Bill > S739

This bill aims to stabilize the commonwealth's nursing facilities by making several changes to Medicaid rate-setting for these facilities. The key provisions include: 1) Requiring the state's Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) to annually adjust Medicaid payments for nursing homes using an inflation adjustment consistent with the annual Skilled Nursing Facility Market Basket Update. 2) Requiring EOHHS to use the reported costs from the calendar year not more than 2 years prior to the current rate year as the base year costs for rate determination. 3) Requiring nursing homes to have sufficient nursing staff with appropriate skills to provide quality care, and requiring EOHHS to recognize the full share of the actual nursing costs in setting Medicaid rates. 4) Requiring EOHHS to use a single form to collect resident care information and set the nursing component of the Medicaid skilled nursing facility rate, while ensuring facilities receive a rate at least as high as under the prior system. 5) Requiring EOHHS to recognize costs necessary for facilities to invest in building repairs, maintenance, updates, and equipment to ensure resident safety and quality of life, with reimbursement for new construction based on valid economic indicators.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S739