OLTL Enacts Temporary Changes to Act 150 Program and OBRA Waiver
OBRA Waiver
EVV Compliance Reminder for OBRA Waiver and Act 150 Participants
HCSIS Service Plan / Rate Updates for OBRA Waiver & Act 150
The Department of Human Services (DHS) has announced rate increases for Personal Assistance Services (PAS) in the OBRA Waiver and Act 150 program. There will also be a rate increase for Residential Habilitation in the OBRA Waiver. These rate increases become effective on January 1, 2020. The new rates for the OBRA Waiver were published in the August 24, 2019 edition of the Pennsylvania Bulletin. The new rates for the Act 150 Program were published in the November 30, 2019 edition of the Pennsylvania Bulletin. These new rates are based on a participant’s county of residence.
In addition, Home and Community Services Information System (HCSIS) service plans were updated on November 30, 2019. Service Coordinators (SCs) do not need to make any service plan updates for this rate change, as a HCSIS system-wide update is being initiated to make the necessary service data updates onto the impacted service plans.
Questions about these updates should be directed to the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) Provider Inquiry Line at 800-932-0939, Option 2, Monday–Friday from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm.
OLTL Announces Service Coordination Face-to-Face Training Sessions
The Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) recently announced that two one-day classroom training sessions will be offered for Service Coordinators (SCs). Prior to the training sessions, and a required prerequisite, attendees must complete three OLTL SC modules. These modules will provide a strong foundation on the basics to fulfill SC requirements. Participants will be able to take what is learned from these modules and apply it to situations found every day on the job. Attendance at the training sessions is limited to SCs, not supervisors or directors. Also, two attendees will be permitted per agency. Preference will be given to SCs that were hired in 2018 and 2019. Additional registrations will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Special Note: This training is required for SCs working with waiver participants enrolled in the Aging, Attendant Care, Independence, and OBRA waivers, as well as the Act 150 program.
Session information:
Thursday, December 12, 2019 in Harrisburg
Radisson Hotel Harrisburg
1150 Camp Hill Bypass
Camp Hill, PA 17011
8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Tuesday, December 17, 2019 in Philadelphia
DoubleTree
301 W Dekalb Pike
King of Prussia, PA 19406
8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Registration is required in order to attend one of these sessions. If you have any questions regarding registration, please contact Dering Consulting at 717-234-0567.
Questions about the training should be directed to OLTL’s Bureau of Participant Operations at 717-787-8091.
OLTL Waiver Amendments Posted on DHS Website
The Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) recently announced that the waiver amendments effective as of October 1, 2017 have been posted to the Department of Human Services (DHS) website. The waivers and links to each one include:
Questions related to this communication may be directed to the OLTL Bureau of Policy and Regulatory Management at 717-783-8412.
Additional Info on OLTL Proposed Waiver Amendments
On July 28, 2017, an Info was issued regarding the Office of Long-Term Living’s (OLTL’s) proposed waiver amendments to the Aging, Attendant Care, Independence, and OBRA waivers. On August 1, OLTL issued a follow-up email regarding these amendments, as well as some additional information including how to view a side-by-side comparison of the current and revised language, the comment forms, and information on webinars that have been scheduled in August. The webinars will be used to receive comments on the proposed waiver amendments. The information in that email is provided below for additional details. As a reminder, the public comment period on the proposed waiver amendments ends on August 31, 2017.
From OLTL
In September 2017, the Department of Human Services (DHS) Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) will be submitting amendments to the Aging, Attendant Care, Independence, and OBRA waivers. To view a side-by-side comparison of the current and revised language, and to access the amendments in their entirety, please use this link.
On this site, select the individual waiver amendment you would like to view under “Related Topics.” All documents are available in alternate format and in paper copy upon request by calling the Office of Long-Term Living Bureau of Policy and Regulatory Management at 717-783-8412.
