328 Additional class of disproportionate share payments to certain acute care hospitals

DEPARTMENT OF
HUMAN SERVICES

Additional Class of Disproportionate Share Payments to Certain Acute Care Hospitals

[45 Pa.B. 921]
[Saturday, February 21, 2015]

 The Department of Human Services (Department) is announcing its intent to increase its funding allocation for disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payments to certain qualifying acute care general Medical Assistance (MA) hospitals to support their continued participation in the MA Program. This payment is intended to promote the availability of professional medical services to low income populations in less urbanized areas of this Commonwealth by supporting medical education and academic medical programs aimed to foster the supply of health care professionals. The Department is not otherwise changing its approved State Plan provisions addressing the qualifying criteria or payment methodology for this payment.

 All payment limitations are applicable, including those limitations that the Commonwealth may not exceed its aggregate annual DSH allotment, and that no hospital may receive DSH payments in excess of its hospital-specific limit.

Fiscal Impact

 The Fiscal Year 2014-2015 impact, as a result of the increased funding allocation for this payment is $1.660 million ($0.800 million in State general funds and $0.860 million in Federal funds upon approval by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services).

Public Comment

 Interested persons are invited to submit written comments regarding this notice to the Department of Human Services, Office of Medical Assistance Programs, c/o Regulations Coordinator, Room 515, Health and Welfare Building, Harrisburg, PA 17120. The Department will consider all comments received within 30 days of this notice.

 Persons with a disability who require an auxiliary aid or service may submit comments using the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service at [phone] (TDD users) or [phone] (voice users).

THEODORE DALLAS, 
Acting Secretary

 Fiscal Note: 14-NOT-937. (1) General Fund; (2) Implementing Year 2014-15 is $800,000; (3) 1st Succeeding Year 2015-16 through 5th Succeeding Year 2019-20 are $0; (4) 2013-14 Program—$16,831,000; 2012-13 Program—$12,618,000; 2011-12 Program—$12,618,000; (7) MA—Academic Medical Centers; (8) recommends adoption. Funds have been included in the budget to cover this increase.

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 15-328. Filed for public inspection February 20, 2015, 9:00 a.m.]