Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants

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Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants

Member Login Join or Renew
  • Home
  • About
    • Our Purpose
    • Officer Directory
    • Officer’s Responsibilities
      • President
      • President Elect
      • Immediate Past President
      • Treasurer
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    • Gift Memberships
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      • Online Written Agreement Information
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      • Tools
      • SBM Regulations**
      • SBOM Regulations**
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      • PSPA Annual Awards
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      • 2023 CME Conference Rates & Registration
      • General Information
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      • Thank you to our 2022 speakers!
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      • Professional Sessions
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      • Special Events
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News

Pennsylvania PAs made Rendering Providers under Medicaid

Posted on January 9, 2022 by PSPA

Beginning September 1, 2016, Physician Assistants in Pennsylvania were enrolled as participating providers who could order, refer or prescribe items for Medical Assistance beneficiaries. The PSPA has been trying to change our status from participating providers to enrolled rendering providers since that time. On January 7th, 2022, The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin that this monumental change has occurred. The language and the steps that need to be taken by PAs and their employers can be found at this link: https://www.dhs.pa.gov/docs/Publications/Documents/FORMS%20AND%20PUBS%20OMAP/MAB2022010701.pdf

History:
Pennsylvania PAs were hidden providers under the state’s Medicaid program as claims for PA services were attributed to their supervising physician. This system prevented patients, regulators, employers, and legislators from knowing which healthcare professional was accountable for a patient’s care.  The issue of appropriate enrollment of PAs was about accountability and transparency.  Because Pennsylvania PAs are hidden providers, inaccurate data was delivered to policymakers on workforce and network adequacy considerations. This has lead to an inefficient allocation of taxpayer resources.

Impact of this change
There are now 48 states across the country that enroll physician assistants in Medicaid programs as rendering providers, authorizing them to use their own provider number when claims are submitted to Medicaid to identify who rendered the service.  PAs will be recognized as enrolled rendering providers under Pennsylvania’s Medicaid program, allowing services provided by PAs to be submitted with the PA’s name and NPI included on the claim form indicating that he or she rendered the service. Enrollment of PAs as rendering providers under Medicaid will lead to the identification of PAs in provider directories. This clear identification of health professionals locally delivering care will make it easier for patients, especially those in underserved communities, to find care options, particularly in a time of physician shortage.

The enrollment of PAs as rendering providers does not increase costs for the state Medicaid program or duplicate services. PAs are currently providing said services but submitting claims under the physician’s provider number. Payment would continue to go to the employer.

This status change is a huge win for PSPA and PAs of Pennsylvania. Much thanks goes to the PSPA Board of Directors and the Governmental Affairs team.

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Gov. Wolf Signs Executive Order to Provide Civil Immunity for Health Care Providers

Posted on May 6, 2020 by PSPA

Gov. Wolf Signs Executive Order to Provide Civil Immunity for Health Care Providers

https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/gov-wolf-signs-executive-order-to-provide-civil-immunity-for-health-care-providers/

Today, Governor Tom Wolf signed an executive order to afford health care practitioners protection against liability for good faith actions taken in response to the call to supplement the health care provider workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the course of the pandemic and the disaster declaration associated with it, the Wolf Administration has used its authority under the declaration to suspend a significant number of regulations and regulatory statutes to supplement the health care workforce, including facilitating the deployment of retirees and out-of-state health care professionals, expanding scope of practices and relaxing supervision requirements for numerous health care licensees, bringing in health care professionals who have not previously maintained liability coverage, and calling upon health care providers to perform acts they would not perform in the ordinary course of business.

“As the COVID-19 pandemic has required the Wolf Administration to take broad action to respond to and prepare for Pennsylvanians’ critical health care needs, so too has it required our health care providers to broaden their professional responsibilities and experiences like never before,” Gov. Wolf said. “This Executive Order to Enhance Protections for Health Care Professionals serves to protect the individuals serving on the front lines of the disaster response.”

The executive order:

  • Grants immunity to any individual who holds a license, certificate, registration or certification to practice a health care profession or occupation in Pennsylvania and who is engaged in providing COVID-19 medical and health treatment or services during the COVID- 19 disaster emergency response. Immunity does not extend to acts or omissions that constitute a crime, gross negligence, or fraud, malice, or other willful misconduct;
  • Extends immunity to those medical professionals in Pennsylvania that provide services in any health care facility as defined by the Health Care Facilities Act, as well as any nursing facility, personal care home, assisted living facility or any alternate care site, community-based testing site or non-congregate care facility used for the purpose of conducting emergency services activities or the provision of disaster services activities related to the Commonwealth’s COVID- 19 disaster emergency response;
  • Affirms immunity for any person, organization or authority allowing real estate or other premises used for emergency services without compensation in the case of death, injury, or loss or damage to the property of any person who is on the premises for the purpose of those emergency services; and
  • Suspends or removes a host of regulatory barriers that would otherwise impede or prevent out-of-state, retired or other qualified practitioners from providing services where needed in the Commonwealth.

