MS HB1554

Medicare-certified long-term acute care hospitals would be exempt from the Medicaid hospital assessment, joining VA-operated hospitals and state psychiatric facilities as exempt entities.

The exemption requires approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) before taking effect.

The bill amends Section 43-13-145 of the Mississippi Code, which governs assessments on healthcare facilities to fund the state's Medicaid program.

The underlying hospital assessment formula calculates rates based on non-Medicare inpatient days, with assessment amounts ranging from $74 million to $104 million depending on the state's Medicaid matching funds percentage.

The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and the entire assessment section stands repealed on July 1, 2028.