REMINDER: Re-Opening of HCBS Rate and Wage Study Survey – Due November 15, 2024

In order to gather responses from providers that were not able to submit previously, the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) has re-opened the Calendar Year (CY) 2023 rate study survey for the following Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS): 

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2024 Nursing Facility (NF) Quality Incentive Program 4th Quarter Attendance List

The NF Quality Incentive is a pay for performance incentive program. The performance incentive program has six quality metrics (*depending on the availability of information for the metrics) using:
1) five clinical measures (based on the Minimum Data Set (MDS))
2) one utilization measure (based on Medicare Part A claims data)
NFs will earn points for meeting performance requirements for Medicaid (MA) services provided during the performance year (Calendar Year 2024). Points are awarded for achieving statewide benchmark goals and incremental improvements.
Please note that to be eligible for 

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Dear providers,
Please see the attached communication regarding the Voting Rights of residents in Long-Term Care Facilities.
The Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) supports the right of all eligible Pennsylvanians to vote. Long-Term Care Facility residents face unique challenges in exercising their right to vote. As such, OLTL encourages each facility to develop plans for facilitating voting by their residents.
Thank you.
A listserv has been established for ongoing updates on the CHC program. It is titled OLTL-COMMUNITY-HEALTHCHOICES, please visit the ListServ Archives page at http://listserv.dhs.pa.gov to update or register your email address. 

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REMINDER: Re-Opening of HCBS Rate and Wage Study Survey – Due November 15, 2024

In order to gather responses from providers that were not able to submit previously, the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) has re-opened the Calendar Year (CY) 2023 rate study survey for the following Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS): 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Compassion is a Necessity, Not a Luxury!" The webinar will be held Thursday, October 31, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link provided below. 

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Transition to Patient Driven Payment Model

The Saturday, October 12, 2024, Volume 54, Number 41 issue of the Pennsylvania Bulletin<https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pabull?file=/secure/pabulletin/data/vol54/54-41/1462.html> (54 Pa.B. 6427 (October 12, 2024)) contains a public notice entitled "Transition to Patient Driven Payment Model" which announces proposed amendments to the nursing facility case mix rate setting methodology in 55 Pa. Code, Chapters 1187 (relating to nursing facility services) and 1189 (relating to county nursing facility services). 

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REMINDER: Re-Opening of HCBS Rate and Wage Study Survey – Due November 15, 2024

In order to gather responses from providers that were not able to submit previously, the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) has re-opened the Calendar Year (CY) 2023 rate study survey for the following Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS): 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Clear, Concise Functional Communication to Improve Health Care Outcomes." The webinar will be held Thursday, October 24, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link provided below. 

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The Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) is presenting a live, interactive, 6-session webinar series on housing issues.

When
November 5, 2024 to December 10, 2024, (every Tuesday) from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm.

Format
The webinars will include targeted content and question and answer (Q&A) sessions with housing experts and OLTL staff.

Target Audience
The webinar series targets Service Coordinators, Managed Care Organizations, and Service Coordination Entity support staff who assist program participants in securing and maintaining affordable, accessible housing through Home and Community-Based Services. Our target audience for these webinars includes individuals and organizations who provide long-term services and 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "From Burnt Out to On Fire!" The webinar will be held Thursday, October 17, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link provided below. 

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Re-Opening of HCBS Rate and Wage Study Survey – Due November 15, 2024

In order to gather responses from providers that were not able to submit previously, the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) is re-opening the Calendar Year (CY) 2023 rate study survey for the following Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS): 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "PA Navigate: Connecting for Social Needs." The webinar will be held Thursday, October 10, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link provided below. 

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Learn about the PA ABLE Savings Program!
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL), is offering a webinar on the PA Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Savings Program. A PA ABLE savings account gives individuals with qualified disabilities (Eligible Individuals) and their families and friends a tax-free way to save for a wide range of disability-related expenses while maintaining important benefits. The state and federal tax-free investment options are offered to encourage Eligible Individuals and their families to save private funds to support health, independence, and quality of life.
Some of the topics we will 

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Revised Preadmission Screening Resident Review (PASRR) Level I Form (MA 376) - Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) Bulletin Posted
07/2024

Pennsylvania has made corrections to the Preadmission Screening Resident Review (PASRR) Level I Form (MA 376) effective July 1, 2024. The revised form should be used going forward from the date of this email. 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Quarter 3 Learning Collaborative." The webinar will be held Thursday, September 26, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link provided below. 

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The Office of Long-Term Living is sharing the message below with nursing facilities on behalf of the Pennsylvania (PA) Department of Health (DOH). Please act on this message as appropriate:
The PA DOH is conducting its annual questionnaire of long-term care facilities for the data reporting period of 7/1/2023 through 6/30/2024. This web-based questionnaire began in September 2024 and is to be completed by your staff and submitted to DOH electronically by Friday, October 25, 2024.
The completion of this questionnaire is mandatory.
If your facility has either not completed the questionnaire or has started but not finished the questionnaire, 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Quarter 3 Learning Collaborative." The webinar will be held Thursday, September 26, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link provided below. 

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Reminder: Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) Transportation Summit 3

OLTL will be hosting a Transportation Summit by Zoom meeting on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The Transportation Summit is an open forum for anyone interested in discussing transportation related issues in the Community HealthChoices (CHC) Program. There will be staff from various programs on the call, including the managed care organizations (MCOs) and transportation brokers, Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP), Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), etc. They will be on the call to listen to your feedback and answer questions as they can. See below 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Managing Diabetes within the Long-Term Care Setting." The webinar will be held Thursday, September 19, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link provided below. 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "All Things are Possible with Preference-Based Care." The webinar will be held Thursday, September 12, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link provided below. 

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The Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) is sharing this important announcement from the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) regarding Suicide Prevention. Please share this information, including the attached 2024 Pennsylvania Suicide Prevention Guide, with your staff, consumers, and any other interested parties or individuals.

The Jana Marie Foundation, Aevidum, Prevent Suicide PA, Pennsylvania Network for Student Assistance Services (PNSAS), STAR-Center at the University of Pittsburgh, and Garrett Lee Smith (GLS) Youth Suicide Prevention Grant are pleased to share a resource guide for National Suicide Prevention Month. Within the month of September, the week of September 8th 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Demystifying Delirium, Dementia and Depression." The webinar will be held Thursday, September 5, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link provided below. 

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Please read the important press release below from the Department of Human Services regarding the announcement of applicants selected through a Request for Applications (RFA) process to administer Pennsylvania’s Community HealthChoices (CHC) program. The Office of Long-Term Living is sharing this message here for your information.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 22, 2024 

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HCBS Rate and Wage Study Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL), with support from Mercer Government Human Services Consulting (Mercer), part of Mercer Health & Benefits LLC, is conducting a rate study survey for the following Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS):

* Adult Day
* Structured Day Habilitation
* Employment and Training
* Personal Assistance (Agency)
* Personal Assistance (Participant Directed)
* Residential Habilitation 

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HCBS Rate and Wage Study Survey – July 18, 2024 PowerPoint Presentation

The Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL), with support from Mercer Government Human Services Consulting (Mercer), part of Mercer Health & Benefits LLC, is sharing the PowerPoint Presentation from the July 18, 2024 HCBS Rate and Wage Study Meeting as an attachment. 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Providing Person-Centered Care to Residents living with FTD in Facility-Based Settings (PART 2)." The webinar will be held Thursday, August 22, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

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Reminder - HCBS Rate and Wage Study Survey – Due August 23, 2024

The Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL), with support from Mercer Government Human Services Consulting (Mercer), part of Mercer Health & Benefits LLC, is conducting a rate study survey for the following Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS):

* Adult Day
* Structured Day Habilitation
* Employment and Training
* Personal Assistance (Agency)
* Personal Assistance (Participant Directed)
* Residential Habilitation 

[More ...]

The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Providing Person-Centered Care to Residents living with FTD in Facility-Based Settings." The webinar will be held Thursday, August 22, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

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This communication is to correct/update and replace the ListServ email sent on August 7, 2024, at 9:49 AM regarding the subject: “Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) Transportation Summit 3 - Tuesday, September 17, 2024.” This ListServ has been updated to include the correct registration link. Please disregard the previous communication. 

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Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) Transportation Summit 3

OLTL will be hosting a Transportation Summit by Zoom meeting on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The Transportation Summit is an open forum for anyone interested in discussing transportation related issues in the Community HealthChoices (CHC) Program. There will be staff from various programs on the call, including the managed care organizations (MCOs) and transportation brokers, Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP), Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), etc. They will be on the call to listen to your feedback and answer questions as they can. See below for 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Frontotemporal Degeneration: Misdiagnosis and Misunderstood." The webinar will be held Thursday, August 15, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link provided below. 

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HCBS Rate and Wage Study Survey – Due August 23, 2024

The Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL), with support from Mercer Government Human Services Consulting (Mercer), part of Mercer Health & Benefits LLC, is conducting a rate study survey for the following Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS):

* Adult Day
* Structured Day Habilitation
* Employment and Training
* Personal Assistance (Agency)
* Personal Assistance (Participant Directed)
* Residential Habilitation 

[More ...]

This communication is being sent to notify the Nursing Facility's to use the updated attached forms when submitting the requested data for the 2024 Nursing Facility (NF)) Quality Incentive Program Midyear Attendance List. The forms attached to the ListServ issued on July 22, 2024, titled 2024 Nursing Facility (NF) Quality Incentive Program Midyear Attendance List contained incomplete data. 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Dentistry 101." The webinar will be held Thursday, August 8, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link provided below. 

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2024 Nursing Facility (NF) Quality Incentive Program Midyear Attendance List

Good Day,

The NF Quality Incentive is a pay-for-performance incentive program. The performance incentive program has six quality metrics:
1) five clinical measures (based on the Minimum Data Set (MDS))
2) one utilization measure (based on Medicare Part A claims data)

NFs will earn points for meeting performance requirements for Medicaid (MA) services provided during the performance year (CY 2024). Points are awarded for achieving statewide benchmark goals and incremental improvements. 

[More ...]

The Office of Long-Term Living is sharing this message from the PA Department of Human Services:

View In Browser<https://maestro.pa.gov/list/k3hdw2n4/240718C/7os582xzsu6y.vib?a2=5scbc7ua&a1=stmeyer%40PA.GOV&a0=325>

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Bridges to Success:
Keystones of Health for Pennsylvania

1115 Program Administrator RFI

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1115 Program Administrator RFI

The Department of Human Services has released a new Request for Information (RFI) to assist in determining possible implementation needs for the Commonwealth’s proposed 1115 Demonstration Waiver titled, Bridges to Success: Keystones of Health for Pennsylvania. This RFI will help inform a potential scope of work for private, public, and non-profit organizations that could 

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On behalf of the Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network, the Jewish Healthcare Foundation invites you to register for the next

Nursing Facility Webinar, August 1, 2024

UTIs in the SNF: Evaluation, Diagnosis and Management

During the third quarter of 2024, the focus will be on enhancing skills for complex care. This presentation will provide a clinical overview of Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) in the Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF). 

