1058 Discontinuance of the Hospital Quality Incentive Pilot Program and the Hospital Quality Care Investment Grant Program

Discontinuance of the Hospital Quality Incentive Pilot Program and the Hospital Quality Care Investment Grant Program

[41 Pa.B. 3286]
[Saturday, June 25, 2011]

 The Department of Public Welfare (Department) is announcing its intent to discontinue the Hospital Quality Incentive Pilot Program (Pilot Program) and Hospital Quality Care Investment Grant Program (Grant Program). The Pilot Program was established to provide and reward a hospital's performance on various quality related measures. More specifically, the Department provided for incremental adjustments to the scheduled increases to be applied to inpatient disproportionate share hospital and Direct Medical Education payments based on the hospital's performance on these quality measures. Through an application process, the Grant Program provided an incentive for acute care general hospitals to initiate quality improvement projects by offsetting some of the costs related to the implementation of the project.

 The Commonwealth's budget in Fiscal Year (FY) 2010-2011 did not provide funding for the Pilot Program and funding is not included in the Commonwealth's proposed 2011-2012 budget. Additionally, the Commonwealth's budget in FY 2010-2011 did not provide funding for the Grant Program and funding is not included in the Commonwealth's proposed FY 2011-2012 budget.

Fiscal Impact

 The FY 2010-2011 fiscal impact, as a result of discontinuing the Pilot Program the Grant Program is a savings of $2.254 million ($1.000 million in State General Funds and $1.254 million in Federal Funds upon approval by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services).

 The FY 2011-2012 fiscal impact, as a result of discontinuing the Pilot Program and the Grant Program is a savings of $2.226 million ($1.000 million in State General Funds and $1.226 million in Federal Funds upon approval by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services).

Public Comment

 Interested persons are invited to submit written comments regarding this notice to the 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).

GARY D. ALEXANDER, 
Acting Secretary

 Fiscal Note: 14-NOT-706. No fiscal impact; (8) recommends adoption.

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 11-1058. Filed for public inspection June 24, 2011, 9:00 a.m.]