Legislation to restore SNF payment structure introduced

Endorsed by both WHCA and LeadingAge,

HB1885, was introduced February 14, sponsored by House health committee

chair Eileen Cody (D-West Seattle). The bill restores SNF payment methodologies and funding levels to those that were in effect, immediately prior to the adoption of the Safety Net Assessment two years ago. Because, both the SNA’s Comparative Analysis and Acuity Add-On payments are scheduled to expire June 30, both WHCA and LeadingAge are proposing that these critical funds be utilized to "back fill" the payment changes made in 2011. Essentially, these two payments can fund the "buy back" of the SNF Medicaid rate setting formula. The two groups are also lobbying legislators for a long-overdue rebasing SNF rates, noting that it can be accomplished within the existing SNA revenues.