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    Keystones of Health for Pennsylvania

    1115 Waiver Application & Related Information

    Submitted Section 1115 demonstration waiver application

    The Pennsylvanian Department of Human Services submitted our Section 1115 demonstration waiver application, titled “Bridges to Success: Keystones of Health for Pennsylvania” to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on January 26, 2024. Below are copies of what was submitted:

    1115 Program Administrator RFI - Bridges to Success: Keystones of Health for Pennsylvania

    The Department of Human Services has released a new Request for Information (RFI) to assist in determining possible implementation needs for the Commonwealth’s proposed 1115 Demonstration Waiver titled, Bridges to Success: Keystones of Health for Pennsylvania. This RFI will help inform a potential scope of work for private, public, and non-profit organizations that could serve in the future as a Program Administrator for the program. If approved and implemented, Keystones of Health would bring new resources to Pennsylvania’s Medicaid program to address health-related social needs (HRSN) that have a direct impact on health care spending and health outcomes. Responses to the RFI are due August 19, 2024 by 12:00 pm.

    The proposed Keystones of Health program seeks to expand tools available to address critical health care needs of Pennsylvanians in four main areas: reentry supports, housing resources, food is medicine, and continuous health coverage for children under the age six. This RFI seeks information to assist DHS in implementing the proposed housing and food and nutrition services for beneficiaries. Through this RFI, the Department is seeking knowledge about potential Program Administrator responsibilities and capabilities for administering these HRSN services. The RFI will also inform aspects of DHS’ implementation plan that is currently in development while the Commonwealth collaborates with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to secure approval. The Department encourages respondents and other interested parties to provide feedback by responding to the RFI.

    Section 1115 of the Social Security Act gives the federal government the ability to waive certain federal rules that govern Medicaid to allow states to design and evaluate new state pilot projects that promote the general goals of the Medicaid program, helping people live healthier lives. Section 1115 waivers are a major pathway for state innovation in the Medicaid program that many states have leveraged. If approved and the necessary state funds are appropriated, it would allow DHS to introduce innovative programs and services that address health-related social needs that can improve health and quality of life for Pennsylvanians who access health care through Medicaid. 

    Submit feedback to DHS’ Request for Information.

    Non-Discrimination and Accessibility Information

    DHS complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, creed, religious affiliation, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation.

    DHS does not exclude people or treat them differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability, creed, religious affiliation, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation.

    DHS provides free aids and services to people with disabilities to communicate effectively with us, such as:  

    • Qualified sign language interpreters 
    • Written information in other formats (large print, audio, accessible electronic formats, other formats) 

    DHS provides free language services to people whose primary language is not English, such as:  

    • Qualified interpreters 
    • Information written in other languages 

    If you need these services, contact DHS at: 

    • Telephone: 1-866-872-8969 — choose Option #1 for English, Option #2 for Spanish, Option #3 for Vietnamese, Option #4 for Cambodian, Option #5 for Russian, Option #6 for Mandarin Chinese, or Option #7 for a sign language interpreter and leave a detailed voice mail message.
    • TDD/TTY – PA Relay 711 — give the operator the 1-866-872-8969 phone number to call, choose Option #7 for a sign language interpreter, and leave a detailed voice mail message.
    • E-mail: MA-Interpreter@pa.gov