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The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL), is offering a webinar on the PA Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Savings Program. A PA ABLE account gives individuals with qualifying disabilities (eligible individuals) and their families and friends a tax-free way to save for disability-related expenses while maintaining government benefits. Federal and state law authorized the creation of PA ABLE accounts. The presentation will be given by a representative of the PA Treasury Department. 

[More ...]

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Posted 7/15/2024
Notice of Public Comment Period – Bed Exception Request
To All Participating Nursing Facility Providers:
The Participation Review Unit (PRU) is responsible for reviewing bed requests from providers who desire to enroll a new nursing facility in the Medical Assistance (MA) Program or increase the number of MA-certified beds at a participating nursing facility.
This notice serves to inform all interested parties of a bed request that may be in their county or primary service area.
Area of Submission: Bucks County
Submitted requests may be viewed at the Department of Human 

[More ...]

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Posted 7/15/2024
Notice of Public Comment Period – Bed Exception Request
To All Participating Nursing Facility Providers:

The Participation Review Unit (PRU) is responsible for reviewing bed requests from providers who desire to enroll a new nursing facility in the Medical Assistance (MA) Program or increase the number of MA-certified beds at a participating nursing facility. 

[More ...]

The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Respiratory Viral Vaccines in the Post Pandemic Era." The webinar will be held Thursday, July 25, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link provided below. 

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Nonpublic and County Nursing Facilities Proposed Rate for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024-2025
Public Comment Period Extended

On June 29, 2024, a notice was published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin regarding payments to nonpublic and county nursing facilities; proposed rates for SFY 2024-2025. (54 Pa.B. 3721 (June 29, 2024)). The notice allows for a 30-day public comment period. Due to a delay in posting the proposed rates files on the Department of Human Services Nursing Facilities Rates<https://www.pa.gov/en/agencies/dhs/resources/for-providers/ltc-providers/nursing-facilities-rates.html> website, the public comment period is extended to August 6, 2024. 

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Updates to the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Reporting Portal

The Department of Human Services (DHS), Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) will be hosting a webinar on July 17, 2024, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. The webinar is for nursing facility finance/business offices and consultants who submit financial data on behalf of nursing facilities. This webinar will focus on a recent update to the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) reporting portal. 

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Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) Mercer Rate and Wage Study

OLTL will be hosting the Quarterly Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Provider Call on Thursday, July 18, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Please register<https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1612024005?pwd=G3gIyNjrlArNqtPe3yuAJ3kONJeavV.1> for the July 18, 2024 HCBS Provider Call at the link provided below. Remote captioning and remote streaming will be available during the call as well as an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter. 

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REMINDER:

2023-2024 Nursing Home Assessment (NHA) Due Date for 3rd & 4th Quarterly Assessment Payments (QAPs), Penalties, and Interest

QUARTERLY ASSESSMENT PAYMENTS

The due date to send Automated Clearing House (ACH) or Wire Transfers for the 3rd & 4th Assessment quarters for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2023-2024 was June 14, 2024.

3rd (83) Assessment Quarter Ending 03/31/24 (Resident Days 10/01/23-12/31/23)
4th (84) Assessment Quarter Ending 06/30/24 (Resident Days 01/01/24-03/31/24) 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Building a Successful Wound Program." The webinar will be held Thursday, July 18, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link provided below. 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Function-focused Care within the 4Ms Framework." The webinar will be held Thursday, July 11, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link provided below. 

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Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) Mercer Rate and Wage Study

OLTL will be hosting the Quarterly Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Provider Call on Thursday, July 18, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Please save the date for this informative call. A registration link for the July 18, 2024 HCBS Provider Call will follow. Remote captioning and remote streaming will be available during the call as well as an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter.
During the call, there will be a presentation from Mercer providing an overview of the HCBS Rate and Wage Study. The Department of Human Services 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to Prepare to Share at the next Quarterly Learning Collaborative. The Quarterly Learning Collaborative will be held Thursday, June 27, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link that will be provided in June 2024. 

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2025 Community HealthChoices (CHC) Waiver Renewal
In September 2024, the Department of Human Services (DHS) Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) will be submitting a renewal to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for the CHC 1915(c) home and community-based services waiver. To view a side-by-side comparison of the current and revised language, and to access the renewal in its entirety, please go to the OLTL-Waiver Amendments and Renewals<https://www.pa.gov/en/agencies/dhs/departments-offices/oltl-info/oltl-waiver-amendments-renewals.html> webpage. On this site, select "2025 CHC Waiver Amendment."
All documents are available in alternate format and in paper copy upon request by calling the OLTL Bureau of Policy 

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2025 OBRA Waiver Amendment

In September 2024, the Department of Human Services (DHS), Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) will be submitting an amendment to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for the OBRA 1915(c) home and community-based services waiver. To view a side-by-side comparison of the current and revised language, and to access the amendment in its entirety, please go to the OLTL-Waiver Amendments and Renewals <https://www.pa.gov/en/agencies/dhs/departments-offices/oltl-info/oltl-waiver-amendments-renewals.html> webpage. On this site, select “2025 OBRA Waiver Amendment.” 

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Posted 6/17/24
Notice of Public Comment Period – Bed Exception Request
To All Participating Nursing Facility Providers:
The Participation Review Unit (PRU) is responsible for reviewing bed requests from providers who desire to enroll a new nursing facility in the Medical Assistance (MA) Program or increase the number of MA-certified beds at a participating nursing facility.
This notice serves to inform all interested parties of a bed request that may be in their county or primary service area.
Area of Submission: Cumberland County
Submitted requests may be viewed at the Department of Human 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to Prepare to Share at the next Quarterly Learning Collaborative. The Quarterly Learning Collaborative will be held Thursday, June 27, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link provided below. 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Teamwork is the Key to a Successful Survey." The webinar will be held Thursday, June 20, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link provided below. 

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This communication is being sent to provide additional clarification to the ListServ issued on May 1, 2024, titled Update to PA-162 and attached for reference.

Effective April 22, 2024, the deductions for Medicare B and D and other insurance premiums will now be listed along with other relevant deductions on the PA-162 notice of Medicaid Eligibility for long-term care services. These medical expenses will now be deducted from the cost of care calculation and affect proper billing payments. All insurance premiums should be provided to the County Assistance Office (CAO) at the time of application or renewal to allow the 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Emergency Preparedness and Response." The webinar will be held Thursday, June 13, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link provided below. 

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The Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) is sharing the message below from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) for your information. Please help OLTL spread this message far and wide to anyone who uses the DHS website:

Good afternoon,

In partnership with the Governor's Office and the Commonwealth's web development vendor, the Department of Human Services (DHS) will move to a new public-facing website platform. Deployment of the new platform is scheduled for this evening, Tuesday, May 28. This transition will only affect dhs.pa.gov, and will not affect Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Access to Social Services (COMPASS), Child Welfare Information 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Survey Readiness and the Regulations: The Devil is in the Details." The webinar will be held Thursday, June 6, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to Prepare to Share at the next Quarterly Learning Collaborative. The Quarterly Learning Collaborative will be held Thursday, June 27, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link that will be provided in June 2024. 

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Please help the Pennsylvania (PA) Department of Human Services, Office of Long-Term Living share this information from the PA Department of Labor, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) and Temple University.
OVR is excited to share the information in the attached flyer for an upcoming PA Business-to-Business Mentor Network event on how organizations can be more inclusive specific to hiring people with disabilities. 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) for your Nursing Home - Considerations and Best Practices to Optimize your Metrics." The webinar will be held Thursday, May 23, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "If it isn't Written, it didn't Happen, the Importance of Documentation in Skilled Nursing Facilities." The webinar will be held Thursday, May 16, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

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Effective April 22, 2024, the deductions for Medicare B and D and other insurance premiums will now be listed with the other relevant deductions on the PA-162 notice of Medicaid Eligibility for long-term care services. These medical expenses will now be deducted from the cost of care calculation and affect proper billing payments. Please provide all insurance premiums at the time of application and renewal in order to prevent any billing issues. As a reminder, any changes in circumstance must be reported to the County Assistance Office (CAO) within ten days following the change. Failure to do so could result 

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REMINDER:
Resident Days Report Submission Deadline and Penalties
Resident Days Report (RDR) Submissions
The deadline for submission of RDRs for the 4th Assessment Quarter for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-2024 is May 3, 2024.
Quarter # 4
Assessment Quarter: April 1, 2024 – June 30, 2024
Resident Days: January 1, 2024 – March 31, 2024
Please submit outstanding RDRs by Friday, May 3, 2024, to avoid penalties for late submission.
Penalties and Interest
The Department of Human Services (DHS) will impose a penalty for late RDR submissions in accordance with 62 P.S. § 810-A in the amount of $1,000 for late 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Elevate Eldercare: Rise Above the Regs." The webinar will be held Thursday, May 9, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link provided below. 

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Please help the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Office of Long-Term Living share this information from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) as widely as possible, to inform Pennsylvanians about the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP):

DCNR is excited to share the public survey for the 2025 SCORP. The SCORP survey is open from April 22, 2024 through Wednesday, May 22, 2024. 

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Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) Transportation Summit 1 Question and Answer Document

OLTL hosted a Transportation Summit webinar on December 11, 2023. Answers to questions asked during that webinar are found on the Community HealthChoices (CHC) Communications to CHC Participants webpage<https://www.dhs.pa.gov/HealthChoices/HC-Services/Pages/CHC-Communications-to-Participants.aspx> under the heading Community Meetings/Information Sessions. The Question and Answer document is also attached to this email for your convenience.
If you have questions about CHC transportation provided through a CHC managed care organization (MCO), please contact the CHC-MCO through one of these methods:
​AmeriHealth Caritas Pennsylvania Website<http://www.amerihealthcaritaschc.com/>: www.amerihealthcaritaschc.com<http://www.amerihealthcaritaschc.com>
Phone: 1-855-235-5115 (TTY 1-800-235-5112)
Questions? Submit inquiries through this contact 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Incorporating Resident Voice into Nursing Home Quality Measurement: Nursing Home Resident Quality of Life and Experience." The webinar will be held Thursday, May 2, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

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Posted 4/15/2024
Notice of Public Comment Period – Bed Exception Request
To All Participating Nursing Facility Providers:
The Participation Review Unit (PRU) is responsible for reviewing bed requests from providers who desire to enroll a new nursing facility in the Medical Assistance (MA) Program or increase the number of MA-certified beds at a participating nursing facility.
This notice serves to inform all interested parties of a bed request that may be in their county or primary service area.
Area of Submission: Philadelphia County
Submitted requests may be viewed at the Department of Human 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Survey Readiness Means Not Having to Get Survey Prepared." The webinar will be held Thursday, April 25, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link provided below. 

