The Community HealthChoices (CHC) Third Thursday webinar is scheduled for March 19, 2020 at 1:30 pm. Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) Deputy Secretary Kevin Hancock will be providing updates on COVID-19. To register for the webinar, use this link.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. If you have any questions, please contact the OLTL Bureau of Policy Development and Communications Management at 717-857-3280.
The April 1, 2020 Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) Subcommittee meeting will now be held via webinar from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm. Public comments will be taken after each presentation. Questions can be entered into the chat box during the presentations and these questions will also be asked at the end of each presentation. There will also be a 15-minute period at the end of the meeting for any additional public comments.
To participate in the meeting via webinar, please register using the link below. A confirmation email will be sent containing information about joining the webinar. Participants are encouraged to register early.
The dial in number is: 415-655-0060 / Access Code: 201-740-620
Captionist Remote Streaming Link
If you have any questions about registering for the webinar or require a toll-free number to dial in, please contact the Office of Long-Term Living. For questions regarding this email, call 717-857-3280.
The Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) issued the following notice regarding changes in the provider processes for the Act 150 Program and OBRA Waiver due to Coronavirus (COVID-19).
TO: Service Coordination Entities in the OBRA Waiver and Act 150 Program
The Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) is collaborating with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to make emergency amendments to its Home and Community-Based Waivers in response to COVID-19. To address the concerns and questions that OLTL continues to receive, the following changes in provider processes for the Act 150 program and OBRA waiver may be implemented immediately.
Service Coordination Entities (SCEs)
OLTL is providing the following guidance to SCEs regarding SC Monitoring and Individual Service Plan (ISP) Team Meetings (i.e. annual reviews, revisions, and ad hoc planning meetings). Until further notice, OLTL is permitting SCEs the flexibility to choose to conduct SC Monitoring and ISP Meetings remotely, using phone or video conferencing solutions. In those instances where the participant does not have a telephone or other electronic means of communication, the SC will document that fact and include attempts made to contact the participant in the documentation. When either of these responsibilities are completed in place of a required face to face meeting, the SC should document the occurrence.
Additionally, SCs should be working with participants to implement their Emergency Back-Up Plans. Participants are required to have an emergency back-up plan for serious emergencies that might cause a disruption in routine services being delivered to the participant for an extended period of time. This may include identifying family and friends to assist during an emergency, or finding alternative ways to receive needed services. OLTL is asking that no reductions in service plans be implemented during this time of emergency. Service additions and updated authorizations will be expected when necessary.
Harrisburg, PA – To help make the public aware of COVID-19 preparedness and procedures, the Wolf Administration has created a library of free outreach materials for businesses, organizations, and anyone interested in displaying important messaging on COVID-19.
The materials are available at PAcast.
“The goal is for everyone to have access to and be encouraged to share the information important to stopping the spread of COVID-19,” Gov. Wolf said. “Please help us share awareness while using caution and protecting yourself.”
Posters are available in multiple sizes and every Pennsylvanian is encouraged to make them accessible to their community of friends, community or religious group members, and business associates to print and post. The administration also expects the posters to be available in newspapers across the state for residents to tear out and post throughout their communities.
Properly sized graphics are available at PAcast for social media. Gov. Wolf also encourages everyone to make use of COVID-19 social media content on the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Facebook and Twitter pages.
The most up-to-date information, including video graphics, footage of all of the governor’s press conferences and b-roll, is also available at 08PAcast. Additional materials will be added to the library as they become available and as the situation evolves.
MEDIA CONTACT: Lyndsay Kensinger, 717-783-1116
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The Wage and Hour Division (WHD) provides information on common issues employers and employees face when responding to influenza, pandemics, or other public health emergencies, and their effects on wages and hours worked under the Fair Labor Standards Act, and job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Use this link to view the recently posted guidance on WHD’s website.
Also, the Department issued a press release with links to this guidance, as well as guidance from OSHA and OWCP.
Over the past several days, RCPA has been in contact with numerous DHS and Department officials to brainstorm issues and ideas in this time of crisis. There have been some emergency relief efforts already released (e.g., ODP, OCYF), and there are no doubt more to come from other departments.
Many providers have also brought their ideas to RCPA and we have, in turn, incorporated them in submissions to DHS.
Most importantly, we are emphasizing the following:
We are also urging as streamlined an approval process as possible. It is a fluid situation and we cannot wait days, let alone weeks, to discuss these ideas.
If any providers have specific ideas or suggestions, please reach out to RCPA and we can, in turn, bring them forward. We are hopeful that our discussions with DHS will lead to some creative and critically needed solutions.
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