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2016 Session

Budget Amendments - SB30 (Floor Approved)

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Improvements to the Medicaid Forecasting Process (language only)

Item 310 #9s

Item 310 #9s

Health and Human Resources
Department of Medical Assistance Services

Language

Page 275, strike lines 34 through 42 and insert:

"A.1. By November 1 of each year, the Department of Planning and Budget, in cooperation with the Department of Medical Assistance Services, shall prepare and submit a forecast of Medicaid expenditures, upon which the Governor's budget recommendations will be based, for the current and subsequent two years to the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees.

2. The forecast shall be based upon current state and federal laws and regulations. The forecast shall only include the continuation of previously approved budget reductions if the budget language or regulations specifically directed such reductions are permanent.  Rebasing estimates for hospitals and nursing homes shall be included in the forecast based on existing law and regulations and any previous inflation increase withheld in a prior fiscal year shall be excluded from the rebasing calculation only if  language in the appropriation act directing such action specifically excludes it from future rebasings. The forecast shall also include estimates of any projected increase or decrease in managed care costs. The Department of Planning and Budget shall certify in the official forecast that the managed care rate assumptions used in the forecast are based on actuarial  principles.

3. The Department of Planning and Budget and the Department of Medical Assistance Services shall convene a meeting on or before October 20 of each year with the appropriate staff from the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees to review the assumptions used in the Medicaid forecast prior to finalizing the official forecast estimates.

B. The Department of Medical Assistance Services shall submit expenditure reports of the Medicaid program by service as compared to the official Medicaid forecast, adjusted to reflect budget actions from each General Assembly Session. The report shall be submitted to the Department of Planning and Budget and the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees. These reports shall be submitted on a quarterly basis and are due 30 days after the close of each quarter."



Explanation

(This amendment establishes greater detail and clarity on the Medicaid forecasting process. These changes will improve transparency and ensure integrity of the process. The Medicaid program is a significant driver of state spending and therefore any estimates of program spending are essential to the state budget process.)