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PA Bulletin, Doc. No. 04-32

NOTICES

DEPARTMENT OF
PUBLIC WELFARE

Inpatient Hospital Services

[34 Pa.B. 132]

   The purpose of this announcement is to provide prior notice of the Department of Public Welfare's (Department) intent to continue its payment methods for inpatient hospital services effective January 1, 2004. These payment methods affect acute care general hospitals, private psychiatric hospitals, psychiatric units of acute care general hospitals, rehabilitation hospitals and rehabilitation units of acute care general hospitals.

   The Department will continue to negotiate with representatives of the hospital industry a Hospital Payment Rate Agreement (agreement) which governs the payment methods and standards applicable to hospitals participating in the Medical Assistance Fee-for-Service Program. The current agreement was effective July 1, 2001, and will expire on December 31, 2003. During this period of continued negotiations, the Department proposes to maintain the payment methods for inpatient hospital services and the inpatient disproportionate share payments at the level in effect on December 31, 2003. In relation to payment rates for inpatient hospital services, the Department will continue to apply the rate limits in effect as of December 31, 2003. In relation to inpatient disproportionate share payments, for the period January 1, 2004, through March 31, 2004, the Department shall distribute to providers that are eligible for inpatient disproportionate share payments the amount of $16.074 million.

Fiscal Impact

   The necessary funding required to continue the current payment provisions has been provided for in the Department's Fiscal Year 2003-04 budget request.

Public Comment

   Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to this notice within 30 days of this publication. Comments received will be considered in subsequent revisions to payment methods for inpatient hospital services. Comments should be sent to the Department of Public Welfare, Office of Medical Assistance Programs, c/o Deputy Secretary's Office, Attn: Regulations Coordinator, Room 515 Health and Welfare Building, Harrisburg, PA 17120.

   Persons with a disability may use the AT&T Relay Service by calling (800) 654-5984 (TDD users) or (800) 654-5988 (voice users).

ESTELLE B. RICHMAN,   
Secretary

   Fiscal Note:  14-NOT-377. No fiscal impact; (8) recommends adoption.

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 04-32. Filed for public inspection January 2, 2004, 9:00 a.m.]


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