550 Office of Medical Assistance Programs; Payment for hearing aid batteries

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WELFARE

Office of Medical Assistance Programs; Payment for Hearing Aid Batteries

[26 Pa.B. 1602]

   The Department of Public Welfare announces effective November 1, 1995, that it will begin to provide payment for purchase of hearing aid batteries on the Medical Assistance Program Fee Schedule for Medical Assistance eligible individuals under 21 years of age.

   The fiscal note was prepared under provision of section 612 of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P. S. § 232).

   The Department's estimates of the cost for the addition of the hearing aid batteries are based upon data in the Medical Assistance Management Information System. Based on the cost information received the Department estimates the 6 month cost of the hearing aid batteries to be $2,880 for Fiscal Year 1995-1996 ($1,356 in State funds; $1,524 in federal funds).

   A copy of this notice is available for review at local county assistance offices throughout the Commonwealth.

   Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to this notice within 30 days of this publication. Comments should be sent to the Department of Public Welfare, Office of Medical Assistance Programs, c/o Regulations Coordinator, Room 515, Health and Welfare Building, Harrisburg, PA 17120.

   Persons with a disability may use the AT&T Relay Service by calling 1 [phone] (TDD users) or 1 [phone] (Voice users), or may use the Department of Public Welfare TDD by calling [phone]. Persons who require another alternative format should contact India Wood at [phone].

FEATHER O. HOUSTOUN,   
Secretary

   Fiscal Note: 14-NOT-111. (1) General Fund; (2) Implementing year 1995-96 is $1,000; (3) 1st succeeding year 1996-97 is $3,000; 2nd succeeding year 1997-98 is $3,000; 3rd succeeding year 1998-99 is $3,000; 4th succeeding year 1999-00 is $3,000; 5th succeeding year 2000-01 is $4,000; (4) FY 1994-95 is $722,422,000; FY 1993-94 is $623,050,000; FY 1992-93 is $594,642,000; (7) Medical Assistance--Outpatient; (8) recommends adoption. The increased costs will be absorbed within the Medical Assistance--Outpatient appropriation.

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 96-550. Filed for public inspection April 5, 1996, 9:00 a.m.]