The order was written in response to stakeholders requesting civil immunity for health care practitioners practicing with good judgment under very challenging circumstances during the COVID-19 pandemic. The executive order also is in line with actions neighboring states have taken and is responsive to the needs and requests of the health care community.

This order is effective immediately and shall remain in effect for the duration of the disaster emergency.

 

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DOS eases reactivation of physician assistant license

Posted on March 25, 2020 by PSPA

03/25/2020

Pennsylvania to Allow Retired Health Care Professionals to Bolster COVID-19 Response

Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania is acting to enable retired health care professionals to assist with the COVID-19 response by waiving certain licensing regulations.

Previously, the Department of State waived some regulations for nurses, removed barriers for pharmacies to provide services, and announced that in-state and out-of-state health care practitioners can treat patients via telemedicine during the coronavirus emergency.

“Many retired and inactive health care professionals want to help bolster our health care system during this crisis,” Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar said. “This action will allow people with inactive or retired licenses in good standing to reactivate their licenses and immediately lend their assistance in this challenging time. We thank these retirees for their willingness to serve.”

The Department of State’s Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs (BPOA) requested, and Governor Wolf granted, suspensions of several regulations related to the state boards of Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy for the duration of the coronavirus emergency. A previous suspension allows for retired nurse-midwife license reactivations.

These new regulation suspensions increase the number of available and qualified health care practitioners in Pennsylvania by allowing retired practitioners to re-enter their field more easily without paying reactivation fees:

  • State Board of Medicine licensees who are in active/retired status for less than four years can apply for reactivation of their license. Their continuing education (CE) requirements and license reactivation fees will be suspended. This measure allows these practitioners’ licenses to become active unrestricted until Dec. 31, 2020.  If a licensee wishes to continue practicing beyond Dec. 31, 2020, the licensee will need to renew the active-unrestricted license and meet all current requirements at that time.
  • Medical Doctors (MDs) and certain allied health professionals integral to providing care during this state of emergency, whose licenses are expired/inactive for less than four years, may apply for reactivation of their licenses. Their CE requirements and license reactivation fees will be suspended.  This measure allows retired/inactive MDs, physician assistants, respiratory therapists and perfusionists to become active until December 31, 2020.
  • State Board of Osteopathic Medicine licensees who are in active/retired status for less than four years can apply for reactivation of their licenses. Their CE requirements and license reactivation feels will be suspended.  This measure allows retired/inactive Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs) to become active unrestricted until Oct. 31, 2020. If a licensee wishes to continue practicing beyond that date, the licensee would need to renew the active-unrestricted license and meet all current requirements at that time.
  • DOs and certain allied health professionals integral to providing care during this state of emergency, whose licenses are expired/inactive for less than four years, can apply for reactivation of their licenses. Their CE requirements and license reactivation fees will be suspended. This measure, which applies to retired/inactive DOs, physician assistants, respiratory therapists and perfusionists, allows those individuals to become active until October 31, 2020.
  • Registered Nurses (RNs), Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs), and Certified Registered Nurse Practitioners (CRNPs) whose licenses are expired/inactive for less than five years can apply for reactivation of their licenses. Their CE requirements and license reactivation fees will be suspended.
  • Pharmacists whose licenses are expired/inactive for less than four years can apply for reactivation of their licenses. Their CE requirements and license reactivation fees will be suspended.

Last week, BPOA announced that in-state and out-of-state health care practitioners can treat patients via telemedicine during the coronavirus emergency.

The Department of State is working with the governor’s office, the Department of Health and the Department of Human Services to identify regulations and requirements that can be suspended to give medical providers and facilities the flexibility they need to respond to COVID-19. The Department of State website will be updated regularly as additional requirement suspension information becomes available.

