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Chapter 256B

Section 256B.434

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256B.434 ALTERNATIVE PAYMENT DEMONSTRATION PROJECT.

Subdivision 1.Alternative payment demonstration project established.

The commissioner of human services shall establish a contractual alternative payment demonstration project for paying for nursing facility services under the medical assistance program. A nursing facility may apply to be paid under the contractual alternative payment demonstration project instead of the cost-based payment system established under section 256B.431. A nursing facility electing to use the alternative payment demonstration project must enter into a contract with the commissioner. Payment rates and procedures for facilities electing to use the alternative payment demonstration project are determined and governed by this section and by the terms of the contract. The commissioner may negotiate different contract terms for different nursing facilities.

Subd. 2.Requests for proposals.

(a) At least twice annually the commissioner shall publish in the State Register a request for proposals to provide nursing facility services according to this section. The commissioner must respond to all proposals in a timely manner.

(b) The commissioner may reject any proposal if, in the judgment of the commissioner, a contract with a particular facility is not in the best interests of the residents of the facility or the state of Minnesota. The commissioner may accept up to the number of proposals that can be adequately supported with available state resources, as determined by the commissioner. The commissioner may accept proposals from a single nursing facility or from a group of facilities through a managing entity. The commissioner shall seek to ensure that nursing facilities under contract are located in all geographic areas of the state.

(c) In issuing the request for proposals, the commissioner may develop reasonable requirements which, in the judgment of the commissioner, are necessary to protect residents or ensure that the contractual alternative payment demonstration project furthers the interest of the state of Minnesota. The request for proposals may include, but need not be limited to, the following:

(1) a requirement that a nursing facility make reasonable efforts to maximize Medicare payments on behalf of eligible residents;

(2) requirements designed to prevent inappropriate or illegal discrimination against residents enrolled in the medical assistance program as compared to private paying residents;

(3) requirements designed to ensure that admissions to a nursing facility are appropriate and that reasonable efforts are made to place residents in home and community-based settings when appropriate;

(4) a requirement to agree to participate in a project to develop data collection systems and outcome-based standards. Among other requirements specified by the commissioner, each facility entering into a contract may be required to pay an annual fee. Revenue generated from the fees is appropriated to the commissioner and must be used to contract with a qualified consultant or contractor to develop data collection systems and outcome-based contracting standards;

(5) a requirement that contractors agree to maintain Medicare cost reports and to submit them to the commissioner upon request or at times specified by the commissioner;

(6) a requirement for demonstrated willingness and ability to develop and maintain data collection and retrieval systems to be used in measuring outcomes; and

(7) a requirement to provide all information and assurances required by the terms and conditions of the federal waiver or federal approval.

(d) In addition to the information and assurances contained in the submitted proposals, the commissioner may consider the following in determining whether to accept or deny a proposal:

(1) the facility's history of compliance with federal and state laws and rules, except that a facility deemed to be in substantial compliance with federal and state laws and rules is eligible to respond to a request for proposal. A facility's compliance history shall not be the sole determining factor in situations where the facility has been sold and the new owners have submitted a proposal;

(2) whether the facility has a record of excessive licensure fines or sanctions or fraudulent cost reports;

(3) financial history and solvency; and

(4) other factors identified by the commissioner that the commissioner deems relevant to a determination that a contract with a particular facility is not in the best interests of the residents of the facility or the state of Minnesota.

(e) If the commissioner rejects the proposal of a nursing facility, the commissioner shall provide written notice to the facility of the reason for the rejection, including the factors and evidence upon which the rejection was based.

Subd. 3.Duration and termination of contracts.

(a) Subject to available resources, the commissioner may begin to execute contracts with nursing facilities November 1, 1995.

