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Policy Areas

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In order to avoid a potential 2 percent decrease in the annual payment update for fiscal year (FY) 2025 (October 2024 – September 2025), inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRF) are reminded that they must submit complete data in calendar year (CY) 2023 for all quality measures that are a part of the IRF Quality Reporting Program (QRP).

IRF Patient Assessment Instrument (IRF-PAI) assessment data and data submitted via the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) for July 1 – September 30 (Q3) of calendar year 2023 must be submitted no later than 11:59 pm on February 15, 2024.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) contractor Swingtech sends informational messages to IRFs that are not meeting Annual Increase Factor (AIF) thresholds on a quarterly basis ahead of each submission deadline. These messages were sent late last week. IRFs are encouraged to check to see if any members of their QRP team received a message from the email address “QRPHelp@swingtech.com.” If members need to add or change the email addresses to which these messages are sent, please email QRP Help and be sure to include your facility name and CCN along with any requested email updates. Any IRFs who receive a Swingtech email message are encouraged to identify and review the measures stated as missing data for Q3 2023 ASAP, and resolve any data issues by the February 15 deadline.

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Members of the Information Sharing and Advisory Committee (ISAC), working with the PA Office of Developmental Programs (ODP), developed a series of recommendations and strategies to support achievement of the vision in Everyday Lives. This publication provides 2023 updates related to those recommendations and strategies. Stakeholders are encouraged to use the information contained in this report in their work supporting people with disabilities.

  • Access the 2023 ISAC Annual Report here.
  • Access the ISAC Recommendations and Strategies supplemental document from inside the ISAC Annual Report or by visiting here.

Both documents can also be found by visiting MyODP and following this path: Everyday Lives > Everyday Lives Publications > Recommendations, Strategies, and Performance Measures.

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The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) has issued Licensing Alert 03-2024, effective immediately, which introduces updated guidance on complying with Act 66 of 2023, signed into law by Governor Shapiro in December. The guidance specifically outlines all regulatory flexibilities for SUD treatment facilities enabled through the law and describes the process for project directors to notify DDAP of their intent to use any of these flexibilities. In part, Act 66 allows:

  • An increase in staff-to-client ratio for adult nonhospital residential treatment and rehabilitation programs, from 1:8 to 1:12;
  • Certified Registered Nurse Practitioners (CRNP) and Physician Assistants (PA) to serve as counselors;
  • Individuals lacking previous clinical experience to still qualify as counselors if they possess a bachelor’s or associate degree in relevant fields or hold a current Registered Nurse license; and
  • Facilities to hire up to three counselor assistants for each staff person meeting clinical supervisor or counselor qualifications.

Additionally, the alert underscores the importance of continued compliance with other regulations, such as clinical supervisor ratio requirements, counselor assistant supervision, and evaluation requirements. For additional questions, contact the Bureau of Program Licensure.

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Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) has issued Licensing Alert 02-2024, effective immediately, to inform opioid treatment programs (OTP) about the recent final rule issued by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) on February 2, 2024, concerning medications for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD). RCPA issued an alert to its members on February 1 announcing the final rule.

This rule modifies and updates regulations pertaining to OTP accreditation, certification, and standards for the treatment of OUD. The most crucial aspects of SAMHSA’s final rule include the permanent adoption of COVID-19 era flexibilities, allowing patients to receive more take-home doses of methadone, which is proven to enhance treatment retention and reduce illicit opioid use. The update also permits the initiation of methadone and buprenorphine treatment via telehealth through OTPs and removes stringent admission criteria, thereby improving access to care for individuals in need.

DDAP is currently reviewing the final rule, set to take effect on April 2, 2024, with a compliance deadline of October 2, 2024, and plans to issue a follow-up Licensing Alert soon. For further information, contact the Bureau of Program Licensure.

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The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) requests your assistance to complete, and further disseminate, a survey that will assist the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Committee (JJDPC) and PCCD gather relevant information related to current resources and gaps in local diversion policy, practices, and programming. The utilization of diversion policies, practices, and programs, in appropriate cases, can reduce the impact of formal involvement with the juvenile justice system for youth who commit minor offenses, while ensuring balanced and restorative justice.

PCCD recognizes the importance of capturing feedback from their stakeholders. Please complete the below survey and feel free to forward the survey link to any stakeholder you deem appropriate. This survey should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete. Your participation is extremely important, as results from the survey will help shape effective strategies and drive positive change in our approach to diversion. The information collected through this survey may also be used to make future funding and policy recommendations to the JJDPC.

The survey link can be found here. The survey will remain open until the close of business on February 29, 2024. Please contact PCCD staff, Teresa Wilcox, via email with any questions or assistance in completing the survey.

Thank you in advance for your time and assistance. PCCD looks forward to receiving your important feedback.

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