The bill establishes that Medicaid reimbursement rates for inpatient hospice room and board services must be equal to those provided by nursing homes for similar services. It specifies that the reimbursement rate for licensed hospice care programs cannot be less than the nursing home rate and applies only to days when patients are receiving routine hospice care or are awaiting transfer after hospice services have concluded. This change aims to provide equitable financial support for hospice care within the Medicaid program, ultimately improving the quality of care for patients.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that the new reimbursement rate does not apply to hospice medical services provided in a patient's home or to inpatient care covered under specific federal regulations. It also mandates that the Commissioner of Human Services must apply for any necessary state plan amendments or waivers to implement these changes and secure federal financial participation for state Medicaid expenditures. The act is intended to take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 30:4D-6