Relating to the regulation of certain nursing facilities, including licensing requirements and Medicaid participation and reimbursement requirements.
What changed between versions
New requirement that nursing facilities must spend at least 80% of Medicaid reimbursement attributable to patient care expenses on reasonable and necessary patient care expenses.
New protections requiring facilities to continue receiving Medicaid reimbursement uninterrupted during ownership change applications, with successor liability agreements covering outstanding debts.
Removed deleted section regarding staff rate enhancement methodology approval that was present in the earlier version.
Expanded definition of 'patient care expense' to include additional staff categories (nonprofessional administrative staff, central supply staff, housekeeping, laundry, food service) and operational costs (diagnostic, equipment, oxygen, drugs, therapy consultants, dietary services).
Authority for the commission to recoup reimbursement amounts if facilities fail to comply with the expense ratio, with exceptions for high-rated facilities, low occupancy, or disaster-related expenses.
Established implementation timeline requiring compliance with the expense ratio beginning September 1, 2025, with a report due November 1, 2027.
