Bill > HB2051

This bill modifies the state's medical assistance regulations to address payment for acute care hospitals dealing with Medicaid patients who are difficult to discharge. Specifically, the bill requires the state authority to provide payment to hospitals for days when a Medicaid patient (adult or child) meets discharge criteria but cannot be transferred to an appropriate alternative placement such as a nursing home, assisted living facility, adult family home, or developmental disabilities residential setting. The bill eliminates previous language about specific billing rules and instead focuses on ensuring hospitals are compensated for these "stuck" patients. It stipulates that pharmacy services can be billed separately, and requires hospitals to first utilize swing beds or skilled nursing beds within their facility if appropriate. The bill also mandates that Medicaid managed care organizations establish uniform administrative processes for handling these payment scenarios. The goal appears to be addressing the challenge of patients who are medically ready to leave an acute care hospital but cannot be transferred due to placement availability, ensuring hospitals are not financially penalized for these situations.

Budget and Finance

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2051&Year=2025&Initiative=false