1027 Intergovernmental transfer of funds; extension of county nursing facility transition payments

Office of Medical Assistance Programs; Intergovernmental Transfer of Funds; Extension of County Nursing Facility Transition Payments

[29 Pa.B. 3265]

   The purpose of this announcement is to provide advance notice under 42 CFR 447.205 that during FYs 1999--2003, the Department of Public Welfare (Department) intends to make changes in its payments to county nursing facilities participating in the Medical Assistance program.

   The Department entered into an agreement with the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania which authorizes the transfer of funds to the Commonwealth from several counties (as authorized under Federal law (42 U.S.C.A. § 1396b(w)(6)(A) and 42 CFR 433.51(b)). The funds from this intergovernmental transfer will be used as the State share for a portion of the county transition payments during FYs 1999--2003.

   The Department intends to revise its method for setting payment rates for county nursing facilities participating in the Medical Assistance program during FYs 1999--2003 to allow for county transition payments to be paid. The payments are currently authorized through June 30, 1999.

   These proposed changes in nursing facility payments during FYs 1999-2003 are contingent upon: (1) approval by the Federal government of amendments to Pennsylvania's State Plan authorizing the county transition payments; (2) the Commonwealth's receipt of intergovernmental transfers of funds from county governments in amounts sufficient to make these payments; and (3) the promulgation of regulations to permit county transition payments during FYs 1999--2003.

   The estimated increase in annual aggregate expenditures during FYs 1999--2003 is $22.800 million in total funds ($10.562 million in intergovernmental transfer funds). The Department will publish revisions to 55 Pa. Code Chapter 1187 to implement the changes with respect to the county transition payments.

   A copy of this notice is available for review at the local County Assistance Offices throughout this Commonwealth.

   Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to the Department within 30 days of publication of this notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. Comments should be addressed to: Department of Public Welfare, Office of Medical Assistance Programs, Attention: Regulations Coordinator, Room 515 Health and Welfare Building, Harrisburg, PA 17105.

   Persons with a disability may use the AT&T Relay Services by calling [phone] (TDD users) or [phone] (voice users), or may use the Department's TDD by calling [phone]. Persons who require another alternative should contact Thomas Vracarich at [phone].

FEATHER O. HOUSTOUN,   
Secretary

   Fiscal Note: 14-NOT-208. (1) General Fund; (2) Implementing Year 1998-99 is $0; (3) 1st Succeeding Year 1999-00 is $5.281 million; 2nd Succeeding Year 2000-01 is $2.641 million; 3rd Succeeding Year 2001-02 is $1.584 million; 4th Succeeding Year 2002-03 is $1.056 million; 5th Succeeding Year 2003-04 os $0; (4) 1997-98 $617.252 million; 1996-97 $591.910 million; 1995-96 $648.549 million; (7) Medical Assistance--Long Term Care; (8) recommends adoption. Funds will be available in the Department's budget.

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 99-1027. Filed for public inspection June 25, 1999, 9:00 a.m.]