Menu
2023 Session

Budget Amendments - HB1400 (Floor Approved)

View Budget Item
View Budget Item amendments

Address Federal Changes Affecting Nursing Facility Reimbursement (language only)

Item 304 #19h

Item 304 #19h

Health and Human Resources
Department of Medical Assistance Services

Language

Page 384, after line 31, insert:

"YYYY. Effective October 1, 2023 and notwithstanding laws and regulations related thereto, the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS), after consultation with relevant stakeholders, shall have authority to modify procedures related to Medicaid nursing facility reimbursement under the Resource Utilization Group (RUG) methodology to account for changes specifically necessitated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) termination of support for RUGs-based systems, whenever, and to the extent, that occurs.  Any modified procedures shall be implemented under the principle of individual facility budget neutrality as compared to current policy, and shall be temporary as DMAS works on a long-term plan to either maintain the RUG-based system or adopt a methodology based on the CMS Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM).  DMAS shall develop the long-term plan in consultation with relevant stakeholders and submit that plan, to include timelines and authorizing language, on or before December 1, 2023, to the Governor, and the Chairmen of the House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee for consideration during the 2024 Regular Session. DMAS shall have authority to implement any temporary changes necessary under this item in anticipation of federal approval and prior to the completion of the regulatory process."



Explanation

(This amendment adds language authorizing the Department of Medical Assistance Services to make needed changes to the reimbursement methodology for nursing facilities on a temporary basis in anticipation of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid discontinued use of Resource Utilization Groups as a system for grouping nursing home residents according to their clinical and functional status. The RUG-based system is used in determining payments to nursing facilities based on patient care and resource needs as identified in a facility’s minimum data set published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid are replacing the RUG system with the Patient Driven Payment Model, which is more reflective of clinically relevant factors affecting a patient's care rather than volume based services as used under the RUG system. Language requires any temporary changes to be budget neutral and directs the agency to develop a long-term plan by December 1, 2023 for consideration during the 2024 Regular Session of the General Assembly.)