NOTICES

DEPARTMENT OF
PUBLIC WELFARE

Payments to Nursing Facilities January 1, 2001 Proposed Rates

[31 Pa.B. 706]

   The purpose of this notice is to announce the proposed changes in payment rates based on case-mix index (CMI) adjustments only, for nursing facilities beginning January 1, 2001, and to identify the methodology and justification for these proposed rates. Under 42 U.S.C.A. § 1902(a)(13)(A), as amended by section 4711 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (Pub.L. No. 105-33) a state must use a public process when it proposes to make changes in payment rates or payment methodologies for nursing facility services under its approved Title XIX State Plan. The Department of Public Welfare (Department) is not proposing to amend its State Plan or to change its regulations, 55 Pa. Code Chapter 1187, relating to the rate-setting methodology used to set nursing facility payment rates. Rather, the Department is proposing to make changes in its nursing facility payment rates based on CMI adjustments as required by the rate-setting methodology contained in its approved State Plan and regulations.

Rates

   The proposed January 1, 2001, rates are available through the Bulletin Board System (BBS) at (800) 833-5091, at the local County Assistance Offices throughout the Commonwealth, on the Office of Medical Assistance Programs' web site at www.dpw.state.pa.us/omap, or by contacting Tom Jayson in the Policy Section of the Bureau of Long Term Care Programs at (717) 772-2525.

Methodology

   The methodology that the Department used to set the proposed rates based on CMI adjustments is contained in 55 Pa. Code Chapter 1187, Subchapter G (relating to rate setting) and the Commonwealth's approved Title XIX State Plan.

Justification

   The justification for the proposed rates is that they were set under the rate-setting methodology required by the Commonwealth's approved State Plan and the current regulations.

   The estimated increase in annual aggregate expenditures for Medical Assistance nursing facility services for FY 2000-2001 is $2.772 million ($1.284 million in State funds).

   Interested persons are invited to submit written comments only concerning case-mix index adjustments to the proposed rates to the Department within 30 days of publication of this notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. Comments should be addressed to: Department of Public Welfare, Attention: Suzanne Love, Room 515 Health and Welfare Building, Harrisburg, PA 17105.

   Persons with a disability may use the AT&T Relay Services by calling (800) 654-5984 (TDD Users) or (800) 654-5988 (Voice Users). Persons who require another alternative should contact Thomas Vracarich in the Office of Legal Counsel at (717) 783-2209.

FEATHER O. HOUSTOUN,   
Secretary

   Fiscal Note: 14-NOT-271. (1) General Fund; (2) Implementing Year 2000-01 is $1,284,000; (3) 1st Succeeding Year 2001-02 is $1,401,000; 2nd Succeeding Year 2002-03 is $1,401,000; 3rd Succeeding Year 2003-04 is $1,401,000; 4th Succeeding Year 2004-05 is $1,401,000; 5th Succeeding Year is $1,401,000; (4) 1999-00 Program--$693,625,000; 1998-99 Program--$721,631,000; 1997-98 Program--$617,252,000; (7) Medical Assistance-Long Term Care; (8) recommends adoption. Funds are included in the budget for this purpose.

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 01-185. Filed for public inspection February 2, 2001, 9:00 a.m.]

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