Community HealthChoices Archives
Governor Wolf’s proposed 2015-16 budget committed to increasing opportunities for older Pennsylvanians and individuals with physical disabilities to remain in their homes. To do so, the governor directed the Departments of Human Services (DHS) and Aging (PDA) to develop a plan to implement a Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) program for older Pennsylvanians and adults with physical disabilities called Community HealthChoices (CHC).
DHS Announces Delay of Community HealthChoices
The Department of Human Services and the Department of Aging are notifying stakeholders today they are postponing the implementation of Community Health Choices.
- Phase 1 implementation is postponed from July 2017 to January 2018.
- Phase 2 implementation is postponed from January 2018 to July 2018.
Click here for a copy of the notice from the Department.
DHS Announces Selection for Community HealthChoices Managed Care Agreements
The departments of Human Services (DHS) and Aging announced that the commonwealth has agreed to move forward and negotiate agreements with three managed care organizations (MCOs) for Community HealthChoices (CHC) – AmeriHealth Caritas, Pennsylvania Health and Wellness (Centene) and UPMC for You. PHCA congratulated the administration and the successful health plans on this important milestone, while noting the need to move methodically while implementing CHC with consumer outcomes and choice as the focus.
DHS Releases Draft of CHC Evaluation Plan for Comment
The Department of Human Services (Department) made available for public review and comment a draft of the Evaluation Plan developed by the University of Pittsburgh (University) for the Community HealthChoices (CHC) program. The University will conduct a comprehensive multi-year evaluation of CHC, Pennsylvania’s new Medicaid Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) program. The evaluation will provide an independent assessment of the implementation and outcomes of the program to complement other oversight and quality assurance activities conducted by the Department of Human Services (DHS), Office of Long-Term Living. Interested persons were invited to provide comments by June 24, 2016.
DHS Delays Implementation of CHC
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services and Department of Aging released the following joint statement yesterday announcing the delay of their managed long-term care program, Community HealthChoices. Learn more.
DHS Received 14 Responses to CHC RFP
DHS received 14 responses to the recent request for proposal (RFP) issued for Community Health Choices (CHC), which is Pennsylvania’s new initiative that will use managed care organizations to coordinate physical health care and long-term services and supports (LTSS) for older persons, persons with physical disabilities, and Pennsylvanians who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid (dual eligible). Learn more.
CHC HCBS Waiver Applications
The Department of Human Services (Department) is making available, through the April 23 issue of the Pennsylvania Bulletin, for public review and comment the proposed Community HealthChoices (CHC) 1915(b) managed care waiver and the proposed CHC 1915(c) home and community-based waiver applications which, if approved, will govern operation of the CHC Program, Pennsylvania’s managed long-term services and supports initiative. Visit the PHCA webpage on the waiver applications to learn more.
CMS Issues Medicaid Managed Care Final Rule
CMS issued the final Medicaid managed care regulations. This is the first update to the regulations governing Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) since 2002. The final rule codifies several policy changes proposed in the proposed Medicaid managed care regulations issued in June 2015 and addresses stakeholder comments submitted in response to CMS’ proposals. AHCA’s summary of the proposed rule can be accessed here.
The impact of this regulation is significant given the increasing size and scope of Medicaid managed care programs nationwide. At present, the majority of Medicaid beneficiaries receive at least some of their healthcare coverage through managed care arrangements rather than traditional fee-for-service. Of particular note for PHCA members, the final rule marks the first time long-term services and supports (LTSS) provisions have been incorporated into the Medicaid managed care regulations. This is particularly significant in Pennsylvania as the Wolf Administration seeks to implement Community HealthChoices (CHC), Pennsylvania’s managed long-term services and supports program, beginning in July 2016 in western Pa. Click here to learn more about the final rule.
