There are 14.9 million people enrolled in Medi-Cal. This program is California’s version of Medicare but acts as a supplement to Medicare for senior citizens, especially those who live in long-term care facilities. There are lots of rules and regulations surrounding Medi-Cal, one of which was set to expire at the end of 2026. Governor Newsom, however, recently signed a law that extended a vital fee that kept Medicare payments flowing to nursing homes.
The Quality Assurance Fee
The Quality Assurance Fee was signed into law with Assembly Bill 1629 in 2004. This fee helps supplement the Medi-Cal reimbursement to provide financial stability for skilled nursing facilities. The primary facilities that benefit from the quality assurance fee are independent nursing facilities that are not part of a hospital system. Ultimately, it “sought to improve Medi-Cal reimbursement rates.”
Senate Bill 165: Extending the Fee Requirement
Governor Newsom recently signed Senate Bill 165, extending the implementation of the Medi-Cal Quality Assurance Fee and reimbursement rates until the end of 2027. This move buys the legislature time to write better reform for Medi-Cal rules and reimbursement rate structure.
Without it, “the state would lose the ability to pay enhanced rates that help stabilize the long‑term care system and support access for Medi‑Cal members,” Anthony Cava of the California Department of Health Care Services told thecentersquare.com.
Will Senate Bill 165 Improve Nursing Home Care?
The ultimate purpose of SB 165 is to allow time for writing comprehensive reform for the whole system. Legislators hope this can be done in the next year, thanks to the extension. However, this does not alleviate concern regarding quality of care. The article from The Center Square points out that in the last 25 years, Medi-Cal reimbursements rates have jumped from $113 per resident per day to $404, and nursing home care (and quality) in California has not improved accordingly.
This raises the concern that legislation and directing more money towards this system may not be the solution. Instead, we need more focus on the root causes of issues within the long-term care industry, in addition to comprehensive financial support, to ensure the best possible care for our senior citizens.
Read more about nursing home abuse statistics and policies like the essential caregivers act which aims to improve nursing home life.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, call Gharibian Law (866-706-6185) today for a FREE consultation and the best legal representation.
Source link: https://www.thecentersquare.com/california/article_1e4053ef-412e-473d-ab03-080ca4a8764b.html
In the News: Medi-Cal Quality Assurance Fee Requirement Extended
There are 14.9 million people enrolled in Medi-Cal. This program is California’s version of Medicare but acts as a supplement to Medicare for senior citizens, especially those who live in long-term care facilities. There are lots of rules and regulations surrounding Medi-Cal, one of which was set to expire at the end of 2026. Governor Newsom, however, recently signed a law that extended a vital fee that kept Medicare payments flowing to nursing homes.
The Quality Assurance Fee
The Quality Assurance Fee was signed into law with Assembly Bill 1629 in 2004. This fee helps supplement the Medi-Cal reimbursement to provide financial stability for skilled nursing facilities. The primary facilities that benefit from the quality assurance fee are independent nursing facilities that are not part of a hospital system. Ultimately, it “sought to improve Medi-Cal reimbursement rates.”
Senate Bill 165: Extending the Fee Requirement
Governor Newsom recently signed Senate Bill 165, extending the implementation of the Medi-Cal Quality Assurance Fee and reimbursement rates until the end of 2027. This move buys the legislature time to write better reform for Medi-Cal rules and reimbursement rate structure.
Without it, “the state would lose the ability to pay enhanced rates that help stabilize the long‑term care system and support access for Medi‑Cal members,” Anthony Cava of the California Department of Health Care Services told thecentersquare.com.
Will Senate Bill 165 Improve Nursing Home Care?
The ultimate purpose of SB 165 is to allow time for writing comprehensive reform for the whole system. Legislators hope this can be done in the next year, thanks to the extension. However, this does not alleviate concern regarding quality of care. The article from The Center Square points out that in the last 25 years, Medi-Cal reimbursements rates have jumped from $113 per resident per day to $404, and nursing home care (and quality) in California has not improved accordingly.
This raises the concern that legislation and directing more money towards this system may not be the solution. Instead, we need more focus on the root causes of issues within the long-term care industry, in addition to comprehensive financial support, to ensure the best possible care for our senior citizens.
Read more about nursing home abuse statistics and policies like the essential caregivers act which aims to improve nursing home life.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, call Gharibian Law (866-706-6185) today for a FREE consultation and the best legal representation.
Source link: https://www.thecentersquare.com/california/article_1e4053ef-412e-473d-ab03-080ca4a8764b.html