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2000 Session

Budget Amendments - HB30 (Committee Approved)

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Nursing Facility Reimbursement (language only)

Item 319 #52h

Item 319 #52h

Health And Human Resources
Medical Assistance Services, Department of

Language
Page 250, strike lines 3 through 8 and insert:
"W.  Effective July 1, 2000, the Department of Medical Assistance Services shall implement a revision to the nursing home payment methodology for payment of capital costs.  This new methodology shall replace the existing capital payment methodology.  The Department shall adopt regulations effective July 1, 2000, providing for the implementation of the new capital payment methodology.  For facilities enrolled as Medicaid providers before July 1, 2000, the Department shall provide for a phase-in from the existing methodology, with a transition period.  Facilities enrolling as Medicaid providers for the first time on or after July 1, 2000, shall be reimbursed for capital costs entirely based on the new methodology without any phase-in.  Any change of ownership on or after July 1, 2000, shall cause the new owner(s) to be reimbursed entirely on the basis of the new methodology without any phase-in.
X.  Effective July 1, 2000, the Department of Medical Assistance Services shall implement a revision to the nursing home payment methodology for payment of direct care costs.  This revision shall increase rates consistent with the appropriation in this Item.  The Department shall increase the direct care ceiling and shall eliminate the direct care incentive payment.  The ceiling shall be increased sufficiently that aggregate reimbursement is increased by the appropriated amount.  The Department shall adopt regulations effective July 1, 2000, providing for the implementation of this provision.
Y.  Effective July 1, 2000, the Department of Medical Assistance Services shall implement a revision to the nursing home payment methodology for payment of direct care costs.  This revision shall incorporate into direct care payments the amount of $21.7 million, appropriated by the 1999 General Assembly, adjusted for inflation to state fiscal year 2001.  The amount shall be included by means of an equal per diem increase to both direct care ceilings and the direct care cost per-day of each facility.  The Department shall adopt regulations effective July 1, 2000, providing for the implementation of this provision.
Z.   The Department of Medical Assistance Services shall implement a revision to the nursing home payment methodology.  The purpose of the change shall be to replace the "Patient Intensity Ration System" (PIRS) methodology with a "Resource Utilization Groups" (RUGS) methodology for adjustment of direct payments to reflect resident intensity.  The Department shall adopt regulations providing for the implementation of this provision.  The amendments to the State Plan of Medical Assistance shall become effective in 280 days or fewer of enactment of this Act."


Explanation
(This amendment allows the Department of Medical Assistance Services to move forward with a new capital payment system to avoid payment of depreciation on the sale of a facility without the ability to recapture it. The 1999 General Assembly repealed the depreciation recapture provision effective July 1, 2000. It would also allow the Department to incorporate new funding provided to nursing facilities into its reimbursement system. Additional language would allow the Department to incorporate funding provided by the 1999 General Assembly into nursing facility per diem rates. Finally, the last paragraph would allow the Department to move forward with the RUGS system earlier than July 1, 2001, if data are available.)