============================================================================= Run Date: DEC 28, 2017 Designation: DG*5.3*949 Package : DG - REGISTRATION Priority: EMERGENCY Version : 5.3 SEQ #833 Status: Released Compliance Date: DEC 31, 2017 ============================================================================= Associated patches: (v)DG*5.3*930 <<= must be installed BEFORE `DG*5.3*949' Subject: 2018 MEANS TEST THRESHOLDS Category: - Routine Description: ============ ************************************************************************** * Per VHA FACT SHEET titled MEANS TEST AND GEOGRAPHIC-BASED MEANS TEST * * (GMT) AND MAXIMUM ANNUAL RATES OF PENSION FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2018, * * this patch MUST be installed before January 1, 2018. The patch is * * being released as an Emergency patch together with EAS*1.0*154 (2018 * * GMT Thresholds) and IB*2.0*611 (2018 RX Copay Thresholds) and may be * * installed out of sequence with respect to other released Registration * * (DG) patches. * ************************************************************************** **NOTE: The installation of this patch should not be queued to run. If -- and only if -- there are exemptions, you will be prompted to UPDATE AND PRINT the exemptions report. The report should be sent to a secure printer. Please read section 4b listed under the 'Pre-Installation Instructions' for more details. The Means Test thresholds for Calendar Year 2018 are distributed with this patch. The post-installation routine, DG53949P, will create a new subentry (or replace an existing one) for calendar year 2018 in the MEANS TEST DATA (#250) multiple field of the MAS PARAMETERS (#43) file. This patch, DG*5.3*949, is one of three VistA 2018 threshold patches. It updates the thresholds for the Means Tests and the Maximum Annual Pension Rate. Patch EAS*1.0*154 will address the annual updates for the GMT Thresholds and patch IB*2.0*611 will address the annual updates for the Pharmacy Copay Thresholds. Associated NSR(s): ================== N/A Associated Ticket(s): ===================== I16975984FY18 - 2018 MEANS TEST THRESHOLDS Participating Test Sites: ========================= Chillicothe VAMC West Palm Beach VAMC Ticket Overview: ================ I16975984FY18 - 2018 MEANS TEST THRESHOLDS Problem: --------- Annual update of Means Test thresholds are needed for calendar year 2018 (income year 2017). Resolution: ----------- The post-installation routine, DG53949P, will create a new subentry (or replace an existing one) for calendar year 2018 in the MEANS TEST DATA (#250) multiple field of the MAS PARAMETERS (#43) file. Six subfields within the multiple will be updated with the new Means Test threshold data values as follows: MEANS TEST DATA (#.01) - 2018 MT COPAY EXEMPT VET INCOME (#2) - $32,715 MT COPAY EXEMPT 1ST DEP INCOME (#3) - $6,544 MT COPAY EXEMPT INCOME PER DEP (#4) - $2,250 THRESHOLD PROPERTY (#8) - $80,000 CHILD INCOME EXCLUSION (#17) - $10,650 In addition, this patch will update the following fields in the PARAMETERS file (#8989.5) for Income Year 2017 to: DGMT MAPR GLOBAL RATE 5 DGMT MAPR 0 DEPENDENTS 13166 DGMT MAPR 1 DEPENDENTS 17241 DGMT MAPR N DEPENDENTS 2250 Software Retrieval: =================== The software for this patch is not being distributed through the National Patch Module. This patch is being distributed as a host file. The host file will contain the following three KIDS builds: Host file name: DG_53_P949.KID Builds: DG*5.3*949 EAS*1.0*154 IB*2.0*611 Sites may retrieve the software directly using Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) from the ANONYMOUS.SOFTWARE directory at the following OI Field Offices: Hines : domain.ext Salt Lake City : domain.ext First Available Server : download.vista.domain.ext The following file will be available: File Name Description --------- ----------- DG_53_P949.KID Host File containing KIDS software distribution Note: Use ASCII mode when transferring the .KID file. Installation Instructions: ========================== This host file (containing three patches) can be installed with users on the system. The installation should not be queued to run. Installation will take approximately 10 minutes. The updates to the GMT THRESHOLDS file (#712.5) in patch EAS*1.0*154, are extensive. Due to the volume of updates, the installation process will appear to stall and/or stop. This is normal, as the file updates may take up to 10 minutes to complete. *****Please be patient and allow the process to complete.