BILL REQ. #:  S-0726.1 

Read first time 02/12/2003.   Referred to Committee on Health & Long-Term Care.

     AN ACT Relating to a pilot program for implementation of a case mix payment system for boarding homes; adding a new section to chapter 18.20 RCW; providing an expiration date; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 18.20 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Prior to implementing any medicaid case mix payment method for licensed boarding homes, on a statewide basis, the department shall develop and implement a pilot program. The pilot program shall begin on September 1, 2003, and shall conclude September 1, 2004. The pilot program shall include a representative number of boarding homes, on a voluntary basis, that provide contracted assisted living services, enhanced adult residential care services, and adult residential services throughout the state.
     (2) The pilot program will test the validity of the comprehensive assessment tool; identify the providers' actual costs of providing care and services related to each care payment level; and test the adequacy of case mix payment rates for each of the care payment levels.
     (3) During the pilot program, the department shall adjust payment rates for the levels of care as may be needed to sufficiently fund the costs of providing care and services to medicaid residents.
     (4) By December 12, 2004, the department shall report the results of the case mix payment system pilot program to the chairs of the health care committees of both houses of the legislature. The department shall include in the report its findings regarding the validity of the comprehensive assessment tool for categorizing residents into meaningful care and payment groups; its findings regarding the actual costs of providing care and services in each of the care payment levels; and its findings regarding the rates of payment, by level, that are necessary and reasonably related to the costs of providing care and services to medicaid residents.
     (5) This section expires December 31, 2004.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.