Additional Disproportionate Share Hospital Payments [46 Pa.B. 1393]
[Saturday, March 12, 2016]The Department of Human Services (Department) is announcing its intended funding allocations for several classes of disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payments made to qualifying Medical Assistance (MA) enrolled acute care general hospitals. The Department is not otherwise changing its State Plan provisions addressing the qualifying criteria or payment methodology for these payments.
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.
Background
The Department intends to allocate funding for certain classes of DSH payments to qualifying acute care general hospitals for Fiscal Year (FY) 2015-2016. Specifically, these classes of payments include DSH payments to critical access and qualifying rural hospitals, DSH payments for obstetrical and neonatal health care services, and trauma DSH payments.
DSH Payments to Critical Access Hospitals and Qualifying Rural Hospitals
For FY 2015-2016, the Department intends to allocate $6.669 million ($3.200 million in State general funds and $3.469 million in Federal funds) upon approval by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for DSH payments to critical access and qualifying rural hospitals.
DSH Payments to Qualifying Acute Care General Hospitals for Obstetrical and Neonatal Health Care Services
For FY 2015-2016, the Department intends to allocate $6.252 million ($3.000 million in State general funds and $3.252 million in Federal funds) upon approval by CMS for DSH payments to qualifying hospitals providing obstetrical and neonatal health care services.
Trauma DSH Payments
For FY 2015-2016, the Department intends to allocate $18.038 million ($8.656 million in State general funds and $9.382 million in Federal funds) upon approval by CMS for trauma DSH payments.
Fiscal Impact
The FY 2015-2016 fiscal impact, as a result of these payments, is $30.959 million ($14.856 million in State general funds and $16.103 million in Federal funds) upon approval by CMS.
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 review and consider comments received within 30 days in determining the final payment methodology for these payments.
Persons with a disability who require an auxiliary aid or service may submit comments using the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service at (800) 654-5984 (TDD users) or (800) 654-5988 (voice users).
THEODORE DALLAS,
SecretaryFiscal Note: 14-NOT-999. (1) General Fund;
(7) MA—Fee-for-Service; (2) Implementing Year 2015-16is $6,200,000; (3) 1st Succeeding Year 2016-17 through 5th Succeeding Year 2020-21 are $0; (4) 2014-15 Program—$564,772,000; 2013-14 Program—$428,041,000; 2012-13 Program—$718,947,000;
(7) Trauma Centers; (2) Implementing Year 2015-16 is $8,656,000; (3) 1st Succeeding Year 2016-17 through 5th Succeeding Year 2020-21 are $0; (4) 2014-15 Program—$8,656,000; 2013-14 Program—$8,656,000; 2012-13 Program—$8,656,000;
(8) recommends adoption. Funds have been included in the budget to cover this increase.
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 16-425. Filed for public inspection March 11, 2016, 9:00 a.m.]