For all inquiries, please use the email addresses found here: Board Contact Information

 

Link for regulatory updates for Department of State:
https://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/State-details.aspx?newsid=379

Link to form to reactivate your physician assistant license under the State Board of Medicine:
https://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions/Medicine/Documents/Applications%20and%20Forms/Reactivation%20and%20Renewal%20Forms/RMedApp%20-%20Allied%20Health%20-%20Medical%20Reactivation.pdf

Link to form to reactivate your physician assistant license under the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine:
https://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions/OsteopathicMedicine/Documents/Applications%20and%20Forms/Applications/ROstApp%20-%20Allied%20Health.pdf

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Some License Requirements for Qualified Physicians Assistants Are Suspended During Coronavirus Emergency

Posted on March 22, 2020 by PSPA

March 22, 2020

Some License Requirements for Qualified Physicians Assistants Are Suspended During Coronavirus Emergency

In order to allow physician assistants practicing under the state Board of Osteopathic Medicine to more easily and effectively assist with emergency response efforts to COVID-19, Governor Wolf granted the Department of State’s request to suspend requirements pertaining to written agreements and several other items. The following requirements are suspended:

  • The Osteopathic Medical Practice Act restricts physicians to the supervision of four physician assistants, but they can apply for a waiver from the state board of Osteopathic Medicine to supervise more. Governor Wolf has suspended both the ratio and waiver requirements.
  • The requirement is suspended that all physicians with whom a physician assistant is assisting be named on the written agreement. Only one primary and one substitute physician will need to be named.
  • The board regulations that require contact information for at least two substitute supervising physicians are suspended because if a primary physician and substitute physician are named, their contact information will be in the Department of State’s PALS system.
  • The requirement that written agreements receive board approval is suspended. Written agreements will be effective upon submission to the board.
  • The requirement is suspended that temporary authorization to practice be issued for up to 120 days upon board receipt of a complete written agreement. o Countersignature requirements outlined in the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act will be suspended, provided that the number of patient records reviewed is sufficient to assure adequate review of the physician assistant’s scope of practice.
  • Board regulations that require countersignature from a physician within 10 days and at least weekly review by a physician of medical records prepared by a physician assistant are suspended.
  • The requirement that the board must approve use of a physician assistant at “satellite operations” is suspended. This will allow more physician assistants to practice wherever they are needed during the disaster declaration.

In addition, after review, the department determined that no suspensions pertaining to written agreements are required for physician assistants practicing under the Pennsylvania Board of Medicine.

This allowance is due to an emergency medical services clause in their regulations that permits licensed physician assistants to respond to a need for medical care created by a declared state of emergency by rendering care consistent with relevant standards of care. It applies to physician assistants licensed in Pennsylvania and physician assistants licensed or authorized to practice in any other state.

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Pennsylvania State of Emergency Declaration

Posted on March 21, 2020 by PSPA

Pennsylvania State of Emergency Declaration

Preliminary Announcement Regarding PA Regulatory Relief

After thorough review, the Pennsylvania Department of State determined that Physician Assistants that practice under the Pennsylvania Board of Medicine do not require a waiver pertaining to written agreements and may render care consistent with relevant standards. This allowance is due to an emergency medical services clause in the Board of Medicine regulations. The emergency service clause permits licensed physician assistants to respond to a need for medical care created by a declared state of emergency by rendering care consistent with relevant standards of care. The clause is under section 18.162 of the Board of Medicine regulations and specifically states as follows:

“A physician assistant licensed in this Commonwealth or licensed or authorized to practice in any other state who is responding to a need for medical care created by a declared state of emergency or a state or local disaster (not to be defined as an emergency situation which occurs in the place of one’s employment) may render care consistent with relevant standards of care.”

Physician Assistants practicing under the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine require a suspension of the requirements pertaining to written agreements, which must be issued by the Governor. The Department crafted this request and submitted it for approval to the Governor’s Office on 3/20/20. That approval is pending. We hope to hear something in the next few days.

A formal announcement will be posted on the Department of State website under the newly created section regarding regulatory relief. It can be found at  https://www.dos.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx

Stay tuned for further information as it becomes available. Thanks to all PAs for their patience in this complicated emergency regulatory process. Also, thanks to you and all health care providers for your tireless efforts and dedication to the citizens of Pennsylvania.

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New Elements of Performance

Posted on March 10, 2020 by PSPA

Effective March 15, 2020 – New Joint Commission Elements of Performance Removes the term Licensed dependent Practitioner from restraint and seclusion standards

The new Elements of Performance:

PC.03.05.05
The hospital initiates restraint or seclusion based on an individual order.

