Advocacy Opportunity: Leverage the Anniversary of Olmstead to Call Attention to the Value of Medicaid
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ODP Issues Bulletin on Evaluating an Individual’s Eligibility for Services and Supports
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has released Bulletin 00-25-02: Individual Eligibility for the Consolidated, P/FDS, Community Living and Adult Autism Waivers and the accompanying attachment.
The purpose of this bulletin is to communicate:
- The requirements and procedures for evaluating an individual’s eligibility for services and supports provided through the Consolidated, Person/Family Directed Support (P/FDS), Community Living Waivers (ID/A Waivers), and the Adult Autism Waiver (AAW); and
- The requirements and procedures for re-evaluating an individual’s eligibility for the ID/A Waivers.
Additional resources to assist with the evaluation and re-evaluation of HCBS eligibility for services and supports are available on MyODP’s website.
This bulletin obsoletes Office of Developmental Programs 00-19-04: Individual Eligibility for the Consolidated, P/FDS and Community Living Waivers.
HB 1590 “4 Walls” Telehealth Legislation Passes House
Message from Rep. Dan Williams’s Office:
HARRISBURG, June 24 – Bipartisan legislation introduced by state Rep. Dan Williams, D-Chester, that would help Pennsylvanians take advantage of new federal Medicaid rules that give patients and clinicians more telehealth options for behavioral health services passed the PA House today with overwhelming support.
“The longstanding and outdated ‘four walls’ requirement has limited Medicaid reimbursement to services within the physical walls of a clinic,” said Williams. “This only creates barriers to care, particularly in rural areas and regions experiencing mental health workforce shortages.”
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services gave states the option to waive the requirement on Jan. 1. In response, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services has submitted a State Plan Amendment to adopt this flexibility, which is currently awaiting federal approval.
House Bill 1590 would repeal state regulations that conflict with the new federal flexibility. Importantly, the bill would not change existing rules requiring in-person treatment hours for outpatient behavioral health clinics.
“Under this bill, Pennsylvania can fully implement the change, expanding access to behavioral health services and reducing care gaps for our vulnerable populations across the Commonwealth,” Williams said.
The bill now moves to the state Senate for consideration.
It is important to note that, at this time, OMHSAS is awaiting approval from CMS. To address the Federal Medicaid payment conditions in the Pennsylvania statute, there was a need for this legislation to permit services be covered under Medicaid, and HB 1590 would achieve this. It is also important to reiterate that this bill will not change outpatient behavioral health clinic rules requiring in-person treatment hours. The passage of this bill will address these conditions for outpatient clinics as well as the delivery of SUD services.
Both the CMS SPA approval and the legislation would be retroactive to January 1, 2025.
Until then, the completion of both the SPA and the legislation on 4 walls flexibilities will remain in place. RCPA is grateful to have partnered with OMHSAS, House legislators, and other stakeholder associations on the development of this bill. We will continue our efforts in getting the legislation to the Governor’s desk.
If you have any questions, please contact RCPA COO and Director of Mental Health Services Jim Sharp.
ODP Hosts Webinar on the Basics of Incident Management
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) recently hosted a live webinar titled “The Basics of Incident Management – The Incident Reporting Cycle From Discovery to Closure.” The session provided technical guidance and included a Q&A segment to address participant questions regarding the incident management process.
Presentation materials were distributed during the session. A full recording of the webinar will be made available on the MyODP website in the near future.
ODP will host a follow-up webinar titled “From Oversight to Action: A Provider’s Responsibility in the Incident Fidelity Process” on Friday, July 11, 2025, from 10:00 am – 11:30 am. Providers are encouraged to register using this link.
For questions or additional information related to this update, please contact Tim Sohosky.
Key GOP Senator Warns Medicaid Cuts Could Spell Political Disaster for Republicans
Free Webinar Focuses on Intersection of Brain Injury, Aging, and Behavioral Health
The National Association of State Head Injury Administrators (NASHIA) will be conducting a free webinar, “Addressing the Intersection of Brain Injury, Aging, and Behavioral Health,” on July 16, 2025, from 12:00 pm – 1:15 pm. Register here.
