1087 Change to disproportionate share payments for access to care

Change to Disproportionate Share Payments for Access to Care

[46 Pa.B. 3347]
[Saturday, June 25, 2016]

 The purpose of this notice is to announce the Department of Human Services' (Department) intent to increase the funding for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2015-2016 for disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payments to qualifying Medical Assistance (MA) enrolled acute care general hospitals that advance the Department's goal of enhancing access to multiple types of medical care in economically distressed areas of this Commonwealth. 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 impact as a result of this increase in the allocation for the DSH payments for these qualifying hospitals is $37.237 million ($17.870 million in State general funds and $19.367 million in Federal funds) upon approval by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Of this amount, $15.237 million ($7.312 million in State funds and $7.925 million in Federal funds) will be paid out of FY 2015-2016. The increase of $22.000 million ($10.558 million in State funds and $11.442 million in Federal funds) will be paid out of FY 2016-2017.

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-1050. (1) General Fund; (2) Implementing Year 2015-16 is $7,312,000; (3) 1st Succeeding Year 2016-17 is $10,558,000; 2nd Succeeding Year 2017-18 through 5th Succeeding Year 2020-21 are $0; (4) 2014-15 Program—$564,772,000; 2013-14 Program—$428,041,000; 2012-13 Program—$718,947,000; (7) MA—Fee-for-Service; (8) recommends adoption. Funds have been included in the budget to cover this increase.

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 16-1087. Filed for public inspection June 24, 2016, 9:00 a.m.]