(b) All contracts entered into under this section are for a term not to exceed four years. Either party may terminate a contract at any time without cause by providing 90 calendar days advance written notice to the other party. The decision to terminate a contract is not appealable. Notwithstanding section 16C.05, subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clause (5), the contract shall be renegotiated for additional terms of up to four years, unless either party provides written notice of termination. The provisions of the contract shall be renegotiated at a minimum of every four years by the parties prior to the expiration date of the contract. The parties may voluntarily renegotiate the terms of the contract at any time by mutual agreement.

(c) If a nursing facility fails to comply with the terms of a contract, the commissioner shall provide reasonable notice regarding the breach of contract and a reasonable opportunity for the facility to come into compliance. If the facility fails to come into compliance or to remain in compliance, the commissioner may terminate the contract. If a contract is terminated, the contract payment remains in effect for the remainder of the rate year in which the contract was terminated, but in all other respects the provisions of this section do not apply to that facility effective the date the contract is terminated. The contract shall contain a provision governing the transition back to the cost-based reimbursement system established under section 256B.431 and Minnesota Rules, parts 9549.0010 to 9549.0080. A contract entered into under this section may be amended by mutual agreement of the parties.

Subd. 4.Alternate rates for nursing facilities.

A nursing facility's case mix payment rates for the second and subsequent years of a facility's contract under this section are the previous rate year's contract payment rates plus an inflation adjustment and, for facilities reimbursed under this section or section 256B.431, an adjustment to include the cost of any increase in Health Department licensing fees for the facility taking effect on or after July 1, 2001. The index for the inflation adjustment must be based on the change in the Consumer Price Index-All Items (United States City average) (CPI-U) forecasted by the commissioner of management and budget's national economic consultant, as forecasted in the fourth quarter of the calendar year preceding the rate year. The inflation adjustment must be based on the 12-month period from the midpoint of the previous rate year to the midpoint of the rate year for which the rate is being determined. For the rate years beginning on July 1, 1999, July 1, 2000, July 1, 2001, July 1, 2002, July 1, 2003, July 1, 2004, July 1, 2005, July 1, 2006, July 1, 2007, July 1, 2008, October 1, 2009, and October 1, 2010, this paragraph shall apply only to the property-related payment rate. For the rate years beginning on October 1, 2011, October 1, 2012, October 1, 2013, October 1, 2014, October 1, 2015, January 1, 2016, and January 1, 2017, the rate adjustment under this paragraph shall be suspended. Beginning in 2005, adjustment to the property payment rate under this section and section 256B.431 shall be effective on October 1. In determining the amount of the property-related payment rate adjustment under this paragraph, the commissioner shall determine the proportion of the facility's rates that are property-related based on the facility's most recent cost report.

Subd. 4a.

[Repealed, 2012 c 216 art 9 s 38]

Subd. 4b.

[Repealed, 2012 c 216 art 9 s 38]

Subd. 4c.

[Repealed, 2012 c 216 art 9 s 38]

Subd. 4d.

[Repealed, 2012 c 216 art 9 s 38]

Subd. 4e.

[Repealed, 2012 c 216 art 9 s 38]

Subd. 4f.Construction project rate adjustments effective October 1, 2006.

(a) Effective October 1, 2006, facilities reimbursed under this section may receive a property rate adjustment for construction projects exceeding the threshold in section 256B.431, subdivision 16, and below the threshold in section 144A.071, subdivision 2, clause (a). For these projects, capital assets purchased shall be counted as construction project costs for a rate adjustment request made by a facility if they are: (1) purchased within 24 months of the completion of the construction project; (2) purchased after the completion date of any prior construction project; and (3) are not purchased prior to July 14, 2005. Except as otherwise provided in this subdivision, the definitions, rate calculation methods, and principles in sections 144A.071 and 256B.431 and Minnesota Rules, parts 9549.0010 to 9549.0080, shall be used to calculate rate adjustments for allowable construction projects under this subdivision and section 144A.073. Facilities completing construction projects between October 1, 2005, and October 1, 2006, are eligible to have a property rate adjustment effective October 1, 2006. Facilities completing projects after October 1, 2006, are eligible for a property rate adjustment effective on the first day of the month following the completion date.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision 18, as of July 14, 2005, facilities with rates set under section 256B.431 and Minnesota Rules, parts 9549.0010 to 9549.0080, that commenced a construction project on or after October 1, 2004, and do not have a contract under subdivision 3 by September 30, 2006, are eligible to request a rate adjustment under section 256B.431, subdivision 10, through September 30, 2006. If the request results in the commissioner determining a rate adjustment is allowable, the rate adjustment is effective on the first of the month following project completion. These facilities shall be allowed to accumulate construction project costs for the period October 1, 2004, to September 30, 2006.

