NOTICES
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WELFARE
Payments to Nursing Facilities; July 1, 2002 Proposed Rates
[32 Pa.B. 4661] This notice announces proposed changes in payment rates for nursing facilities beginning July 1, 2002, 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 nursing facility services). Rather, the Department is proposing to make changes in its nursing facility payment rates because those rate changes are required by the rate-setting methodology contained in its approved State Plan and regulations.
Rates
The proposed July 1, 2002, rates are available at the local county assistance offices throughout this Commonwealth, on the Office of Medical Assistance Programs' (OMAP) website at www.dpw.state.pa.us/omap or by contacting Tom Jayson, Policy Unit of the Bureau of Long Term Care Programs, (717) 705-3705.
Methodology
The methodology the Department used to set the proposed rates is contained in 55 Pa. Code Chapter 1187, Subchapter G (relating to rate setting) and the Commonwealth's Title XIX State Plan. The criteria used to determine the appropriate adjustments is available on the OMAP website or by contacting Tom Jayson. The database used for rate setting is available on the OMAP website.
Justification
The justification for the proposed rates is that they were set under the rate-setting methodology required by the Commonwealth's regulations and approved State Plan.
The estimated increase in annual aggregate expenditures for Medical Assistance nursing facility services for FY 2002-2003 is $70.427 million ($31.918 million in State funds).
Interested persons are invited to submit written comments about 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, P. O. Box 2675, Harrisburg, PA 17105. Persons with a disability may use the AT&T Relay Services, (800) 654-5984 (TDD users) or (800) 654-5988 (voice users).
FEATHER O. HOUSTOUN,
SecretaryFiscal Note: 14-NOT-335. (1) General Fund; (2) Implementing Year 2002-03 is $31,918,000; (3) 1st Succeeding Year 2003-04 is $34,820,000; 2nd Succeeding Year 2004-05 is $34,820,000; 3rd Succeeding Year 2005-06 is $34,820,000; 4th Succeeding Year 2006-07 is $34,820,000; 5th Succeeding Year 2007-08 is $34,820,000; (4) 2001-02 Program--$761,877,000; 2000-01 Program--$722,565,000; 1999-00--$693,625,000; (7) Medical Assistance--Long Term Care; (8) recommends adoption. Funding for these changes is included in the 2002-03 budget.
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 02-1641. Filed for public inspection September 20, 2002, 9:00 a.m.]
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