ODP Announcement 22-100 is to announce the release of the Home and Community-Based Services Rule and Pennsylvania’s Statewide Transition plan webcast. The recording of this presentation is now available.
Pennsylvania’s Final Statewide Transition Plan and information about how to provide public comment, including during webinars specific to the Office of Child Development and Early Learning, Office of Developmental Programs, and Office of Long-Term Living, are available at the DHS website.
On August 22, 2022, the Department of Human Services (DHS) announced the availability of Pennsylvania’s Final Statewide Transition Plan (STP) for the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Rule for a 30-day public comment period. The announcement contained plans for DHS to record a presentation providing a general overview of the HCBS Rule and Pennsylvania’s Final Statewide Transition Plan to prepare stakeholders for public comment. The recording of this presentation is now available on the Home and Community-Based Services Statewide Transition Plan web page.
Pennsylvania’s Final Statewide Transition Plan and information about how to provide public comment, including during webinars specific to the Office of Child Development and Early Learning, Office of Developmental Programs, and Office of Long-Term Living, are also available on the HCBS STP web page.
Learn the facts about the symptoms, prevention, and what to do if you or someone where you work gets sick. This webinar will include presentations by leaders and clinicians from the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Department of Health (DOH), as well provide an opportunity for Q&A.
Please forward the webinar invitation along to any other relevant stakeholders in your network. For those unable to attend live, a recording of the session will be made available.
Visit HERE to register for this webinar scheduled for Wednesday, August 31 at 1:00 pm. When registering for the event, you must fill out the registration information by clicking “Register” on the left side of your screen as shown below.
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) has launched a web page detailing the Behavioral Health Commission for Adult Mental Health. Among other information, the page includes a list of the 24 commissioners, dates for upcoming commission meetings (which are open to the public for both in-person and remote participation), and an email address for those interested in attending the meetings.
The commission will next meet at 1:00 pm, September 1, in Dauphin County at a location to be determined.
Act 54 of 2022 established the Behavioral Health Commission for Adult Mental Health as an interdisciplinary body comprised of leadership from state agencies, communities around Pennsylvania, and the behavioral health field as well as individuals with lived experience with behavioral health.
The legislature appropriated $100 million of American Rescue Plan Act funding for adult mental health programs. Per Act 54 of 2022, no funding shall be expended until enabling legislation is enacted by the General Assembly. The Commission shall produce a report with funding recommendations.
ODP Announcement 22-092 announces that the Department of Human Services (Department) is accepting comments on Pennsylvania’s Final Statewide Transition Plan (STP) for Home and Community-Based Services, which can be accessed here. Comments received by 11:59 pm on September 22, 2022, will be reviewed and considered for revisions to Pennsylvania’s Final STP that will be submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
A webinar specific to STP Information for the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) will be held on September 8, 2022, from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. Please register for the webinar.
Stakeholders may provide public comment through one of the following methods:
The Department of Human Services (DHS) announced they will be accepting comments on Pennsylvania’s Final Statewide Transition Plan (STP) for Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS). This plan applies to Medicaid Waivers under the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL), Office of Developmental Programs (ODP), and Office of Child Development & Early Learning (OCDEL). The notice is below and includes additional information about upcoming webinars.
HCBS Settings Rule – Background
CMS published the HCBS Rule, which amends the Medicaid regulations for HCBS waivers under section 1915(c) of the Social Security Act. The HCBS Rule supports enhanced quality of programs and services and adds protections for individuals receiving services. The HCBS Rule reflects CMS’ intent to ensure all individuals receiving services and supports through Medicaid waivers have full access to the benefits of community living, including receiving services in the most integrated setting. The HCBS Rule includes a provision requiring states to develop a transition plan to ensure that services will meet federal requirements by March 2023.
Statewide Transition Plan
The Department received initial approval of its STP on August 30, 2016, which can be accessed at the Department’s HCBS Stakeholder Waiver and Planning Team web page.
To receive final approval of Pennsylvania’s STP, the Department is required to complete the following remaining steps and submit an updated STP with this information included:
This information is included in Pennsylvania’s Final STP for public comment. A presentation providing a general overview of the HCBS Rule and Pennsylvania’s Final STP will be recorded by the Department and posted by the end of August to prepare stakeholders for public comment. Information about where to access the presentation will be published when it is available.
As outlined in the public comment section below, the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), Office of Developmental Programs (ODP), and Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) will each hold webinars to go over information in Pennsylvania’s STP that is specific to their waivers and programs. Public comment will be accepted during each of these webinars.
Public Comment
Pennsylvania’s Final STP is available for a 30-day public comment period at the Department’s HCBS STP web page. Comments will be accepted no later than 11:59 pm on September 22, 2022. Stakeholders may provide public comment through one of the following methods:
When submitting electronic or written comments, it is recommended that you include the following information:
ODP Bulletin 00-22-06, which is a Department-wide bulletin that includes the Office of Medical Assistance Programs (OMAP) and the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL), pertains to the implementation of Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) for Home Health Care Services (HHCS) that are effective August 10, 2022.