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Now Scheduling: Nursing Home Transition (NHT) Services Informational Training Sessions at Nursing Facilities Statewide

This notice is to make nursing facility staff and administrators aware that the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) is partnering with the Pennsylvania Council on Independent Living (PCIL) to provide basic trainings on NHT services for all Medicaid-licensed nursing facilities statewide. PCIL has begun contacting facilities in order to schedule these brief training sessions, which provide staff, residents, and their families with information regarding NHT and Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS). These sessions are currently planned to occur once at each facility statewide and will be 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Emergency Preparedness: Planning, Training, and Partnerships." The webinar will be held Thursday, April 18, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link provided below. 

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On behalf of the Office of Elder Justice in the Courts, the Office of Long-Term Living is sharing the message below and the attached flyer about a Southcentral Regional Collaboration Groups (RCG) Listening Session. Please share with any community members who you feel should be included in the listening session, as well as professionals who could help advertise the event to the public. Thank you. 

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The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL), is offering a webinar on the topic of the PA Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Savings Program. A PA ABLE account gives individuals with qualifying disabilities (eligible individuals), and their families and friends, a tax-free way to save for disability-related expenses while maintaining government benefits. Federal and state law authorized the creation of PA ABLE accounts. The Presentation will be given by a Representative of the PA Treasury Department.
OLTL Service Coordinators, Direct Service Providers, Community HealthChoices (CHC) managed care organization (MCO) staff and any individuals that work 

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Please read the important press release below from the Department of Human Services regarding the Shapiro Administration reminding Pennsylvanians to apply for Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) before the season ends. The Office of Long-Term Living is sharing this message here for your information.

[Image]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 2, 2024

Shapiro Administration Reminds Pennsylvanians to Apply for Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Before Season Ends, Announces Plan to Restart Cash Grants After Federal Budget Negotiations 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Reduce Regulatory Burden & Maintain Compliance: Prepare for Survey Readiness and QAPI with Live Data Analytics." The webinar will be held Thursday, April 11, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

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Revised Preadmission Screening Resident Review (PASRR) Level I Form (MA 376) – Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) Bulletin Posted

Pennsylvania has made changes to the MA 376 based on recommendations from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The updated form is effective now and should be used going forward.
The OLTL Bulletin (OLTL Bulletin 01-24-02, 03-24-02, 07-24-02, 59-24-02<https://www.dhs.pa.gov/docs/Publications/Documents/FORMS%20AND%20PUBS%20OLTL/MA-376_Bulletin-PASRR-Level-I-UPDATED-2.29.24.pdf>) regarding the updated PASRR Level I (MA 376) form has been posted at: https://www.dhs.pa.gov/docs/Publications/Documents/FORMS%20AND%20PUBS%20OLTL/MA-376_Bulletin-PASRR-Level-I-UPDATED-2.29.24.pdf and is also posted on the Pennsylvania PASRR Webpage<https://www.dhs.pa.gov/providers/Providers/Pages/PASRR-Process.aspx> at: https://www.dhs.pa.gov/providers/Providers/Pages/PASRR-Process.aspx.
The revised PASRR Level I (MA 376) form is available for download at the MA 

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Revised Preadmission Screening Resident Review (PASRR) Positive Resident Reporting Form (MA 408) – Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) Bulletin Posted Effective March 2024
Pennsylvania has made changes to the PASRR Positive Resident Reporting Form (MA 408) based on changes that were made to the PASRR Level I form and the need for the Department of Human Services (DHS) to collect data from nursing facilities regarding Specialized Services (services that go above and beyond the typical nursing facility service) that are provided to individuals in the nursing facility. Specialized Services are services that have been recommended by DHS Program Offices in 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Survey Data and Trends." The webinar will be held Thursday, April 4, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link provided below. 

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The Department of Human Services (DHS), Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) will end the flexibility it offered to nursing facilities affected by the Change Healthcare cybersecurity incident and require that nursing facilities pay the assessment fees due for assessment quarters ended September 30, 2023, and December 31, 2023, no later than April 15, 2024. 

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The Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) is presenting a live, interactive, 6-session webinar series on housing issues.

When
April 2, 2024 - May 14, 2024 (every Tuesday, skipping April 23, 2024) from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm.

Format
The webinars will include targeted content and question and answer (Q&A) sessions with housing experts and OLTL staff. 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the Quarterly Learning Collaborative. The Quarterly Learning Collaborative will be held Thursday, March 28, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link provided below. 

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REMINDER:
Resident Days Report Overdue Submission Deadline and Penalties
Resident Days Report (RDR) Submissions
The deadline for submission of RDRs for the 3rd Assessment Quarter for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-2024 was March 1, 2024.
Quarter # 3
Assessment Quarter: January 1, 2024 – March 31, 2024
Resident Days: October 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023
Please submit outstanding RDRs as soon as possible, to avoid additional penalties for late submission.
Penalties and Interest
DHS will impose a penalty for late RDR submissions in accordance with 62 P.S. § 810-A in the amount of $1,000 for late submission plus $200 per 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Palliative Care in the Skilled Nursing Facility." The webinar will be held Thursday, March 21, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link provided below. 

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This email is to notify you that due to recent website maintenance, the Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) webpage<https://www.dhs.pa.gov/about/DHS-Information/Pages/Stakeholders/Long-Term-Services-Subcommittee.aspx> has not yet been updated with the registration link for the March 7, 2024 LTSS Subcommittee meeting.
Please register for the March 7, 2024 Webinar using this registration link<https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4261840547221223001>.

After registering, you will receive an email containing information about joining the webinar. 

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[Logo Description automatically generated with medium confidence]
Posted 3/4/2024
Notice of Public Comment Period – Bed Exception Request
To All Participating Nursing Facility Providers:
The Participation Review Unit (PRU) is responsible for reviewing bed requests from providers who desire to enroll a new nursing facility in the Medical Assistance (MA) Program or increase the number of MA-certified beds at a participating nursing facility.
This notice serves to inform all interested parties of a bed request that may be in their county or primary service area.
Area of Submission: Luzerne County
Submitted requests may be viewed at the Department of Human 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Advance Care Planning and POLST in the Nursing Home: Doing It Right." The webinar will be held Thursday, March 14, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

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The Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) is sharing the message below regarding the 30-day public comment period for Aging Our Way, PA with you as information. Please help the Department of Aging share this information as widely as possible.

Aging Our Way, PA is a 10-year roadmap to meet the needs of the Commonwealth's older adults and improve services for this rapidly growing population. The plan includes priorities, strategies, and tactics to promote health, well-being and quality of life for all Pennsylvanians as we age. Aging Our Way, PA also prepares the Commonwealth for a larger, longer-living older adult population 

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The Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) is sharing this important announcement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warning individuals of the risks related to using smartwatches or smart rings that claim to measure blood glucose levels (blood sugar) without piercing the skin. Please share this information, Do Not Use Smartwatches or Smart Rings to Measure Blood Glucose Levels: FDA Safety Communication<https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/safety-communications/do-not-use-smartwatches-or-smart-rings-measure-blood-glucose-levels-fda-safety-communication?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery>, issued on February 21, 2024, with others who could benefit from it. Thank you.
A listserv has been established for ongoing updates on the CHC program. It is titled OLTL-COMMUNITY-HEALTHCHOICES, please visit the ListServ Archives page at 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Navigating Opioid Use Disorder in Long-Term Care Facilities: Treatment, Screening, and Education." The webinar will be held Thursday, March 7, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to Prepare to Share at the next Quarterly Learning Collaborative. The Quarterly Learning Collaborative will be held Thursday, March 28, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link provided below. 

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REMINDER:
Resident Days Report Submission Deadline and Penalties
Resident Days Report (RDR) Submissions
The deadline for submission of RDRs for the 3rd Assessment quarter for state fiscal year 2023-2024 is March 1, 2024.
Quarter #: 83
Assessment Quarter: January 1, 2024 – March 31, 2024
Resident Days: October 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023
Please submit outstanding RDRs by Friday, March 1, 2024, to avoid penalties for late submission.
Penalties and Interest
DHS will impose a penalty for late RDR submissions in accordance with 62 P.S. § 810-A in the amount of $1,000 for late submission plus $200 per day 

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This communication is being sent in follow-up to the May 23, 2023 ListServ that was issued advising that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) had identified the need to review the Civil Money Penalty (CMP) Grant application process. CMS issued QSO-23-23-NHs on September 25, 2023 which revises the structure of the CMP Reinvestment Program. 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Strategies to Reduce Hospitalizations and Emergency Room Visits." The webinar will be held Thursday, February 22, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link provided below. 

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Calendar Year (CY) 2023 Nursing Facility (NF) Quality Incentive Program Attestation Forms Due March 15, 2024

Good Day,

The NF Quality Incentive is a pay for performance incentive program. The performance incentive program has six quality metrics using:
1) five clinical measures (based on the Minimum Data Set (MDS))
2) one utilization measure (based on Medicare Part A claims data) 

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DHS 2024-25 Budget Briefing - Registration Information - Additional Session

Good morning,

Because we hit capacity in tomorrow morning's briefing, we are adding a second session at 1:30 p.m. tomorrow, February 9. If you are already registered for the morning session, do not register for the afternoon session so we can keep enough space for all who are interested. Both sessions will be recorded and posted publicly to YouTube, but content will be roughly similar - we'll share Q&A sessions from both, and a follow-up q&a document will be shared next week. 

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DHS 2024-25 Budget Briefing - Registration Information

Good afternoon,

Secretary Val Arkoosh and leadership from the Department of Human Services (DHS) will host a webinar to discuss the proposed 2024-25 budget for the department. The briefing will take place at 10 a.m. on Friday, February 9. If you are unable to attend, the briefing will be recorded and available for viewing afterwards. 

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This communication is to update and replace the ListServ email sent on January 11, 2024, regarding the subject: “Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) Transportation Summit 2 – February 7, 2024.” The message has been updated to show that the summit will be held through Microsoft Teams. Please disregard the previous communication. 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Delirium in the Hospital to Home: What Comes Next After Discharge." The webinar will be held Thursday, February 15, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

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Procure Services of Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) to Operate Community HealthChoices (CHC) Program

The purpose of this email is to announce that the Department of Human Services (DHS) has posted the following Solicitation Request for Application (RFA) 31-22<http://www.emarketplace.state.pa.us/Solicitations.aspx?SID=RFA%2031-22>. DHS is seeking to procure the services of Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) to operate the Community HealthChoices (CHC) Program in the five CHC zones which cover all 67 counties of the Commonwealth of PA.
All of the information about the RFA can be found in the RFA announcement link: PA eMarketplace(state.pa.us)<http://www.emarketplace.state.pa.us/Solicitations.aspx?SID=RFA%2031-22>
Public bid openings consist of a Commonwealth procurement representative electronically accessing 

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On behalf of the Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary's Office, the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) is sharing the message below as information. Please share with other interested parties.
Secretary Val Arkoosh and leadership from DHS will host a webinar to discuss the proposed 2024-25 budget for the department. The virtual briefing will take place on Friday, February 9, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. Connection information will be sent out early next week. We hope you are able to join and look forward to the conversation!
A listserv has been established for ongoing updates on the CHC program. It is 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Transitions of Care are Vulnerable Points in the Care Continuum - for Everyone." The webinar will be held Thursday, February 8, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Improving Quality of Care for Residents through Data Analytics." The webinar will be held Thursday, February 1, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link provided below. 

