1892 Additional class of disproportionate share payments?

DEPARTMENT OF
PUBLIC WELFARE

Additional Class of Disproportionate Share Payments

[41 Pa.B. 6054]
[Saturday, November 5, 2011]

 The Department of Public Welfare (Department) is providing final notice of an increase to the funding allocation for Fiscal Year (FY) 2011-2012 for an additional class of disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payments to certain qualifying hospitals that the Department determines provide a high volume of services to Medical Assistance (MA) eligible and low income populations. The Department intends for these payments to promote the hospitals' continued participation in the MA Program. There is no change in the qualifying criteria or payment methodology for this additional class of DSH payments.

 In making these payments, the Department ensures that no acute care hospital receives any DSH payment that is in excess of its hospital specific limit and the Commonwealth does not exceed its aggregate annual DSH allotment. Any funds available due to the application of the hospital specific DSH upper payment limit are redistributed to other hospitals qualifying under this class of disproportionate share payments on a proportionate basis.

 The Department published notice of its intent to increase the funding allocation for these DSH payments at 41 Pa.B. 564 (January 22, 2011). The Department received no public comments during the 30-day comment period, and will implement the changes described in its notice of intent.

Fiscal Impact

 The FY 2011-2012 fiscal impact as a result of this additional class of DSH payments is $5.168 million ($2.292 million in State Funds).

GARY D. ALEXANDER, 
Secretary

 Fiscal Note: 14-NOT-725. (1) General Fund; (2) Implementing Year 2011-12 is $2,292,000; (3) 1st Succeeding Year 2012-13 is $0; 2nd Succeeding Year 2013-14 is $0; 3rd Succeeding Year 2014-15 is $0; 4th Succeeding Year 2015-16 is $0; 5th Succeeding Year 2016-17 is $0; (4) 2010-11 Program—$243,809,000; 2009-10 Program—$371,515,000; 2008-09 Program—$426,822,000; (7) MA—Inpatient; (8) recommends adoption. The MA—Inpatient appropriation is able to absorb the increased cost.

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 11-1892. Filed for public inspection November 4, 2011, 9:00 a.m.]