789 Changes to an additional class of disproportionate share payments

DEPARTMENT OF
PUBLIC WELFARE

Changes to an Additional Class of Disproportionate Share Payments

[40 Pa.B. 2359]
[Saturday, May 1, 2010]

 The purpose of this notice is to announce the Department of Public Welfare's (Department) intent to increase the allocation of funding for Fiscal Year (FY) 2009-2010 for disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payments to certain qualifying Medical Assistance (MA) enrolled hospitals that advance the Department's goal of enhancing access to multiple types of medical care in economically distressed areas of this Commonwealth. There will be no change in the qualifying criteria or payment methodology for this additional class of DSH payments.

 In making these payments, the Department will ensure that no acute care general hospital will receive any DSH payment that is in excess of its hospital specific DSH upper payment limit and the Commonwealth will not exceed its aggregate annual DSH allotment.

Fiscal Impact

 The FY 2009-2010 fiscal impact, as a result of this increase in the allocation for the additional class of DSH payments is $21.491 million ($9.712 million in State Funds). In FY 2010-2011, the allocation is anticipated to increase by $32.705 million ($14.508 million in State Funds) due to the annualization of the hospital assessment.

Public Comment

 Interested persons are invited to submit written comments regarding this notice to Department of Public Welfare, Office of Medical Assistance Programs, c/o Regulations Coordinator, Room 515, Health and Welfare Building, Harrisburg, PA 17120. Comments received within 30 days will be reviewed and considered for any subsequent revision of the notice.

 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).

HARRIET DICHTER, 
Acting Secretary

 Fiscal Note: 14-NOT-637. (1) General Fund:

(2)	Implementing Year 2009-10 is	$9.712 M
(3)	1st Succeeding Year 2010-11 is	$14.508 M
	2nd Succeeding Year 2011-12 is	$14.508 M
	3rd Succeeding Year 2012-13 is	$14.508 M
	4th Succeeding Year 2013-14 is	$14.508 M
	5th Succeeding Year 2014-15 is	$14.508 M
(4)	2008-09 Program—	$426.822 M
	2007-08 Program—	$468.589 M
	2006-07 Program—	$513.020 M

 (7) MA-Inpatient; (8) recommends adoption. Funds have been included in the budget to cover this increase.

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 10-789. Filed for public inspection April 30, 2010, 9:00 a.m.]