***** Also, when comparing the transport global to the current system, entries will scroll by on the screen. This is normal as there are approximately 42,266 entries included in the GMT THRESHOLDS file (#712.5) distributed with this patch and a comparison is done on each of these entries. It is possible your session may time out before the compare has completed. If so, you may not be able to get a complete screen capture of the compare. This will not, however, mean that there is any problem with the software. To avoid a session time-out, you can designate a printer (non-queued) as the device for the compare. Pre-Installation Instructions: ============================== 1. DOWNLOAD HOST KIDS FILE ----------------------- Download the KIDS file DG_53_P949.KID from the ANONYMOUS.SOFTWARE directory of one of the following two Office of Information Field Offices (OIFOs): Hines or Salt Lake City to the appropriate directory on your system. 2. START UP KIDS ------------- Start up the Kernel Installation and Distribution System Menu [XPD MAIN]: Edits and Distribution ... Utilities ... Installation ... Select Kernel Installation & Distribution System Option: INStallation --- Load a Distribution Print Transport Global Compare Transport Global to Current System Verify Checksums in Transport Global Install Package(s) Restart Install of Package(s) Unload a Distribution Backup a Transport Global Select Installation Option: 3. Select Installation Option: -------------------------- a. Use the 'Load a Distribution' option and enter the directory into which you downloaded the host file, followed by the host file name: [directory]DG_53_P949.KID NOTE: The following are OPTIONAL - (When prompted for the INSTALL NAME, enter DG*5.3*949): b. Backup a Transport Global - This option will create a backup message of any routines exported with this patch. It will not backup any other changes such as DD's or templates. c. Compare Transport Global to Current System - This option will allow you to view all changes that will be made when this patch is installed. It compares all components of this patch (routines, DD's, templates, etc.). d. Verify Checksums in Transport Global - This option will allow you to ensure the integrity of the routines that are in the transport global. 4. Select Installation Option: Install Package(s) ------------------ **This is the step to start the installation of this KIDS patch: a. Choose the Install Package(s) option to start the patch install. b. The BILLING EXEMPTIONS file (#354.1) will be checked for medication co-payment exemptions based on prior thresholds. If -- and only if -- there are exemptions, you will be prompted to UPDATE AND PRINT the exemptions report. NOTE: the report is not new and is intended only as an FYI for billing staff. Select Action: (P/U): Update & Print// Press to accept the default "Update & Print" Select Device: You must enter a print device. An entry is required and HOME, SPOOLER, or P-MESSAGE are not allowed. You MUST choose a valid printer or the installation will be aborted. NOTE: The exemption report contains full patient names and SSNs. Be sure to select a device in a secure area and retrieve the output immediately. You need not queue the report since the installation process will queue it automatically. c. When prompted 'Want KIDS to INHIBIT LOGONs during the install? NO//' answer NO. d. When prompted 'Want to DISABLE Scheduled Options, Menu Options, and Protocols? No//' answer NO. Post-Installation Instructions: =============================== 1. Routines DG53949P, EAS1154P, IB20E611, and IB20P611 may be deleted after successful installation of the associated patch in the host file. 2. If the "Exemptions Based on Prior Year Thresholds" report has been printed, it should be given to the MCCF/Billing Department or the Integrated Billing ADPAC. Routine Information: ==================== The second line of each of these routines now looks like: ;;5.3;Registration;**[Patch List]**;Aug 13, 1993;Build 4 The checksums below are new checksums, and can be checked with CHECK1^XTSUMBLD. Routine Name: DG53949P Before: n/a After: B10941631 **949** ============================================================================= User Information: Entered By : Date Entered : OCT 13, 2017 Completed By: Date Completed: DEC 28, 2017 Released By : Date Released : DEC 28, 2017 ============================================================================= Packman Mail Message: ===================== No routines included