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This communication is to correct/update and replace the ListServ email sent on January 16, 2024 regarding the subject: "Nursing Home Administrator Reminders and 2023-2024 Important Dates Chart." The ListServ has been corrected to include the 2023-2024 information below. Please disregard the previous communication.
REMINDER:
Important Dates Chart, Resident Days Submission Deadlines, Penalties & Interest 

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REMINDER:

Important Dates Chart, Resident Days Submission Deadlines, Payment Plan Request Deadlines, Penalties, and Interest

Important Dates Chart for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-2023

Please see the attached Important Dates Chart for the Nursing Facility Assessment Program for FY 2022-2023. This chart is also available on the Nursing Facility Assessment<https://www.dhs.pa.gov/providers/Providers/Pages/Nursing-Facility-Assessment.aspx> page of the Department of Human Services (DHS) website and the Instructions and Bulletins<https://www.panfsubmit.com/bulletins.jsp> page of the Nursing Facility Submission System website. 

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[Logo Description automatically generated with medium confidence]
Posted 1/16/2024
Notice of Public Comment Period – Bed Exception Request
To All Participating Nursing Facility Providers:
The Participation Review Unit (PRU) is responsible for reviewing bed requests from providers who desire to enroll a new nursing facility in the Medical Assistance (MA) Program or increase the number of MA-certified beds at a participating nursing facility.
This notice serves to inform all interested parties of a bed request that may be in their county or primary service area.
Area of Submission: Cumberland County
Submitted requests may be viewed at the Department of Human 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Transitions of Care - Area Agencies on Aging Services and Supports." The webinar will be held Thursday, January 25, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

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Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) Transportation Summit 2

OLTL will be hosting a Transportation Summit webinar on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, from 1:00 pm. to 3:00 pm. The Transportation Summit 2 is an open forum for anyone interested in discussing transportation in the Community HealthChoices (CHC) Program. There will be staff from various programs on the call, including the managed care organizations (MCO) and transportation brokers, Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP), Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), etc. They will be on the call to listen to your feedback and answer questions as they can. See below for webinar information and 

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On behalf of the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH), the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) is sharing the message below and the attached flier with you as information. Please help DOH share this information as widely as possible.

Pennsylvania's Title V Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant serves to improve the health and wellbeing of the nation's mothers, infants, children and youth, including children and youth with special health care needs, and their families. In Pennsylvania in 2022, this federal grant helped to provide services for: 

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On behalf of the Department of Human Services (DHS) Housing Strategy Team, the Office of Long-Term Living is sharing the 2024-2029 Housing Strategy Virtual Feedback Forums information below with you as a resource. Please share this information with others in your organization and/or community who could benefit from the feedback forums. 

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OMAP Bulletin: Carr v. Becerra - Retroactive Reinstatement of Coverage Issued
This message is to inform Office of Long-Term Living providers that the Office of Medical Assistance Programs (OMAP) recently issued the Carr v. Becerra - Retroactive Reinstatement of Coverage Bulletin<https://www.dhs.pa.gov/docs/Publications/Documents/FORMS%20AND%20PUBS%20OMAP/MAB2023122002.pdf> (Bulletin # 99-23-11) which applies to all providers enrolled in the Medical Assistance (MA) Program.
The purpose of the Carr v. Becerra - Retroactive Reinstatement of Coverage Bulletin is to inform MA providers how to submit claims, including claims outside the 180-day claim submission timeframe, for MA beneficiaries whose coverage has been reinstated because of the decision in the 

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OMAP Bulletin: Ex Parte Retroactive Reinstatement of Coverage Bulletin Issued

This message is to inform Office of Long-Term Living providers that the Office of Medical Assistance Programs (OMAP) recently issued the Ex Parte Retroactive Reinstatement of Coverage Bulletin<https://www.dhs.pa.gov/docs/Publications/Documents/FORMS%20AND%20PUBS%20OMAP/MAB2023122001.pdf> (Bulletin # 99-23-12) which applies to all providers enrolled in the Medical Assistance (MA) Program. 

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OLTL is sharing the following information about the availability of a summary of public comments on, and the Department of Human Services response to, the Managed Care Quality Strategy (MCQS) Report.
Managed Care Quality Strategy
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), per regulation 42 CFR § 438.340(a) and 42 CFR 457.1240(e), requires states to have a quality strategy for their managed care programs. The intent of the regulation is to ensure members enrolled in Medicaid managed care programs have access to high quality health care services provided by the state’s managed care organizations (MCOs) or entities.
The MCQS 

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Please read the important press release below from the Department of Human Services regarding the Shapiro Administration Getting Stuff Done by reducing Medicaid red tape and keeping Pennsylvanians covered during the first year in office. The Office of Long-Term Living is sharing this message here for your information.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   
December 19, 2023  

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On behalf of the PA Department of Labor & Industry, the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) is sharing the following message. Please refer to the information below about the PA Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Combined State Plan.

Please share with your staffs, consumers, and other interested parties.

Pennsylvania's 2024-2028 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Combined State Plan Draft<https://www.dli.pa.gov/Businesses/Workforce-Development/Pages/WIOA.aspx> is now out for public comment. 

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On behalf of the PA Department of Treasury, the Office of Long-Term Living is sharing the following message. Please refer to the information below from the PA Department of Treasury regarding upcoming Pennsylvania (PA) Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Account Webinars below.
Please share with your staffs, consumers, and other interested parties. 

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Pennie Open Enrollment Deadline

Pennie, Pennsylvania's official health insurance marketplace, helps protect Pennsylvanians health while also protecting their wallet with affordable coverage. Those seeking health coverage can act now and explore their coverage options during Pennie's Open Enrollment Period, with Friday, December 15, 2023, being the deadline for coverage beginning New Year's Day. 

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Dear Providers,
The following communication contains important information about a link between whole and packaged cantaloupe products and an ongoing Salmonella outbreak.
Please see Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Cantaloupes | CDC<https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/sundsvall-11-23/index.html>, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Residents in Long-Term Care Facilities and Childcare Centers are amongst the 117 reported illnesses linked to Salmonella from cantaloupes that may have a sticker that indicates "Malichita" or "Rudy," with the number "4050", and "Product of Mexico/produit du Mexique."
Adults 65 and older, children under 5 years, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to get very sick 

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1115 Demonstration Public Comment

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) is developing an 1115 Medicaid program, Bridges to Success: Keystones of Health for Pennsylvania (Keystones of Health). DHS hopes to use this program to make health care more accessible, improve quality of care and services, and design and evaluate innovative strategies in health care to help people live healthier lives. DHS’ goal and vision for the waiver is to address Pennsylvania’s Medicaid participants’ health-related social needs<https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/section-1115-demonstrations/health-related-social-needs/index.html> with interventions that are both lifesaving and cost saving. Visit the Keystones of Health webpage<https://www.dhs.pa.gov/Keystones-of-Health/Pages/default.aspx> for more details. 

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Funding Opportunity Information - Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring Program

The purpose of this email is to announce that the Department of Health (DOH) is sharing a Request for Application (RFA) announcement for the Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring Program<https://www.emarketplace.state.pa.us/Solicitations.aspx?SID=RFA67-179>. The purpose of the RFA is to implement a self-monitoring blood pressure program in the community-based organizations. It is currently being done in YMCAs and this RFA aims to expand this to other organizations to expand reach and increase access. The RFA aims to fund seven grantees with each grantee being funded $40,100.00 for the fiscal year. 

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RAI Spotlight – November 2023

The latest issue of the RAI Spotlight has been released on the Department of Health (DOH) message board<https://sais.health.pa.gov/commonpoc/Login/Login.aspx> at: https://sais.health.pa.gov/commonpoc/Login/Login.aspx.

A copy is attached to this email as well.

Articles in this edition of the RAI Spotlight are the following:

* PA – Case Mix Index (CMI) Reports for November 2023 Picture Date,
* Last Teleconference Q & As
* Public Reporting Timeline for Quality Measures Impacted by the Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 G-GG Transition
* Care Compare October Release of the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quarterly Reporting Program (QRP) Data Now Available
* 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the last of 2023, "Annual Gathering / Quarterly Learning Collaborative." The webinar will be held Thursday, December 14, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link provided below. 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Sound Sleep - Achieving a Higher Quality of Life Through Better Rest." The webinar will be held Thursday, December 7, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

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Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) Transportation Summit

OLTL will be hosting a Transportation Summit webinar on Monday, December 11, 2023, from 1:00 pm. to 4:00 pm. The Transportation Summit is an open forum for anyone interested in transportation-related issues in the CHC Program. There will be presentations by various staff from the Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP), the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), the Community HealthChoices (CHC) Managed Care Organizations (MCOs), MTM, the Coordinated Transportation Solutions (CTS) organization, etc… See below for webinar information and the link to join.
During the webinar, there will be three ways for individuals to 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Elevating the Employee Lifecycle." The webinar will be held Thursday, November 30, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link provided below. 

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The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care (LTC) Learning Network (LN) invites you to join the “Annual Gathering and Quarterly Learning Collaborative.” This webinar will continue to follow this quarter’s educational theme of workforce challenges. Participants will hear from nursing facilities across the state which have volunteered to share best practices. The Annual Gathering and Quarterly Learning Collaborative webinar will be held on Thursday, December 14, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Webinar invitation/registration will be sent at the end of November. 

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We are coming down to the last few opportunities in 2023 to attend a Learning Network Webinar hosted by the Jewish Healthcare Foundation (JHF), the Community HealthChoices (CHC)-Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) and Department of Human Services (DHS). Attendance of at least one live session is required to be eligible for payment through the 2023 Nursing Facility Quality Incentive program being coordinated by DHS. 

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Dear Providers,

Please see the information below from the United States (U.S.) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) related to a consumer warning and ongoing investigation into elevated lead levels in apple sauce pouches from several major brands: FDA Investigation of Elevated Lead Levels in Applesauce Pouches<https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigation-elevated-lead-levels-applesauce-pouches-november-2023>:

Investigation of Elevated Lead Levels: Applesauce Pouches (November 2023) 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Long-Term Care Facility Quality Investment Pilot Workforce Interventions to Improve Retention and Build Resiliency." The webinar will be held Thursday, November 16, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

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The Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) is presenting a live, interactive, six-session webinar series on housing issues.

