Pennsylvania DPW Stakeholder Announcement Related To Behavior Specialist Licensure Implementation

March 19, 2013
On March 19, 2013, Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (DPW) announced a one-year delay to its deadline for behavior specialist licensing, a new certification required under the state’s 2009 autism insurance mandate. Behavior specialists will have until May 26, 2014 to obtain the new certification. DPW said the state’s Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) will continue to pay for services provided by unlicensed behavior specialists who have already applied if they believe they will be licensed by January 1, 2014. The Medicaid MCOs will also pay specialists who could obtain the qualifications and apply . . .