1755 Office of Medical Assistance; payment for vaccines

Office of Medical Assistance; Payment for Vaccines

[26 Pa.B. 5059]

   The Department of Public Welfare announces that effective January 1, 1997, Medical Assistance will no longer provide reimbursement for vaccines provided to eligible children 18 years of age and under. Statewide implementation of the Vaccines For Children (VFC) Program began July 1, 1996. With the availability of free vaccines, the Federal Government will no longer provide financial support for vaccines provided through Medical Assistance for children 18 years of age and under.

Fiscal

   It is expected that the Medical Assistance Program will save approximately $5,676,049 ($2,547,470 in State funds; $3,128,579 in Federal funds) for FY 96-97 due to the implementation of the VFC program.

Contact Person

   A copy of this notice is available for review at local county assistance offices throughout the Commonwealth.

   Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to this notice within 30 days of this publication. Comments should be sent to the Department of Public Welfare, Office of Medical Assistance Programs, c/o Regulations Coordinator, Room 515, Health and Welfare Building, Harrisburg, PA 17120.

   Persons with a disability may use the AT&T Relay Service by calling 1 [phone] (TDD users) or 1 [phone] (Voice users), or may use the Department of Public Welfare TDD by calling [phone]. Persons who require another alternative format should contact India Wood at [phone].

FEATHER O. HOUSTOUN,   
Secretary

   Fiscal Note:  14-NOT-131. No fiscal impact; (8) recommends adoption. This announcement notifies the public that, effective January 1, 1997, the Medical Assistance Program will no longer provide financial support for vaccines for children 18 years of age or younger. The Federal Vaccines for Children Program will provide free vaccines for these children. This action will result in savings to the Medical Assistance-Outpatient Appropriation of $2,547,000 for the remainder of fiscal year 1996-97 and $3,201,000 for 1997-98.

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 96-1755. Filed for public inspection October 18, 1996, 9:00 a.m.]