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On January 10, 2024, from 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm, the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS) will be conducting an upcoming webinar that will focus on Person-Centered Service Planning (PCSP) in Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS): Requirements and Best Practices.

The webinar will include the following:

  • An overview of person-centered service planning;
  • A detailed discussion of the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) regulations pertaining to person-centered service plans provisions;
  • A detailed review of themes identified during CMS heightened scrutiny site visits regarding person-centered service plans;
  • Measures included in the 2022 HCBS Quality Measure Set that can be used to assess person-centered planning;
  • Section 9817 of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and state examples to support person-centered service planning;
  • Strategies to ensure comprehensive understanding and implementation of person-centered service plans; and
  • Indiana’s approach to person-centered planning.

Following the presentation, participants will have the opportunity to ask questions.

Register here to participate in the webinar.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released two reports focused on Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS). The reports are the Medicaid Long-Term Services and Supports Annual Expenditures Report, Federal Fiscal Year 2020, and the Medicaid Section 1915 (c) Waiver Programs Annual Expenditures and Beneficiaries Report.

These reports provide information on the LTSS rebalancing trends and patterns in expenditures for different home and community-based services (HCBS) and institutional care, both nationally and across states.

Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey, the Chairman of the Special Committee on Aging, will be introducing new legislation on the floor of Senate titled “The Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Relief Act of 2023.”

The HCBS Relief Act of 2023 would provide dedicated Medicaid funds to states for two years to stabilize their HCBS service delivery networks, recruit and retain HCBS direct care workers, and meet the long-term service and support needs of people eligible for Medicaid home and community-based services. States would receive a 10-point increase in the federal match (FMAP) for Medicaid for two fiscal years to enhance HCBS. Funds could be used to increase direct care worker pay, provide benefits such as paid family leave or sick leave, and pay for transportation expenses to and from the homes of those being served. The additional funds also can be used to support family caregivers, pay for recruitment and training of additional direct care workers, and pay for technology to facilitate services. The funds can help decrease or eliminate the waiting lists for HCBS in the states.

The HCBS Relief Act of 2023 will be introduced during the fourth week of October with a House companion bill expected to be released in the near future. Please join RCPA in supporting this critical piece of legislation to create a viable and sustainable pathway for HCBS.

If you have any questions, please contact your respective RCPA Policy Director.

Senior woman with her caregiver at home

House Resolution (HR) 165, which was introduced by Representative Kim, directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee (LBFC) to conduct a study on the effect of workforce shortages on State-supported Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS) waiver programs as well as the PA lottery-funded OPTIONS programs in the state. If the Resolution passes, LBFC will have 7 months to conduct the study. RCPA will keep members apprised on the status of the resolution.

The Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) has announced that Public Partnerships, LLC, has been selected as the new statewide Vendor Fiscal/Employer Agent (VF/EA) for Financial Management Services (FMS) for Fee for Service OLTL-administered programs related to Request for Application RFA 07-21.

The VF/EA performs fiscal-related functions for the operation of participant direction for multiple home and community-based service (HCBS) waivers managed by OLTL. The intent of FMS is to reduce the employer-related burden for participants while making sure Medicaid and Commonwealth funds used to pay for services and supports are managed and disbursed appropriately as authorized. The new contract became effective September 1, 2023.

Questions regarding the new vendor or anything related to this announcement should be directed to OLTL via email or by calling 800-932-0939, option 2, Monday through Friday, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm.

During a recent Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) provider call, a number of issues and concerns were raised specific to AmeriHealth Caritas/Keystone to the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) staff. OLTL decided to schedule a call with staff from AmeriHealth Caritas/Keystone and providers that utilize them as their Community HealthChoices (CHC) Managed Care Organization (MCO). Some of the topics to be discussed include the CHC-MCO scorecard, timeliness and length of time for authorizations, terminations, and issues about HHA.

The call is scheduled for August 23, 2023, from 9:00 am – 10:00 am. To join in this discussion, the call information is provided below:

Microsoft Teams meeting
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Meeting ID: 250 176 587 490
Passcode: GJwBmd
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+1 267-332-8737,,463224577#   United States, Philadelphia
Phone Conference ID: 463 224 577#
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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 23-065: Now Available: Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Rule Assessments Licensing Results for Fiscal Year 2021-2022. The purpose of this communication is to inform all interested persons of the availability of the second annual report that assesses provider compliance with the federal HCBS Rule for ODP. View the announcement for information on accessing the report as well as other relevant information. Questions pertaining to the results should be directed to ODP.