In response to PCPA member inquiries the Department of Public Welfare (DPW) recently contacted Summer Therapeutic Activity Program (STAP) providers. Referencing the December 23, 2004 Office of Medical Assistance Bulletin #08-04-07, 11-04-07, 34-04-03, providers have been informed that they will not need to submit a program description for previously approved programs for which there are no program changes, staff qualification changes, or changes in the rate charged for fee-for-service consumers.
- For programs in which there are no changes providers need to complete the newly developed "no change form" notifying DPW of approved programs that will be operating during the coming summer. This form must be completed and returned to DPW by March 30.
- For programs in which there are changes a detailed list of changes and a copy of the current base license used to operate the program should be submitted to the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Children’s Bureau. If a proposed change involves expanding to a new county, documentation detailing the county’s collaboration and support of the program is needed.
Many programs that were approved and provided last year in fee-for-service counties are now, or soon will be, part of the HealthChoices program. Providers are urged to contact the managed care organizations (MCO) with whom they will contract on or before July to have programs credentialed and rates approved. MCOs may contract for rates that are the same, higher, or lower than the Medicaid fee-for-service rate. Providers do not need to submit a new program description when contracting with an MCO for a rate other than the approved Medicaid (MA) fee-for-service rate, unless they intend to request a new MA fee-for-service rate or change their program.
