Additional Class of Disproportionate Share Payments [45 Pa.B. 4315]
[Saturday, August 1, 2015]The Department of Human Services (Department) is providing final notice of its increased funding for disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payments to certain qualifying acute care general Medical Assistance (MA) hospitals to support their continued participation in the MA Program. This additional class of DSH payments is intended to promote the availability of professional medical services to low income populations in less urbanized areas of this Commonwealth by supporting medical education and academic medical programs aimed to foster the supply of health care professionals. The Department did not change the qualifying criteria or payment methodology for this payment.
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 DSH payments in excess of its hospital-specific limit.
The Department published notice of its intent to allocate funding for these DSH payments at 45 Pa.B 921 (February 21, 2015). The Department received no public comments during the 30-day comment period and will implement the change as described in its notice of intent.
Fiscal Impact
The Fiscal Year 2014-2015 impact, as a result of the increased funding allocation for this payment is $1.660 million ($0.800 million in State general funds and $0.860 million in Federal funds).
THEODORE DALLAS,
SecretaryFiscal Note: 14-NOT-971. (1) General Fund; (2) Implementing Year 2014-15 is $800,000; (3) 1st Succeeding Year 2015-16 through 5th Succeeding Year 2019-20 are $0; (4) 2013-14 Program—$16,831,000; 2012-13 Program—$12,618,000; 2011-12 Program—$12,618,000; (7) MA—Academic Medical Centers; (8) recommends adoption. Funds have been included in the budget to cover this increase.
This notice has a cost and it is contained within the budget.
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 15-1435. Filed for public inspection July 31, 2015, 9:00 a.m.]
