The State/Local Hospitalization Program (SLH) is a cooperative effort between the state and local governments that is designed to provide coverage for inpatient and outpatient hospital care, care in approved ambulatory surgical centers and care provided in local health departments. The SLH Program was established in 1946 with participation by localities on a voluntary basis. Under the original SLH Program, local expenditures were matched by state funds at a rate of 50%. This program was repealed and a mandatory statewide program was enacted in 1989. The new program requires all localities within the Commonwealth to participate and mandates a local match, not to exceed 25% of the program benefit expenditures. This enabling legislation also transferred administration of the program from localities and the Department of Social Services to the Department of Medical Assistance Services. Coverage for health care services is available to indigent people who are not Medicaid recipients. A person may be eligible for the SLH Program whether employed or unemployed, insured or uninsured, if the person meets the income and resource criteria established for the program. Determination of eligibility for SLH must be made by the Department of Social Services in the city or county where the applicant lives. An applicant may be eligible if his or her net income is equal to or less than 100% of the federal poverty level established for the year in which the applicant is applying. Localities that had SLH income eligibility levels above 100% of poverty prior to June 30, 1989, may have a higher level under the current program. The SLH Program is financed entirely by state and local funds with the state providing at least 75% percent of the cost by allocating the amount of funds appropriated to each locality on the basis of current estimated demand for covered services. Funds allocated to a locality can be used to pay for services provided to residents of that locality only. The Department of Medical Assistance Services calculates the state and local share allocations, administers financing, claims processing, provider reimbursement, and is responsible for provider communications. ** Special Announcement **
The State and Local Hospitalization (SLH) Program has been suspended.
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** Special Announcement **
The SLH Program year runs from May 1 thru April 30 of each year. Funding is based on the State Fiscal Year that runs from July 1 through June 30. The Program year ends on April 30th to allow sufficient time for claims to be submitted and paid prior to the end of the State Fiscal Year.
Localities were invoiced for their share in mid July and claims processing begins in early September. The locality share of the allocation must be received prior to claims processing for that locality. All claims submitted for dates of service as of May 1st are held in a pending status until the locality share is paid. The SLH Allocations will then be updated weekly once claims processing has begun.
As of November 1st, LDSS is no longer required to take applications once funds are exhausted in that locality.