(c) Facilities shall be allowed construction project rate adjustments no sooner than 12 months after completing a previous construction project. Facilities must request the rate adjustment according to section 256B.431, subdivision 10.

(d) Capacity days shall be computed according to Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, subpart 11. For rate calculations under this section, the number of licensed beds in the nursing facility shall be the number existing after the construction project is completed and the number of days in the nursing facility's reporting period shall be 365.

(e) The value of assets to be recognized for a total replacement project as defined in section 256B.431, subdivision 17d, shall be computed as described in clause (1). The value of assets to be recognized for all other projects shall be computed as described in clause (2).

(1) Replacement-cost-new limits under section 256B.431, subdivision 17e, and the number of beds allowed under subdivision 3a, paragraph (c), shall be used to compute the maximum amount of assets allowable in a facility's property rate calculation. If a facility's current request for a rate adjustment results from the completion of a construction project that was previously approved under section 144A.073, the assets to be used in the rate calculation cannot exceed the lesser of the amount determined under sections 144A.071, subdivision 2, and 144A.073, subdivision 3b, or the actual allowable costs of the construction project. A current request that is not the result of a project under section 144A.073 cannot exceed the limit under section 144A.071, subdivision 2, paragraph (a). Applicable credits must be deducted from the cost of the construction project.

(2)(i) Replacement-cost-new limits under section 256B.431, subdivision 17e, and the number of beds allowed under section 256B.431, subdivision 3a, paragraph (c), shall be used to compute the maximum amount of assets allowable in a facility's property rate calculation.

(ii) The value of a facility's assets to be compared to the amount in item (i) begins with the total appraised value from the last rate notice a facility received when its rates were set under section 256B.431 and Minnesota Rules, parts 9549.0010 to 9549.0080. This value shall be indexed by the factor in section 256B.431, subdivision 3f, paragraph (a), for each rate year the facility received an inflation factor on its property-related rate when its rates were set under this section. The value of assets listed as previous capital additions, capital additions, and special projects on the facility's base year rate notice and the value of assets related to a construction project for which the facility received a rate adjustment when its rates were determined under this section shall be added to the indexed appraised value.

(iii) The maximum amount of assets to be recognized in computing a facility's rate adjustment after a project is completed is the lesser of the aggregate replacement-cost-new limit computed in (i) minus the assets recognized in (ii) or the actual allowable costs of the construction project.

(iv) If a facility's current request for a rate adjustment results from the completion of a construction project that was previously approved under section 144A.073, the assets to be added to the rate calculation cannot exceed the lesser of the amount determined under sections 144A.071, subdivision 2, and 144A.073, subdivision 3b, or the actual allowable costs of the construction project. A current request that is not the result of a project under section 144A.073 cannot exceed the limit stated in section 144A.071, subdivision 2, paragraph (a). Assets disposed of as a result of a construction project and applicable credits must be deducted from the cost of the construction project.

(f) For construction projects approved under section 144A.073, allowable debt may never exceed the lesser of the cost of the assets purchased, the threshold limit in section 144A.071, subdivision 2, or the replacement-cost-new limit less previously existing capital debt.

(g) For construction projects that were not approved under section 144A.073, allowable debt is limited to the lesser of the threshold in section 144A.071, subdivision 2, for such construction projects or the applicable limit in paragraph (e), clause (1) or (2), less previously existing capital debt. Amounts of debt taken out that exceed the costs of a construction project shall not be allowed regardless of the use of the funds.

