Text of section effective on April 01, 2025
Sec. 526.0301.  STRATEGIC PLAN FOR RURAL HOSPITAL SERVICES; REPORT.  (a)  The commission shall develop and implement a strategic plan to ensure that the citizens in this state residing in rural areas have access to hospital services.
(b)  The strategic plan must include:
(1)  a proposal for using at least one of the following methods to ensure access to hospital services in the rural areas of this state:
(A)  an enhanced cost reimbursement methodology for the payment of rural hospitals participating in the Medicaid managed care program in conjunction with a supplemental payment program for rural hospitals to cover costs incurred in providing services to recipients;
(B)  a hospital rate enhancement program applicable only to rural hospitals;
(C)  a reduction of punitive actions under Medicaid that require reimbursement for Medicaid payments made to a rural hospital provider, a reduction of the frequency of payment reductions under Medicaid made to rural hospitals, and an enhancement of payments made under merit-based programs or similar programs for rural hospitals;
(D)  a reduction of state regulatory-related costs related to the commission's review of rural hospitals; or
(E)  in accordance with rules the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services adopts, the establishment of a minimum fee schedule that applies to payments made to rural hospitals by Medicaid managed care organizations; and
(2)  target dates for achieving goals related to the proposal described by Subdivision (1).
(c)  Not later than November 1 of each even-numbered year, the commission shall submit a report regarding the commission's development and implementation of the strategic plan to:
(1)  the legislature;
(2)  the governor; and
(3)  the Legislative Budget Board.
Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 769 (H.B. 4611), Sec. 1.01, eff. April 1, 2025.