NC H665

Department of Health and Human Services shall adjust per member per month capitation payments to local management entity/managed care organizations to increase wages for direct support personnel in intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities to match State-owned developmental center employee wages.

Appropriates $17,500,000 in recurring General Fund dollars for fiscal year 2021-2022 and $21,800,000 for fiscal year 2022-2023, paired with federal matching funds of $59,400,000 and $55,600,000 respectively, to fund wage adjustments.

Providers receiving increased funds must attest and verify that money is used for direct support personnel wage increases, with LME/MCOs able to require payroll-based accounting documentation.

Department shall use State Human Resources job classification and wage data from State-operated developmental centers as baseline methodology, adjusting for benefits and market comparisons with private sector employers.

CMS approval is required before implementation, with the bill expiring June 30, 2023 if approval is not granted by that date.