OMHSAS has indicated that the Department of Human Services' review of the mental health outpatient regulations is complete and has been forwarded to the Independent Regulations Review Commission (IRRC) and legislative committees. The long awaited draft regulations are to be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin during August.
COMMENTS ON EXEMPT/NON-EXEMPT FINAL RULE
In 2016 the Department of Labor announced a final rule regarding exempt/non-exempt employees, which has been suspended. The department now has released a request for information in the Federal Register regarding the exemptions from the Fair Labor Standards Act's minimum wage and overtime requirements and exempt employees. Comments are due September 25, 2017.
GRANT OPPORTUNITY - SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT TELEHEALTH NETWORK GRANT
Human Resources and Services Administration announced a grant award for up to $250,000 per year for three years in order to demonstrate how telehealth programs and networks can improve access to health care services, particularly substance abuse treatment services in rural and underserved communities. Applicants from telehealth networks that provide services through small rural hospitals that service individuals in counties with high rates of poverty and unemployment are encouraged to apply. Information is available online. Applications are due August 23.
BLAIR COUNTY NAMI OPPORTUNITY
The Department of Social Services, Blair HealthChoices, and Community Care Behavioral Health are proud to offer a valuable Mental Health First Aid Train the Trainer event. The five day course will be held in Altoona, PA from October 23 - 27, 2017. Once certified, participants will be able to facilitate the eight hour Adult Mental Health First Aid course for your agency and your community. Please see the attached flyer and application for details. Spaces are limited, so please respond at your earliest convenience.
SUSPENSION OF MEDICAL ASSISTANCE BENEFITS ONCE RECIPIENT IS INCARCERATED
County Assistance Offices have received an operational memo detailing the procedures that permit suspension of Medical Assistance (MA) and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) for individuals who are incarcerated for less than two years. This approach permits resuming benefits quickly upon release enabling individuals to access community treatment, services and supports without delay. A copy of the operations memo is available from PACA MH/DS.
DHS INCREASES RATE OF EMPLOYEE BENEFIT FOR STATE PARTICIPATION
The Department of Human Services (DHS) released Administrative Bulletin 2017-01 titled, Maximum Rate of State Participation for Employee Benefits for County Children and Youth Agencies and Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities/Early Intervention Programs. The bulletin is effective for Fiscal Year 2017-18. The maximum compensation cost DHS will participate in for the cost of employee benefits as described in Chapter 31870.49(d) and Chapters 4300.77 and 4300.85 is now 83.03 percent.
DHS REQUESTS RANDOM TIME STUDY PROPOSALS FOR MA ADMINISTRATIVE
COSTS
The Department of Human Services (DHS) has posted a
Request for Proposal
29-16 for a Random Moment Time Study. The study is the department's continued efforts to create a uniform Medical Assistance Administrative Claiming process. The RFP seeks a vendor in May, DHS released a draft bulletin regarding Medical Assistance Administrative Claims. Michele Minter,
Section Chief, Department of Human Services, Bureau of Financial Reporting is the staff lead for the project. She
will be meeting with fiscal and data officers at the August Fiscal and Data Committee Meeting.
DHS SEEKS INPUT ON EVV FOR PERSONAL AND HOME CARE SERVICES
The Department of Human Services is asking for comments on the use of electronic visit verification (EVV) systems for Medicaid-funded personal care and home health care services in Pennsylvania. The 21st Century Cures Act requires all states to implement the use of EVV for Medicaid-funded personal care and home health care services. The EVV may be maintained and operated by a public or private entity and must record the date, start and end time, place, service provided, provider and recipient. The scope of the services includes all the approved Medicaid waivers (e.g. behavioral HealthChoices, Consolidated and PFDS Waivers). DHS Is exploring the applicability of the new requirement on a department basis. Comments and recommendations are to be sent
to
RA-PWEVVNotice@pa.gov
by August 12, 2017.
ACA APPEAL FAILS
The proposed repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) failed in the Senate July 28, 2017. This is indicative of the deep divisions between and within the parties regarding how to address health insurance nationwide. Any changes to medical assistance and the ACA could have dramatic impact on individuals with mental illness or developmental disability, we will continue to monitor this issue.
