Bill > SB00289

This bill modifies existing law to implement and fund the Department of Social Services' (DSS) quality metrics program for nursing homes, aiming to improve the quality of care for Medicaid beneficiaries. Starting October 1, 2026, DSS can establish this program, using available funds to provide payments to nursing homes based on their performance in quality metrics, which include national measures from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and state-administered consumer satisfaction surveys. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2029, and each year after, DSS will distribute $10 million annually from an enhanced Medicaid quality performance payment pool to eligible nursing homes, with payments determined by their performance in improving quality metrics, using data from CMS, consumer surveys, and public health data. Nursing homes with serious quality of care issues, as identified by CMS, will be ineligible for these payments. Additionally, starting July 1, 2026, DSS will use a new resident assessment system called the Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM) to adjust Medicaid reimbursement rates for nursing homes, rebasing rates and phasing in adjustments over three years to align with PDPM data and stay within budget. Finally, by July 1, 2026, DSS will create a Medicaid utilization pool to provide enhanced payments, up to $2.5 million for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, and $5 million thereafter, to nursing homes with over 75% Medicaid residents, to support increased access and services for these residents.

Health and Social Services

Aging Committee (Joint)

https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=SB00289&which_year=2026