Elements of Performance for PC.03.05.05
1. A physician, clinical psychologist, or other authorized licensed independent practitioner primarily responsible for the patient’s ongoing care orders the use of restraint or seclusion in accordance with hospital policy and law and regulation.

www.jointcommission.org/-/media/tjc/documents/standards/…

This is in response to A Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) final rule, Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Regulatory Provisions to Promote Program Efficiency, Transparency, and Burden Reduction, published 9/30/19 that removed the modifying word “Independent”, changing the term “Licensed Independent Practitioner” to “Licensed Practitioner” in Federal regulations to clearly demonstrate that PAs are authorized to order restraint and seclusion.

Hospital bylaws and policies, state laws and regulations, and PA practice agreements and granted privileges may need to be updated to authorize PAs to order restraint and seclusion.

Per AAPA Advocacy

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ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THE PENNSYLVANIA MEDICAL AND OSTEOPATHIC BOARDS REGARDING ADDITIONAL CME REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSURE

Posted on September 18, 2017 by Susan DeSantis

Opioid prescribing CME courses: https://cme.aapa.org/opioidrems.aspx
                                                             https://www.medscape.org/sites/advances/long-acting-opioids

VERIFICATION OF OPIOID EDUCATION FOR
MEDICAL PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT APPLICATIONS AND RENEWALS
SUBMITTED AFTER JULY 1, 2017

Section 9.1(a) of ABC-MAP* requires that all prescribers or dispensers, as defined in Section 3 of ABC-MAP, applying for licensure/certification complete at least 4 hours of Board-approved education consisting of 2 hours in pain management or the identification of addiction and 2 hours in the practices of prescribing or dispensing of opioids. Medical physician assistants, who hold prescriptive authority approval fall within ABC-MAP’s definition of prescribers or dispensers.

Requirements for initial applicants

Medical physician assistants seeking prescriptive authority approval on or after July 1, 2017, must document, within one (1) year from issuance of the license or prescriptive authority approval, that they completed this education either as part of their professional degree education program, or through a stand-alone course. The four (4) hours of Board-approved education needs to be completed only once.

Where this education is part of the professional degree educational program, verification of completion from the Program may be included within the Verification of Graduation from a Physician Assistant Program for medical physician assistants.

New initial PA license forms were published August of 2017 on the State Board of Medicine website http://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions/Medicine/Pages/default.aspxunder general board information.

Renewals

In order for medical physician assistants to renew their license or prescriptive authority approval for the next renewal period, section 9.1(a)(2) of ABC-MAP requires that they complete at least two (2) hours of continuing education in pain management, the identification of addiction or the practices of prescribing or dispensing of opioids. The continuing education requirements of ABC-MAP will count towards the total number of continuing education credits required for renewal.  For medical physician assistants, this continuing education must be acceptable for credit by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).

Allopathic physician assistant licenses expire December 31 of every even-numbered year. The Board mails renewal notices two to three months prior to the license expiration date. Notices are mailed to the most recent address that was reported to the Board.  The Postal Service does not forward licenses.

 

*The Achieving Better Care by Monitoring All Prescriptions Program Act (ABC-MAP) (also known as Act 124 of 2016), 35 P.S. § 872.3, is available on the Legislature’s website at:http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/li/uconsCheck.cfm?yr=2016&sessInd=0&act=124

 

      VERIFICATION OF OPIOID EDUCATION FOR OSTEOPATHIC
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT APPLICATIONS AND RENEWALS
SUBMITTED AFTER JULY 1, 2017

Section 9.1(a) of ABC-MAP* requires that all prescribers or dispensers, as defined in Section 3 of ABC-MAP, applying for licensure/certification complete at least 4 hours of Board-approved education consisting of 2 hours in pain management or the identification of addiction and 2 hours in the practices of prescribing or dispensing of opioids. Osteopathic physician assistants fall within ABC-MAP’s definition of prescribers or dispensers.

Requirements for initial applicants

Osteopathic physician assistants must document within one (1) year from issuance of the license that they completed this education either as part of their professional degree education program and its completion attested to when applying for renewal. The four (4) hours of Board-approved education needs to be completed only once.

Where this education is part of the professional degree educational program, verification of completion from the Program may be included within the Verification of Graduation from a Physician Assistant Program for osteopathic physician assistants. The Verification forms will be available on the website at http://www.dos.pa.gov/ost.

New initial PA license forms were published August 2017 on the State Board of Osteopathic Board website http://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions/OsteopathicMedicine/Pages/default.aspx under general board information.

