Alabama Statewide Health Coordinating Council Update - January 2013

The Statewide Health Coordinating Council (SHCC) held public hearings on four proposed amendments to the State Health Plan. All four amendments were unanimously approved and are described below.

1. Public Hearing on Proposed Amendment to Section 410-2-3-.10 of the State Health Plan – In-Home Hospice

Action taken: The moratorium on in-home hospice services was extended through the end of 2013 for further consideration of the need methodology.

2. Public Hearing on Proposed Amendment to Section 410-2-5-.07 of the State Health Plan – Electronic Notice

Action taken: The State Health Plan was amended to allow the State Health Planning and Development Agency to provide written notice in electronic format.

3. Public Hearing on Proposed Amendment to Section 410-2-5-.04 of the State Health Plan – Plan Revision Procedures

Action taken: The Plan Revision Procedures section of the State Health Plan was revised to reflect the addition of electronic filing and to require applicants seeking an adjustment or amendment to the State Health Plan to file the application electronically, along with the original and two copies submitted to the agency.

4. Public Hearing on Proposed Amendment to Section 410-2-3-.03 of the State Health Plan – Cardiac Services

Action taken: The State Health Plan was revised to allow hospitals without open-heart surgical capabilities to provide elective percutaneous coronary intervention pursuant to certain enumerated criteria. The final language contained in the amendment was the result of a compromise between the original proponents of the amendment and the Alabama Chapter of the American College of Cardiology. A copy of the amendment to the Cardiac Services section of the State Health Plan approved by the SHCC is attached.