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Chapter 256B

Section 256B.441

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256B.441 VALUE-BASED NURSING FACILITY REIMBURSEMENT SYSTEM.

Subdivision 1. Calculation of nursing facility operating payment rates.

(a) The commissioner shall calculate operating payment rates using the statistical and cost report filed by each nursing facility for the report period ending 15 months prior to the rate year.

(b) The operating payment rates based on this section shall take effect with the rate year beginning January 1, 2016.

(c) Each cost reporting year shall begin on October 1 and end on the following September 30. A statistical and cost report shall be filed by each nursing facility by February 1 in a form and manner specified by the commissioner. Notice of rates shall be distributed by November 15 and the rates shall go into effect on January 1 for one year.

Subd. 2.Definitions.

For purposes of this section, the terms in subdivisions 3 to 42a have the meanings given unless otherwise provided for in this section.

Subd. 3.Active beds.

"Active beds" means licensed beds that are not currently in layaway status.

Subd. 4.Activities costs.

"Activities costs" means the costs for the salaries and wages of the supervisor and other activities workers, associated fringe benefits and payroll taxes, supplies, services, and consultants.

Subd. 5.Administrative costs.

"Administrative costs" means the direct costs for administering the overall activities of the nursing home. These costs include salaries and wages of the administrator, assistant administrator, business office employees, security guards, and associated fringe benefits and payroll taxes, fees, contracts, or purchases related to business office functions, licenses, and permits except as provided in the external fixed costs category, employee recognition, travel including meals and lodging, all training except as specified in subdivision 11, voice and data communication or transmission, office supplies, property and liability insurance and other forms of insurance not designated to other areas, personnel recruitment, legal services, accounting services, management or business consultants, data processing, information technology, Web site, central or home office costs, business meetings and seminars, postage, fees for professional organizations, subscriptions, security services, advertising, board of director's fees, working capital interest expense, and bad debts and bad debt collection fees.

Subd. 6.Allowed costs.

(a) "Allowed costs" means the amounts reported by the facility which are necessary for the operation of the facility and the care of residents and which are reviewed by the department for accuracy; reasonableness, in accordance with the requirements set forth in title XVIII of the federal Social Security Act and the interpretations in the provider reimbursement manual; and compliance with this section and generally accepted accounting principles. All references to costs in this section shall be assumed to refer to allowed costs.

(b) For facilities where employees are represented by collective bargaining agents, costs related to the salaries and wages, payroll taxes, and employer's share of fringe benefit costs, except employer health insurance costs, for facility employees who are members of the bargaining unit are allowed costs only if:

(1) these costs are incurred pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement. The commissioner shall allow until March 1 following the date on which the cost report was required to be submitted for a collective bargaining agent to notify the commissioner if a collective bargaining agreement, effective on the last day of the cost reporting year, was not in effect; or

(2) the collective bargaining agent notifies the commissioner by October 1 following the date on which the cost report was required to be submitted that these costs are incurred pursuant to an agreement or understanding between the facility and the collective bargaining agent.

(c) In any year when a portion of a facility's reported costs are not allowed costs under paragraph (b), when calculating the operating payment rate for the facility, the commissioner shall use the facility's allowed costs from the facility's second most recent cost report in place of the nonallowed costs. For the purpose of setting the price for other operating costs under subdivision 51, the price shall be reduced by the difference between the nonallowed costs and the allowed costs from the facility's second most recent cost report.

Subd. 7.Center for Medicare and Medicaid services.

"Center for Medicare and Medicaid services" means the federal agency, in the United States Department of Health and Human Services that administers Medicaid, also referred to as "CMS."

Subd. 8.Commissioner.

"Commissioner" means the commissioner of human services unless specified otherwise.

Subd. 9.Desk audit.

"Desk audit" means the establishment of the payment rate based on the commissioner's review and analysis of required reports, supporting documentation, and work sheets submitted by the nursing facility.

Subd. 10.Dietary costs.

"Dietary costs" means the costs for the salaries and wages of the dietary supervisor, dietitians, chefs, cooks, dishwashers, and other employees assigned to the kitchen and dining room, and associated fringe benefits and payroll taxes. Dietary costs also includes the salaries or fees of dietary consultants, dietary supplies, and food preparation and serving.

Subd. 11.Direct care costs.

"Direct care costs" means costs for the wages of nursing administration, direct care registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, certified nursing assistants, trained medication aides, employees conducting training in resident care topics and associated fringe benefits and payroll taxes; services from a supplemental nursing services agency; supplies that are stocked at nursing stations or on the floor and distributed or used individually, including, but not limited to: alcohol, applicators, cotton balls, incontinence pads, disposable ice bags, dressings, bandages, water pitchers, tongue depressors, disposable gloves, enemas, enema equipment, soap, medication cups, diapers, plastic waste bags, sanitary products, thermometers, hypodermic needles and syringes, clinical reagents or similar diagnostic agents, drugs that are not paid on a separate fee schedule by the medical assistance program or any other payer, and technology related to the provision of nursing care to residents, such as electronic charting systems; costs of materials used for resident care training, and training courses outside of the facility attended by direct care staff on resident care topics.

Subd. 11a.Employer health insurance costs.

"Employer health insurance costs" means premium expenses for group coverage and reinsurance, actual expenses incurred for self-insured plans, and employer contributions to employee health reimbursement and health savings accounts. Premium and expense costs and contributions are allowable for employees who meet the definition of full-time employees and their spouse and dependents under the federal Affordable Care Act, Public Law 111-148, and part-time employees.