For all construction projects being recognized, interest expense and average debt shall be computed based on the first 12 months following project completion. "Previously existing capital debt" means capital debt recognized on the last rate determined under section 256B.431 and Minnesota Rules, parts 9549.0010 to 9549.0080, and the amount of debt recognized for a construction project for which the facility received a rate adjustment when its rates were determined under this section.

For a total replacement project as defined in section 256B.431, subdivision 17d, the value of previously existing capital debt shall be zero.

(h) In addition to the interest expense allowed from the application of paragraph (f), the amounts allowed under section 256B.431, subdivision 17a, paragraph (a), clauses (2) and (3), will be added to interest expense.

(i) The equity portion of the construction project shall be computed as the allowable assets in paragraph (e), less the average debt in paragraph (f). The equity portion must be multiplied by 5.66 percent and the allowable interest expense in paragraph (f) must be added. This sum must be divided by 95 percent of capacity days to compute the construction project rate adjustment.

(j) For projects that are not a total replacement of a nursing facility, the amount in paragraph (i) is adjusted for nonreimbursable areas and then added to the current property payment rate of the facility.

(k) For projects that are a total replacement of a nursing facility, the amount in paragraph (i) becomes the new property payment rate after being adjusted for nonreimbursable areas. Any amounts existing in a facility's rate before the effective date of the construction project for equity incentives under section 256B.431, subdivision 16; capital repairs and replacements under section 256B.431, subdivision 15; or refinancing incentives under section 256B.431, subdivision 19, shall be removed from the facility's rates.

(l) No additional equipment allowance is allowed under Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, subpart 10, as the result of construction projects under this section. Allowable equipment shall be included in the construction project costs.

(m) Capital assets purchased after the completion date of a construction project shall be counted as construction project costs for any future rate adjustment request made by a facility under section 144A.071, subdivision 2, clause (a), if they are purchased within 24 months of the completion of the future construction project.

(n) In subsequent rate years, the property payment rate for a facility that results from the application of this subdivision shall be the amount inflated in subdivision 4.

(o) Construction projects are eligible for an equity incentive under section 256B.431, subdivision 16. When computing the equity incentive for a construction project under this subdivision, only the allowable costs and allowable debt related to the construction project shall be used. The equity incentive shall not be a part of the property payment rate and not inflated under subdivision 4. Effective October 1, 2006, all equity incentives for nursing facilities reimbursed under this section shall be allowed for a duration determined under section 256B.431, subdivision 16, paragraph (c).

Subd. 4g.

[Repealed, 2012 c 216 art 9 s 38]

Subd. 4h.

[Repealed, 2012 c 216 art 9 s 38]

Subd. 4i.Construction project rate adjustments for certain nursing facilities.

(a) This subdivision applies to nursing facilities with at least 120 active beds as of January 1, 2015, that have projects approved in 2015 under the nursing facility moratorium exception process in section 144A.073. When each facility's moratorium exception construction project is completed, the facility must receive the rate adjustment allowed under subdivision 4f. In addition to that rate adjustment, facilities with at least 120 active beds, but not more than 149 active beds, as of January 1, 2015, must have their construction project rate adjustment increased by an additional $4; and facilities with at least 150 active beds, but not more than 160 active beds, as of January 1, 2015, must have their construction project rate adjustment increased by an additional $12.50.

(b) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, money available under section 144A.073, subdivision 11, after the completion of the moratorium exception approval process in 2015 under section 144A.073, subdivision 3, shall be used to reduce the fiscal impact to the medical assistance budget for the increases allowed in this subdivision.

Subd. 5.

[Repealed, 1Sp2001 c 9 art 5 s 41]

Subd. 6.Contract payment rates; appeals.

