On May 1, 2020, Governor Wolf announced that 24 counties from the northwest and north-central regions of Pennsylvania would be moving from red phase to yellow phase beginning Friday, May 8, 2020 as part of the Wolf administration’s process to reopen PA. This marks a reduction in some restrictions on work and social interactions. However, restrictions related to congregate care settings remain in place.
The following counties moved from red phase to yellow phase on May 8, 2020: Bradford, Cameron, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, Lawrence, Lycoming, McKean, Mercer, Montour, Northumberland, Potter, Snyder, Sullivan, Tioga, Union, Venango, and Warren.
These counties were deemed ready to move to the yellow phase because of low per-capita case counts, the ability to conduct contact tracing and testing, and appropriate population density to contain community spread.
OLTL Services in Counties the Governor Declares in the Yellow Phase
Moving from the red phase to the yellow phase does not change any guidance that has been issued by OLTL or the Community HealthChoices (CHC) managed care organizations (MCO). All conditions outlined in the guidance noted below continue to apply to each provider category.
| Home and Community-Based Services | CHC Waiver Operational Guidance and the OBRA Waiver Operational Guidance including remote initial level of care assessments, Service Coordinator contacts, person-centered service plan development and provision of service. |
| Nursing Facilities
|
Clarification Guidance for Pennsylvania Pre-Admission Screening Resident Review (PASRR), the Interim Guidance on Visitation in Nursing Facilities During COVID-19, and Guidance for Infection Control and Prevention |
| Living Independence for the Elderly (LIFE) | LIFE Provider Guidance Related to COVID-19 |
| Assisted Living Residences and Personal Care Homes | Interim Guidance on Visitation in Nursing Facilities During COVID-19,the Guidance for Infection Control and Prevention, the Guidance Suspending and Restricting License Requirements for Personal Care Homes and Assisted Living Residences, and Visitation Restrictions in Personal Care Homes and Assisted Living Residences |
Providers are encouraged to continue to monitor the Department of Health (DOH) COVID-19 website for the most up-to-date DOH guidance on COVID-19, the Department of Human Services (DHS) COVID-19 website for the most up-to-date DHS guidance on COVID-19, and Governor Wolf’s website for responding to COVID-19 in Pennsylvania.
OLTL will continue to evaluate the steps necessary to address the Governor’s plan to reopen PA and communicate updated guidance as the situation evolves.
If you have questions about the information in this ListServ email, please contact the OLTL Provider Helpline at 800-932-0939.