When
November 14, 2023 - December 19, 2023 (every Tuesday) from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm

Format
The webinars will include targeted content and question and answer (Q&A) sessions with housing experts and OLTL staff. Each session is scheduled for 90 minutes to allow for interaction and Q&A segments. 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "A Practical Approach to your Facility Assessment for Behavioral Health." The webinar will be held Thursday, November 9, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link provided below. 

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The Office of Long-Term Living is sharing the message below with nursing facilities on behalf of the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Please act on this message as appropriate:

The Pennsylvania Department of Health is conducting its annual questionnaire of long-term care facilities for the data reporting period of 7/1/2022 through 6/30/2023. This web-based questionnaire began in September 2023 and is to be completed by your staff and submitted to the Department electronically by Friday, October 27, 2023. The completion of this questionnaire is mandatory. 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Promising Practices from LTC RISE 2.0." The webinar will be held Thursday, November 2, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link provided below. 

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Posted 10/15/2023
Notice of Public Comment Period – Bed Exception Request

To All Participating Nursing Facility Providers:

The Participation Review Unit (PRU) is responsible for reviewing bed requests from providers who desire to enroll a new nursing facility in the Medical Assistance (MA) Program or increase the number of MA-certified beds at a participating nursing facility. 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Respiratory Viruses of Public Health Interest in Long-Term Care Facilities." The webinar will be held Thursday, October 26, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link provided below. 

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The Office of Long-Term Living is sharing the following helpful COMPASS website and myCOMPASS pa mobile app message from the Pennsylvania (PA) Department of Human Services (DHS) Helper Listserv as information. To learn how you can become a PA DHS Helper, please visit the Medical Assistance & CHIP Renewals Webpage<https://www.dhs.pa.gov/phe/Pages/default.aspx> and click on "Become a Helper" on the right-hand sidebar. 

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Email Address Correction
On October 7, 2023, a notice was published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin regarding a one-time enhanced supplemental payment to eligible public and nonpublic Medical Assistance (MA) nursing facilities. (53 Pa.B. 6312 (October 7, 2023)). The notice allows for a 30-day public comment period and provides an email address to submit written comments.
The email address in the notice is incorrect. The correct email address to submit written comments is [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>.
Written comments on the public notice titled "Payment for Nursing Facility Services; Public and Nonpublic Nursing Facility Medical Assistance One-Time Enhanced Supplemental Payment" may be submitted to 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Review of the MDS 3.0 Version 1.18.11 - Changes Effective October 1, 2023." The webinar will be held Thursday, October 19, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

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The Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) is sharing the message below, from the Pennsylvania (PA) Department of Health (DOH) with you as information. Please help PA Department of Human Services (DHS) share this information as widely as possible, to inform Pennsylvanians about the DOH Listening Session – Patient Access to Controlled Substances:
The Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH) invites you to participate in an information-gathering listening session regarding patient access to controlled substances in Pennsylvania. An informational paper is attached that will provide relevant background and questions for you to consider in advance of the session.
The Listening Session 

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Resident Data Reporting Manual Update - effective 10/2023

Effective October 1, 2023, the Resident Data Reporting Manual (RDRM) has been revised. Attached are the RDRM Change Document, which highlights the changes that were made, and the current RDRM Manual.
The updated manual can be found at the RDRM 2023 webpage<https://www.dhs.pa.gov/providers/Documents/Long_Term_Nursing_Facilities/Resident%20Data%20Reporting%20Manual_10.01.2023.pdf> or via the Nursing Facility Report Portal<https://nfrp.panfsubmit.com/>.
The current Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) User's Manual<https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment-Instruments/NursingHomeQualityInits/MDS30RAIManual> (v1.18.11), effective October 1, 2023, is found on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services website.
If you have questions regarding this email or wish to request a copy of the attachment in alternate format, 

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Please read the important press release below from the Department of Human Services regarding the Shapiro Administration reminding Pennsylvanians and Providers that Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) covers COVID-19 testing, vaccines, and treatment costs. The Office of Long-Term Living is sharing this message here for your information. 

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On behalf of The Pennsylvania Workforce Development Board, the Office of Long-Term Living is sharing the following message and the attached flier with you as information. Please also share the message with any interested individuals. Thank you:

Pennsylvania Workforce Plan Listening Sessions

The PA Workforce Development Board invites you to provide input on Pennsylvania's 2024-2028 workforce development strategies for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) state plan. 

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Posted 09/30/2023
Notice of Public Comment Period - Bed Exception Request

To All Participating Nursing Facility Providers:

The Participation Review Unit (PRU) is responsible for reviewing bed requests from providers who desire to enroll a new nursing facility in the Medical Assistance (MA) Program or increase the number of MA-certified beds at a participating nursing facility.
This notice serves to inform all interested parties of a bed request that may be in their county or primary service area.
Area of Submission: Philadelphia County
Submitted requests may be viewed at the Department of Human Services' (DHS) Participation Review Bed Requests 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "More of A Good Thing: Using the 4Ms to Grow and Strengthen the PA Long-Term Care Careforce." The webinar will be held Thursday, October 12, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

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The Nursing Facility (NF) Quality Incentive is a pay for performance incentive program. The performance incentive program has seven quality metrics using:
1) five clinical measures (based on the Minimum Data Set (MDS))
2) one utilization measure (based on Medicare Part A claims data)
3) one staff measure (based on Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Payroll Based Journal (PBJ) data). 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Using Recognition to Improve Retention and Engagement of Team Members." The webinar will be held Thursday, October 5, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link provided below. 

[More ...]

The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the third 2023 Quarterly Learning Collaborative. The webinar will be held Thursday, September 28, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Please register for the webinars by clicking on the links provided below. 

[More ...]

On behalf of the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, the Office of Long-Term Living is sharing the following message with you as information. Please also share the message with any interested individuals. Thank you :

Pennsylvania Master Plan for Older Adults - White Paper

As we work collaboratively toward the development of the Pennsylvania's Master Plan for Older Adults, the Department is pleased to share with you the Master Plan White Paper<https://www.aging.pa.gov/publications/MasterPlan/Documents/MP%20Reference%20Document%20-%20Final.pdf>. 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Stop the Spread with Me - Minimizing Transmission in Long-Term Care Facilities." The webinar will be held Thursday, September 21, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

[More ...]

Vendor Announcement for Financial Management Services

The Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) is pleased to announce that Public Partnerships, LLC, has been selected as the new statewide Vendor Fiscal/Employer Agent (VF/EA) for Financial Management Services (FMS) for Fee for Service OLTL-administered programs related to (Request for Application) RFA 07-21. The VF/EA performs fiscal-related functions for the successful operation of participant direction for multiple home and community-based waivers managed by OLTL. FMS reduce the employer-related burden for participants while making sure Medicaid and Commonwealth funds used to pay for services and supports are managed and disbursed appropriately as authorized. The new 

[More ...]

Vendor Announcement for Financial Management Services

The Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) is pleased to announce that Public Partnerships, LLC, has been selected as the new statewide Vendor Fiscal/Employer Agent (VF/EA) for Financial Management Services (FMS) for Fee for Service OLTL-administered programs related to (Request for Application) RFA 07-21. The VF/EA performs fiscal-related functions for the successful operation of participant direction for multiple home and community-based waivers managed by OLTL. FMS reduce the employer-related burden for participants while making sure Medicaid and Commonwealth funds used to pay for services and supports are managed and disbursed appropriately as authorized. The new 

[More ...]

The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Emerge as a Long-Term Care Employer of Choice through Practical Skill Building Pathways for Long-Term Care Frontline Workers." The webinar will be held Thursday, September 7, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to Prepare to Share at the next Quarterly Learning Collaborative. The webinar will be held Thursday, September 28, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

[PA LTC LN]

On behalf of the Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network, the Jewish Healthcare Foundation (JHF) invites you to 

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Listeria Outbreak- Soft Serve Ice Cream

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating a Listeria outbreak linked to kosher soft serve ice cream and is advising long-term care facilities (LTCF), hospitals, and other institutions to not serve any flavors of "Soft Serve On The Go" ice cream cups. Please see the attached image for an example of the product. More information about the outbreak can be found at the CDC Listeria Outbreak Linked to Ice Cream<https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/ice-cream-08-23/index.html> webpage 

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Criminal History Background Check and Child Abuse History Clearances- Clarification

The Office of Long-Term Living is sending this message to clarify criminal history background checks and child abuse history requirements.

In accordance with 55 Pa. Code § 52.19(d)<https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pacode?file=/secure/pacode/data/055/chapter52/s52.19.html>, hiring policies shall be in accordance with the PA Department of Aging's (PDA) Older Adults Protective Services Act policy as posted on the PDA website. The Criminal History Background Checks page<https://www.aging.pa.gov/organization/advocacy-and-protection/Pages/Criminal-History-Background-Checks.aspx> of the PDA website contains an OAPSA and Act 28 Summary<https://www.aging.pa.gov/organization/advocacy-and-protection/Documents/Acts%20Three%20Panel%20updated%202016.pdf> which summarizes criminal history background checks. The process is as follows: 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Understanding Lewy Body Dementia: Partnering with Residents in Nursing Facilities to Optimize Resident Centered Care." The webinar will be held Thursday, August 24, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

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Coming Soon: Nursing Home Transition (NHT) Services Informational Training Sessions to be Scheduled at Nursing Facilities Statewide

This notice is to make nursing facility staff and administrators aware that the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) is partnering with the Pennsylvania Council on Independent Living (PCIL) to provide basic trainings on NHT services for all Medicaid-licensed nursing facilities statewide. PCIL will soon begin contacting facilities in order to schedule these brief training sessions, which will provide staff, residents, and their families with information regarding NHT and Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS). These sessions are currently planned to occur once at each 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Therapy Considerations for the Medically Complex Resident- the Importance of Keeping People Moving." The webinar will be held Thursday, August 17, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

[More ...]

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Posted 8/1/2023

Notice of Public Comment Period - Bed Exception Request

To All Participating Nursing Facility Providers:

The Participation Review Unit (PRU) is responsible for reviewing bed requests from providers who desire to enroll a new nursing facility in the Medical Assistance (MA) Program or increase the number of MA-certified beds at a participating nursing facility. 

[More ...]

The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Using Expressive Arts to Positively Impact Clinical Outcomes." The webinar will be held Thursday, August 10, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link provided below. 

[More ...]

Optional State Assessment (OSA) Training
Questions and Answers
July 13, 2023 Training

On July 13, 2023, there was a "New OSA and CMS Guidance" training held in preparation for the use of the Optional State Assessment (OSA) effective October 1, 2023 in Pennsylvania. The attached includes the Questions and Answers presented during this training. If you have questions regarding this email, please contact Ruth Anne Barnard at [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> or by phone at: 717-214-3736. 

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180-day Claims- Automated Electronic Submission Process and Discontinuance to Accept 180-Day Claims Submitted by Email

The purpose of this email is to announce that effective August 1, 2023, the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) will no longer be able to accept for processing 180-Day claims submitted by email.

