatory requirements are met, certificates of compliance or approvals are granted under Article IX of the Human Services Code (62 P.S. §§ 901 – 922) or under Article X of the Human Services Code (62 P.S. §§ 1001 – 1080).

Pursuant to applicable regulations, a facility or agency may request a time limited waiver of regulations or program standards, or a portion of regulations or program standards. All regulatory waiver requests are subject to applicable waiver of standard requirements as outlined by each chapter or bulletin. In reviewing any such waiver request, OMHSAS will consider whether the facility or agency has demonstrated that substitute measures assure the health, safety, and welfare of all individuals who reside in the facility or who receive services from the agency.

Please contact RCPA COO and Mental Health Policy Director Jim Sharp with any questions.

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Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

RCPA is excited to host a Membership Benefits webinar on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at 1:00 pm, as an opportunity for members to orient themselves with all that RCPA membership includes. This is not just for new and future members. For current members, there may be benefits associated with our membership that you may not be aware of, including targeted meetings and groups that occur throughout the year.

Registration is required; please register here to attend the webinar. Items we will review include the below and much more:

  • Virtually meet the dedicated RCPA Policy Staff and RCPA lobbyists;
  • Discuss the 2025 Legislative and Administrative priorities;
  • Preview RCPA divisional committee and subcommittee meetings and what they offer;
  • View the RCPA member-only website;
  • Review exclusive yearly educational and networking events; and
  • Understand the value of the National Association memberships included with RCPA membership.

Visit the RCPA member benefits web page for more information, or contact Tieanna Lloyd for benefit details.

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