The Kansas Legislature is grinding through its work. Soon they will be reconciling the Senate and House’s version of the SFY 2020 budget (starts July 1, 2019.) The Governor’s budget recommendation had a 0% budget increase for NF and HCBS, and a $7M for PACE. The House’s mega budget bill now includes an increase of 2% for the Medicaid Nursing Home, HCBS and PACE budgets. The House budget would also increases the Protected Income Limit for persons receiving HCBS and PACE services to 150% of SSI (from $747/mo. to $1,177/mo.) and continue increases in relation to SSI adjustments. The Senate budget agrees with the Governor’s budget recommendation. LeadingAge Kansas is in the midst of targeted grassroots advocacy with legislative budget leaders.
LeadingAge Kansas staff attended a meeting called by KDADS last week to review possible scenarios for Medicaid NF rates depending on the final decision of the Legislature and the Governor’s signature. If there is any increase, it will be run through the existing reimbursement formula, meaning individual providers will experience different rates based on their average costs in the 3 most recent cost report years (and facility-specific CMI.) State leadership has indicated to us that rates could be published as early as April 28th.
Get involved! As we look ahead, LeadingAge Kansas would like to assemble a member advisory group to take a deeper dive in the Medicaid reimbursement methodology and bring suggestions for modification to State leadership. If you would be interested in being a part of this advisory group, please contact Josh Johnson (LeadingAge Kansas Reimbursement Consultant) or Debra.
Lastly, Meyers & Stauffer has recommended to CMS that support for the RUGS model continue through 2024. This recommendation should allow Kansas and other states to better prepare the Medicaid rates to align with PDPM or another model should they choose.
