For Single County Authorities

QUESTION: Are Appendix E and Appendix F required?

ANSWER: The specific forms are not required, simply designed for best practice. It is required to shift to an ‘opt out’ approach when discussing services related to viral hepatitis and HIV.

QUESTION: Are there specific handouts/flyers that we can use that meet the educational requirement for HIV and Hepatitis?

ANSWER: SCAs and providers can find educational materials via the following sites:

• Hepatitis | Department of Health | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
• HIV/AIDS Services and Epidemiology | Department of Health | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

QUESTION: Is this the same license as for Recovery Houses?

ANSWER: No. This is specifically for Halfway Houses (3.1 LOC)

QUESTION: What are the expectations for the peer review process? 

ANSWER: The purpose of the peer review is to examine the quality and appropriateness of services while identifying opportunities for quality improvement. Other than being aware of the provider participation requirements, SCAs generally do not have specific responsibilities as part of the peer review process.  

QUESTION: Is the SDOH screening tool replacing the current CMSP?

ANSWER: No. The purpose behind the SDOH screening tool is to enhance the quality of the services provided that will be documented via the CMSP. 

QUESTION: Do we need to update the SDOH form every time we update the CMSP? 

ANSWER: No, the SDOH screener is required initially in developing the  CMSP and can be updated if those needs change. 

QUESTION: Do I need to upload the SDOH screener in WITS? 

ANSWER: The SDOH screener is not required to be uploaded into WITS but should be uploaded/included in the chart/EHR. 

QUESTION: Do we have to use the exact tool in Appendix D for the Social Determinants of Health Screening? Our SCA is considering creating our own template combining into one form the Social Determinants of Health Screening and the Case Management Service Plan?

ANSWER: Providers are not required to complete Appendix D if they are already utilizing an existing SDOH screening tool within their system, provided that the tool maintains the integrity and scope of the Appendix D requirements.

To qualify as an acceptable alternative, the screening tool must, at a minimum, assess the following domains of an individual’s needs:

• Healthcare access
• Basic needs
• Physical health
• Employment
• Mental health services
• Substance use disorder services
• Family assistance
• Childcare
• Legal status
• Education
• Life skills
• Social supports

This flexibility is intended to reduce administrative burden while ensuring continued delivery of comprehensive, person-centered, and high-quality care.

Please note that if an existing screening tool does not fully address all of the domains listed above, Appendix D must still be completed in its entirety.

QUESTION: Will we receive the slides after the Webinar?

ANSWER: The slidedeck and recording are posted to the Technical Assistance Webinars page.

QUESTION: Are these new additions going to be available in WITS?

ANSWER: No. The new Appendices (D, E, and F) will not be added into WITS.