DHS
(OLTL) is conducting a rate and wage study with the support of Mercer Government Human Services Consulting. PHA is hopeful the results of this study will inform advocacy efforts as we strive for reimbursement enhancements in 2025.
ODP Roundup
October 6, 2024The Office of Developmental Programs released a number of critical bulletins recently. Make sure you did not miss key rate, waiver amendment, and webinar information by reviewing PHA’s ODP Roundup.
FBI Fingerprinting Proposed
September 20, 2024PHA is advocating on two proposed regulatory changes that can impact the speed and cost of how home health care workers are hired. Specifically, the current OLTL Waiver Renewals and…
Register for the next OLTL Rate Study Update: Oct 2
September 20, 2024On October 2, 2024, the Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Subcommittee meeting will feature a critical Mercer update regarding the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) rate study. PHA members are…
OLTL/Mercer Rate Study Update
September 6, 2024On the September 4, 2024 LTSS Subcommittee meeting, the Office of Long Term Living and Mercer released information about the ongoing rate study for Personal Assistance Services. Specifically, Mercer shared…
ODP Releases Final Increased Provider Rates
September 6, 2024The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) released the following critical announcements outlining final fee schedule rates for all providers, as well as wage ranges and benefit allowances for Vendor Fiscal/Employer…
85% EVV Compliance or Bust! New DHS Bulletins Released
September 6, 2024On August 23, 2024, an EVV bulletin was released by the Department of Human Services, with OLTL, ODP and OMAP Deputy Secretaries all signing on to the bulletin. The bulletin, entitled…
ODP Releases Final Increased Provider Rates
September 6, 2024The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) released the following critical announcements outlining final fee schedule rates for all providers, as well as wage ranges and benefit allowances for Vendor Fiscal/Employer…
Aetna and HPP: LTSS Credentialing Contacts
September 6, 2024On August 22, 2024, The Department of Human Services (DHS) announced applicants selected through a Request for Applications (RFA) process to administer Pennsylvania’s Community HealthChoices (CHC) program, the Medicaid managed care program that covers adults…
Save the Date: Pediatric Capacity Building Institute (PCBI) Year 2
September 6, 2024The PA Department of Human Services is announcing the Second Annual Pediatric Capacity Building Institute (PCBI), an interactive educational experience scheduled from March 2025 through November 2025. This nine-month program…
Office of Long-Term Living Announces Recipients for Community HealthChoices Program Procurement
August 23, 2024The Office of Long Term Living (OLTL) has announced the long-awaited recipients of the Request For Applications (RFA) #31-22 for the Community HealthChoices (CHC) Program. This significant procurement process sought…
HCBS Rate and Wage Study Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
August 23, 2024On August 21, 2024, the Office of Long-Term Living released the long-awaited FAQ from the July 18, 2024, HCBS Rate and Wage Study Provider Meeting. The FAQ includes responses from…
On September 4, 2024, the Office of Long-Term Living will be hosting the LTSS Subcommittee meeting, which is intended to further review progress on the rate study, which includes a…
The Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Subcommittee of the Medical Assistance Advisory Committee (MAAC) has requested assistance in filling the last two remaining membership slots….
Reminder: OLTL PAS Rate Study Due Aug 23
August 16, 2024Time is running out to complete the provider survey that will inform the The Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) rate study currently being conducted by Mercer Government Human Services Consulting. …
ODP released a QAI tool to ensure compliance when providers choose to utilize agency-developed or agency-identified training to meets the General Orientation and Annual Training requirements of the 55 PA…
ODP Releases Updated EVV Guidance
August 16, 2024The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has released Version 3.0 of its Comprehensive Guide to Electronic Visit Verification (EVV), and it’s packed with updates to make navigating EVV requirements easier:…
OLTL will be hosting a Transportation Summit by Zoom meeting on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The Transportation Summit is an open forum for anyone…
The Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL), along with Mercer Government Human Services Consulting, have released a provider survey to collect data to inform their ongoing rate study. PHA intends to…
PROMISe URL Domain Changes
August 9, 2024In accordance with DHS rebranding and the Governor’s Office Customer Service Transformation Initiative, the Office of Medical Assistance Programs will be implementing changes to the old URLs to reach PROMISe…
OMAP Survey: Pediatric Shift Care Milestones
August 9, 2024In an effort to create the Pediatric Complex Care Resource Center to best fit each family’s diverse needs, the OMAP Pediatric Shift Care Team is requesting feedback from families and…
AmeriHealth Caritas/Keystone First Provides PHA Clarification on Manual Edit Signature Requirements!
July 29, 2024PHA has been seeking clarification from AmeriHealth Caritas/Keystone First (AC/KF) on what an acceptable participant signature is for purposes of documenting Manual Edits. In November 2023, AC/KF released guidance that…
Summary of the Medical Assistance Advisory Committee (MAAC) Consumer Subcommittee Meeting
July 29, 2024The Medical Assistance Advisory Committee (MAAC) Consumer Subcommittee met on July 24 to review significant updates and achievements related to medical assistance programs. The meeting emphasized budgetary and policy victories,…
The Department of Human Services has released a new Request for Information (RFI) to assist in determining possible implementation needs for the Commonwealthʼs proposed 1115 Demonstration Waiver titled, “Bridges to Success: Keystones…
FY 2024-25 Key Budget Updates on ID/A Increases
July 29, 2024At the July 25 Medical Assistance Advisory Committee, Kristin Ahrens, Deputy Secretary of ODP, shared important FY 2024-25 budget updates that reflect the Shapiro administration’s commitment to affirming the dignity of…
The Pennsylvania Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) will be hosting the Community of Practice for Supporting Families Regional Collaboratives Summit on August 14-15, 2024. The Regional Collaboratives for Supporting Families Summit will…
How Does Migration Status Impact Direct Support Professionals (DSP)? Paid Interview Opportunity for DSPs!
