Public Notice
Health & Social Services
(Medical Assistance Reimbursement of Nursing Homes)
The State of Wisconsin reimburses nursing homes for long-term health care services provided to low income persons under the authority of Title XIX of the Federal Social Security Act and ss. 49.43 to 49.47, Wisconsin Statutes. This program, administered by the State's Department of Health and Social Services, is called Medical Assistance (MA) or Medicaid. Federal Statutes and regulations require that a state plan be developed that provides the methods and standards for setting payment rates for covered nursing home services. A plan that describes the nursing home reimbursement systems (methods of payment for costs incurred by efficiently and economically operated providers) is now in effect.
The Department is proposing changes in the methods of payment to nursing homes and, therefore, in the plan describing the nursing home reimbursement system. The changes are effective April 1, 1996.
The proposed changes would give the Department authority to make special payments to nursing facilities to cover the extraordinary costs associated with natural or man-made disasters. The changes would apply only to instances of total nursing facility evacuation and would allow coverage of the costs associated with caring for the evacuated residents at any utilized evacuation locations.
The estimated increase in annual aggregate expenditures attributable to these changes for nursing homes serving MA residents is approximately $1.3 million all funds, including patient liability. This will permit an average net increase in nursing home rates of 0% percent over the previous rate period.
The proposed changes are being implemented to address emergency funding situations brought about by natural or man-made disasters.
Copies of the Proposed Changes
Copies of the proposed changes are available free of charge by writing to:
Bureau of Health Care Financing
Division of Health
P.O. Box 309
Madison, WI 53701-0309
or the proposed changes may be reviewed at the main office at any county department of social services or human services.
Written Comments
Written comments on the proposed changes may be sent to the Bureau of Health Care Financing, Division of Health, at the above address. The comments will be available for public review between the hours of 7:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. daily in Room 250 of the State Office Building, 1 West Wilson Street, Madison, Wisconsin. The proposed changes may be modified based on comments received.
E x e c u t i v e O r d e r s
The following is a listing of recent Executive Orders issued by the Governor.
Executive Order 273. Relating to a Proclamation that the Flag of the United States and the Flag of the State of Wisconsin be Flown at Half-Staff as a Mark of Respect for the Late Paul Kafer, Long-Time Teacher of the Kenosha Unified School District.
Executive Order 274. Relating to a Proclamation Declaring a State of Emergency in Waupaca County and Calling to Active Duty Such Elements of the Wisconsin National Guard as are Necessary to Address this Emergency.
The State of Wisconsin
Department of Administration
Document Sales Unit
P.O. Box 7840
Dated Material. Please Do Not Delay!
