1805 Payments to nursing facilities; July 1, 1998 final rates

Payments to Nursing Facilities; July 1, 1998 Final Rates

[28 Pa.B. 5532]

   The purpose of this notice is to announce final payment rates for nursing facilities beginning July 1, 1998 in accordance with section 1902(a)(13)(A) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.A. § 1902(a)(13)(A)), as amended by section 4711 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, P. L. 105-33, § 4711. A 1998-1999 Proposed Rates Notice was published at 28 Pa.B. 2977 (June 27, 1998).

Rates

   The final July 1, 1998 rates are available through the Bulletin Board System (BBS) at [phone], at the local County Assistance Offices throughout this Commonwealth, or by contacting Connie Pretz in the Policy Section of the Bureau of Long Term Care Programs at [phone].

Methodology

   The methodology that the Department used to set the final rates is contained in 55 Pa. Code Chapter 1187, Subchapter G (relating to rate setting) and the Commonwealth's approved Title XIX State Plan.

Justification

   The justification for the final rates is that they were set under the rate-setting methodology required by the Commonwealth's approved State Plan and the current regulations.

   The estimated increase in annual aggregate expenditures for Medical Assistance nursing facility services for FY 1998-1999 based on these final rates is $50.430 million ($23.362 million in State funds).

   Interested persons are invited to submit written comments about the final rates to the Department within 30 days of publication of this notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. Comments should be addressed to: Department of Public Welfare, Office of Medical Assistance Programs, Attention: Suzanne Love, Room 515 Health and Welfare Building, Harrisburg, PA 17105.

   Persons with a disability may use the AT&T Relay Services by calling [phone] (TDD users) or [phone] (Voice users). Persons who require another alternative should contact Thomas Vracarich in the Office of Legal Counsel at [phone].

FEATHER O. HOUSTOUN,   
Secretary

   Fiscal Note: 14-NOT-183. No fiscal impact; (8) recommends adoption. This Notice is anticipated to produce a savings to the Medical Assistance--Long Term Care appropriation of approximately $6 million a year beginning in 1998-99.

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 98-1805. Filed for public inspection October 30, 1998, 9:00 a.m.]