1086 Change to additional class of disproportionate share hospital payments

Change to Additional Class of Disproportionate Share Hospital Payments

[46 Pa.B. 3346]
[Saturday, June 25, 2016]

 The purpose of this notice is to announce the Department of Human Services' (Department) intent to allocate and increase the funding allotted in Fiscal Year (FY) 2015-2016 for disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payments to qualifying Medical Assistance (MA) enrolled acute care general hospitals. These payments are intended to promote access to hospital services for MA eligible persons in this Commonwealth by providing additional support for the operations of academic medical programs through the medical education of health care professionals needed to treat the MA population. 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 total FY 2015-2016 impact as a result of this increased allocation for this additional class of DSH payments is $2.709 million ($1.300 million in State general funds and $1.409 million in Federal funds) upon approval by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

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 [phone] (TDD users) or [phone] (voice users).

THEODORE DALLAS, 
Secretary

 Fiscal Note: 14-NOT-1045. (1) General Fund;

 (7) MA—Academic Medical Centers; (2) Implementing Year 2015-16 is $800,000; (3) 1st Succeeding Year 2016-17 through 5th Succeeding Year 2020-21 are $0; (4) 2014-15 Program—$17,431,000; 2013-14 Program—$16,831,000; 2012-13 Program—$12,618,000;

 (7) MA—Physician Practice Plans; (2) Implementing Year 2015-16 is $500,000; (3) 1st Succeeding Year 2016-17 through 5th Succeeding Year 2020-21 are $0; (4) 2014-15 Program—$9,071,000; 2013-14 Program—$9,071,000; 2012-13 Program—$7,937,000;

 (8) recommends adoption. Funds have been included in the budget to cover this increase.

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 16-1086. Filed for public inspection June 24, 2016, 9:00 a.m.]