Proposal would guide Medicaid nursing facility rate calculations

The proposal states the Legislature’s intent that the department use the listed total when calculating nursing facility rates, including the yearly inflation factor. It concerns Medicaid nursing facility rates in Program No. 348 for fiscal year 2026–27. The stated total is $462,480,546 and includes rate enhancements and other purposes related to Medicaid nursing facility services. This states legislative intent; it does not directly require the department to use the money. The stated amount applies to fiscal year 2026–27.

The proposal states the Legislature’s intent that the department file two electronic reports with the Legislative Fiscal Analyst and the Legislature’s Clerk. One report would explain how the department calculated the inflation factor for fiscal year 2026–27 rates. The other would identify any remaining uncommitted money from earlier appropriations for nursing facility payments, including encumbrances and retroactive payments. This states legislative intent for the reports; it does not directly require the department to file them. The first report would be due by August 1, 2026. The second would be filed on or after December 15 and before December 31, 2026.