Bipartisan legislation has been introduced to require Medicaid to reimburse 90% of Medicaid providers—including skilled nursing facilities—within 30 days, and any remaining claims within 90 days.
H.R. 3587, Fair Pay to Medicaid Providers Act of 2011, seeks “To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide for the application of Medicaid prompt pay requirement to claims for payment for covered items and services furnished by any Medicaid health care entity.”
The bill, sponsored by Representative Brian Bilbray (R-Ca.) and co-sponsored by Representative Anna Eshoo (D-Ca.), was introduced to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on Dec. 7, 2011.
“Any delay of payment for care provided to patients can jeopardize facility operations and make it difficult to pay employees,” said Bilbray in a statement. “This legislation guarantees that healthcare providers are paid in a timely manner so that they can focus on helping those in need without worrying about how they are going to meet their financial obligations.”
Some states, such as Illinois, are currently experiencing difficulty in operating senior care facilities because of late Medicaid payments, and a recent state survey conducted for the American Health Care Association projects a $6.3 billion Medicaid funding shortfall to nursing homes in 2011. Most supportive living facilities in Illinois have not received Medicaid reimbursements since July 2011.
View the bill here.
Written by Alyssa Gerace
