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 subsection in Section 235.2, mandating the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct a biennial review of costs for shelter care and qualified residential treatment providers, with a report due to the governor and general assembly by October 1 of the following year. Additionally, Section 249A.4 is amended to require 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, 249A.32C, which outlines the requirements for home and community-based service waivers. Providers must submit actual cost data annually, and the department will develop a cost-based reimbursement system with input from various stakeholders. The department is also tasked with creating a streamlined cost reporting mechanism and must establish a new base period for rate calculations at least every four years, submitting a report to the general assembly that includes proposed rate models and their fiscal impact.

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