MA Fee Schedule Revisions for OBRA Waiver & Act 150 Program Published

On February 28, 2026, the Department of Human Services (DHS) Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) published a notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin announcing a change in the fee schedule rates in the OBRA Waiver and the Act 150 Program for Participant-Directed Personal Assistance Services (PAS) procedure codes W1792 and W1792 TU. This fee schedule rate change is effective January 1, 2026. A revised fee schedule is available here.

Written comments regarding these fee schedule rates can be sent to the Department of Human Services, Office of Long-Term Living, Bureau of Policy Development and Communications Management, P.O. Box 8025, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8025. Comments can also be submitted via email. Comments received within the 30-day comment period will be considered in subsequent revisions to the fee schedule.

OLTL previously issued a listserv on December 19, 2025, confirming the Fiscal Year 2025/26 budget, signed into law on November 12, 2025, which included a $21 million investment to strengthen the workforce through increased wages for direct care workers (DCW) providing services in the Participant-Directed model for OLTL Fee-for-Service programs.

To support the January 1, 2026, effective date, OLTL updated the PROMISe™ system and the Home and Community Services Information System (HCSIS) with the revised rates. Service Coordinators (SC) did not need to make any service plan updates for the rate change, as a HCSIS system-wide update was implemented to make the necessary service data rate updates to the affected service plans.

SCs are encouraged to reach out to OBRA Waiver and Act 150 Program participants that utilize Participant-Directed PAS to ensure they are aware of the rate change and that their DCWs may receive increases in their pay rates.

SCs may also receive specific questions from OBRA Waiver and Act 150 Program participants that utilize Participant-Directed PAS supported by Financial Management Services (FMS) through the FMS vendor Public Partnerships, LLC (PPL). SCs should refer participants to the PPL Customer Service hotline at 877-908-1750 for specific questions about how the rate increase in the OBRA Waiver and Act 150 Program will impact the pay of their DCWs.

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ODP Updates the MAAC on Paid Relative Caregiving & Travel Limitations

By Tim Sohosky • May 29, 2026

On Thursday, May 28, the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) provided an update to the Medical Assistance Advisory Committee (MAAC) regarding current policies and upcoming regulatory changes following a recent Commonwealth Court decision. On February 17, 2026, the PA Commonwealth Court issued a decision in Dunkelberger v. Department of Human Services that determined that ODP’s limitations on provider model services (specifically the 40/60-hour caps and 90-day travel maximums) were null and void. The decision was based on process rather than policy validity; the Court found that these limitations were not properly promulgated as regulations in accordance with the Commonwealth Documents Law and Regulatory Review Act. To maintain a balanced approach between flexibility and oversight, ODP is moving forward with the following actions: Regulatory Amendments: ODP will amend regulations to establish formal authority for setting service delivery limits that support individual welfare and program integrity. Self-Directed Model Agreements: ODP has already modified agreements for self-directed models to clarify limits on overtime, combined relative service provision, and travel restrictions. Travel Restrictions: Due to the inability to monitor services effectively over long distances, service provision will now be limited to Pennsylvania and contiguous states. Waiver Changes: ODP will seek modifications through the amendment process to the Consolidated, P/FDS, Community Living, and Adult Autism Waivers to include: New requirements for agencies providing IHCS and Companion services to disclose a DSP's relationship to participants; and Strengthened programmatic oversight and integrity measures. Life Sharing Alternative: For participants requiring more than 60 hours of paid care from a relative, the Life Sharing (24/7) service model remains the recommended alternative. ODP anticipates a public comment period for these proposed waiver changes beginning in January 2027.

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By Tim Sohosky • May 28, 2026

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ODP Provides Updates to PBC 2026/27 Residential Pay-for-Performance

By Cathy Barrick • May 28, 2026

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 26-039 . The purpose of this communication is to provide updated details about the Residential Performance-Based Contracting (PBC) Pay-for-Performance (P4P) initiatives for Fiscal Year 2026/27. Updates are provided in red . Please review the announcement for more details. Visit here to access the Pay for Performance (P4P): Residential Rural Capacity Expansion Plan template .