The Secretary of the Department of Public Welfare, Estelle Richman and Deputy Secretary of the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS), Joan Erney recently expressed the Commonwealth’s renewed interest in having psychiatric rehabilitation services as an “in-plan” behavioral health Medicaid service for both HealthChoices and fee-for-service counties. To that end, PARF (Pennsylvania Association of Rehabilitation Facilities) and PCPA have been asked to survey their memberships regarding interest in providing these services.
The survey begins with four general statements regarding the necessity and efficacy of both treatment and rehabilitation services. Members will be asked to indicate whether they agree with these statements and will then be asked several questions about current services offered and interest in providing psychiatric rehabilitation.
The standards developed by OMHSAS in February 2001 along with medical necessity criteria and a functional assessment tool are also available. The survey is also available as an electronic document.
Please respond to the survey to indicate your views and interest in providing these services no later than Wednesday, November 19. For more information, contact Rebecca May Cole at the Association.