The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is now sharing information via a March Events Flyer from Self-Advocates United as 1 (SAU1) regarding upcoming webinars, including discussions on jobs and relationships. View the flyer to learn more.
ODP
Final Department-Established Fees and Fee Schedule Rates for Services Funded Through ODP’s Waivers and Base-Funding
ODP Announcement 22-026 is to announce that the proposed Fee Schedule Rates and Department-Established Fees for Consolidated, Community Living and P/FDS Waiver services, as well as the Community Intellectual Disability Base-funded program were published at 52 Pa.B. 102 (January 1, 2022).
The Department received comments from 134 stakeholders regarding the proposed changes to the Fee Schedule Rates and Department-Established Fees. After reviewing the comments on the proposed rates, the Department determined that an increase to the Fee Schedule Rates for the Agency With Choice Financial Management Services monthly administrative fee from $285.28 to $311.68 was necessary to cover staff wages and the costs of implementing participant directed services in accordance with requirements in the approved Waivers.
No other changes were made to the rates as a result of public comment.
AWC Wage Ranges and Benefit Allowance for Specific PDS Effective March 1, 2022
ODP Announcement 22-024 is intended to provide the hourly wage and benefits ranges for specific Participant Directed Services (PDS) provided to participants utilizing the AWC FMS model, effective March 1, 2022.
ODP updated the data used in establishing rates, which impacted the hourly wage and benefits ranges effective March 1, 2022. The high end of the hourly wage and benefits ranges either increased or remained the same.
These wage and benefit ranges will be used to pay SSPs and to support claims processing in the Provider Reimbursement and Operations Management Information System (PROMISe™) in electronic format by the AWC FMS organization. This communication will only be updated when changes occur to the information contained within.
ODP Releases 2020–2021 Annual Data Report
The ODP Annual Data Report provides statistical information to educate our stakeholders about the individuals ODP serves and the services they receive. This data provides an important overview of the service system ODP oversees that supports individuals with disabilities. The accompanying resource, Everyday Lives: Values in Action Information, Sharing and Advisory Committee (ISAC) Recommendations, Strategies, and Performance Measures, provides information on indicators of success used to gauge the effectiveness of the work of ODP.
The 2020–2021 Annual Data Report is available by using either of the following links:
Everyday Lives: Values in Action Information, Sharing and Advisory Committee (ISAC) Recommendations, Strategies, and Performance Measures publication is available here.
Modified Medication Administration Training Course Renewal Requirements
ODP Announcement 22-023 is to remind providers that are required to take the Modified Medication Administration Training Course of upcoming renewal requirements. On February 13, 2020, the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) released ODP Announcement 20-014 titled “New ODP Regulation Update: Clarification Regarding Medication Administration Requirements.”
Among other things, Announcement 20-014 specified that “in accordance with § 6100.468(d), life sharers and service locations that are not licensed by the Department (DHS) will be required to successfully complete a modified medication administration course…staff required to take the course must do so by July 1, 2020, to be compliant with the regulatory requirements,” and that “staff, contractors, and consultants who are required to take the Modified Medication Administration Training Course must also take a renewal course every 2 years that must occur no later than the last day of the 24th month following the previous completion date.”
Based on the above, the Modified Medication Administration Training Course period is now active. To satisfy the renewal requirement, the current Modified Medication Administration Training course must be retaken in its entirety. To allow for ample time to complete the course for renewal, ODP is allowing for those who first took the course in February 2020 to complete the renewal requirement by March 31, 2022.
The Modified Medication Administration Course may be accessed on MyODP. Questions, comments, or requests for technical assistance relating to this announcement may be submitted via email.
ODP Fee Schedule Rates Published
The Department of Human Services (DHS) is providing final notice of the Fee Schedule Rates and Department-Established Fees for services funded through the Consolidated, Community Living, and Person/Family Directed Support (P/FDS) Waivers as well as the Community Intellectual Disability Base-Funded Program.
The Fee Schedule Rates are effective January 1, 2022, with the exception of the rates for Agency With Choice Financial Management Services (AWC FMS) and direct Community Participation Support services. The Fee Schedule Rates for AWC-FMS will be effective on March 1, 2022. The Fee Schedule Rates for direct Community Participation Support services will be effective six months after the expiration of the federal novel coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency, and the temporary increases to the Fee Schedule Rates that are currently in place will end. The Department-Established Fees are effective July 1, 2022.
The full announcement with the specific rates can be found here.
These rates will be in effect for the next three years. Providers have the right to appeal these rates to the Bureau of Hearings and Appeals. Any provider who wishes to appeal must do so within 30 days of the notice, and those who do not appeal within that period will lose the right to challenge rates before the Bureau.
RCPA is hosting a “How to File a Rate Appeal” webinar on March 7, 2022, from 1:00 pm–2:00 pm. Otherwise, you should consult an attorney with experience filing such appeals.
Contact Carol Ferenz with any questions.
ODP to Participate in the 2021 NCI Staff Stability Survey
ODP Announcement 22-022 is to inform all provider agencies employing Direct Service Providers (DSPs) that the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) will be participating in the 2021 National Core Indicators® (NCI) Staff Stability Survey. ODP is requesting qualified providers participate in the 2021 Staff Stability Survey. This important survey includes questions relating to volume, stability, compensation, and benefits of DSPs serving adults 18 years of age and older.
The data gathered from this voluntary and anonymous survey will help ODP, along with other policy makers and advocates, to:
- Inform policy and program development regarding DSP workforce (DSPW) improvement initiatives;
- Monitor and evaluate the impact of workforce initiatives;
- Compare state workforce outcomes with those of other states;
- Provide context for consumer and family outcomes; and
- Create systems that more effectively collect, analyze, and use DSP workforce data.
Within the next few weeks, providers will receive an email from HSRI inviting them to participate in this Staff Stability Survey. Those wishing to participate will be furnished with a unique login that will enable providers to directly enter survey responses into the HSRI database. Results of the survey will only be reported in the aggregate, and organizations will not be identified in any way. It is recommended that Human Resources or the Payroll Office complete surveys, and responses should reflect DSPs who were on agency payroll during any period between January 1 and December 31, 2021.
The deadline to complete data entry is June 30, 2022. A copy of the survey is included to allow for preparation of data prior to completing data entry. It is a proprietary tool of the National Core Indicators® and is to be used for reference only.
ODP Training and Events Calendar: February and March
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared the February–March External Training and Events Calendar. You can view the calendar here.
Residential ISP Staffing Training Sessions 2022
ODP Announcement 22-017 is to announce that Residential ISP Staffing training sessions are now available from January through June 30, 2022. Residential ISP Staffing trainings described in ODP Announcement 21-057 have been completed, but additional training can be provided by agency professionals who have volunteered to provide training and have participated in delivering training in the fall of 2021, referred to ODP Designated Trainers.
Notice of a Change to the Federal Reimbursement of Transportation Costs for 2022
ODP Announcement 22-014 informs providers that the United States General Services Administration announced a change for the rate of Transportation Mile reimbursement rate, procedure code W7271, beginning January 1, 2022. The new rate is $0.585 per mile.
This communication provides notice of the rate change as well as provides instruction for Supports Coordination Organizations (SCOs) on how to add transportation mileage to the vendor screen. It also instructs direct service providers on how to submit claim adjustments, if applicable.
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