379 Availability of amendments to the Office of Developmental Programs' consolidated and person/family directed support waivers

DEPARTMENT OF
HUMAN SERVICES

Availability of Amendments to the Office of Developmental Programs' Consolidated and Person/Family Directed Support Waivers

[45 Pa.B. 1034]
[Saturday, February 28, 2015]

 The Department of Human Services (Department) is making available for public review and comment the Office of Developmental Programs' proposed Consolidated and Person/Family Directed Support (P/FDS) waiver amendments.

Background

 Whenever changes are made to an approved waiver, the Department must submit an amendment to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for approval. The Department proposes to amend the Consolidated and P/FDS waivers effective July 1, 2015, as follows:

 • Aligning information in the waivers with current policies and practices. Some examples include adding references to 55 Pa. Code Chapter 51 (relating to Office of Developmental Programs home and community-based services) and adding the requirement that back-up plans are required for individuals supported in their own private residence or other settings where staff might not be continuously available.

 • Adding new provider qualification requirements for training and orientation as well as background check requirements for volunteers.

 • Clarifying what is and is not covered under service definitions. Some examples include the addition of a list of items excluded as Assistive Technology and clarification that waiver transportation services may not be substituted for the transportation services that a state is obligated to furnish under the requirements of 42 CFR 431.53 (relating to assurance of transportation), regarding transportation to and from providers of Medical Assistance services.

 • Increasing reserved capacity for unanticipated emergencies in waiver year 4 (Fiscal Year 2015-2016) for the Consolidated Waiver only.

 • Adding the application of a retention factor to the cost-based rate methodology for the Consolidated Waiver only.

 The proposed Consolidated and P/FDS waiver amendment documents effective July 1, 2015, are available at http://www.dhs.state.pa.us/dhsorganization/officeofdevelopmentalprograms/index.htm.

Fiscal Impact

 The total fiscal impact anticipated in association with these waiver amendments is estimated to be $42.390 million ($25.819 million State funds) for Fiscal Year 2015-2016 and subsequent years.

Public Comment

 Interested persons are invited to submit written comments regarding the proposed waiver amendments. Comments should be addressed to Julie Mochon, Department of Human Services, Office of Developmental Programs, 625 Forster Street, Room 501, Harrisburg, PA 17120. Comments may also be submitted to the Department at [e-mail]. Comments received within 30 days of publication of this notice will be reviewed and considered for revisions to the proposed waiver amendments.

 The Department will also hold two webinars to receive comments on the proposed Consolidated and P/FDS waiver amendments effective July 1, 2015. Dates, times and links for registration to attend these webinars are as follows:

 March 3, 2015, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Register at http:// myaccount.maestroconference.com/conference/register/I8NQIWU3G99G2IYN.

 March 5, 2015, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Register at http:// myaccount.maestroconference.com/conference/register/YJUDGZ2TJ90UPZG4.

 To assist the Department in accurately capturing verbal comments, individuals are asked to submit a written copy of their comments by e-mailing them or mailing them to the addresses previously provided.

 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).

 Copies of this notice, waiver amendments and transition plans may be obtained at the regional Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) in the corresponding regions:

 • Western Region: Piatt Place, Room 4900, 301 5th Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, [phone]

 • Northeast Region: Room 315, Scranton State Office Building, 100 Lackawanna Avenue, Scranton, PA 18503, [phone]

 • Southeast Region: 801 Market Street, Suite 5071, Philadelphia, PA 19107, [phone] or [phone]

 • Central Region: Room 430, Willow Oak Building, P. O. Box 2675, DGS Annex Complex, Harrisburg, PA 17105, [phone]

 Contact information for the local Mental Health/Intellectual Disability County Program or Administrative Entity may be found at https://www.hcsis.state.pa.us/hcsis-ssd/pgm/asp/PRCNT.ASP or contact the previously referenced regional ODP.

THEODORE DALLAS, 
Acting Secretary

 Fiscal Note: 14-NOT-940. (1) General Fund; (2) Implementing Year 2015-16 is $25,819,000; (3) 1st Succeeding Year 2016-17 through 5th Succeeding Year 2020-21 are $0; (4) 2014-15 Program—$1,067,000,000; 2013-14 Program—$1,027,000,000; 2012-13 Program—$932,000,000; (7) Intellectual Disability—Community Waiver Program; (8) recommends adoption. Funds have been included in the budget to cover this increase.

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 15-379. Filed for public inspection February 27, 2015, 9:00 a.m.]