On October 15, ODP released a publication of proposed amendments to the ODP Consolidated, Person/Family Directed Support, Community Living, and Adult Autism waivers for public comment. The public comment period will remain open through Monday, November 15. The proposed amendments are effective January 1, 2022, and maybe reviewed here. Instructions for submitting comments and participating in available webinars appear below.
As required by regulation, also published is a description of the rate-setting methodology used by the Department of Human Services to determine rates. Specific new rates required by the proposed waiver amendments were published today. These rates are not the complete set of updated ID/A fee schedule rates expected from the current ODP rate review process. We will continue to keep members apprised of further developments on the updating of fee schedule rates. TPA has requested a $541 million investment into the fee schedule rates to increase DSP wages under our Equal Pay for Equal Work campaign.
We encourage all members to review these publications for their service and rate-setting implications and to provide feedback on any areas of concern.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROVIDING COMMENTS TO PROPOSED WAIVER AMENDMENTS
Interested persons are invited to submit written comments regarding the proposed waiver amendments and proposed Fee Schedule Rates. Comments should be addressed to Julie Mochon, Department of Human Services, Office of Developmental Programs, 625 Forster Street, Room 510, Harrisburg, PA 17120. Comments may be submitted to the Department at RA-odpcomment@pa.gov using the subject header ”Waiver Amendment Comments.”
Comments received within 30 days of publication of this notice will be reviewed and considered for revisions to the proposed waiver amendments and proposed Fee Schedule Rates.
The Department will hold three webinars to receive comments on the proposed waiver amendments; two webinars for the Consolidated, P/FDS and Community Living waivers and one for the Adult Autism waiver. The date, time and link for registration to attend the webinars for the Consolidated, P/FDS and Community Living waivers are as follows:
Register Here for November 2, 2021 – 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Register Here for November 4, 2021 – 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
The date, time and link for registration to attend the webinar for the Adult Autism waiver is as follows:
Register Here for November 3, 2021 – 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Participants who are interested in participating in the webinars may do so by phone but will need a computer to provide comments during the webinars. To assist the Department in accurately capturing comments provided during the webinars, individuals are asked to submit a written copy of their comments by e-mail or mail to the previously provided address.
Persons with a disability who require an auxiliary aid or service may submit comments using the Pennsylvania Hamilton Relay Service by dialing 711 or by using one of the toll-free numbers: (800) 654-5984 (TDD users), (800) 654-5988 (voice users), (844) 308-9292 (Speech-to-Speech) or (844) 308-9291 (Spanish).
Copies of this notice and documents containing the changes proposed in the waiver amendments may be obtained by contacting Julie Mochon, Office of Developmental Programs, 625 Forster Street, Room 510, Harrisburg, PA 17120, RA-odpcomment@pa.gov.