Public Input
The July 29, 2017, Volume 47, Number 30 issue of the Pennsylvania Bulletin contains the public notice announcing amendments to the Aging, Attendant Care, Independence, and OBRA waivers. OLTL is seeking public comment on these waiver amendments. Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to the Department of Human Services, Office of Long-Term Living, Bureau of Policy and Regulatory Management, Attention: Aging Waiver, Attendant Care, Independence, or OBRA Waiver, PO Box 8025, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8025. Comments can also be sent via email using the comment forms that OLTL has provided. The comment forms can be found at this link.
On this site, select the individual waiver amendment you would like to view under “Related Topics” and the comment form will be listed in the documents. The public comment period ends on August 31, 2017. Comments received within the 30-day comment period will be reviewed and considered for revisions to the amendments.
The Office of Long-Term Living will offer two webinars in August for public input and discussion. The webinars will be held on Monday, August 7, 2017, from 10:00 am – 11:00 am and Wednesday, August 16, from 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm. Please see the information below for further details on the scheduled webinars.
- Please register here for the Aging, Attendant Care, Independence, and OBRA Waiver Changes Webinar on August 7, 2017 10:00 am EDT.
- Please register here for the Aging, Attendant Care, Independence, and OBRA Waiver Changes Webinar on August 16, 2017 1:30 pm EDT.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. The connection link you receive will be unique to you and should not be shared with others.
Community HealthChoices Waiver Transitions
The Department of Human Services has released a timeline for transitions to Community HealthChoices (CHC), which is a managed care program that will better coordinate the way participants receive their physical health services and long-term services and supports (LTSS). The goal is to serve more people in their homes and their communities. CHC will serve Medicaid participants 21 years of age or older who also receive Medicare, need LTSS in their home or community, or are in nursing facilities. Today, there are five waivers in which participants receive LTSS. In the future there will be two waivers.
CHC: will serve participants currently in the Aging, Attendant Care, Independence, and COMMCARE waivers. OBRA participants who are nursing facility clinically eligible will also move to CHC.
OBRA Waiver: will continue to serve participants 18 years of age and older who have a severe developmental disability requiring the level of care provided in an intermediate care facility/other related conditions (often referred to as ICF/ORC).
ATTENDANT CARE AND INDEPENDENCE WAIVERS
What will happen?
- Since CHC only serves participants 21 years of age and older, participants in the Attendant Care and Independence waivers who are between 18 to 20 years of age will be enrolled in the OBRA Waiver to receive LTSS services.
- The OBRA Waiver will provide the same services available in Attendant Care and Independence waivers.
- It is DHS’ priority to ensure that participants’ services are not impacted in any way.
When will this happen?
Southwest Zone: August 2017 to October 2017
Southeast Zone: February 2018 to May 2018
Remaining Zones: August 2018 to October 2018
COMMCARE WAIVER
What will happen?
- The COMMCARE Waiver will end December 31, 2017. Any new applicants who would have been eligible for the COMMCARE Waiver after September 1, 2017, will be eligible for and enrolled in the Independence Waiver.
- This means that participants who are receiving services in the COMMCARE Waiver who do not live in the Southwest Zone will be enrolled in the Independence Waiver before December 31, 2017.
- It is DHS’ priority to ensure that participants’ services are not impacted in any way.
When will this happen?
COMMCARE Waiver participants residing outside of the Southwest Zone will be enrolled in the Independence Waiver by their service coordinators between July 2017 and November 2017.
COMMCARE participants in the Southwest Zone will transition to CHC on January 1, 2018.
OBRA WAIVER
What will happen?
- OBRA Waiver participants whose level of care determination was completed before November 18, 2016, will get an assessment to determine their eligibility for CHC. Those determined ineligible for CHC will remain in OBRA.
- DHS is working with the Area Agencies on Aging, service coordinators, and providers to ensure assessments are completed in a timely manner. Participants will be contacted by their Area Agency on Aging to schedule a time for the assessor to meet with them to go through the assessment process.
When will this happen?
Southwest Zone: May 2017 to August 2017
Southeast Zone: October 2017 to February 2018
Remaining Zones: April 2018 to August 2018
*There are no additional transitions for Aging Waiver participants. Aging Waiver participants will simply transition to CHC when CHC begins in their zones.