July 22, 2024The Institute on Disabilities at Temple University is inviting people to participate in a paid interview about how migration status (an individual who has moved away from their native country)…
Mercer Rate Study – July 18th HCBS Call Recap
July 22, 2024On Thursday, July 18, 2024, the Office of Long-Term Living and Mercer held a meeting to review the progress of the ongoing rate study which will include a review of…
PHA Responds to CHC, OBRA Waiver Amendments
July 22, 2024PHA collaborated with a number of associations and stakeholders to respond to the proposed CHC Waiver Renewal and OBRA Waiver Amendment released by the Office of Long Term Living on June 15,…
New Resource: Training Supplement for OLTL Providers
July 15, 2024PHA has added a new training supplement to our resource library, specifically designed to meet the annual staff training requirements mandated by the Office of Long-Term Living (§ 52.21. Staff training)….
ODP Updates Guidance for QM Plans
July 15, 2024ODP released additional guidance for providers regarding QM plans for CPS and Day Habilitation providers. Prior guidance regarding new waiver language related to QM plans, indicated that providers with service…
ODP Providers: National Core Indicators® State of the Workforce Survey Deadline Extended to July 31, 2024
July 8, 2024The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has informed provider agencies employing Direct Service Professionals DSPs that the Human Services Research Institute (HSRI) has extended the deadline for completing the 2023 National…
The LTSS MAAC meeting held on July 2, 2024, provided critical updates on various programs and initiatives. Specifically, key updates were shared regarding: 1. CHC Waiver Renewal and OBRA Waiver Amendment…
UPMC Ends Current VBP – New VBP Coming in 2024
July 8, 2024Home Care providers may have heard or be in receipt of a letter indicating that UPMC is NOT renewing the July 1, 2023, Amendment to the Community HealthChoices Personal Assistance…
UPMC Updates Referral Broadcast Process
July 1, 2024Providers should expect to see a higher-than-normal volume of broadcast referrals over the coming days as UPMC works with HHAeXchange to change their processes so that referrals needing caregiver placements…
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) announced the July 1, 2024 start of the QA&I Process for Cycle 2, Year 3 (C2Y3). Read what providers need to know here: View…
Don’t Miss the July 2 LTSS Subcommittee Meeting Highlighting PAS Rate Study and Waiver Amendments
July 1, 2024The Department of Human Services (DHS) is hosting the LTSS Subcommittee meeting on July 2, 2024, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. All stakeholders are welcome to join in person…
The Office of Long Term Living is releasing proposed Waiver Amendments for OBRA and Community Health Choice on Saturday, June 15, 2024. Public comments will be accepted for 30 days,…
The Office of Long Term Living and Mercer delivered an update regarding the upcoming rate study, which will include a review of the Personal Assistance Services rate. Mercer indicated three ways…
As of June 4, 2024, ODP has processed the one time supplemental payments for all providers who applied by the deadline of May 15, 2024. These payments were intended to…
OLTL Procurement for Independent Enrollment Broker includes Expanded Enrollment Support
June 10, 2024At the Wednesday, June 5 Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Subcommittee Meeting, the Office of Long Term Living (OLTL) indicated that the new contract between OLTL and Maximus for Independent…
On May 23, the Pennsylvania Homecare Association (PHA) submitted comments on the proposed Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) Fee Schedule Rates. PHA commended ODP for prioritizing the direct care workforce through adequate reimbursement,…
At the most recent Medical Assistance Advisory Committee on May 23, 2024, the Office of Long Term Living released key milestones for the rate study that is to be conducted…
On May 22, the Medical Assistance Advisory Committee (MAAC) Consumer Subcommittee convened in Harrisburg for an in-person meeting, where key information was shared regarding hospital and contract updates, OLTL Participant…
Tis the Season for a New Logo
June 3, 2024Following PHA’s recent announcement that it will be officially rebranded by Q3 with a new logo, database and website, the Department of Human Services issued a similar announcement that its…
Family Medical Support Assistance
June 3, 2024In 2022, ODP announced amendments to the Consolidated, Community Living and P/FDS waives that included NEW services funded through its waivers. One of those services is Family Medical Support Assistance,…
Effective May 1, CMS has approved amendments to ODP’s Consolidated, Person/Family Directed Support (P/FDS), Community Living, and Adult Autism Waivers allowing providers to request a one-time supplemental payment to cover recruitment, retention,…
Managed Care Program Annual Report (MCPAR)
May 13, 2024MCPAR information is now posted on the CHC website along with External Quality Review reports at CHC-Publications (pa.gov). MCPAR information is a summary of Medicaid managed care (MMC) and CHIP external…
ODP Releases Proposed Rate Schedule for HCBS with Increased Rates and Proposes Performance-Based Contracting for Res Hab, Supported Living, and Life Sharing
April 29, 2024ODP released announcements including their proposed fee schedules for community-based services, agency with choice and V/FEA models. The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) additionally proposes to implement a 1915(b)(4) waiver…
PAS Direct Care Worker Rate Study Update
April 29, 2024During the April 24 MAAC Consumer Subcommittee meeting the process for the PAS Direct Care Worker Rate Study was discussed. DHS indicated that they will start with the development assumptions…