The Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) issued the following notice regarding changes in the provider processes for the Act 150 Program and OBRA Waiver due to Coronavirus (COVID-19).

TO: Service Coordination Entities in the OBRA Waiver and Act 150 Program
The Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) is collaborating with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to make emergency amendments to its Home and Community-Based Waivers in response to COVID-19. To address the concerns and questions that OLTL continues to receive, the following changes in provider processes for the Act 150 program and OBRA waiver may be implemented immediately.

Service Coordination Entities (SCEs)
OLTL is providing the following guidance to SCEs regarding SC Monitoring and Individual Service Plan (ISP) Team Meetings (i.e. annual reviews, revisions, and ad hoc planning meetings). Until further notice, OLTL is permitting SCEs the flexibility to choose to conduct SC Monitoring and ISP Meetings remotely, using phone or video conferencing solutions. In those instances where the participant does not have a telephone or other electronic means of communication, the SC will document that fact and include attempts made to contact the participant in the documentation. When either of these responsibilities are completed in place of a required face to face meeting, the SC should document the occurrence.

Additionally, SCs should be working with participants to implement their Emergency Back-Up Plans. Participants are required to have an emergency back-up plan for serious emergencies that might cause a disruption in routine services being delivered to the participant for an extended period of time. This may include identifying family and friends to assist during an emergency, or finding alternative ways to receive needed services. OLTL is asking that no reductions in service plans be implemented during this time of emergency. Service additions and updated authorizations will be expected when necessary.