Pennsylvania State EMS Office Releases 2023 Statewide Protocol Update

The Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services, is pleased to announce the release of the 2023 PA Department of Health Statewide Protocols via the Department’s website at Regulations (pa.gov).

Additionally, on October 21, 2023, the PA Bulletin will publish the updated Scope of Practice, Required Equipment, and Medication lists.

The educational update courses for the BLS, IALS and ALS protocols have been created and released to TRAIN-PA.

  • 2023 BLS Protocol Update BEMS course #1000058611
  • 2023 IALS Protocol Update BEMS course#1000058615
  • 2023 ALS Protocol Update BEMS course #1000058613

These protocols will be in effect on January 1, 2024. All providers, Medical Command Physicians and Agency Medical Directors are required to complete the protocol update course(s) prior to this date. Once the training is complete, the EMS Agency Medical Director may authorize the use of these protocols prior to January 1, 2024.

EMS providers who are unable to complete the training on TRAIN-PA should contact their Agency Medical Director. A PowerPoint and Lesson Plan will be available for in person training.

CMS Releases Additional Guidance for MFTs and MHCs

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 expanded the range of behavioral health practitioners that can serve Medicare beneficiaries by allowing marriage and family therapists (MFTs) and mental health counselors (MHCs) to bill Medicare directly beginning in 2024. CMS included policies that would implement this in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule for 2024. The agency has also recently released a document providing answers to Frequently Asked Questions on the details of Medicare enrollment for these providers, along with how this relates to other topics including telehealth. MFTs and MHCs can help to address behavioral health workforce shortages in rural areas, with recent research finding a much smaller proportion of rural counties lacked counselors compared to any other behavioral health provider type.

Researchers have Analyzed Competencies and Workplace Stressors: Comparing Rural and Urban Public Health Practice

Researchers analyzed survey responses to the 2021 Public Health Workforce Interest and Needs Survey to compare rural and urban skill proficiencies, training needs, turnover risk, and experiences of bullying due to working as a public health professional.  Among the findings, rural staff had a higher likelihood than urban staff of reporting proficiencies in community engagement, data-based decision-making, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.  Rural staff were also more likely than urban staff to report leaving because of stress, experiences of bullying, and avoiding situations that made them think about COVID-19.

Read About the Final Rule: Simplified Enrollment in the Medicare Savings Programs

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule that simplifies eligibility and enrollment processes for the Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs), a collection of programs that provide qualifying, low-income Medicare beneficiaries with state-based assistance paying for Medicare premiums and cost-sharing. For several years, estimates have shown low enrollment in these programs.  In response, this rule requires States to simplify policies and procedures with the goal of enrolling more eligible Medicare beneficiaries.  In 2020, over 1 million rural Medicare beneficiaries had limited Medicaid benefits through these programs.  

Request for Input on Rural Participation in Value-Based Care Models 

The Physician‐Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC), an independent federal advisory committee, seeks public input to inform their report to the Secretary with recommendations to encourage rural participation in value-based payment (VBP) models.  They request information on what definitions of rural are most relevant for VBP, what are the needs of rural providers, what are the barriers to rural participation in VBP models, and what non-medical interventions rural populations need.  Send questions or comments to PTAC@HHS.gov. Input Requested by October 20, 2023.

Will the Availability of OTC Narcan Increase Access? Here You Can Find Recent Research Regarding Naloxone

  The national nonprofit Kaiser Family Foundation highlights state policies and recent research related to over-the-counter (OTC) access to naloxone, a drug that rapidly reverses opioid overdose.  A clue may be provided by a 2022 study linked in the brief that examines how pharmacies decided to stock the prescription version of the drug.  The study identified that independent pharmacies, those in rural areas, and pharmacies in states with lower overdose rates or without expanded Medicaid were less likely to have it available.