Home Care
Save the Date(s)! PHA Regional Meetings Return in October
August 16, 2024The PHA Regional Meetings are back this fall! All members are invited to participate in this free event to hear the latest industry updates, learn about PHA’s services, discover business…
Are you looking to expand your professional network and increase your visibility on LinkedIn? You’re in luck! Here are 10 tips for boosting your LinkedIn views and connections organically, ensuring…
My Learning Center: Recognizing Signs of Heat Stroke, Heat Exhaustion, and Hypothermia
August 16, 2024Summer is still in full swing, and it’s important to stay informed about heat-related illnesses. My Learning Center offers a valuable training course on Recognizing Signs of Heat Stroke, Heat…
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…
As Pennsylvania prepares to move to an 85% threshold for EVV compliance on January 1, 2025, PHA is committed to helping you stay prepared. If you missed our review in…
Department of Labor Audits: The Price of Non-Compliance
August 16, 2024The Department of Labor (DOL) conducts audits to ensure that home care and home health providers comply with federal labor laws, including the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). These audits…
Tell Congress to Stop the Medicaid HCBS 80/20 Pass-Through
August 10, 2024The recent Medicaid Access Rule finalized by CMS requires that by 2026 states implement a provision that no less than 80% of all Medicaid payments be spent on compensation for…
Last week, Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh announced that Pennsylvania will receive approximately $58 million in federal reimbursement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) through the Money Follows…
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…
Recap of July 30th CMS LTSS Open Door Forum
August 9, 2024On July 30, CMS hosted a Long-Term Services and Supports Open Door Forum. During the call, CMS reviewed the payment adequacy provisions of the Access Rule, with a particular focus…
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…
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 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…
On July 12, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released guidance to states on the steps needed to ensure compliance with rate transparency provisions of the Medicaid Access…
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)…
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…
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 HCBS CAHPS survey measures participant experiences in areas such as access to services, communication with providers, choice of services, and personal safety. The insights gathered help home care providers…
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…
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…
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…
On April 30, the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health held a hearing titled “Legislative Proposals to Increase Medicaid Access and Improve Program Integrity” that included discussions regarding…
The Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Quality Dataset was first implemented in 2022 with the intent establishing a national quality framework that allows for standardization of quality measurement and improvement activities…
Medicaid Access and Accountability 80/20 Rule Released
April 29, 2024The CMS final rule entitled, “Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services,” proposed to address key issues in Medicaid services, was issued this week. PHA issued a statement and is working diligently to review…
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…
ODP Releases Positive Approaches Journal
April 29, 2024The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) and the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services have posted its Positive Approaches Journal. The first issue of the Positive Approaches Journal was…
ODP Action Required: Update Your Provider Information
April 22, 2024ODP’s 24-035 announcement reminds providers must update their contact and service delivery information in the Home and Community Services Information System (HCSIS) and PROMISe before July 1, 2024, to ensure the transfer…
Earlier this year, a workgroup was established to explore the consumer self-direction program in Community HealthChoices with the intent of developing a set of recommendations for increasing enrollment in self-direction….
PHA reminds providers that eligibility checks for Medicaid participants should be run regularly as a best practice. This has become more important following the end of the Public Health Emergency,…
At the Long-Term Services & Supports (LTSS) Medical Assistance Advisory Committee meeting this week, the three CHC Managed Care Organizations presented information about their Participant Advisory Committee (PAC) Meetings. These…
With the April 15 tax deadline approaching, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reminds taxpayers there is still time to file their federal income tax return electronically and request direct deposit….
MAAC Reviews OLTL 2024–2025 Budget Proposal
April 1, 2024At the March Medical Assistance Advisory Committee, the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) presented their proposed Fiscal Year 2024–2025 budget, which included modest increases in utilization and cost of care…
On March 27, CMS issued a release regarding the Biden-Harris Administration’s final rule aimed at enhancing the enrollment process and maintaining health coverage for millions of Americans under Medicaid, the Children’s Health…
On September 1, 2023, the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) announced that Public Partnerships, LLC (PPL) would be the new VF/EA, replacing the former VF/EA, PALCO. PPL began accepting new…
A new resource aims to boost the participation of people with disabilities in competitive integrated employment. Competitive integrated employment ensures that people with disabilities are paid competitive wages and work…
