HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2707

         As Reported by House Committee On:       
Health Care

Title: An act relating to the adjustment of boarding home rates.

Brief Description: Regarding adjustment of boarding home rates.

Sponsors: Representatives Morrell, Curtis, Clibborn, Schual-Berke and Green.

Brief History:

Health Care: 1/27/06, 1/31/06 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill
  • Boarding homes that care for a Medicaid eligible person and request the Department of Social and Health Services (Department) to reassess their condition will be paid beginning on the date a reassessment was requested, or the date services were provided to meet the change in condition, whichever is later.
  • If a private pay resident of a boarding home becomes Medicaid eligible and the facility has a contract with the Department, the boarding home will be paid from the date of the request for assessment or financial application, or the date the person is determined financially eligible, whichever is later.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 14 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Campbell, Vice Chair; Morrell, Vice Chair; Hinkle, Ranking Minority Member; Curtis, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Alexander, Appleton, Bailey, Clibborn, Condotta, Green, Lantz, Moeller and Schual-Berke.

Staff: Dave Knutson (786-7146).

Background:

Following a request, the Department of Social and Health Services (Department) has up to 30 days to complete an assessment or reassessment of a boarding home client to determine whether they are either eligible for Medicaid services or have had a significant change in their condition that would warrant a change in their service need.

Summary of Bill:

Boarding homes that care for a Medicaid eligible person and request the Department to reassess their condition will be paid beginning on the date a reassessment was requested, or the date services were provided to meet the change in condition, whichever is later.

If a private pay resident of a boarding home becomes Medicaid eligible and the facility has a contract with the Department, the boarding home will be paid from the date of the request for assessment or financial application, or the date the person is determined financially eligible, whichever is later.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: The delay in Department action poses a real financial hardship on the boarding home.

Testimony Against: The Department is working to address this issue and the legislation is premature.

Persons Testifying: (In support) Jonathan Eames, Washington Health Care Association; Craig LeVee, Roo-Lan Health Care; and Julie Peterson, Washington Association of Housing and Services for the Aging.

(Opposed) Bill Moss, Department of Social and Health Services.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.