Shapiro Administration Launches New Security Feature Allowing SNAP Users to Digitally Lock EBT Cards and Prevent Public Benefits Theft
DHS
OMHSAS Conducts All-Stakeholder Survey for New Inpatient Psychiatric Services
The Department of Human Services (DHS) Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) is conducting an all-stakeholders survey as the first step in the process to develop one proposed chapter of licensing regulations for inpatient psychiatric services in psychiatric units of general hospitals, private psychiatric hospitals, and Extended Acute Care services located within those inpatient settings. The survey provides an opportunity for all stakeholders to submit anonymous input into regulatory development. OMHSAS will review and analyze the responses as part of the process of developing a proposed regulation. This survey is for all stakeholders, including licensed providers. All responses are voluntary.
Please do not include any personally identifying information or contact information in the survey response.
A copy of the survey questionnaire can be found here and is to help you gather the information for the questionnaire. Please do not submit a hard copy or a copy of this document. Use the link provided to respond to the questions. If you have any questions about this survey or any additional feedback to provide on the inpatient regulations work, please send these electronically.
Please submit the completed survey by May 26, 2025.
The All-Stakeholders Survey can be accessed here.
The RCPA Mental Health Division will be convening a steering committee as part of this regulatory process. We have had advanced discussions with OMHSAS, and they will work with RCPA in the regulatory development. Thank you for your interest and participation in this important work. If you have questions or wish to be a part of this steering committee, please contact RCPA Policy Associate Emma Sharp.
OMHSAS Updates Behavioral Health MA Fee Schedule: Telehealth Group Psychotherapy Codes Added
Last year, RCPA met with its provider members regarding the provision of group psychotherapy services via telehealth in the client’s home. RCPA then met with the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) to discuss the possibility of allowing this flexibility in an effort to fully realize the use of telehealth technology to enhance access.
Today, the Department of Human Services’ Medical Assistance (MA) Bulletin #99-25-02 outlines revisions to the MA fee schedule. The following changes are specific to behavioral services and are effective May 1, 2025:
- Procedure code 99452 (Interprofessional Services) is now open for provider type (PT)/Specialty combination 08/184 (Outpatient Drug and Alcohol).
- Place of Service (POS) 10 — Telehealth Provided in Patient’s Home is now available to use with the procedure code 90853 (group psychotherapy) for PT/Specialty combination 08/110 (Psychiatric Outpatient).
Please see the section titled “Behavioral Health Services” on page 6 of the bulletin for additional information related to these revisions.
If you have questions about these changes, please reach out to OMHSAS electronically or RCPA COO and Policy Director Jim Sharp.
Dual Diagnosis Professional Conference Series Zoom Session: Why Oral Health Matters
The Department of Human Services’ Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) and the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) have announced a Dual Diagnosis Professional Conference Series, More Than a Smile: Why Oral Health Matters.
This session will provide an Empowering Presentation on Oral Health and Disability Care! Learn from experts behind Special Outreach Services (SOS), an oral health education program for caregivers of people with disabilities, and Special Smiles, Ltd., a dedicated dental clinic providing anesthesia-supported care for individuals with disabilities. This presentation will dive into the powerful connection between oral health and overall wellbeing — plus, you’ll walk away with practical, proven strategies to improve daily oral hygiene for individuals. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore inspiring stories, impactful outcomes, and the meaningful history of two organizations making a real difference.
The Virtual Session will be held Monday, July 21, 2025, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm.
REGISTRATION LINK: Dual Diagnosis Professional Conference Series
BHSSBC Selects RCPA Member Magellan Behavioral Health of PA as New BH-MCO
Earlier this year, Community Care Behavioral Health (CCBH) notified Behavioral Health Services of Somerset and Bedford Counties, Inc. (BHSSBC) of their intent to withdraw from servicing the HealthChoices contract with the counties. In April, BHSSBC announced that they are working to transition its subcontract from CCBH to Magellan Behavioral Health Services of Pennsylvania, Inc., one of five behavioral health managed care organizations (BH-MCO) in the commonwealth, with an effective transition date of November 1, 2025. The primary goal is to provide a seamless transition for providers to prevent any disruption in the delivery of crucial behavioral health and/or substance use disorder services to their members.
All parties will continue to work collaboratively in an effort to promote the delivery of high-quality behavioral health and substance use disorder services to the community.
BHSSBC is one of 24 primary contractors in Pennsylvania’s Behavioral HealthChoices program. The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) receives federal Medicaid funding and enters contracts with these primary contractors, who then enter contracts with BH-MCOs, which, among other responsibilities, manage a network of behavioral health providers.
Read BHSSBC’s latest correspondence here.
