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Policy Areas

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For some time, RCPA has been tracking concerns regarding the Medicaid requirement that behavior specialists working with children on the autism spectrum hold a Behavior Specialist or other appropriate license in order to bill for services. Our members have communicated growing concerns about workforce adequacy, staff recruitment, and access to services. Over the past month, this has resulted in two actions that are likely to impact providers of autism services to children.

In August of this year, Representatives Dan Miller (D-Alleghany) and Marguerite Quinn (R-Bucks), began to circulate a co-sponsorship memo for an amendment to Act 62 that would create a time-limited temporary license, creating a pathway to full licensure, thus addressing the growing workforce problem. This action was in response to issues raised by their constituents serving children with autism and others. The Department of Human Services (DHS) has expressed concern that there may not really be a workforce problem; it may instead be a limited problem, and that opening Act 62 may have unintended negative consequences. Representatives Miller and Quinn have agreed to slow action on their bill pending an alternative proposal from DHS to address the workforce concerns.

On Friday, DHS issued this memo and directive to counties and behavioral health managed care organizations (BH-MCO), requiring them to complete a detailed survey regarding autism services, including:

  • Access and timing of services;
  • Information on individual practitioners;
  • Information on provider organizations; and
  • Information regarding challenges related to staff attrition and recruitment.

This survey is to be completed and submitted to DHS by the HealthChoices contractors on or before Friday, September 11, 2015. Because the time frame for completion of this survey is very aggressive and will be challenging for counties, BH-MCOs, and provider organizations, RCPA wanted to inform members of this action immediately.

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ODP Updates
The Office of Developmental Programs has released the following information:

  • Announcement #072-15: PA Department of Human Services Medication Administration Training Program Final Classroom Training Sessions for 2015; being offered across the state in September, October, November, and December.
  • Informational Memo #073-15: CMS Approved Waiver Amendments for Consolidated and Person/Family Directed Support Waivers Effective July 22, 2015 and Guidance for Implementation. Please review this
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The 2015 Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week is September 13-19. At RCPA’s request, Governor Wolf has issued a Pennsylvania proclamation in recognition of direct support workers. In addition, RCPA members that employ direct support professionals (DSPs) in the intellectual, developmental, and other disability service systems, are asked to contact local media outlets and county governments to generate coverage of DSP Week. It is critical that community providers remind the public of the important work these staff members provide.

This national advocacy campaign is coordinated by ANCOR (American Network of Community Options and Resources), which has resources

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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published a correction notice in the August 25, 2015 Federal Register. This notice corrects technical and typographical errors that appeared in the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement Payment Model proposed rule that was published on July 14, 2015. The comment due date for the provisions contained in the proposed rule will remain at September 8, 2015.

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RCPA received notice today from the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) that the decision has been made to discontinue the STAR data system. The discontinuation will occur in mid-September. More information regarding next steps will be provided soon.

Below is the information sent out by DDAP this afternoon:

“The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs will discontinue utilization of STAR as the database to gather and report TEDS data to SAMHSA in September 2015.

We are planning to shut down STAR at 11:59 pm on September 15, 2015. You will have until then to enter and update information as follows:

Admissions:

  • All admissions that occur through August 31, 2015 must be entered into STAR by September 10, 2015.
    • Providers should continue to enter into STAR any related documents for these admissions, such as screens, PCPC/ASAM, etc.
  • Admissions that take place on or after September 1, 2015 should not be entered into STAR. We will provide additional details in the coming weeks of how and when to report admission information to us.

Discharges:

  • All discharges associated with August 31, 2015 and earlier admissions should be entered into STAR if the discharge happens by September 10, 2015.
  • All other discharges should be held until further information is provided.

If you have any questions, please contact the STAR Helpdesk at 717-783-8200.”

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ODP Updates

The Office of Developmental Disabilities has released the following information:

  • Announcement #067-15: Save the Date: ODP Year 8 Cost Report Training Date for Waiver Residential Service Provider Staff; Monday, September 21 at 1:00 pm. Watch for more details.
  • Announcement #068-15: ODP’s Quality Management Certification Program: Leadership Resources Available: QM Module 104, Part 2: Virtual QI Teams.
  • Announcement #069-15:
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The Department of Human Services Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) is establishing a Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) Subcommittee of the Medical Assistance Advisory Committee (MAAC). The kickoff meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 1, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at Temple University in Strawberry Square, Harrisburg, PA.

The second meeting of the MLTSS Subcommittee will be held on Monday, September 14, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm in the PA Department of Education Honors Suite, 333 Market Street, 1st floor, Harrisburg, PA. Future meetings will be posted on the OLTL website as dates are confirmed.

The membership of the subcommittee will be announced in the coming weeks. A majority of subcommittee members will be users of long-term living services and supports, and family caregivers. The subcommittee will advise the department on the design and implementation of MLTSS in Pennsylvania. A number of RCPA members submitted nominations to be considered for the subcommittee.

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On August 12, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced they were extending the deadline for the submission of data associated with the inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) quality reporting program (QRP) for measures reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN).

 

This extension is being granted to provide IRFs additional time to submit data. Although the NHSN system is working, intermittent production problems have been experienced. The CDC has been working to resolve these issues and they are expected to be corrected soon.

 

The deadline for the Healthcare-associated Infection (HAI) data submission has been extended from August 15 to August 28 at 11:59 pm PT. Please Note: This extension only applies to the HAI data submission deadline. Data are submitted through the NHSN online.

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