The bulletin is posted on the Department of Human Services Bulletin web page.
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) has released a new Civil Righters Compliance (CRC) process for all facilities licensed by DHS. This process is effective Monday, August 22, 2022.
There are two changes to the Civil Rights Compliance process. First, there is a new Civil Rights Compliance form when submitting a new licensing application. There is also a new Civil Rights Compliance Attestation form when submitting a licensing renewal application. Second, the process of submitting the form has changed.
| If your license is issued by… | Submit your application AND your CRC form (if new license) or CRC Attestation (if license renewal) to: |
| The Bureau of Adult Residential Licensing | [email protected] |
| The Office of Children, Youth, and Families | [email protected] |
| The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services | [email protected] |
| The Office of Developmental Programs* | [email protected] |
| The Office of Child Development and Early Learning*
*Licensees who use CLS or PELICAN to submit renewal applications must submit the attestations by email. The attestations are not part of the electronic CLS/PELICAN renewal application process. |
Child care providers should include their MPI number in the subject line and email the appropriate regional office:
Central Region Counties: Snyder, Perry, Juniata, Centre, Mifflin, Tioga, Lycoming, Northumberland, Union and Clinton |
| The Office of Child Development and Early Learning*
*Licensees who use CLS or PELICAN to submit renewal applications must submit the attestations by email. The attestations are not part of the electronic CLS/PELICAN renewal application process. |
Western Region Counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Fayette, Forest, Greene, Indiana, Jefferson, Lawrence, McKean, Mercer, Potter, Venango, Warren, Washington and WestmorelandCounties: Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon and Somerset |
Entities seeking a new license will utilize a Civil Rights Compliance (CRC) form (HS 2126). This form must be included in the packet submitted as part of any new license request. The new application, supporting documents, and CRC form must be emailed to the DHS office that issues your license; the email address can be found in the chart above. Entities licensed by OCDEL or ODP who use CLS or PELICAN to submit new applications must submit the form by email. The CRC forms are not part of the electronic CLS/PELICAN new application process. The CRC form for new applications can be found at here.
For licensing renewals, a licensee will now submit a CRC Attestation form (HS 2125). The Attestation form must be submitted as part of a renewal licensing application. The renewal notice will still be sent out 130 days prior to expiration. The renewal application and attestation must be emailed to the DHS office that issues your license; the email address can be found in the chart above. Entities licensed by OCDEL or ODP who use CLS or PELICAN to submit renewal applications must submit the attestations by email. The attestations are not part of the electronic CLS/PELICAN renewal application process. The CRC form for new applications can be found at here.
The DHS Bureau of Equal Opportunity currently issues you a letter verifying that a facility is in compliance with applicable civil rights laws. With the new process, a letter from BEO will no longer be sent out to licensed entities. Instead, the issuance of the new license or renewal license will indicate that your CRC form or Attestation form submission was approved. If there are issues and/or questions on the submitted CRC or Attestation form, a staff member from DHS will contact you.
The new process is effective on Monday, August 22, 2022. Existing licensees and applicants must begin following the new process on or before that date.
If you have any questions about the new process, please contact the applicable DHS office using the emails shown above or your respective RCPA Policy Director.
REMINDER
Message from the Department of Human Services (DHS)**
Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services (DHS) is changing which Physical Health Managed Care Organizations (PH Plans) are available for Medical Assistance (MA) consumers. This is an opportunity for DHS to be sure that the program and our partners are continuing to strive towards improved access to care and superior quality of care and support provided by the PH Plans to MA consumers.
The PH plans available in your county may change. In some counties, your current MCO will no longer be available, and in others, you may have new options to pick from. If you have to select a new plan, DHS is committed to helping you find a plan that meets your individual needs, while also allowing you to keep your current health care providers. It’s important for you to consider what doctors, hospitals, or other health care providers are in a PH plan’s network.
This enrollment period is your opportunity to compare the health plan options in your region and choose the best plan for you.
Please note that the above information means that your agency needs to alert your consumers to the change so they can make an informed decision. Otherwise, they will be auto-assigned. Visit here for more details regarding which plans are available by county.
**Does NOT affect current Behavioral HealthChoices or
Community HealthChoices participants.**
The Pennsylvania Health Law Project (PHLP) will host a virtual information session on Wednesday, August 10 at 2:00 pm to review upcoming changes to the Physical HealthChoices program. Representatives from the PA Department of Human Services (DHS), PA Enrollment Services, and the Pennsylvania Health Access Network (PHAN) will be available to answer questions during the session. Space is limited, and registration is required.
Examples of the communications that DHS sent to plan participants are here (individuals who are required to change plans) and here (individuals who may but are not required to change plans).
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