Bill > H1192

This bill aims to protect medically fragile children by increasing the budget for continuous skilled nursing care provided through MassHealth, the state's Medicaid program. Specifically, the bill requires the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to increase the budget for continuous skilled nursing care to ensure that at least 75% of authorized hours are filled by July 2023, 80% by July 2024, and 85% or more by July 2025 and thereafter. The bill also allows the office to require a portion of the budget increases to be used exclusively for increasing the wage payment rates for nurses providing this care. Additionally, the bill requires MassHealth to submit an annual report on the utilization of continuous skilled nursing services, including any changes to authorization criteria and the number of appeals and reductions in authorized hours. Finally, the bill directs the Office of Medicaid to review and report on the wage payment rates for nurses providing continuous skilled nursing care.