Providers wishing to submit 180-Day claims for processing can continue do so using the paper submission process or the new 180-Day Automated Electronic Submission Process. OLTL providers are strongly encouraged to use the electronic submission process. 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Screening for Hallucinations and Delusions Associated with Parkinson's Disease Psychosis." The webinar will be held Thursday, August 3, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link provided below. 

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REMINDER:

2022-2023 Nursing Home Administrator (NHA) Due Date for 3rd & 4th Quarter Assessment Payments, Penalties, and Interest

QUARTERLY ASSESSMENT PAYMENTS

The due date to send Automated Clearing House (ACH) or Wire Transfers for the 3rd & 4th Assessment quarter for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-2023 was June 16, 2023.

3rd (79) Assessment Quarter Ending 03/31/23 (Resident Days 10/01/22-12/31/22)
4th (80) Assessment Quarter Ending 06/30/23 (Resident Days 01/01/23-03/31/23) 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Understanding Vascular Access and Management in Long-Term Care." The webinar will be held Thursday, July 27, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link provided below. 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "It's Not Just Memory: Brain Behavior Correlates in Dementia." The webinar will be held Thursday, July 20, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link provided below. 

[More ...]

The Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) is sharing the message below, from the Pennsylvania (PA) Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary’s Office, with you as information. Please help PA DHS share this information as widely as possible, to inform Pennsylvanians about the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) which may be able to help them or others they know. Thank you. 

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Reminder- Indoor Air Management Strategies - Remaining Funds - Request for Applications (RFA)

The purpose of this email is to announce that the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) is operating an Indoor Air Management Strategies Grant Program. The purpose of the Program is for the implementation of best practices regarding indoor air management strategies (identified in the grant program application) in long-term care facilities aimed at reducing the risk of transmission of and occupant exposure to COVID-19. 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "The Scoop on Poop: Enteric Pathogens in the Long-Term Care Setting." The webinar will be held Thursday, July 13, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

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This communication is to correct and replace the ListServ email sent on June 26, 2023, regarding the subject: "Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network Invite- July 6, 2023." Continuing education units (CEUs) will be offered at the Quarterly Learning Collaboratives, but will not be offered for the July 6 webinar, "Completing Effective Audits." Please disregard the previous communication.
The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Completing Effective Audits." The webinar will be held Thursday, July 6, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Completing Effective Audits." The webinar will be held Thursday, July 6, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available for this webinar for nurses, physicians and social workers who attend in-person. 

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Proposed July 2023 Nursing Facility Rates
The purpose of this communication is to inform nonpublic nursing facility providers of the upcoming posting of July 2023 proposed fee-for-service rates calculated in accordance with 55 Pa code Chapter 1187 regulations and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved State Plan. The fee-for-service rates also impact the corresponding Community HealthChoices (CHC) minimum fee schedule for nursing facilities.
In reviewing the July 1, 2023 rates, the PA Department of Human Services (Department) noted that the variances between the April 1, 2023 rates, and the July 1, 2023 rates appear to be greater 

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This notice is to communicate that Keystone Peer Review Organization (Kepro) has merged with CNSI and as a result will now be doing business as Acentra Health.

There will be no disruption of services resulting from this change.

The transition to the new branding on Kepro's website for the Specialized Services for Other Related Conditions (ORCs), the Nursing Home Transition (NHT) program website, and other materials, will occur over the next several months. You will see changes to the signatures of Kepro staff, however there will be no changes to team members or their contact information at this time. Phone 

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Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) Listen and Learn Sessions

OLTL is asking providers to please help us spread the message below and the attached information, by sharing it with the OLTL participants you serve. Your service to OLTL program participants is very much appreciated. Thank you:

The Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) provides Medical Assistance (MA) coverage and long-term services and supports to seniors and adults with physical disabilities through the Community HealthChoices, OBRA, Act 150, and Living Independence for the Elderly (LIFE) programs. If you receive services through one of these programs, OLTL wants to hear from you. OLTL 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Quarterly Learning Collaborative.” The webinar will be held Thursday, June 22, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available for this webinar for nurses, physicians and social workers who attend in-person.
Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link provided below. 

[More ...]

REMINDER:

2022-2023 Nursing Home Administrator (NHA) Due Date for 3rd & 4th Quarter Assessment Payments, Update on Payment Plan Requests, Penalties, and Interest

QUARTERLY ASSESSMENT PAYMENTS

The due date to send ACH or Wire Transfers for the 3rd & 4th Assessment quarter for FY 2022-2023 is June 16, 2023.

3rd Assessment Quarter Ending 03/31/23 (Resident Days 10/01/22-12/31/22)
4th Assessment Quarter Ending 06/30/23 (Resident Days 01/01/23-03/31/23) 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Nursing Home Readmissions- From Pilot to Process.” The webinar will be held Thursday, June 15, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link provided below. 

[More ...]

RAI Spotlight – May 2023

The latest issue of the RAI Spotlight has been released on the Department of Health (DOH) message board<https://sais.health.pa.gov/commonpoc/Login/Login.aspx> at: https://sais.health.pa.gov/commonpoc/Login/Login.aspx.

A copy is attached to this email as well.

Articles in this edition of the RAI Spotlight are the following: Final Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Item Sets and Draft MDS 3.0 Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) User’s Manual version 1.18.11 is now available, last Teleconference Q&As, PA Announcement of the Optional State Assessment (OSA) Requirement, Updated Certification and Survey Provider Enhanced Reports (CASPER) Daily MDS Census Reports, Fiscal Year 2024 Proposed Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) 

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Public Comments on the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) Community HealthChoices (CHC) Request for Information (RFI)

Public comments on the OLTL CHC RFI were collected between March 6, 2023 and April 14, 2023. A document containing a summary of those public comments is found on the Department of Human Services CHC Supporting Documents webpage<https://www.dhs.pa.gov/HealthChoices/HC-Services/Pages/CHC-Supporting-Documents.aspx> under the heading Public Input. A copy of that document is also attached to this email for your convenience. 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Behavioral Health Considerations in Long-Term Care.” The webinar will be held Thursday, June 8, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link provided below. 

[More ...]

New Executive Leadership at the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL)
Deputy Secretary
Many of you may have already had the pleasure of meeting OLTL's new Deputy Secretary, Juliet Marsala who joined OLTL on April 17, 2023. Juliet is a skilled executive with more than 15 years of experience focused on aging and disability, community-based and long-term care.
She has been leading the transformation of community-based organizations' (CBOs) operations to provide social services more effectively to vulnerable populations in home and community-based services (HCBS) and long-term services and supports (LTSS). Her experience spans aging and disability services, managed care, nursing home 

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This communication is being sent to rescind the ListServ email sent on May 1, 2023, regarding the subject: “Civil Money Penalty Grants – Request for Applications.” The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have identified the need to review the Civil Money Penalty (CMP) Grant application process. A new ListServ email will be issued once additional guidance has been received from CMS, to include new dates that applications will be accepted. Please disregard the previous communication. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused. 

[More ...]

The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Developing the Baseline Care Plan - Ensuring the Resident's Voice is Heard.” The webinar will be held Thursday, June 1, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

[More ...]

REMINDER:

Resident Days Report Overdue Submission Deadline and Penalties

Resident Days Report (RDR) Submissions

The deadline for submission of RDRs for the 4th Assessment quarter for fiscal year (FY) 2022-2023 (for Assessment Quarter 4, January 1, 2023 – March 31, 2023) was May 5, 2023.

Please submit outstanding RDRs by Monday, May 22, 2023, to avoid late penalties. 

[More ...]

To: Nursing Facility Nurse Assessment Coordinators

Changes to Case Mix Index (CMI) report
Effective April 17, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) transitioned the Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment submission and reporting functionality to the Internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (iQIES). This transition resulted in the Resident Internal ID column no longer being displayed. This change will be reflected in the May 2023 CMI Reports. 

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Preadmission Screening Resident Review (PASRR) Guidance for the End of the Federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE)

Since April 14, 2020, Pennsylvania has allowed a 30-day waiver for PASRR on a case-by-case only review basis, this is no longer in effect as of May 11, 2023 for COVID-19.

Nursing Facilities will continue to require the PASRR Level I for everyone admitted to their nursing facility prior to admission. Aging Well will continue to review individuals in hospitals and the community prior to admission to the nursing facility for clinical eligibility and to do the PASRR Level II if it is 

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This communication is to correct and replace the ListServ email sent on May 12, 2023, regarding the subject: “Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network Invite – May 25, 2023.” The date of the webinar “Transitions of Care for Long-Term Residents” has been updated to reflect the correct date of May 25, 2023. Please disregard the previous communication.
The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Transitions of Care for Long-Term Residents.” The webinar will be held Thursday, May 25, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 

[More ...]

The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Transitions of Care for Long-Term Residents.” The webinar will be held Thursday, May 11, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link provided below. 

[More ...]

The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, “Transitions of Care for Long-Term Residents.” The webinar will be held Thursday, May 18, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link provided below. 

[More ...]

REMINDER:

Important Dates Chart, Resident Days Submission Deadlines, Payment Plan Request Deadlines, Penalties, and Interest

Important Dates Chart for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-2023

Please see the attached Important Dates Chart for the Nursing Facility Assessment Program for FY 2022-2023. This chart is also available on the Nursing Facility Assessment<https://www.dhs.pa.gov/providers/Providers/Pages/Nursing-Facility-Assessment.aspx> page of the Department of Human Services (DHS) website and the Instructions and Bulletins<https://www.panfsubmit.com/bulletins.jsp> page of the Nursing Facility Submission System website. 

[More ...]

Civil Money Penalty Grants – Request for Applications

The purpose of this email is to announce that the Pennsylvania Departments of Human Services, Health, and Aging are working collaboratively to operate Pennsylvania’s Long-Term Care (LTC) Grant Program for use of federally imposed civil money penalty (CMP) funds. We will be accepting applications for the LTC Grant Program beginning June 1, 2023, through July 31, 2023. Applications submitted outside those dates will not be accepted. 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Role of the Service Coordinator in the Nursing Facility.” The webinar will be held Thursday, May 11, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link provided below. 

[More ...]

The Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) is presenting a live, interactive, six-session webinar series on housing issues.

When
May 24, 2023 - June 28, 2023 (every Wednesday) from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm

Format
The webinars will include targeted content and question and answer (Q&A) sessions with housing experts and OLTL staff. Each session is scheduled for 90 minutes to allow for interaction and Q&A segments. 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, “Overview of Community HealthChoices and the Role of Nursing Facilities.” The webinar will be held Thursday, May 4, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Please register for the webinar or accessing the PA LTC Learning Network Survey by clicking on the links provided below. 

[More ...]

Protective Services for Adults Proposed Regulation for Public Comment

The Saturday, April 22, 2023, Volume 53, Number 16 issue of the Pennsylvania Bulletin<https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pabull?file=/secure/pabulletin/data/vol53/53-16/535.html> contains a public notice announcing the proposed Protective Services for Adults Regulation.