If an appeal is pending concerning the cost-based payment rates that are the basis for the calculation of the payment rate under the alternative payment demonstration project, the commissioner and the nursing facility may agree on an interim contract rate to be used until the appeal is resolved. When the appeal is resolved, the contract rate must be adjusted retroactively in accordance with the appeal decision.

Subd. 7.

[Repealed, 2012 c 216 art 9 s 38]

Subd. 8.

[Repealed, 2012 c 216 art 9 s 38]

Subd. 9.Managed care contracts for other services.

Beginning July 1, 1995, the commissioner may contract with nursing facilities that have entered into alternative payment demonstration project contracts under this section to provide medical assistance services other than nursing facility care to residents of the facility under a prepaid, managed care payment system. Managed care contracts for other services may be entered into at any time during the duration of a nursing facility's alternative payment demonstration project contract, and the terms of the managed care contracts need not coincide with the terms of the alternative payment demonstration project contract.

Subd. 10.Exemptions.

(a) To the extent permitted by federal law, (1) a facility that has entered into a contract under this section is not required to file a cost report, as defined in Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0020, subpart 13, for any year after the base year that is the basis for the calculation of the contract payment rate for the first rate year of the alternative payment demonstration project contract; and (2) a facility under contract is not subject to audits of historical costs or revenues, or paybacks or retroactive adjustments based on these costs or revenues, except audits, paybacks, or adjustments relating to the cost report that is the basis for calculation of the first rate year under the contract.

(b) A facility that is under contract with the commissioner under this section is not subject to the moratorium on licensure or certification of new nursing home beds in section 144A.071, unless the project results in a net increase in bed capacity or involves relocation of beds from one site to another. Contract payment rates must not be adjusted to reflect any additional costs that a nursing facility incurs as a result of a construction project undertaken under this paragraph. In addition, as a condition of entering into a contract under this section, a nursing facility must agree that any future medical assistance payments for nursing facility services will not reflect any additional costs attributable to the sale of a nursing facility under this section and to construction undertaken under this paragraph that otherwise would not be authorized under the moratorium in section 144A.073. Nothing in this section prevents a nursing facility participating in the alternative payment demonstration project under this section from seeking approval of an exception to the moratorium through the process established in section 144A.073, and if approved the facility's rates shall be adjusted to reflect the cost of the project. Nothing in this section prevents a nursing facility participating in the alternative payment demonstration project from seeking legislative approval of an exception to the moratorium under section 144A.071, and, if enacted, the facility's rates shall be adjusted to reflect the cost of the project.

(c) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), if by April 1, 1996, the health care financing administration has not approved a required waiver, or the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services otherwise requires cost reports to be filed prior to the waiver's approval, the commissioner shall require a cost report for the rate year.

(d) A facility that is under contract with the commissioner under this section shall be allowed to change therapy arrangements from an unrelated vendor to a related vendor during the term of the contract. The commissioner may develop reasonable requirements designed to prevent an increase in therapy utilization for residents enrolled in the medical assistance program.

(e) Nursing facilities participating in the alternative payment system demonstration project must either participate in the alternative payment system quality improvement program established by the commissioner or submit information on their own quality improvement process to the commissioner for approval. Nursing facilities that have had their own quality improvement process approved by the commissioner must report results for at least one key area of quality improvement annually to the commissioner.

Subd. 11.Consumer protection.

As a condition of entering into a contract under this section, a nursing facility must agree to establish resident grievance procedures that are similar to those required under section 256.045, subdivision 3. The commissioner may also require nursing facilities to establish expedited grievance procedures to resolve complaints made by short-stay residents. The facility must notify its resident council of its intent to enter into a contract and must consult with the council regarding any changes in operation expected as a result of the contract.

Subd. 12.Contracts are voluntary.

Participation of nursing facilities in the alternative payment demonstration project is voluntary. The terms and procedures governing the alternative payment demonstration project are determined under this section and through negotiations between the commissioner and nursing facilities that have submitted a letter of intent to participate in the alternative demonstration project. For purposes of developing requests for proposals and contract requirements, and negotiating the terms, conditions, and requirements of contracts the commissioner is exempt from the rulemaking requirements in chapter 14 until December 31, 2000.

