NOTICES
DEPARTMENT OF
HUMAN SERVICES
Proposed Fee Schedule Rates for Transportation Trip Services Funded Through the Adult Autism Waiver
[49 Pa.B. 7254]
[Saturday, December 7, 2019]The purpose of this notice is to announce the Department of Human Services' (Department) intent to add Transportation Trip as a new service to the Adult Autism Waiver effective January 1, 2020, and the proposed Fee Schedule Rates for this service.
Fee Schedule Rates
The proposed Fee Schedule Rates for Transportation Trip services were developed using a market-based approach. This process included a review of the service definition and a determination of allowable cost components which reflected costs that are reasonable, necessary and related to the delivery of Transportation Trip services, as defined in the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (OMB Circular Uniform Guidance, December 26, 2014). The Department established the Transportation Trip Fee Schedule Rates to fund services at a level sufficient to ensure access, encourage provider participation and promote provider choice, while at the same time ensuring cost effectiveness and fiscal accountability. The Fee Schedule Rates represent the maximum rates that the Department will pay for Transportation Trip services.
In developing the proposed Fee Schedule Rates for the Transportation Trip service, the Department evaluated and used various independent data sources such as a Commonwealth-specific compensation study and expense data from prior approved cost reports for Transportation Trip services for the Consolidated, Community Living and Person/Family Directed Support Waivers, as applicable, to ensure the rates reflect the expected expenses for the delivery of the service under the Adult Autism Waiver for the major allowable cost categories listed as follows:
• Staff wages.
• Staff-related expenses.
• Productivity.
• Program and administration-related expenses.
• Approved service definitions in the waivers and determinations made about allowable cost components that reflect expenses reasonable and necessary and related to the delivery of Transportation Trip services.
• Cost of implementing applicable Federal and State statutes as well as regulations and local ordinances.
One Fee Schedule Rate was developed for each Transportation Trip service zone. Transportation Trip services can be provided by providers who enroll directly with the Department to provide Transportation Trip services or through Organized Health Care Delivery System providers.
The proposed Fee Schedule Rates for Transportation Trip services are included in the following table. The assumption log used to develop these rates is available at https://www.dhs.pa.gov/providers/Providers/Documents/ODP/Public%20Notices%20Related%20to%20Rates/ODP%20FY%2018%2019%20Trans%20Trip%20MRWG_Assumptions%20Log_080218.pdf.
Fee Schedule Rates for Transportation Trip Services Effective January 1, 2020
Service Name Unit of Service Procedure Code Statewide Fee Transportation Trip Zone 1
(greater than 0 and up to 10 miles)W7274 $17.85 Zone 2
(greater than 10 miles and up to 30 miles)W7275 $32.14 Zone 3
(over 30 miles)W7276 $36.51
Fiscal Impact
It is anticipated that there will be an additional cost of $0.154 million ($0.074 million in State funds) to the Commonwealth in Fiscal Year (FY) 2019-2020 and an annualized cost of $0.307 million ($0.147 million in State funds) in FY 2020-2021 and subsequent years.
Public Comment
Copies of this notice may be obtained by contacting the Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations at P.O. Box 2675, Harrisburg, PA 17105, RA-odpautismwaiver@pa.gov.
Comments received within 30 days of publication of this notice will be reviewed and considered for revisions to the proposed rates. A notice will be published announcing the final Fee Schedule Rates after the public comment period. Interested persons are invited to submit written comments regarding the proposed Transportation Trip Fee Schedule Rates. Comments should be addressed to Laura Cipriani, Department of Human Services, Office of Developmental Programs, 625 Forster Street, Room 510, Harrisburg, PA 17120. Comments may also be submitted to the Department at RA-odpcomment@pa.gov using subject header ''AAW Transportation Trip Rates.''
Persons with a disability who require an auxiliary aid or service may submit comments using the Pennsylvania AT&T 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).
TERESA D. MILLER,
SecretaryFiscal Note: 14-NOT-1372. (1) General Fund; (2) Implementing Year 2019-20 is $74,000; (3) 1st Succeeding Year 2020-21 through 5th Succeeding Year 2024-25 are $147,000; (4) 2018-19 Program—$30,842,000; 2017-18 Program—$27,669,000; 2016-17 Program—$22,496,000; (7) Autism Intervention and Services; (8) recommends adoption. Funds have been included in the budget to cover this increase.
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 19-1818. Filed for public inspection December 6, 2019, 9:00 a.m.]
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