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OMHSAS Releases Regulatory Compliance Guide as Companion to 55 Pa. Code Chapter 5200
The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) is working on developing Regulatory Compliance Guides (RCG) for each licensed level of care to support their commitment to quality in licensing. The RCG is a tool for providers, OMHSAS staff, and the public to better understand the regulations.
This Regulatory Compliance Guide is a companion piece to 55 Pa. Code Chapter 5200. It is intended to be a helpful reference for these regulations. The explanatory material contained in this guide in no way supplants the plain meaning and intent of the regulations set forth in Chapter 5200.
OMHSAS issued the first version of the Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic RCG in November 2021. Today, they are reissuing an updated Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic RCG. The changes made were primarily to language and updates based on comments received on the original document.
Feedback or questions on the RCG can be sent electronically.
If you have any questions, please contact RCPA COO Jim Sharp.
RCPA to Host “The ABCs of ADA and FMLA,” Featuring Michael Cohen
CMS Releases Physician Fee Schedule CY 2025 Final Rule
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the Physician Fee Schedule CY 2025 Final Rule. You can view CMS’ press release, fact sheet, and final rule page in the Federal Register for more information. There were critical areas addressed in this year’s Physician Fee Schedule (PFS), including:
- The extension of some telehealth flexibilities permitted under CMS’ authority absent Congressional action;
- Updated payment for social determinants of health risk assessments as a part of Opioid Use Disorder intake activities furnished at Opioid Treatment Programs (OTP);
- The establishment of a new add-on code to account for coordinated care, referral services, and peer supports at OTPs;
- Payment for safety planning intervention and post-discharge follow-up;
- The establishment of six G codes that mirror current interprofessional consultation Common Procedural Terminology codes used by practitioners who are eligible to bill E/M visits; and
- Recognition of responses to CMS’ request for information on Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics.
For the OPPS Final Rule, please see links to CMS’ press release, fact sheet, and final rule page in the Federal Register. Some highlights from this final rule include:
- The maintenance of the Partial Hospitalization Program and Intensive Outpatient Program rate structures;
- Narrowing the definition of “custody” in Medicare’s payment exclusion rule to mitigate barriers to Medicare access by individuals who have recently been released from incarceration or are on parole, probation, or home detention; and
- Changes to Medicaid regulation, allowing states implementing the Medicaid clinic services benefit to cover clinic services outside the “four walls” of behavioral health clinics.
If you have any further questions regarding these final rulings or the application of the “four walls” impacts on Pennsylvania, please contact RCPA COO and Mental Health Director Jim Sharp.
RCPA Submits Comments to IRRC in Support of OTP-Related Regulation Change
On behalf of its opioid treatment program (OTP) provider members, RCPA submitted comments to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) in support of a final-omitted regulation that would allow an initial physical examination required for prescribing, administering, and dispensing controlled substances through an OTP to be conducted via telehealth under certain circumstances under Pa. 49 Code § 16.92.
This final-omitted regulation would enable the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) to grant a statewide exception to 28 Pa. Code § 715.9(a)(4), which today requires Pennsylvania OTPs (called narcotic treatment programs in DDAP regulations) to conduct a face-to-face determination of whether an individual is currently physiologically dependent on an opioid.
IRRC will consider the final-omitted regulation at a public meeting on December 5.
In its comments, RCPA wrote:
“Enabling OTPs to conduct the initial examination required as part of induction into methadone or buprenorphine treatment through telehealth significantly improves and expedites patient access to the gold standard treatment for OUD without sacrificing quality or safety. In a treatment environment where finding qualified physicians, physician assistants and certified registered nurse practitioners is challenging, telehealth bridges a significant gap. Physicians would no longer need to be physically on site at the OTP where treatment is to take place to examine a patient as part of the induction process. Rather, from anywhere in the commonwealth, a physician can examine more patients, who can then begin treatment with medication faster at a facility near their home. In fact, with this final-omitted regulation, OTPs will have the ability to accommodate same-day or walk-in admissions instead of scheduling intake appointments days later.”
The final-omitted regulation, submitted by the Department of State, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, State Board of Medicine, along with comments in support from the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs and RCPA, can be viewed on the IRRC website.
OVR Announces FNT Public Comment Period
The PA Department of Labor & Industry’s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) has further developed the draft of the Financial Needs Test (FNT) policy after incorporating feedback received during the September 2024 public comment period. As a result, there will be a second, shorter public comment period on the draft. The draft will be posted on OVR’s website for public review beginning November 11, 2024.
