Deputy Secretary Ahrens Responds to Association Concerns Regarding SIS Reassessments
ODP
Open for Public Comment: Concept Paper on Selective Contracting for Residential and Supports Coordination Services
ODP Announcement 23-042 informs stakeholders that a 45-day public comment period on the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) proposal to implement Selective Contracting for Residential and Supports Coordination (SC) services has begun. Public comment will be accepted until 11:59 pm on July 10, 2023. ODP intends to change the way providers are enrolled, qualified, and paid to deliver the following services through selective contracting:
- Residential Habilitation, Supported Living, and Life Sharing in the Consolidated and Community Living Waivers;
- Supports Coordination in the Consolidated, Community Living, and Person/Family Directed Support (P/FDS) Waivers; and
- Targeted Support Management in the Medicaid State Plan.
Selective Contracting allows ODP to improve the quality of these services by:
- Moving beyond contracting with any willing and qualified provider and instead requiring providers to meet specific criteria set by ODP;
- Developing a class of “preferred providers” using new performance standards that align with Everyday Lives; and
- Aligning payment with outcomes.
You can view the Selective Contracting Concept Paper, which provides a general overview and technical details associated with ODP’s current ideas about selective contracting.
ODP will also be hosting stakeholder webinars to review the concepts in the Selecting Contracting Concept Paper, answer questions, and provide an opportunity for public comment. See the announcement for the dates and registration details for the stakeholder sessions.
Comments received by 11:59 pm on July 10, 2023, will be reviewed and considered by ODP in determining how to implement selective contracting. Public comment may be submitted through one of the following methods:
- Electronic submission through email;
- Written submission through mail, addressed to: Julie Mochon, Department of Human Services, Office of Developmental Programs – 625 Forster Street, Room 510, Harrisburg, PA 17120; or
- Verbal submission through one of the public comment webinars. Comments from stakeholders identified for each session will be prioritized.
Questions about this communication should be sent electronically.
Updated FAQ on Modifications to Medication Administration Course Requirements Now Available
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is distributing a reissue of the COVID-19 FAQ About Modifications to MedAdmin Requirements. The purpose of this communication is to provide updated information. It states, “Training for non-oral routes of medication administration that is permitted to be provided by a certified trainer can be conducted remotely using video telecommunication technology until November 11, 2023, but must be live, not recorded.”
Read the full FAQ here.
Request for Information for Residential Providers
Residential Vacancy Report for AEs and SCs Now Available
The latest Residential Vacancies Report for Administrative Entities (AEs) and Supports Coordinators (SCs) is now available on MyODP. The latest Residential Vacancy Report reflects residential vacancies reported by providers throughout the Commonwealth as of May 21, 2023.
June 2023 ODP Training Calendar Now Available
ODP Announces Restoration of Maximum Hours Per Week for In-Home and Community Support and/or Companion Services
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has released ODPANN 23-041: Max Number of Hours Per Week of In-Home and Community Support and/or Companion Services That Relatives and Legal Guardians May Provide. The purpose of this announcement is to:
- Notify stakeholders of the restoration of the maximum number of hours per week of In-Home and Community Support and/or Companion services that multiple relatives and legal guardians may provide, effective November 11, 2023.
- Clarify the maximum number of hours per week of In-Home and Community Support and/or Companion services that relatives and legal guardians may provide.
Please read the full announcement here.
Fiscal Year 2023/24 ISP Renewal Guidance Now Available
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 23-040: FY23-24 Renewal Guidance. This communication will provide guidance for the FY 2023/24 renewal period. The following topical areas are addressed in this communication:
- Federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Ending;
- Leap Year;
- Person/Family Directed Support (P/FDS) Cap Exceptions;
- Waiver Rate Load;
- Needs Level/Needs Group Clean-up;
- Variance Process for Established Service Requirements;
- Consolidated Waiver Fee Schedule Residential Rate Exceptions;
- Reserve to Encumbrance; and
- Resources.
For information related to special considerations, please contact the ODP Regional Program Office assigned to your region. For questions related to the participant-directed services (PDS rate table or calculator), please contact your ODP Regional Financial Management Services (FMS)/PDS Lead.
See the resource ODP-ID/A: SC100I Supports Coordination > Chapter 17: Fiscal Year Renewal: ISP – v8.0 9/21/13 in the LMS for information on how to perform a FY Renewal.
Staff Reporting for COVID-19 Has Been Discontinued
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared COVID ODPANN 23-039, which notifies all providers that staff reporting of COVID-19 has been discontinued. This communication will obsolete COVID ODPANN 20-099. Please direct questions about this announcement to the appropriate ODP Regional Offices.
ODP Shares Guidance for Returning to or Discharging From CPS Services
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared an updated version of ODPANN 23-025. This update provides guidance for individuals who previously indicated they wanted to resume Community Participation Support (CPS) services but have not yet continued with the service. Please review the announcement for more information.
Prev