The bill amends existing Iowa law to enhance the oversight and reporting requirements for shelter care, residential treatment, and Medicaid provider reimbursement rates. It introduces a new requirement for the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct a biennial review of costs associated with shelter care and qualified residential treatment providers, with a report due to the governor and the general assembly by October 1 of the following year. Additionally, the bill mandates an annual review of provider reimbursement rates for medical and health services, comparing them to federal Medicare rates and Medicaid rates in neighboring states, with a report due by January 15 each year.

Furthermore, the bill establishes a new section regarding home and community-based service waivers, requiring providers to submit actual cost data annually. The Department is tasked with developing a cost-based reimbursement system based on this data, along with input from various stakeholders. It also stipulates that the Department must establish a new base period for rate calculations at least every four years, with a report on proposed rate models and their fiscal impact due by October 1 of the year a new base period is set.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 235.2, 249A.4
Reprinted: 235.2, 249A.4