Bill > S386

This bill proposes changes to how nursing homes and rest homes are reimbursed for their services, specifically focusing on capital payments. It mandates that reimbursement rates be established annually, with facilities using retrospective rates set by October 1st and those with prospective rates set by July 1st. When determining these rates, the executive office will use reported costs from a "base year" – the calendar year no more than four years prior for operating costs and no more than one year prior for capital costs. These base year costs will be adjusted for reasonableness and any audit findings, but only if a comprehensive desk audit has been completed for that base year. Importantly, during appeals of prospective rates, evidence of costs from years other than the established base year will not be allowed. The bill also clarifies that government entities and state institutions must pay or charge the rates for general health supplies, care, rehabilitative services, and accommodations as determined and certified by the executive office, with exceptions noted for Chapter 118E.