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Tags Posts tagged with "DHS"

DHS

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Today, RCPA staff watched the Governor’s budget address and attended the Department of Human Services (DHS) 2022/23 Budget Overview webinar. After listening to the Governor and DHS, there were some positive takeaways for RCPA members. Specifically, the Governor is requesting:

  • $50 million, or a 44% increase to state supplemental programs for aged, blind, and individuals with disabilities, to increase the personal care home state supplement from $439.30 to $1,351.80 per month;
  • $75 million in federal funds to recruit and retain behavioral health providers;
  • $36.6 million to invest in critical county behavioral health services;
  • $15 million in federal funds to stabilize payments to substance use disorder treatment providers and assist with pandemic related expenses; and
  • $18.8 million to serve an additional 832 individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism currently waiting for services.

The Governor also proposed increasing the state’s minimum wage to $12 per hour effective July 1, 2022, including tipped workers, with 50 cent annual increases up to $15 per hour ($74.6 million direct revenue increase).

The above are some highlights from both the Governor’s budget request and the DHS presentation. While some of the Governor’s asks may seem beneficial to members, RCPA staff will be reviewing the more detailed spreadsheets we received from the Governor’s office. Once RCPA staff have had the opportunity to review and analyze these spreadsheets, members will receive a more detailed analysis of the Governor’s budget requests. RCPA plans to have the analysis done as soon as possible, so members can get a clearer picture. If you have any questions, please contact Jack Phillips.

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The following request is for licensed Chapter 6400 Residential Providers only.

The Department of Human Services has a critical need for updated vaccine uptake information as a result of the recent increase in COVID-19 cases and availability of boosters. We need your help to gather this important information. Please complete this brief survey by 5:00 pm on Monday, February 14, 2022.

This survey is part of a larger effort to obtain a point-in-time view of the vaccination rate of staff and residents in all 6400 Residential Community Homes licensed by DHS. For the number of staff, please use the count for those currently employed and who work within the licensed residential setting(s) operated by your agency (even if they might not come into direct contact with individuals receiving services).

We realize that you have provided this information in the past and appreciate your ongoing cooperation in stopping the spread of the virus. You will note that this survey is much shorter than previous versions and should not take a great deal of time to complete. Please respond by agency, not licensed home.

For any questions regarding this survey, please contact ODP via email.

Thank you for your support in our ongoing fight against COVID-19.

Survey Link

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As the state’s primary contractor for Medicaid-funded behavioral health (BH) care services (HealthChoices), Allegheny County DHS is responsible for $420M in state-managed care funding to deliver behavioral health services to approximately 260,000 county residents through its contracted partnership with Community Care Behavioral Health.

Historically, as the primary contractor to the state for the HealthChoices program, DHS has delegated its oversight and monitoring functions for this program to Allegheny Health Choices, Inc. (AHCI), and AHCI has done tremendous work helping the county to meet state obligations over the years. Increasingly however, the county has determined that making a structural change to bring monitoring and oversight in-house can streamline those functions and further strengthen the HC program for Allegheny County.

For this reason, the county, together with DHS, has made the decision to transition HealthChoices oversight and monitoring functions from AHCI to DHS, with expected changes to occur in the first quarter of 2023.

See below for further information:

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The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) is making available for public review and comment the proposed renewal application for the extension of the Section 1115 Medicaid Demonstration titled “Medicaid Coverage for Former Foster Care Youth from a Different State and SUD Demonstration” (Project Number: 11-W-003083/3). The effective dates of the current approved demonstration are October 1, 2017, through September 30, 2022. The extension requested will be for an additional five years, through September 30, 2027.

In 2016, the CMS Medicaid and CHIP Managed Care Final Rule eliminated Pennsylvania’s ability to use $55 million in federal funding to pay for residential SUD treatment. However, the Commonwealth was able to preserve the funding through an approved Section 1115 Waiver Demonstration. It is within this waiver that Pennsylvania committed to transitioning to ASAM Criteria as a condition for approval of the waiver.

The following links provide information regarding this extension request, extension application, public input process, schedule of public hearings, and other relevant information:

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The Department of Human Services (DHS) has issued updated guidance on COVID-19 for Personal Care Homes (PCHs) and Assisted Living Residences (ALRs). As the Commonwealth, along with the nation, has obtained additional data and expanded their knowledge and understanding of COVID-19, guidance continues to evolve and change. The revisions to the guidance are identified in red text.

Questions on these revisions should be sent electronically or to the regional office.

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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services’ (DHS) proposed minimum rates for each ASAM level of care. The rates are effective Jan. 1, 2022. According to DHS, the behavioral health managed care organizations must increase the rate being paid to any provider currently below the minimum. Providers being paid above the minimum will not be reduced to the minimum.

The rates have been posted and can be accessed through DHS’ website under “Behavioral HealthChoices Provider Resources.”

RCPA will share any additional information on the minimum rates as it becomes available. Please contact RCPA Drug and Alcohol Division Director Jason Snyder with any questions.

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All divisions within the Department of Human Services (DHS) recently shared a video message from Acting Secretary of DHS Meg Snead to thank providers for all you do for the communities you serve. Members are encouraged to watch and share it with staff.

As DHS plans for 2022, they would like to continue to recognize our county partners and providers — the dedicated professionals who spend their lives caring for others — and all others who make this work possible.

DHS is collecting stories from providers and caring professionals about why their work is essential and why they chose their careers. Their goal is to highlight the stories of our human services system and how those who make this work possible make an impact in all parts of our communities. If you or your colleagues are interested and willing, please share your story. DHS is looking for:

  • Why you chose a career in behavioral health or substance use disorder services;
  • How your career lets you help others;
  • A story about when you felt like you’ve made an impact;
  • A time you’ve felt proud in your work helping others; and/or
  • Any other story you’re willing to share.

Stories can be emailed to the DHS Press Office. Please include names, county/place of residence, and a picture if you’re willing to share. DHS may use these stories on social media, the DHS blog, or the central human services job recruitment page. The DHS Press Office team will be in touch to obtain consent to use these stories.

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