DE SCR64

Establishes the Non-Acute Long-Stay Patient Task Force to study non-acute patients who have remained hospitalized for 15+ days without acute medical need and require transfer to appropriate lower-acuity care settings.

Task Force will examine barriers to discharge including insurance coverage gaps, delayed prior authorization, guardianship issues, and insufficient capacity in post-acute and behavioral health facilities.

Task Force directed to make recommendations on optimizing prior authorization processes, increasing post-acute and behavioral health services/staffing, reviewing reimbursement dynamics, and expediting guardianship proceedings.

Task Force comprises 2 legislative co-chairs (one senator, one representative from majority), 2 minority legislators, 9 state officials by position, hospital and long-term care representatives, consumer advocates, and Medicaid expertise members.

Task Force must submit findings and recommendations to the General Assembly, Governor, and Legislative Council by June 1, 2024, with first meeting required by September 13, 2023.