Interested persons are invited to submit written comments, suggestions, or objections regarding this proposed rulemaking within 30 calendar days after the date of publication of this proposed rulemaking in the Pennsylvania Bulletin to: 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, “Transitions of Care for Residents with Serious Illness – Part 2.” The webinar will be held Thursday, April 27, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Also included in the message below is a link for the PA Long-Term Care (LTC) Learning Network Quarter 1 Survey.
Please register for the webinar or accessing the PA LTC Learning Network Survey by clicking on the links provided below.
[PA LTC LN] 

[More ...]

This communication is to correct and replace the ListServ email sent on April 10, 2023 with the subject "180-day Claims- Automated Electronic Submission Process." This corrected version has the correct option number to use with the phone number. Please disregard the previous communication.

CORRECTED- 180-day Claims- Automated Electronic Submission Process

The purpose of this email is to announce that, effective April 13, 2023, the 180-Day automated electronic submission process will allow Fee-for-Service (FFS) and Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) providers to request an Attachment Control Number (ACN) number and upload the supporting documents for claims adjudication.
Instructions can be found 

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180-day Claims- Automated Electronic Submission Process

The purpose of this email is to announce that, effective April 13, 2023, the 180-Day automated electronic submission process will allow Fee-for-Service (FFS) and Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) providers to request an Attachment Control Number (ACN) number and upload the supporting documents for claims adjudication.
Instructions can be found via Provider Quick Tip #263<https://www.dhs.pa.gov/providers/Quick-Tips/Documents/PROMISeQuickTip263.pdf>, or please utilize the PROMISe Provider Education and Training page<https://www.dhs.pa.gov/providers/Providers/Pages/PROMISe-Provider-Education-Training.aspx> for more information on live provider training sessions scheduled for April 13, 2023 and April 20, 2023. The live training will be recorded and available to providers.
If you 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, “Transitions of Care for Residents with Serious Illness – Part 1.” The webinar will be held Thursday, April 20, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link provided below. 

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The purpose of this email is to announce that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved the Office of Long-Term Living's (OLTL) Community HealthChoices (CHC) Waiver amendment. The amendment took effect April 1, 2023.

The current approved CHC Waiver document can be viewed on the following website: CHC-Supporting Documents (pa.gov)<https://www.dhs.pa.gov/HealthChoices/HC-Services/Pages/CHC-Supporting-Documents.aspx>. The link to the current approved CHC Waiver can be found under the heading, "Community HealthChoices 1915(b) Managed Care and 1915(c) Home and Community-Based Waivers." 

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The purpose of this email is to announce that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved the Office of Long-Term Living's (OLTL) OBRA Waiver amendment. The amendment took effect April 1, 2023.

The current approved OBRA Waiver document can be viewed on the following website: OBRA (pa.gov)<https://www.dhs.pa.gov/Services/Disabilities-Aging/Pages/OBRA.aspx>.

Changes in the approved OBRA Waiver amendment<https://www.dhs.pa.gov/Services/Disabilities-Aging/Pages/OBRA.aspx> include: 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, “Introduction to Transitions of Care.” The webinar will be held Thursday, April 13, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Please register for the webinar by clicking on the links provided below. 

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Posted 03/31/23
Notice of Public Comment Period – Bed Exception Request
To All Participating Nursing Facility Providers:
The Participation Review Unit (PRU) is responsible for reviewing bed requests from providers who desire to enroll a new nursing facility in the Medical Assistance (MA) Program or increase the number of MA-certified beds at a participating nursing facility.
This notice serves to inform all interested parties of a bed request that may be in their county or primary service area.
Area of Submission: Lancaster County
Submitted requests may be viewed at the Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Participation Review Bed Requests 

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CMS Temporary Nurse Aide Waiver Update

The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) received notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that the approved CMS waiver extending the deadline for Temporary Nurse Aides (TNA) to complete required examinations is in effect until May 11, 2023.

DOH received additional information from CMS indicating that TNAs who do not complete the required testing by May 11, 2023, may become Nurse Aide Candidates by enrolling in an approved Nurse Aide Training Program. From May 11, 2023, Nurse Aide Candidates will have four months to complete the required testing as long as 

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Indoor Air Management Strategies - Remaining Funds - Request for Applications (RFA)

The purpose of this email is to announce that the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) is operating an Indoor Air Management Strategies Grant Program. The purpose of the Program is for the implementation of best practices regarding indoor air management strategies (identified in the grant program application) in long-term care facilities aimed at reducing the risk of transmission of and occupant exposure to COVID-19. 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the first of 2023 Quarterly Learning Collaborative. The webinar will be held Thursday, March 23, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Please register for the webinars by clicking on the links provided below.
During the first quarter of 2023, the focus will be Age-Friendly Health Systems for Nursing Facilities. Age-Friendly Care follows the 4Ms Framework, intended to make the complex care of older adults efficient and effective. Your team is encouraged to attend all the webinars in this 

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Nursing Facility Assessment Quarter #3, Fiscal Year 2022-2023
Resident Data Submission Deadline and Penalties for Late Submission

Resident Data Submission Deadline

The Department of Human Services (Department) encourages nursing facilities that have not yet submitted resident data reports (RDRs) for the third assessment quarter of state fiscal year 2022-2023 (resident data for the period October 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022) to do so by the end of the day Friday, March 10, 2023. As a reminder, the 2022-2023 Important Dates Chart<https://www.dhs.pa.gov/providers/Documents/Long_Term_Nursing_Facilities/NF_Processing_Rate_Adjustments_and_Group_List/IDC%202022-2023%20Final%201.12.2023.xlsx> specified that RDRs for this period were due March 3, 2023. 

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Request for Information – Office of Long-Term Living Community HealthChoices Program

The Department of Human Services (Department) is seeking input from vendors and other stakeholders on the specific measures it may undertake to improve the quality, consistency and effectiveness of the Office of Long-Term Living’s (OLTL) Community HealthChoices (CHC) program.
On March 6, 2023, the Department released a Request for Information (RFI) to gather input and information concerning the CHC program administered by the Department’s OLTL. You can view the RFI<http://www.emarketplace.state.pa.us/Solicitations.aspx?SID=OLTL%20Community%20HealthChoices%20RFI> on eMarketplace<https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.emarketplace.state.pa.us%2F&data=05%7C01%7Cermccoy%40pa.gov%7Cae2061196fe548def2cc08db1e55d33b%7C418e284101284dd59b6c47fc5a9a1bde%7C0%7C0%7C638137126192209509%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=fvBhDRVYFU2UF8I1yvUG4Ska66WZS1Z3CB6pVTwa5Ds%3D&reserved=0>.
Specifically, this RFI seeks information to assist the Department in gathering stakeholder feedback on the statement of 

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The information below is being shared with you on behalf of the PA Department of Human Services (DHS). Please share the message with others who may be interested in becoming a Helper.
Dear partners,

The federal government has confirmed that the continuous coverage requirement for Medicaid will officially end March 31, 2023. The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) will reinstate Medical Assistance (MA) and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) renewal requirements and eligibility processing as of April 1, 2023. 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, “Age-Friendly Health Systems: The 4Ms – Introduction to Medication: Drive to Deprescribe.” The webinar will be held Thursday, March 16, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Please register for the webinars by clicking on the links provided below. 

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Update on Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) Reporting

The OLTL ARPA Funding portal was launched September 30, 2022 for providers to submit costs associated with ARPA of 2021 funding in order to comply with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services' (DHS) reporting requirements. The reporting due dates were previously communicated and are outlined in the chart below. OLTL continues to work through portal access requests and data discrepancy issues. Due to these ongoing challenges, please be advised there will NOT be a penalty assessed for initial reports submitted after the 2/28/2023 due date. 

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Posted 03/01/2023
Notice of Public Comment Period – Bed Exception Request
To All Participating Nursing Facility Providers:
The Participation Review Unit (PRU) is responsible for reviewing bed requests from providers who desire to enroll a new nursing facility in the Medical Assistance (MA) Program or increase the number of MA-certified beds at a participating nursing facility.
This notice serves to inform all interested parties of a bed request that may be in their county or primary service area. Submitted requests may be viewed at the Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Participation Review Bed Requests website at Participation Review Bed 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, “Age-Friendly Health Systems: The 4Ms - Leading the Way with Lead Aides
Restoring What Matters through Mobility.” The webinar will be held Thursday, March 9, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Please register for the webinars by clicking on the links provided below. 

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The information below is being shared with you on behalf of the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH).

Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error Act (MCARE) Assessment Letter and Invoice will be emailed next week

Please be aware that 2022-23 MCARE surcharge letters and invoices will be e-mailed to Nursing Home Administrators on or around March 1, 2023. 

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The purpose of this email is to announce that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved the renewal of the Community HealthChoices (CHC) 1915(b) waiver effective January 1, 2023, for a 5-year period. Under the 1915(b) waiver, Pennsylvania operates the CHC managed care program.

As part of the CHC 1915(b) waiver renewal, the Office of Long-Term Living was required to obtain an independent evaluation or assessment of its CHC waiver program and submit the findings when renewing the CHC 1915(b) waiver. 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource from the Long-Term Care Learning Network. Please see attached Excel Attestation form for additional information.

Good morning/afternoon,
Attached you will find the attestation form so that we can confirm attendance in one of the Learning Network Webinars that was held in 2022. Attending at least one of these Learning Network Webinars is required to be eligible for receiving payments associated with the 2022 Nursing Facility Quality Incentive Program. If you were unable to attend any of the Learning Network Webinars, unfortunately there are no make ups.
If you 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, “Age-Friendly Health Systems – The 4Ms: Introduction to Mobility.” The webinar will be held Thursday, March 2, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Please register for the webinars by clicking on the links provided below. 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, “Age-Friendly Health Systems: The 4Ms - Acting on Mentation.” The webinar will be held Thursday, February 23, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Please register for the webinars by clicking on the links provided below.
During the first quarter of 2023, the focus will be Age-Friendly Health Systems for Nursing Facilities. Age-Friendly Care follows the 4Ms Framework, intended to make the complex care of older adults efficient and effective. Your team is encouraged to attend 

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Pennsylvania will require the use of the Optional State Assessment (OSA) for Nursing Facilities starting October 1, 2023

Background: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is ending support for Resource Utilization Groups (RUG)-III and RUG-IV on federally required assessments for patients residing in Nursing Facilities and Skilled Nursing Facilities as of October 1, 2023. The ending of this support was previously communicated in a 2018 Medicaid Informational Bulletin which had signaled that this support would end on October 1, 2020, however, because of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, the end date was delayed, providing stakeholders additional time to 

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Please read the important press release below from the Department of Human Services regarding the Shapiro Administration urging Medical Assistance and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) recipients to update their contact information prior to the imminent federal changes that will impact renewals. The Office of Long-Term Living is sharing this message here for your information. 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, “Age-Friendly Health Systems – The 4Ms: Introduction to Mentation.” The webinar will be held Thursday, February 16, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Please register for the webinars by clicking on the links provided below. 

