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Message from the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS):

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) is issuing the bulletin OMHSAS-25-05 “Behavioral Health Clinic Services Provided Outside of the Clinic,” effective November 12, 2025, following changes to Federal Regulation 42 CFR 440.90(d).

OMHSAS 25-05 announces an amendment to Pennsylvania’s Medicaid State Plan which allows all behavioral health clinics that are enrolled in the Medical Assistance (MA) Program, who deliver services through the fee-for-service and managed care systems, to provide clinically appropriate services outside of the clinic. Behavioral health clinics include psychiatric outpatient clinics, outpatient drug and alcohol clinics, and methadone maintenance clinics.

Furthermore, OMHSAS-25-05 also announces the abrogation of 55 Pa Code §§ 1153.14(6) (relating to noncovered services) and 55 Pa. Code 1223.14(11) (relating to noncovered services) by Act 46 of 2025.

The guidance in OMHSAS-25-05 is separate from any “telehealth only” licensure and guidance that may be in place. The changes discussed in this bulletin also do not apply to the existing Mobile Mental Health Telehealth (MMHT) services.

Questions and comments can be directed to OMHSAS via email. RCPA members can also contact RCPA COO and MH Policy Director Jim Sharp with any questions.

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Photo by Tai's Captures on Unsplash

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 025-110. This communication announces the availability of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) data website for Flu, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and COVID-19, as well as provide updated information about respiratory illness prevention strategies, including available vaccinations.

The CDC reports that influenza hospitalizations are increasing nationally, RSV hospitalizations are increasing in the Southeastern and Southern states, and COVID-19 hospitalizations are low. Weekly respiratory illness severity updates, hospitalization rates, and other related data trends can be found on the CDC’s website.

Please review the announcement for more details.

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Communication Bulletin 00-25-05 was published and shared last week. The purpose of the bulletin was to establish the Office of Developmental Programs’ (ODP’s) policy on communication and assure all individuals have an effective way to communicate.

To further provide access to the bulletin, ODP has shared another version of the bulletin in easier-to-understand terms and with pictures. This version will be available on MyODP as an attachment to the original bulletin communication released on December 1, 2025.

The following bulletins below are no longer in use:

  • Office of Developmental Programs 00-14-04, Accessibility of Intellectual Disability Services for Individuals Who Are Deaf
  • Office of Developmental Programs 00-08-18, Communication Supports and Services

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 025-109 to provide clarification about the completion of the MA 51 or medical evaluation discussed in previous bulletin 00-25-02, along with a revised attachment.

Attachment:

The purpose of this requirement is to ensure that individuals are accessing healthcare at least once every three years. In practice, this will primarily affect those who are not receiving residential services, since residential licensing regulations already require annual physicals.

Please review the announcement for details.

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