Change to Additional Disproportionate Share Hospital Payments [46 Pa.B. 2741]
[Saturday, May 28, 2016]The purpose of this notice is to announce the Department of Human Services' (Department) intent to allocate and increase the funding allotted for Fiscal Year (FY) 2015-2016 disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payments to certain qualifying Medical Assistance (MA) enrolled hospitals, specifically critical access hospitals and qualifying rural 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 a DSH payment in excess of its hospital specific DSH upper limit.
Fiscal Impact
The FY 2015-2016 impact as a result of this increased allocation for the additional class of DSH payments for critical access and qualifying rural hospitals is $18.496 million ($8.876 million in State general funds and $9.620 million in Federal funds).
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-1025. (1) General Fund; (2) Implementing Year 2015-16 is $8,876,000; (3) 1st Succeeding Year 2016-17 through 5th Succeeding Year 2020-21 are $0; (4) 2014-15 Program—$3,876,000; 2013-14 Program—$6,776,000; 2012-13 Program—$4,076,000; (7) MA—Critical Access Hospitals; (8) recommends adoption. Funds have been included in the budget to cover this increase.
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 16-925. Filed for public inspection May 27, 2016, 9:00 a.m.]