SENATE AMENDS HOUSE REVENUE BILL FOR FY 2017-18
On July 28 the Senate amended and passed a collection of code bills (Human Services, Administrative, Public School, Fiscal and Tax). The package of legislation creates a revenue proposal that must return to the House for approval. In the plan the Senate proposes to balance spending through the following:
- $1.3 billion borrowed from the Tobacco Settlement
- $405 million through increased utility taxes (electric, phone and natural gas)
- $200 million gambling expansion
- $100 million Marcellus shale drilling tax
- Extend sales tax to online and third-party sales
The Senate proposal does not include the House language regarding premiums for high income parents of children with severe disability but relies on anticipated savings from specific changes to the Human Services Code HB 59
(which contains the budget lines of interest to PACA MH/DS members). The proposed changes include:
- A return to work requirement for Medical Assistance recipients
-
Submission of a waiver regarding the Institutions for Mental Disease (IMD) exclusion for individuals with substance use disorders
- Total Population Coordinated Care Management for one managed care region
The House currently is not scheduled to re-convene until September. As outlined in the past there is increased scrutiny of Pennsylvania's fiscal status as the legislature struggles to resolve a $3 billion deficit.
US HOUSE BUDGET COMMITTEE PASSES FY 2018 BUDGET RESOLUTION
The House Budget Committee approved a Budget Resolution on a 22-14 party-line vote. The 10-year budget plan has $4.4 trillion in cuts from mandatory programs:
- $1.5 trillion cut from Medicaid and other health programs (includes House-passed American Health Care Act cuts plus additional cuts)
- $487 billion cut from Medicare
- $4 billion cut from Social Security disability insurance (SSDI)
- Almost $2.5 trillion cut from other mandatory programs and other income security programs
Non-defense discretionary programs, which include housing, employment, education and transportation realize a $1.3 trillion in cuts. Defense increases $30 billion. Further instructions in the bill do not require "revenue-neutral" but rather "deficit-neutral" tax reform. This approach permits offset of the costs of tax cuts with cuts to mandatory spending, which includes Medicaid and Medicare. The proposal is to go before the entire House chamber in September.
FORENSIC AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SYSTEMS TRAINING
Handling the Effects of Inmates with Mental Health and Substance Abuse Issues: Information and Advice from Peers and Pros
will be held on Thursday, August 24, 2017, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Westmoreland Case Management and Supports Inc. Conference Center, 770 E. Pittsburgh Street, Greensburg, PA 15601. Receive information and advice to be more successful with handling the effects of growing numbers of inmates with mental health and substance abuse issues. Commissioners, CJAB reps, district attorneys, president judges, wardens, lead human services staff or providers are encouraged to attend.
Register here by Monday, August 21. Cost is $25 and includes lunch. For more information on the issue, read the CCAP Comprehensive Behavioral Health Task Force Executive Summary.
TAX-FREE FUEL FOR POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS
Under the Pennsylvania Consolidate Statutes, Title 75 (Vehicle Code), liquid fuels (gasoline) and fuels (diesel) are tax-free when purchased by a qualifying political subdivision (including counties) for official purposes only. Proper records of receipts and disbursements of all liquid fuels and fuels purchased and used must be maintained. For more information, contact the Bureau of Motor and Alternative Fuel Taxes at (800) 482-4382, or submit your questions at
revenue-pa@custhelp.com.
PEOPLE & PLACES
Kathy Manderino,
Department of Labor and Industry Secretary, is leaving her position to join the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. The move was official August 1st. Robert O'Brien, L&I's Executive Deputy, will be Acting Secretary.
Dale Adair, MD, FAPA, Deputy Secretary of the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services will be leaving his position effective September 1. No formal announcement on his replacement has been released.
Joyce Ainsworth, Administrator for Butler County MH/EI/ID Program is replacing Jayne Romero as Western Region Representative.
Tina Clymer, Administrator for Carbon-Monroe-Pike MH/DS is replacing Jayne Romero as HealthChoices Committee Co-Chair.
Edward Michalik, Ph.D., Administrator Berks County MH/DD - Replacing Chris Wysocki as Mental Health Committee Co-Chair effective immediately
Tammy Calderone, Administrator for Armstrong/Indiana Behavioral & Developmental Health Program is replacing Austin Breegle as the Fiscal/Data Committee Co-Chair.
Chris Wysocki,
Juniata Valley Behavioral and Developmental Services, Administrator has resigned effective June 19.
Andrew Grossman, Northampton MH/EI/DP Administrator has resigned effective July 28.
