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Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities

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Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

Deputy Secretary Ahrens of the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) shared a PowerPoint today, July 25, 2024, at the MAAC meeting. Highlights included ODP’s plan to publish several documents. ODP will be submitting waiver amendments for the 1915(c) waiver and the new 1915 (b)(4) waiver to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on July 26, 2024. In addition, ODP Bulletin 00-24-01: Performance-Based Standards for Residential Services and an ODP announcement regarding the waiver submission, including an implementation guide and provider self-assessment, will be released tomorrow, July 26.

RCPA will share these documents with members as soon as they are available.

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The Department of Human Services (DHS) Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) and Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) have announced that they are holding their Statewide Quarterly Positive Approaches & Practices virtual meeting on Thursday, August 8. The meeting will be held from 10:30 am – 3:00 pm, and the topic will be “Building Dementia Friendly Pennsylvania.”

View the flyer for detailed session and registration information.

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The agenda for the August 7, 2024, Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Subcommittee meeting has been released. The meeting is hybrid and will be held for in-person attendees in the Honors Suite, 1st floor, 333 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17126. The meeting is scheduled for 10:00 am – 1:00 pm. Comments and questions may be sent electronically. Details for attending via webinar can be found below:

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared an important announcement from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about a recall of Clonazepam Orally Disintegrating Tablets due to mislabeling of the carton. This medication may be used in the treatment of Lennoz-Gastaut syndrome (petit mal variant), akinetic, myoclonic seizures, and panic disorders. Endo USA, Inc. is recalling USP (C-IV) Lot Number 550147301 due to the incorrect strength being on the product. If you have this product with the matching Lot Number, stop use immediately and contact your health care provider.

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Today, ID/A associations met with Secretary Arkoosh and Dep. Secretary Kristin Ahrens to better understand the FY 2024–25 budget. The Secretary expressed gratitude for our collective advocacy over the past year. She relayed that this budget was a hard-fought battle. Although DHS did not receive the proposed amount, $354 million in new funding is a significant investment. The administration is committed to eliminating the emergency waiting list and made it clear Performance-Based Contracting is moving forward. The administration is committed to building a stronger system and wants to continue to work on these priorities together.

Here are a few technical updates regarding the FY 2024–25 budget:

  1. New rates are anticipated to be published on August 31st, to be effective October 1st, and retroactive to July 1st
    1. Non-residential rates expected to go up by 8% across the board
    2. Residential rates expected to go up by 6% across the board
    3. Providers are encouraged to bill at the current rates and expect a gross adjustment sometime after October 1st
  2. Changes to PBC are anticipated to be published on July 26th as follows:
    1. The rate add-on for clinically enhanced providers is expected to be 5%
    2. The rate add-on for select providers is expected to be 3%
    3. Pay for performance is expected to receive more funding, in order to open more categories for select and clinically enhanced providers

For any questions, contact Richard Edley or Carol Ferenz.

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Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash

The Department of Human Services has released a new Request for Information (RFI) to assist in determining possible implementation needs for the Commonwealth’s proposed 1115 Demonstration Waiver titled, Bridges to Success: Keystones of Health for Pennsylvania. This RFI will help inform a potential scope of work for private, public, and nonprofit organizations that could serve in the future as a program administrator for the program. If approved and implemented, Keystones of Health would bring new resources to Pennsylvaniaʼs Medicaid program to address health-related social needs (HRSN) that have a direct impact on health care spending and health outcomes. Responses to the RFI are due August 19, 2024 by 12:00 pm.

The proposed Keystones of Health program seeks to expand tools available to address critical health care needs of Pennsylvanians in four main areas: reentry supports, housing resources, food and nutrition services, and continuous health coverage for children under the age of six. This RFI seeks information to assist DHS in implementing the proposed housing, food, and nutrition services for beneficiaries. Through this RFI, the department is seeking knowledge about potential program administrator responsibilities and capabilities for administering these HRSN services. The RFI will also inform aspects of the DHS implementation plan that is currently in development, while the Commonwealth collaborates with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to secure approval. The department encourages respondents and other interested parties to provide feedback by responding to the RFI.

Section 1115 of the Social Security Act gives the federal government the ability to waive certain federal rules that govern Medicaid to allow states to design and evaluate new state pilot projects that promote the general goals of the Medicaid program, helping people live healthier lives. Section 1115 waivers are a major pathway for state innovation in the Medicaid program that many states have leveraged. If approved, and the necessary state funds are appropriated, it would allow DHS to introduce innovative programs and services that address health-related social needs that can improve health and quality of life for Pennsylvanians who access health care through Medicaid.

Submit feedback to DHSʼ Request for Information. The full application, including information on feedback received through public comment, is available on the Keystones of Health web page.

RCPA is reviewing the RFI internally and will meet with interested members on the RFI in the coming week. If you have any questions, please contact RCPA COO and Mental Health Policy Director Jim Sharp.

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Due to the Microsoft technology outages that have been reported as of Friday, July 19, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) would like to assess the impacts to Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) licensing. DHS is asking that DHS-licensed entities complete a short survey as it pertains to any of their licensed facilities to determine the impact at the facility level.

Please note that if the outage has affected your facility, you are advised to contact your regional program office. If the disruption is critical, please also contact your local emergency management agency. DHS asks that the survey be completed as soon as possible.

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ODP Announcement ODPANN 24-070 provides a reminder to Medication Administration trainers that Updated Medication Administration Student Courses were released on July 15, 2024. A Train-the-Trainer, July–December 2024 face-to-face schedule is also available. All Train-the-Trainer Face-to-Face Classes will continue to be virtual through December 31, 2024. Please review the announcement for schedule and additional information.

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