NY S05459

Department of Health shall contract with an independent actuary to review and study adequate reimbursement methodologies for home and community-based long term care services provided through insurers, fiscal intermediaries, or under the Medical Assistance Program.

Reimbursement rates must support compensation for home care aides and consumer-directed personal assistance service providers sufficient to retain a qualified workforce in both wage parity and non-wage parity regions.

Compensation must include at minimum: wage parity as required under Public Health Law section 3614-c or Labor Law articles 19 or 19-a, plus recruitment and training costs, FICA contributions, workers compensation costs, county living wage requirements, and supplemental benefits.

Department of Health shall report independent actuary findings to the Governor, Senate Temporary President, Assembly Speaker, and chairs of both Senate and Assembly Health Committees by January 1, 2016.

Department of Health shall annually provide Medicaid managed care operating reports submitted by contracted plans to the Senate Temporary President and Assembly Speaker.