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Message from the Department of Human Services:
As you may know, the American Rescue Plan of 2021 (ARP) provides a temporary 10% increase to the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for certain Medicaid expenditures for home and community-based services (HCBS). The funding must be used to enhance, expand, or strengthen HCBS beyond what is available under the Medicaid program as of April 1, 2021.
On Monday, June 14, the Department of Human Services (DHS) submitted a preliminary spending plan to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that serves as a foundation for Pennsylvania’s planning efforts by outlining our principles and overarching priorities. The preliminary plan encompasses many of the stakeholder recommendations that have been made to date. The overarching priorities include:
With these priorities in mind, we hope to hear more from stakeholders about Pennsylvania’s efforts as we continue to flesh out the details of our plan to strengthen, enhance, and expand HCBS. Comments must be submitted by close of business on July 6.
Please visit the public comment overview as well as Pennsylvania’s preliminary spending plan for further information. Your comments can be submitted via email. Additionally, a live virtual public comment session will take place on Wednesday, June 30 at 10 am for those who are unable or prefer not to submit written feedback. More information about how to RSVP for this session will be available soon.
On June 11, 2021, the Department of Health and Human Services issued a document titled “Provider Relief Fund General and Targeted Distribution: Post-Payment Notice of Reporting Requirements” to notify Provider Relief Fund (PRF) recipients of the data elements and deadlines that constitute the post payment reporting process. The June 11 PRF requirements establish:
The previous PRF guidance, titled “General and Targeted Distribution: Post-Payment Notice of Reporting Requirements,” was released on January 15, 2021 and is superseded by the June 11 guidance. Principle differences between the guidance are:
Please see the document provided to us by ANCOR for the information.
We are pleased to share that the RCPA Conference will be held in person this year! Renew old acquaintances… Make new contacts.
Kick off the exciting Annual Conference week by attending the RCPA PAC Golf Outing on Monday, September 27, 2021. Join the RCPA PAC for a round of golf at the beautiful Hershey Country Club (West Course), 1000 East Derry Road, Hershey, PA 17033. Registration starts at 11:00 am, and lunch begins at 11:30 am, followed by a putting contest and 1:00 pm shotgun start. Register here to participate.
Sponsorships are also available for this worthwhile cause; this is a great way for your organization to receive name recognition and an opportunity to provide much-needed support to the RCPA PAC.
The RCPA PAC supports campaigns of state legislators and representatives who advance our interests on health & human services issues. The funds raised through RCPA PAC can make a difference. Even if you are unable to be a strong financial contributor to our fundraising efforts, many of us have friends and business associates who are interested in supporting the PAC. Getting involved in RCPA PAC not only allows you to help make decisions on who the committee supports but also helps to identify those who will join in our successes.
Direct assistance to the PAC requires a personal contribution; corporation funds can be used to support the event. Please see the Registration Form and the Sponsorship Form for additional information. Further questions may be directed to Jack Phillips, Director of Government Affairs. Thank you for your support of RCPA PAC. We look forward to seeing you on the golf course.
From ANCOR:
Hello ANCOR members!
New guidance on the PRF reporting requirements has just been released.
View in browser | Distributed by Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS)
Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is releasing revised reporting requirements for recipients of Provider Relief Fund (PRF) payments. This announcement includes expanding the amount of time providers will have to report information, aims to reduce burdens on smaller providers, and extends key deadlines for expending PRF payments for recipients who received payments after June 30, 2020. The revised reporting requirements will be applicable to providers who received one or more payments exceeding, in the aggregate, $10,000 during a single Payment Received Period from the PRF General Distributions, Targeted Distributions, and/or Skilled Nursing Facility and Nursing Home Infection Control Distributions.
“From the beginning of this pandemic, health care providers have gone above and beyond to care for their patients in extremely difficult circumstances that caused significant financial hardship,” said HRSA Acting Administrator Diana Espinosa. “These updated requirements reflect our focus on giving providers equitable amounts of time for use of these funds, maintaining effective safeguards for taxpayer dollars, and incorporating feedback from providers requesting more flexibility and clarity about PRF reporting.”
HHS began issuing notices on post-payment reporting requirements in July 2020. On January 15, 2021, HHS issued updated requirements to reflect language in the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and opened registration for the reporting portal. Since then, HHS has carefully weighed the rapidly evolving nature of the pandemic and its impact on health care providers and other stakeholders, which is reflected in the revised notice issued today.
The revised reporting requirements supplanting the January 15th requirements can be found here – PDF.
Key Updates:
Summary of Reporting Requirements
Payment Received Period (Payments Exceeding $10,000 in Aggregate Received) | Deadline to Use Funds | Reporting Time Period | |
Period 1 | From April 10, 2020 to June 30, 2020 | June 30, 2021 | July 1 to September 30, 2021 |
Period 2 | From July 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2021 | January 1 to March 31, 2022 |
Period 3 | From January 1, 2021 to June 30, 2021 | June 30, 2022 | July 1 to September 30, 2022 |
Period 4 | From July 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2022 | January 1 to March 31, 2023 |
These reporting requirements do not apply to the Rural Health Clinic COVID-19 Testing Program nor the two claims reimbursements programs: the HRSA COVID-19 Uninsured Program and the HRSA COVID-19 Coverage Assistance Fund. HRSA continues to encourage providers to establish their PRF Reporting Portal accounts now by registering here. Registration will also allow providers to receive updates closer to the official opening of the portal for their reporting submissions.
For more information, read the materials below:
Please contact your RCPA Policy Director for more information.
The Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance (PFSA) is continuing to offer virtual Mandated Reporter Training at no cost to mandated reporters in Pennsylvania. This three-hour virtual training is approved by the Departments of Human Services, Education, and State and meets all requirements for training on recognizing and reporting child abuse (and includes Act 126 for school employees). It is also approved for continuing education credits under Act 31 (Department of State for health-related licenses) and Act 48 (Department of Education for teachers) at no cost. PFSA will submit your training verification to the Department of State or Education as appropriate on your behalf (details provided during training).
Please register for your preferred training date and time by clicking one of the session links below. Each person must log in through separate devices using the unique access link emailed to them after registration to receive credit. For questions or to schedule a session specifically for your organization, please email PFSA. Please feel free to share this opportunity with others!
Tues. June 15 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Wed. June 16 9:00 am–12:00 pm | Wed. June 16 1:00 pm–4:00 pm
Thurs. June 17 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Tues. June 22 9:00 am–12:00 pm | Tues. June 22 1:00 pm–4:00 pm
Thurs. June 24 9:00 am–12:00 pm | Thurs. June 24 1:00 pm–4:00 pm
Tues. June 29 9:00 am–12:00 pm | Tues. June 29 1:00 pm–4:00 pm