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If you previously received an invitation to this webinar from another source, the registration link for February 9, 2023, may be incorrect. Please use the corrected registration link in this message.

The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, “Age-Friendly Health Systems: The 4Ms - What Matters in Advance Planning.” The webinar will be held Thursday, February 9, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Please register for the webinars by clicking on the links provided below. 

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REMINDER:

Important Dates Chart, Resident Days Submission Deadlines, Payment Plan Request Deadlines, Penalties, and Interest

Important Dates Chart for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-2023

Please see the attached Important Dates Chart for the Nursing Facility Assessment Program for FY 2022-2023. This chart will also be available on the Nursing Facility Assessment<https://www.dhs.pa.gov/providers/Providers/Pages/Nursing-Facility-Assessment.aspx> page of the Department of Human Services (DHS) website and the Instructions and Bulletins<https://www.panfsubmit.com/bulletins.jsp> page of the Nursing Facility Submission System website. 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, “Age-Friendly Health Systems – The 4Ms: Introduction to What Matters.” The webinar will be held Thursday, February 2, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Please register for the webinars by clicking on the links provided below. 

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This message, sent the afternoon of January 11, 2023, is being rescinded as a public notice will be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin which will contain information about the healthcare-associated infection (HAI) payments and the appeal rights of providers. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused.

Notice

Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI) Payments Posted 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, “Introduction to the Age-Friendly Health System’s Took Kit and Guide for Nursing Facilities.” The webinar will be held Thursday, January 26, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Please register for the webinars by clicking on the links provided below.
During the first quarter of 2023, the focus will be Age-Friendly Health Systems for Nursing Facilities. Age-Friendly Care follows the 4Ms Framework, intended to make the complex care of older adults efficient and effective. Your team 

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CMS Temporary Nurse Aide Waiver
This message serves as a reminder that the approved Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) waiver extending the deadline for Temporary Nurse Aides (TNA) to complete required examinations is in effect until April 5, 2023, or the end of the federal Public Health Emergency (whichever date comes first). On January 11, 2023, the federal Public Health Emergency was extended for an additional 90 days. At this point, it is anticipated that the waiver will expire on April 5, 2023.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health encourages all nursing care facilities to make every effort to 

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Notice

Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI) Payments Posted

Payment information for the Medical Assistance (MA) portion of the annual healthcare-associated infection (HAI) surcharge for MA-11 cost reports with acceptance letters mailed by the Department of Human Services (DHS) on or before December 7, 2021 is posted on the HIA Payments webpage<https://www.dhs.pa.gov/providers/Providers/Pages/HAI-Payments.aspx> on the on the DHS website. 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next two webinars, "Introduction to the Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network 2023” on Thursday, January 12, 2023 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and “Introduction to Age-Friendly Health Systems for Nursing Facilities” on Thursday, January 19, 2023 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

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Financial Management Services (FMS) Stakeholder Meeting Notice

This email is to provide notice of an FMS Stakeholder meeting scheduled for Friday, January 6, 2023, from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm. This public meeting will be to discuss the administration of FMS under the Community HealthChoices (CHC), OBRA Waiver and Act 150 programs. Representatives from the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) and CHC Managed Care Organizations will be in attendance to discuss the FMS program. 

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The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care (LTC) Learning Network (LN) invites you to join the “Annual Gathering and Quarterly Learning Collaborative.” This webinar will continue to follow this quarter’s educational theme of workforce challenges. The second Annual Gathering and Quarterly Learning Collaborative webinar will be held on Thursday, December 8, 2022, from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Please use the link provided below titled “CLICK HERE” to register for this quarter’s program. 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, “Using the Past through Senior Scholars, Helping Staffing now, through Student Education and Creating a Positive future through Clinical Education Sites.” The webinar will be held Thursday, December 1, 2022, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link provided below. 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, “Using the Past through Senior Scholars, Helping Staffing now, through Student Education and Creating a Positive future through Clinical Education Sites.” The webinar will be held Thursday, December 1, 2022, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link provided below. 

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OBRA Waiver Amendment
In December 2022, the Department of Human Services (DHS) Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) will be submitting an amendment to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for the OBRA 1915(c) home and community-based waiver. To view a side-by-side comparison of the current and revised language, and to access the amendment in its entirety, please go to the OLTL Waiver Amendments, Renewals, and Accompanying HCBS Transition Plans<https://www.dhs.pa.gov/contact/DHS-Offices/Pages/OLTL-Waiver-Amendments-and-Renewals.aspx> webpage.
On this site, select "2023 OBRA Waiver Amendment" under "Additional Resources."
All documents are available in alternate format and in paper copy upon request by calling the OLTL 

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Community HealthChoices (CHC) Waiver Amendment
In December 2022, the Department of Human Services (DHS) Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) will be submitting an amendment to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for the CHC 1915(c) home and community-based waiver. To view a side-by-side comparison of the current and revised language, and to access the amendment in its entirety, please go to the OLTL Waiver Amendments, Renewals, and Accompanying HCBS Transition Plans<https://www.dhs.pa.gov/contact/DHS-Offices/Pages/OLTL-Waiver-Amendments-and-Renewals.aspx> webpage.
On this site, select "2023 Community HealthChoices (CHC) Waiver Amendment" under "Additional Resources."
All documents are available in alternate format and in paper copy upon 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, “Change in Condition Management using Telemedicine.” The webinar will be held Thursday, November 17, 2022, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link provided below. 

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The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care (LTC) Learning Network (LN) is requesting volunteers from nursing facilities to share a best practice by presenting for about 15 minutes during the December 8th Annual Gathering and Quarterly Learning Collaborative. The Quarterly Learning Collaborative webinar will be held on Thursday, December 8, 2022, from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Please email Stacie Bonenberger [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> by November 18, 2022, to volunteer to present at this quarter’s program. 

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Dear Providers,

This correspondence provides information on federal funding that is available for building resilience in long-term care facilities.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health has released a Request for Applications (RFA) for the Long-Term Care Quality Investment Pilot<http://www.emarketplace.state.pa.us/Solicitations.aspx?SID=RFA%2067-150>, which will distribute approximately $11.7 million in federal funds to long-term care facilities including skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), personal care homes (PCHs), assisted living facilities (ALFs), and intermediate care facilities (ICFs) for the purpose of building resilience. These funds are designed to be invested in key areas including workforce development and retention, infection prevention control, emergency preparedness, and improvements to facility infrastructure. 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, “Understanding Basic Management Strategies when Working with Individuals with Acquired Brain Injuries.” The webinar will be held Thursday, November 10, 2022, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

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Thank you for attending the Long-Term Care (LTC) Medical Assistance (MA) Renewal Training Webinar that took place on October 24, 2022. Attached are the slides for the presentation.
For anyone who was unable to attend, a video recording of the LTC MA Renewal Training Webinar<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUYL2oxAoCg> is available from the PA Department of Human Services (DHS). We are working on answering the questions submitted before and during the presentation and will send out a Q&A document when it's complete.
In the meantime, if you or another organization or community partner you work with is interested in signing up to be a 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, “Trauma Informed Care: What Is Needed for Staff and Residents.” The webinar will be held Thursday, November 3, 2022, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link provided below. 

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Dear Providers,

This communication is intended to inform you of an update to Pennsylvania's Criminal Code, Title 18<https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/18/18.HTM>.

Act 61 of 2022<https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/li/uconsCheck.cfm?yr=2022&sessInd=0&act=61> took effect on September 9th, 2022. Act 61 adds subsection 3124.2-Institutional Sexual Assault-to Title 18 and indicates that a caretaker engaging in sexual intercourse, deviate sexual intercourse, or indecent contact with a care-dependent person is committing a felony of the third degree. 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, “Trauma Informed Management: Practical Skills for Nursing Facilities”. The webinar will be held Thursday, October 27, 2022, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link provided below. 

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The purpose of this email is to announce that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved an amendment to the Office of Long-Term Living's (OLTL) OBRA Waiver. The amendment took effect October 1, 2022.

Changes in the approved OBRA Waiver amendment<https://www.dhs.pa.gov/Services/Disabilities-Aging/Pages/OBRA.aspx> include:

* Revised cost neutrality estimates to reflect an 8% rate increase to Personal Assistance Services (PAS).
* This rate change was initially implemented as an Appendix K amendment approved by CMS on December 13, 2021, and effective January 1, 2022. The intent of the change is to strengthen and enhance the direct care workforce and 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, "Going Beyond "Great Job!" with Appreciation that Impacts Lives." If already registered, please reference the two attachments during the webinar. The webinar will be held Thursday, October 13, 2022, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
To access the webinar, please click the first link below. You can also register for the webinar by clicking on the second link provided below. 

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On behalf of the Pennsylvania Departments of Human Services (DHS), Health (DOH), and Education (PDE), the three agencies that jointly administer the Act 138 Temporary Nurse Aide Pathway (TNA Pathway), we are writing to inform all Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) that Temporary Nurse Aides (TNAs) hired on or before June 6, 2022 have until April 5, 2023, or until the end of the National Public Health Emergency, whichever date comes first, to successfully pass the nurse aide exams and have their name enrolled on the nurse aide registry. 

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Effective October 1, 2022, the Resident Data Reporting Manual (RDRM) has been revised. Attached are the RDRM Change Document, which highlights the changes that were made, and the current RDRM Manual.

The updated manual can be found at the RDRM 2022 Manual<https://www.dhs.pa.gov/providers/Documents/Long_Term_Nursing_Facilities/Resident%20Data%20Reporting%20Manual_Revised%20Oct.%202022.pdf> or via the Nursing Facility Report Portal<https://nfrp.panfsubmit.com/>.

The current Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) User's Manual<https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment-Instruments/NursingHomeQualityInits/MDS30RAIManual> (v1.17.1), effective October 1, 2019, is found on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services website. 

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The information below is being shared with Nursing Facilities as a resource. The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Learning Network invites you to the next webinar, “Going Beyond ‘Great Job!’ with Appreciation that Impacts Lives.” The webinar will be held Thursday, October 13, 2022, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Please register for the webinar by clicking on the link provided below. 

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Financial Management Services (FMS) Stakeholder Meeting Notice

This email is to provide notice of an FMS Stakeholder meeting scheduled for Friday, October 7, 2022, from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm. This public meeting will be to discuss upcoming changes for the administration of FMS under the Community HealthChoices (CHC), OBRA Waiver and Act 150 programs. Representatives from the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) and CHC Managed Care Organizations will be in attendance to discuss upcoming changes. 

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The Department of Human Services (DHS), Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) is pleased to announce the launch of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) Funding Reporting portal. The online portal will be available on September 30, 2022, for OLTL providers to submit costs associated with ARPA funding distributed in 2021 in order to comply with DHS’ reporting requirements. 

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