Subd. 13.

[Repealed, 2001 c 161 s 58]

Subd. 14.Federal requirements.

The commissioner shall implement the contractual alternative payment demonstration project subject to any required federal waivers or approval and in a manner that is consistent with federal requirements. If a provision of this section is inconsistent with a federal requirement the federal requirement supersedes the inconsistent provision. The commissioner shall seek federal approval and request waivers as necessary to implement this section.

Subd. 15.External review panel.

The commissioner may establish an external review panel consisting of persons appointed by the commissioner for their expertise on issues relating to nursing facility services, quality, payment systems, and other matters, to advise the commissioner on the development and implementation of the contractual alternative payment demonstration project and to assist the commissioner in assessing the quality of care provided and evaluating a facility's compliance with performance standards specified in a contract. The external review panel must include, among other members, representatives of nursing facilities.

Subd. 16.Alternative contracts.

The commissioner may also contract with nursing facilities in other ways through requests for proposals, including contracts on a risk or nonrisk basis, with nursing facilities or consortia of nursing facilities, to provide comprehensive long-term care coverage on a premium or capitated basis.

Subd. 17.

[Repealed, 1999 c 245 art 3 s 51]

Subd. 18.Facilities without APS contracts as of October 1, 2006.

Effective October 1, 2006, payment rates for property shall no longer be determined under section 256B.431. A facility that does not have a contract with the commissioner under this section shall not be eligible for a rate increase.

Subd. 19.

[Repealed, 2014 c 262 art 4 s 9]

Subd. 19a.Nursing facility rate adjustments beginning September 1, 2013.

A total of a five percent average rate adjustment shall be provided as described under this subdivision and under section 256B.441, subdivision 46b.

(a) Beginning September 1, 2013, the commissioner shall make available to each nursing facility reimbursed under this section a 3.75 percent operating payment rate increase, in accordance with paragraphs (b) to (g).

(b) Seventy-five percent of the money resulting from the rate adjustment under paragraph (a) must be used for increases in compensation-related costs for employees directly employed by the nursing facility on or after the effective date of the rate adjustment, except:

(1) the administrator;

(2) persons employed in the central office of a corporation that has an ownership interest in the nursing facility or exercises control over the nursing facility; and

(3) persons paid by the nursing facility under a management contract.

(c) The commissioner shall allow as compensation-related costs all costs for:

(1) wage and salary increases effective after May 25, 2013;

(2) the employer's share of FICA taxes, Medicare taxes, state and federal unemployment taxes, and workers' compensation;

(3) the employer's share of health and dental insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, long-term care insurance, uniform allowance, and pensions; and

(4) other benefits provided and workforce needs, including the recruiting and training of employees, subject to the approval of the commissioner.

(d) The portion of the rate adjustment under paragraph (a) that is not subject to the requirements of paragraph (b) shall be provided to nursing facilities effective September 1, 2013. Nursing facilities may apply for the portion of the rate adjustment under paragraph (a) that is subject to the requirements in paragraph (b). The application must be submitted to the commissioner within six months of the effective date of the rate adjustment, and the nursing facility must provide additional information required by the commissioner within nine months of the effective date of the rate adjustment. The commissioner must respond to all applications within three weeks of receipt. The commissioner may waive the deadlines in this paragraph under extraordinary circumstances, to be determined at the sole discretion of the commissioner. The application must contain:

(1) an estimate of the amounts of money that must be used as specified in paragraph (b);

(2) a detailed distribution plan specifying the allowable compensation-related increases the nursing facility will implement to use the funds available in clause (1);

(3) a description of how the nursing facility will notify eligible employees of the contents of the approved application, which must provide for giving each eligible employee a copy of the approved application, excluding the information required in clause (1), or posting a copy of the approved application, excluding the information required in clause (1), for a period of at least six weeks in an area of the nursing facility to which all eligible employees have access; and

(4) instructions for employees who believe they have not received the compensation-related increases specified in clause (2), as approved by the commissioner, and which must include a mailing address, e-mail address, and the telephone number that may be used by the employee to contact the commissioner or the commissioner's representative.

