AL HB499

Establishes the Health Center Access and Quality Improvement Program with a 5.5% assessment on qualified health centers' net patient revenue for state fiscal years 2014-2016, administered by the Department of Revenue.

Creates a Health Center Assessment Account within the Health Care Trust Fund to deposit assessment revenues for use by Alabama Medicaid Agency to obtain federal matching funds.

Requires CMS approval of Medicaid State Plan amendments and alternative payment methodologies before assessment becomes effective; assessment terminates September 30, 2016 unless extended by legislation.

Allocates assessed funds for three types of payments to health centers: health home payments, access payments (22% of total funded expenditures), and quality improvement payments (9% base plus at least 15% additional).

Establishes a Health Center Services and Reimbursement Panel with six members to review and approve Medicaid State Plan amendments, waivers, and policies involving health center services or reimbursement before submission to CMS.