Renewals

In order for osteopathic physician assistants to renew their license for the next renewal period, section 9.1(a)(2) of ABC-MAP requires that they complete at least two (2) hours of continuing education in pain management, the identification of addiction, or the practices of prescribing or dispensing of opioids. The continuing education requirements of ABC-MAP will count towards the total number of continuing education credits required for renewal. For osteopathic physician assistants, this continuing education must be acceptable for credit by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).

The board mails renewal notices 2 to 3 months prior to the license expiration date. Notices are mailed to the most recent address the licensee has reported to the Board. The Postal Service does not forward licenses.  The Osteopathic Physician Assistant renewal cycle is October 31st even-numbered years at a cost of $10.00

 

*The Achieving Better Care by Monitoring All Prescriptions Program Act (ABC-MAP) (also known as Act 124 of 2016), 35 P.S. § 872.3, is available on the Legislature’s website at:  http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/li/uconsCheck.cfm?yr=2016&sessInd=0&act=124

 

 

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HOSPITAL BASED PAS MATRIX RELEASED

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Susan DeSantis

HAP’s Advanced Practice Professionals Advisory Group has develped a guidebook entitled “Use of Physician Assistants, Certified Registered Nurse Practitioners, Certified Nurse Midwives, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, and Clinical Nurse Specialists in the Hospital Setting in Pennsylvania.”  We are confident that this resource tool will provide guidance in understanding allowable practices in the hospital setting. Please distribute to your supervising physicians, PA co-workers and hospital administration.

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STATE BOARD OF MEDICINE NEWS RELEASE

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Susan DeSantis

Board Approves Temporary Authorization for Physician Assistants to Practice Pending Board Approval of the “Application for Registration as a Supervising Physician”

At its meeting on March 21, 2013, the State Board of Medicine approved a temporary authorization for Physician Assistants to practice pending formal approval of the “Application for Registration as a Supervising Physician.”

Upon submission of the application, Board staff will review the application ONLY for completeness and issue a letter to the supervising physician providing the temporary authorization for the physician assistant to begin practice.

If the application is not “complete” (i.e., required signatures are not provided, information is missing, fee is not included, etc.), a temporary authorization for the physician assistant to begin practicing WILL NOT be issued.

The temporary authorization, when issued, will provide a period of 120 days during which the physician assistant may practice, under the terms of set forth in the written agreement as submitted to the Board. Within 120 days, the Board will notify the supervising physician of the final approval or disapproval of the application. If approved, a final approval of the written agreement will be issued to the Supervising Physician. If there are discrepancies that have not been corrected within the 120 day period, the temporary authorization to practice will expire.

Board Approves Reduction in Paperwork and Reporting Requirements
for Substitute Supervising Physicians of the Physician Assistants
The Board also approved a reduction in paperwork and reporting requirements for substitute supervising physicians. Effective immediately, the “Written Agreement Change Form” for Adding/Deleting a Substitute Supervisor will no longer be required to be filed with the Board office.
However, the “Written Agreement Change Form” is required and must be submitted to:

  • Delete a Physician Assistant;
  • Dissolve a Written Agreement;
  • Make Changes in Protocol, including: changing the job duties of the Physician Assistant;
  • Changing the Physician Assistant’s prescribing or dispensing privileges;
  • Changing the practice address (only if changing a hospital practice location)

Additional Amendments to Requirements for the Supervision of Physician Assistants
The Board will issue a Statement of Policy to make additional amendments to the “Application for Registration as a Supervising Physician” which will reduce the paperwork and reporting requirements. When the Statement of Policy has been published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, additional amendments will be made to the application form(s).

Link to special notice on State Board of Medicine website:
Special Notice: 572039

Link to new forms:
State Board of Medicine Forms

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KEEP YOUR LICENSE ACTIVE

Posted on March 4, 2013 by Susan DeSantis

If your license has been inactive for greater than four years, the medical board has now implemented steps that you must take in order to have your license reactivated. These steps include having an active NCCPA certificate and taking a pre-approved board review course. If your license has been inactive for less than four years and you have maintained your certification status, we urge you to contact the medical board to have your license reactivated. If you are considering a temporary move out of clinical practice, we strongly advise that you do not let your license lapse. Whether you assume an administrative role, transition into an academic position, or take a job in a research setting it is important that you maintain your active licensure status. Even if you don’t plan to practice clinically, you can keep your license active as long as you maintain your national certification. For questions regarding licensure please contact the State Board of Medicine at the following location.

State Board of Medicine
P.O. Box 2649
Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649
Phone – (717) 783-1400
Fax – (717) 787-7769
ST-MEDICINE@state.pa.us

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