427 April 1, 1999 proposed rates

Payments to Nursing Facilities; April 1, 1999 Proposed Rates

[29 Pa.B. 1445]

   The purposes of this notice are to announce the proposed changes in payment rates for nursing facilities beginning April 1, 1999, and to identify the methodology and justification for these proposed rates. Under 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 state must use a public process when it proposes to make changes in payment rates or payment methodologies for nursing facility services under its approved Title XIX State Plan. The Department of Public Welfare (Department) is not proposing to amend its State Plan or to change its regulations, 55 Pa. Code Chapter 1187, relating to the rate setting methodology used to set nursing facility payment rates. Rather, the Department is proposing to make changes in its nursing facility payment rates because those rate changes are required by the rate-setting methodology contained in its approved State Plan and regulations.

Rates

   The proposed April 1, 1999, 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 proposed 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 proposed 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 is $3.087 million ($1.430 million in State funds).

   Interested persons are invited to submit written comments about the proposed 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, 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-192. (1) General Fund; (2) Implementing Year 1998-99 is $1.430 million; (3) 1st Succeeding Year 1999-00 is $1.560 million; 2nd Succeeding Year 2000-01 is $1.560 million; 3rd Succeeding Year 2001-02 is $1.560 million; 4th Succeeding Year 2002-03 is $1.560 million; 5th Succeeding Year 2003-04 is $1.560 million; (4) 1997-98 $617.252 million; 1996-97 $591.910 million; 1995-96 $648.549 million; (7) Medical Assistance--Long Term Care; (8) recommends adoption. The Department's budget contains sufficient funds to cover the cost of this rate increase.

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 99-427. Filed for public inspection March 12, 1999, 9:00 a.m.]