This bill amends Section 6 of P.L.1968, c.413 (C.30:4D-6) to establish parity in Medicaid reimbursement rates for routine inpatient hospice room and board services. It mandates that the reimbursement rate for these services provided by licensed hospice care programs must be no less than the rate for similar services offered by nursing homes. The bill clarifies that this reimbursement applies only to days when patients are receiving routine hospice care and does not extend to hospice medical services provided in a patient's home or for inpatient care already covered under the hospice medical benefit.

Furthermore, the bill specifies that the reimbursement rate will not apply to days when patients are not actively receiving hospice care but are still residing in the hospice facility while awaiting transfer. It also outlines that the reimbursement rate is subject to federal approval and includes provisions for the Commissioner of Human Services to seek any necessary state plan amendments or waivers to implement these changes. The act is intended to ensure equitable compensation for hospice care providers, thereby improving the quality of care for patients in need of these services.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 30:4D-6