(e) The commissioner shall ensure that cost increases in distribution plans under paragraph (d), clause (2), that may be included in approved applications, comply with the following requirements:

(1) a portion of the costs resulting from tenure-related wage or salary increases may be considered to be allowable wage increases, according to formulas that the commissioner shall provide, where employee retention is above the average statewide rate of retention of direct-care employees;

(2) the annualized amount of increases in costs for the employer's share of health and dental insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, and workers' compensation shall be allowable compensation-related increases if they are effective on or after April 1, 2013, and prior to April 1, 2014; and

(3) for nursing facilities in which employees are represented by an exclusive bargaining representative, the commissioner shall approve the application only upon receipt of a letter of acceptance of the distribution plan, in regard to members of the bargaining unit, signed by the exclusive bargaining agent, and dated after May 25, 2013. Upon receipt of the letter of acceptance, the commissioner shall deem all requirements of this provision as having been met in regard to the members of the bargaining unit.

(f) The commissioner shall review applications received under paragraph (d) and shall provide the portion of the rate adjustment under paragraph (b) if the requirements of this subdivision have been met. The rate adjustment shall be effective September 1, 2013. Notwithstanding paragraph (a), if the approved application distributes less money than is available, the amount of the rate adjustment shall be reduced so that the amount of money made available is equal to the amount to be distributed.

(g) The increase in this subdivision shall be applied as a percentage to operating payment rates in effect on August 31, 2013. For each facility, the commissioner shall determine the operating payment rate, not including any rate components resulting from equitable cost-sharing for publicly owned nursing facility program participation under section 256B.441, subdivision 55a, critical access nursing facility program participation under section 256B.441, subdivision 63, or performance-based incentive payment program participation under subdivision 4, paragraph (d), for a RUG class with a weight of 1.00 in effect on August 31, 2013.

Subd. 19b.

[Repealed, 2015 c 71 art 6 s 44]

Subd. 20.Payment of Public Employees Retirement Association costs.

Nursing facilities that participate in the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) shall have the component of their payment rate associated with the costs of PERA determined for each rate year. Effective for rate years beginning on and after October 1, 2007, the commissioner shall determine the portion of the payment rate in effect on September 30 each year and shall subtract that amount from the payment rate to be effective on the following October 1. The portion that shall be deemed to be included in the September 30, 2007, rate that is associated with PERA costs shall be the allowed costs in the facility's base for determining rates under this section, divided by the resident days reported for that year. The commissioner shall add to the payment rate to be effective on October 1 each year an amount equal to the reported costs associated with PERA, for the year ending on the most recent September 30 for which data is available, divided by total resident days for that year, as reported by the facility and audited under section 256B.441.

Subd. 21.Payment of post-PERA pension benefit costs.

Nursing facilities that convert or converted after September 30, 2006, from public to private ownership shall have a portion of their post-PERA pension costs treated as a component of the historic operating rate. Effective for the rate years beginning on or after October 1, 2009, and prior to October 1, 2016, the commissioner shall determine the pension costs to be included in the facility's base for determining rates under this section by using the following formula: post-privatization pension benefit costs as a percentage of salary shall be determined from either the cost report for the first full reporting year after privatization or the most recent report year available, whichever is later. This percentage shall be applied to the salary costs of the alternative payment system base rate year to determine the allowable amount of pension costs. The adjustments provided for in sections 256B.431, 256B.434, and 256B.441, and any other law enacted after the base rate year and prior to the year for which rates are being determined shall be applied to the allowable amount. The adjusted allowable amount shall be added to the operating rate effective the first rate year PERA ceases to remain as a pass-through component of the rate.

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