408 Expansion of the Living Independence for the Elderly (Life) Program

DEPARTMENT OF
PUBLIC WELFARE

Expansion of the Living Independence for the Elderly (LIFE) Program

[40 Pa.B. 1271]
[Saturday, March 6, 2010]

 The Living Independence for the Elderly (LIFE) Program is the Commonwealth's replication of the Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) Model. The Department of Public Welfare (Department) is asking organizations interested in participating as a LIFE provider, in the proposed service areas listed, to contact the Department. Providers will be responsible to provide a specific package of services to individuals enrolled in the program, who are eligible for Medical Assistance (MA) and have been determined to require nursing facility services. To be considered for a LIFE site, organizations must be enrolled in the MA Program, meet the requirements included in the Federal PACE regulations and LIFE Provider Agreement, and have a completed feasibility study through an approved PACE Technical Assistance Center. The feasibility study must evaluate and address at least the following:

 • Market analysis to determine potential demand for the PACE services in the proposed service area.

 • Organization's commitment to principles consistent with the PACE model; depth of leadership and experience required to develop PACE; evidence of primary, acute and/or long-term care services; and experience in serving a dually eligible (Medicare/Medicaid) population.

 • Financial capacity of organization to fund program development, assume financial risk and fund risk reserve.

 • Project design.

 • Projected 5 year start-up budget.

 The Department will consider, among other things, the following factors when determining site selection for LIFE:

 • MA service need.

 • MA service availability (availability of nursing facility services, home and community based services, and similar services).

 • Project location (suburban v. urban, existing project sites, and the like).

 • Uniqueness of project design (closing existing nursing facility beds; collaboration efforts with affordable housing providers, hospitals, nursing facilities, and referral sources; and the like).

 • Time line for program development.

 • Demonstration of plan to achieve solvency and fund risk reserve.

 • Financial strength of the sponsoring institutions.

 Questions regarding the PACE Protocol or the feasibility study through a PACE Technical Assistance Center should be directed to Leo LaPlante, Bureau of Community Development, [phone].

 Organizations that feel they meet the criteria listed in this notice and are interested in being considered to provide services under LIFE should submit a letter of interest, along with a copy of their completed feasibility study no later than 90 days from the date of this notice, to Bureau of Community Development, Office of Long- Term Living, 555 Walnut Street, 5th Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17101.

 Current LIFE providers interested in expanding beyond their designated zip code area are also invited to respond. Responses should be directed to the previously listed address and include a letter of interest, along with a market analysis of the area of interest.

Proposed Service Areas

Bedford Bradford Cameron Carbon Clearfield

Clinton Elk Fulton Huntingdon Jefferson

Juniata Mifflin Montgomery Perry Potter

Somerset Sullivan Susquehanna Tioga Wayne

 Fiscal Note: 14-NOT-632. No fiscal impact; (8) recommends adoption.

HARRIET DICHTER, 
Acting Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 10-408. Filed for public inspection March 5, 2010, 9:00 a.m.]