SB20-173 Summary

• Requires the state board of medical services to adopt rules establishing enhanced or tiered reimbursement rates for secure alternative care facilities with higher staffing ratios, particularly those serving residents with dementia or similar conditions.

• Mandates that department rules include provisions for automatically increasing enhanced reimbursement rates as regular rates increase or required staffing levels change.

• Requires the department to engage interested stakeholders before adopting rules to determine appropriate reimbursement levels and may review similar tiered reimbursement structures implemented in other states.

• Directs the state department to seek necessary federal authorization to obtain federal financial participation for the enhanced or tiered reimbursement rates.

• Takes effect 90 days after final adjournment of the general assembly (August 5, 2020) unless subject to referendum petition, in which case it requires voter approval at the November 2020 general election.