Contact RCPA Policy Associate Emma Sharp with any questions.
Statewide Positive Approaches & Practices Meeting on May 15, 2025
The Department of Human Services’ invites you to the Department of Human Services (DHS) Statewide Positive Approaches & Practices Meeting. Jointly hosted by the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) and the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP), this quarterly meeting aims to provide the most recent research and resources for people with mental health and behavioral challenges, intellectual disabilities, autism, and other developmental disabilities to live an everyday life. Please see the flyer for detailed information.
Date: May 15, 2025
Time: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Location: Zoom Webinar
- Morning Session: Run. Dance. Play. What’s Your Move? Promoting Physical Activity with the Move Your Way® Campaign
- Afternoon Session #1: Unlocking Potential: An Overview of Special Olympics Pennsylvania’s Community Sport, Health & Fitness, and In-School Programs
- Afternoon Session #2: What’s Strong With You? A Shift to Resiliency-Informed Care
The Zoom link for joining the session will be sent to the email you used to register. This link will be unique to your registration. Please do not share this link.
Questions? Send via email to PATraining.
Please note that Certificates of Attendance are not issued for Statewide Positive Approaches and Practices Meetings.
May 2025 ODP Training Calendar Now Available
Proposed Restructured Funding Plan for DHS Released
Reminder: ARPA Reporting Due May 30, 2025
Providers are reminded of the requirement to report the use of American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) funding. The Department of Human Services (DHS) Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) requires providers who received supplemental funding from the ARPA to report on their use of the funding by Friday, May 30, 2025. Reporting on the use of ARPA funding is critical to ensure compliance with federal requirements as the 2026 spending deadlines approach for the 10% enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) funds for Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) and State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. ARPA funding disbursements subject to this reporting requirement include the initiatives listed below. Please note that you may have reported on the use of ARPA funding received in 2021, including Act 2021–24 and Strengthening the Direct Care Workforce payments; this reporting is in addition to previously reported initiatives.
- Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Quality Improvement Funding
- Authorized in May 2022
- Available to HCBS providers
- Funded by 10% enhanced FMAP funding for HCBS
- Eligible uses include activities and expenses that expand, enhance, or strengthen HCBS, as outlined in the notice of the funding opportunity as well as the reminder notice
- Act 2022-54 COVID-19 Relief Funding
- Authorized in July 2022
- Available to nursing facilities, personal care homes, assisted living residences, adult daily living, residential habilitation, Living Independence for the Elderly (LIFE), and personal assistance service providers
- Funded by the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund
- Eligible uses include COVID-19 related costs not otherwise reimbursed by federal, state, or other funding
To complete a report, please log in to the ARPA Funding Portal, select the appropriate funding type, and then select “Create a New Funding Report.” The portal will prompt users to select a provider name (for individuals authorized to submit reports for multiple facilities or locations) and the applicable reporting period. Upon selection, review the prepopulated information and complete all required fields in the form.
For additional instructions on completing a report, please refer to the ARPA Funding Reporting Portal Business Partner Guide. For questions about registration and user access, please refer to the ARPA Portal Registration Guide. OLTL has also published a Frequently Asked Questions document and a Summary of ARPA Funding online at Long-Term Care for Providers | Department of Human Services | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Providers that received supplemental ARPA-funded payments must report to OLTL on their use of the funding so that the Commonwealth can produce documentation required by federal audits. Additionally, providers must retain detailed supporting documentation for the eligible use of supplemental ARPA-funded payments for a minimum of five (5) years from the payment date. Failure to submit a report may result in the recovery of funding through collection activities, audits, or legal action.
If you have questions regarding this message, please contact the Office of Long-Term Living via email.
Performance Analysis Services for PBC Contract Announced
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared communication ODPANN 25-036. This announcement is to inform stakeholders that the contract for Performance Analysis Services (PAS) associated with PBC has been awarded.
Effective April 1, 2025, the Department of Human Services (DHS) has executed a competitively procured contract with Deloitte for PAS. The PAS vendor will assist ODP with the following primary functions related to the implementation of PBC:
- Collect, aggregate, and analyze data and documentation;
- Create dashboards;
- Generate reports; and
- Implement an information system to support the administration of the 1915(b)(4) waiver for residential and supports coordination services for the Consolidated, Community Living, and Person/Family-Directed Support (P/FDS) waivers.
The PAS vendor will support the collection and analysis of data relevant to Pay for Performance (P4P) initiatives associated with PBC. Additionally, systems level data on performance measures will be reported to the Provider Performance Review Subcommittee of the Information Sharing and Information Committee (ISAC).
Please view the announcement for additional information and details.
