Bill > H1218

This bill aims to stabilize the Commonwealth's nursing facilities by addressing several key provisions. It requires the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to annually recognize inflationary costs in setting Medicaid rates for nursing homes, using the Skilled Nursing Facility Market Basket Update. It also mandates the use of more recent base year costs (within 2 years prior) for rate determination to account for current labor and resident care costs. Additionally, the bill sets the Nursing Cost Per Diem at the statewide average plus 10% to recognize nursing labor costs for resident care. Furthermore, the bill ensures that facilities serving a disproportionately high number of Medicaid residents (75% or greater) receive a minimum 5% upward rate adjustment. Lastly, the bill sets the Medicaid capital rates for Department of Public Health-approved construction projects (e.g., room conversions) at no less than the capital payment methodology in effect on September 30, 2019.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H1218