Note:  This transition plan is intended to be used in conjunction with the April 30, 2020 Temporary Changes to the Community HealthChoices 1915(c) Waiver- (Revised) Guidance.  That guidance, attached to this email, contains complete descriptions of the temporary changes and guidelines for implementation.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved temporary changes to the Community HealthChoices (CHC) waiver beginning March 6, 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Approval of these changes is covered under Appendix K, Emergency Preparedness and Response, which states may use during emergency situations to request amendments to their approved waivers.  These changes addressed potential staffing shortages and the need for service provision not included in approved service descriptions to ensure participant health and safety needs could be accommodated for the duration of the COVID-19 statewide emergency.  As described in the Temporary Changes to the CHC Waiver (Revised) Guidance, the changes were not intended to apply to all participants nor to be considered across-the-board changes that must be implemented for each participant.  These flexibilities were to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis in coordination with the CHC Managed Care Organizations (MCOs).

As we begin to ease restrictions on work and on social interactions, the temporary waiver changes can also be phased out, provided participants can be safely served and providers and service coordinators are taking proper precautions.  The attached transition plan provides guidance to the CHC-MCOs on phasing out the temporary waiver flexibilities.  The guidance is intended to be implemented at the county level as each county moves through the red, yellow and green phases of the Governor’s phased reopening plan for Pennsylvania.

If you have questions about the information in the attached transition plan, please contact the CHC-MCOs for guidance on implementation.

• Transition Plan.CHC 6.25.2020_FINAL
• Temporary Changes to the CHC 1915(c) Waiver.Revised 4.30.2020.Listserv

A listserv has been established for ongoing updates on the CHC program. It is titled OLTL-COMMUNITY-HEALTHCHOICES, please visit the ListServ Archives page at http://listserv.dpw.state.pa.us to update or register your email address.

Please share this email with other members of your organization as appropriate. Also, it is imperative that you notify the Office of Long-Term Living for changes that would affect your provider file, such as addresses and telephone numbers. Mail to/pay to addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers may be updated electronically through ePEAP, which can be accessed through the PROMISe™ provider portal. For any other provider file changes please notify the Bureau of Fee for Service Programs Enrollment and Certification Section at 1-800-932-0939 Option #1.