As the population ages, the overall rate of brain injury in older adults in the US is increasing, and the intersection of brain injury and behavioral health becomes an increasingly critical topic. Brain injury can have long-lasting cognitive, behavioral, and emotional effects for older adults. Certain predisposing factors can make it more likely for an older adult to experience behavioral health challenges after a BI, including sleep problems, anxiety, substance use disorders, low income, negative thinking, and poor social functioning. A brain injury can increase the symptoms of a pre-existing behavioral health disorder. Secondary factors can complicate behavioral health conditions, such as loss of employment, inability to drive, sleep issues, relationship problems, and social isolation.
This webinar will provide an overview on the relationship between aging, brain injury, and behavioral health, highlighting the unique challenges older adults face and the strategies that can improve their quality of life. A brief introduction to the Aging and Behavioral Health Guide will be given, and attendees will learn more about tools and interventions that can support their work. National organizations who conduct work with the Aging Network and Mental Health Systems will provide tips for initiating or improving partnerships within both state aging networks and behavioral health systems.
Attendees do not need to be a member of NASHIA, and the webinar is free of charge (unless applying for a certificate of attendance or social work CEs).
Shapiro Administration Conducting Women’s Health Survey
The Pennsylvania Insurance Department, in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Human Services (DHS), and the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP), is conducting a Women’s Health Survey to better understand the health experiences and coverage needs of women across the commonwealth.
The survey is open through July 7, 2025, and takes 10 minutes or less to complete. It is designed to capture voices from all backgrounds — including women impacted by substance use disorder — so the administration can better identify and address gaps in care, coverage, and support.
Providers are asked for their help in sharing the survey by posting the flyer in their facilities and promoting the survey link on their social media or publishing the link in newsletters. All responses are anonymous and will help inform future outreach, programming, and policy decisions.
Drexel University Accepting Proposals for 33rd Annual Forensic Rights and Treatment Conference
Drexel University’s Division of Behavioral Healthcare Education will virtually host its 33rd Annual Forensic Conference, “Contemporary Issues Impacting Forensic Services,” which will be held December 10 – 11, 2025.
Proposals for workshops are now being accepted. The conference committee is also accepting nominations for the Forensic Rights and Treatment Conference Award.
Applications are due by August 29, 2025.
Contact Yolanda Ramirez with questions.
DHS Shares Cooling Center Locations
Cooling centers are designated locations with air conditioning where people can go to escape the heat during extreme temperatures. They are typically open during the hottest parts of the day and offer a cool environment, water, and sometimes other support services.
Types of locations that typically serve as cooling centers during a heatwave include:
- Senior centers;
- Libraries; and
- Other community spaces.
Please call PA 211 or visit the Search Pennsylvania 211 website for more current and up-to-date information.
Additional resources about cooling centers:
- Dauphin County Opens Cooling Centers to Help Residents Beat the Heat
- LIST: Cooling Centers in Midstate Pennsylvania | ABC27
- List: South-Central Pennsylvania Cooling Centers
- Where to Beat This Heat? Here Are Some Places to Cool Down | TribLIVE.com
- Where to Find Cooling Centers, Pools in Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware, Chester Counties | CBS Philadelphia
Please note:
This is not an all-inclusive list. There are more cooling centers than those listed on the PA211 map link.
Reducing Scams, Fraud, and Exploitation Against Veterans
There are more than 700,000 veterans in Pennsylvania, and over half of them are age 60 and older. Veterans may be eligible for a wide array of benefits from both the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA or VA). One such benefit is a VA pension.
Unfortunately, there are unscrupulous people who are preying on veterans, particularly older veterans, to profit from the veteran’s desire to apply for the benefits they earned while defending our country and our freedoms.
The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) wants you to know that free and safe assistance is available to help veterans and their beneficiaries apply for veteran benefits including VA pension.
You can access the Pension Poaching Toolkit, filled with educational materials for you and your community to print and post, or continue sharing electronically.
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