Submitted by Laura Ness, Director, PA Government Affairs (GAO)

Last week, during the Pennsylvania Homecare Association Annual Conference, Deputy Secretary for the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) Jen Burnett announced Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) will be required to reimburse providers at least the state posted fee-for-service reimbursement rate for personal assistant services. This “rate floor” will be in effect for the first 36 months post transition of each region. After the announcement, I had the opportunity to speak with Deputy Secretary Burnett, and she stated the reason OLTL made that decision was to provide stability for providers. During our conversation, I asked that her office consider extending the temporary rate floor to registered nurse (RN) and licensed practical nurse (LPN) services as well for the same reason. She invited us to meet with her formally to discuss. BAYADA’s Government Affairs Office (GAO) will work to set up a meeting with OLTL to lobby for the inclusion of RN and LPN services in the 36-month rate floor.