Virtual meetings will be held via Zoom at 9:00 am and 2:30 pm on Monday, November 18, 2024, to provide an overview of the policy and accept comments (content will be the same in both meetings). The public is invited to comment on the draft policy through November 22, 2024. Comments may be directed to OVR’s Public Comment inbox.
Zoom Meeting Information:
CART and sign language interpreters will be available for these meetings via the Zoom link.
Additional auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Please send your request to OVR’s Public Comment inbox.
OMHSAS Announces Stakeholder Webinar Dates for 2025
The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) has announced the 2025 quarterly meeting dates for next year’s OMHSAS Stakeholder Webinars and asks that you mark your calendars.
2025 OMHSAS STAKEHOLDER WEBINAR DATES:
- January 30, 2025 — 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
- April 24, 2025 — 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
- July 17, 2025 — 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
- October 23, 2025 — 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
In the meantime, if you have suggestions for agenda topics for January’s webinar, please submit them via email. We will monitor the account and will only reply to the sender if more information is needed. Responses will not be provided if additional information is not needed.
Please note that webinar links will be provided closer to each of the meeting dates as shown above.
Thank you for your review and please – SAVE THE DATE.
If members have any questions, please contact RCPA COO and Mental Health Director Jim Sharp.
RCPA Member Northern Tier Counseling, Inc. Shares Summer Ribbon Cutting of Their Drug and Alcohol Wellness Treatment Center
Northern Tier Counseling Inc. held the ribbon cutting of their Drug and Alcohol Wellness Treatment Center, dedicated to State Representative Tina Pickett, on Friday, May 24.
NTC, Inc. President Paul DeNault explained that this grand opening is thanks to not only the staff at NTC, Inc., but also the All One Foundation, who granted NTC, Inc. the All In One Grant to help the idea come to life as well as Tina Pickett, whose legislation allows for the progression of drug and alcohol treatment.
View the full press release here.
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Dual Diagnosis Professional Conference Series Presents “Living the D.R.E.A.M” December 4
Living the D.R.E.A.M! Creating a Culture of Health and Wellness for All
December 4, 2024
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
The Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) and the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) have announced the Dual Diagnosis Professional Conference “Living the D.R.E.A.M.” During this session, SPIN will provide an historical overview of how they created a culture of health and wellness by engaging all stakeholders in living a healthy lifestyle. Presenters will showcase SPIN’s mission of inclusive and holistic meaningful activities in the community and SPIN Community & Fitness, a gathering and welcoming place for the whole community. The D.R.E.A.M team model, including the vision and purpose, elements of “Living the D.R.E.A.M,” and lessons learned for successful incorporation into everyday lives, will be featured.
See the announcement for a full session description, presenter biographies, and how to register.
Email with any questions.
Maternal Health Roundtable Listening Session to Be Held December 6
Message from the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL):
The Commonwealth is working collaboratively — Governor Shapiro’s office and the health hub agencies (Health, Human Services, Drug and Alcohol Programs, and Insurance) — to develop a statewide maternal health strategic plan. We need your help to make it a robust, comprehensive, collaborative, living, and most importantly, active plan.
As you are likely aware, Pennsylvania, like the nation, is experiencing a maternal health crisis.
According to the Pennsylvania Maternal Mortality Review Committee report, in 2020, Pennsylvania residents experienced a pregnancy-associated mortality ratio of 83 deaths per 100,000 live births with large disparities identified. In total, 107 individuals lost their lives during pregnancy, delivery, or up to one year postpartum.
Those numbers are far worse for Black women, where the rate was twice as high at 163 deaths per 100,000.
We also know that women and birthing people with disabilities experience unique challenges and needs on their health journey, so we are inviting you to join us for a 90-minute Zoom listening session where members of the Commonwealth’s health agencies and members of the statewide maternal health strategic plan can engage with you to learn what specific needs you have and how you feel the Commonwealth should address those needs.
We want our strategic plan to address all Pennsylvania women and birthing people, and sharing your voice at this listening session will help inform our plan.
The Zoom listening session is scheduled from 10:00 am – 11:30 am, on Friday, December 6, 2024. Please RSVP electronically by December 1 if you plan to attend. We will send the Zoom link by end of day December 4 to those who RSVP.
Thank you for considering spending 90 minutes with the disability community and state health team members to share your thoughts and needs around maternal health.
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