Bill > H1244

This bill aims to stabilize the Commonwealth's nursing facilities by implementing several key provisions. Firstly, it requires the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) to annually adjust nursing home base year costs to recognize inflationary costs using the Skilled Nursing Facility Market Basket Update established by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid. Secondly, it mandates EOHHS to use the reported costs from the calendar year not more than 2 years prior to the current rate year to set Medicaid nursing home rates, recognizing current labor and resident care costs. Additionally, the bill sets the Nursing Cost Per Diem at the statewide average plus 10% to account for nursing labor costs. Furthermore, the bill requires EOHHS to provide a minimum 5% upward adjustment to the Medicaid rate for facilities serving a disproportionately high number of Medicaid residents. Lastly, the bill sets the Medicaid capital rate for certain Department of Public Health Determination of Need approved construction projects at no less than the capital payment using the methodology in effect on September 30, 2019.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H1244