AL HB279

Authorizes the Alabama Medicaid Agency to revise reimbursement rate ceilings for nursing facilities during a fiscal year if nursing facilities cannot be reimbursed for increased allowable costs required by unforeseen circumstances, including nationwide or statewide public health emergencies, new federal or state laws or regulations, or statewide catastrophic events affecting a majority of nursing facilities.

Maintains the existing prohibition on mid-year ceiling revisions except for material error, but adds the new provision allowing revisions when increased costs would not be reimbursed due to the annual ceiling increase limitation.

Establishes a quality incentive program providing nursing facilities a minimum fund of $5,000,000 annually based on performance metrics including five MDS Quality Measures and three customer satisfaction survey categories, with eligibility requiring either improvement over the prior period or ranking at or above the national average.

Makes technical and nonsubstantive revisions to update existing code language to current style, including removal of outdated regulatory references and formatting updates throughout Section 40-26B-26.

Becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval by the Governor.