Subd. 12.

[Repealed, 2007 c 147 art 7 s 76]

Subd. 13.External fixed costs.

"External fixed costs" means costs related to the nursing home surcharge under section 256.9657, subdivision 1; licensure fees under section 144.122; family advisory council fee under section 144A.33; scholarships under section 256B.431, subdivision 36; planned closure rate adjustments under section 256B.437; single bed room incentives under section 256B.431, subdivision 42; property taxes, assessments, and payments in lieu of taxes; employer health insurance costs; quality improvement incentive payment rate adjustments under subdivision 46c; performance-based incentive payments under subdivision 46d; special dietary needs under subdivision 51b; and PERA.

Subd. 14.Facility average case mix index.

"Facility average case mix index" or "CMI" means a numerical score that describes the relative resource use for all residents within the groups under the resource utilization group (RUG) classification system prescribed by the commissioner based on an assessment of each resident. The facility average CMI shall be computed as the standardized days divided by total days for all residents in the facility. The RUG's weights used shall be based on the system prescribed in section 256B.438.

Subd. 14a.

[Repealed, 2015 c 71 art 6 s 44]

Subd. 15.Field audit.

"Field audit" means the examination, verification, and review of the financial records, statistical records, and related supporting documentation on the nursing home and any related organization.

Subd. 16.

[Repealed, 2007 c 147 art 7 s 76]

Subd. 17.Fringe benefit costs.

"Fringe benefit costs" means the costs for group life, dental, workers' compensation, and other employee insurances and pension, except for the Public Employees Retirement Association and employer health insurance costs; profit sharing; and retirement plans for which the employer pays all or a portion of the costs.

Subd. 18.Generally accepted accounting principles.

"Generally Accepted Accounting Principles" means the body of pronouncements adopted by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants regarding proper accounting procedures, guidelines, and rules.

Subd. 19.

[Repealed, 2015 c 71 art 6 s 44]

Subd. 20.Housekeeping costs.

"Housekeeping costs" means the costs for the salaries and wages of the housekeeping supervisor, housekeepers, and other cleaning employees and associated fringe benefits and payroll taxes. It also includes the cost of housekeeping supplies, including, but not limited to, cleaning and lavatory supplies and contract services.

Subd. 21.

[Repealed, 2007 c 147 art 7 s 76]

Subd. 22.Laundry costs.

"Laundry costs" means the costs for the salaries and wages of the laundry supervisor and other laundry employees, associated fringe benefits, and payroll taxes. It also includes the costs of linen and bedding, the laundering of resident clothing, laundry supplies, and contract services.

Subd. 23.Licensee.

"Licensee" means the individual or organization listed on the form issued by the Minnesota Department of Health under chapter 144A or sections 144.50 to 144.56.

Subd. 24.Maintenance and plant operations costs.

"Maintenance and plant operations costs" means the costs for the salaries and wages of the maintenance supervisor, engineers, heating-plant employees, and other maintenance employees and associated fringe benefits and payroll taxes. It also includes direct costs for maintenance and operation of the building and grounds, including, but not limited to, fuel, electricity, medical waste and garbage removal, water, sewer, supplies, tools, and repairs.

Subd. 25.Normalized direct care costs per day.

"Normalized direct care costs per day" means direct care costs divided by standardized days. It is the costs per day for direct care services associated with a RUG's index of 1.00.

Subd. 26.

[Repealed, 2007 c 147 art 7 s 76]

Subd. 27.Nursing facility.

"Nursing facility" means a facility with a medical assistance provider agreement that is licensed as a nursing home under chapter 144A or as a boarding care home under sections 144.50 to 144.56.

Subd. 28.

[Repealed, 2007 c 147 art 7 s 76]

Subd. 28a.Other direct care costs.

"Other direct care costs" means the costs for the salaries and wages and associated fringe benefits and payroll taxes of mental health workers, religious personnel, and other direct care employees not specified in the definition of direct care costs.

Subd. 29.Payroll taxes.

"Payroll taxes" means the costs for the employer's share of the FICA and Medicare withholding tax, and state and federal unemployment compensation taxes.

Subd. 30.Median total care-related cost per diem and other operating per diem determined.

(a) The commissioner shall determine the median total care-related per diem to be used in subdivision 50 and the median other operating per diem to be used in subdivision 51 using the cost reports from nursing facilities in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington Counties.

(b) The median total care-related per diem shall be equal to the median direct care cost for a RUG's weight of 1.00 for facilities located in the counties listed in paragraph (a).

(c) The median other operating per diem shall be equal to the median other operating per diem for facilities located in the counties listed in paragraph (a). The other operating per diem shall be the sum of each facility's administrative costs, dietary costs, housekeeping costs, laundry costs, and maintenance and plant operations costs divided by each facility's resident days.

Subd. 31.Prior system operating cost payment rate.

"Prior system operating cost payment rate" means the operating cost payment rate in effect on December 31, 2015, under Minnesota Rules and Minnesota Statutes, inclusive of health insurance plus property insurance costs from external fixed, but not including rate increases allowed under subdivision 55a.

Subd. 32.Private paying resident.

"Private paying resident" means a nursing facility resident who is not a medical assistance recipient and whose payment rate is not established by another third party, including the veterans administration or Medicare.

Subd. 33.Rate year.

"Rate year" means the 12-month period beginning on January 1.

Subd. 33a.Raw food costs.

"Raw food costs" means the cost of food provided to nursing facility residents. Also included are special dietary supplements used for tube feeding or oral feeding, such as elemental high nitrogen diet.

Subd. 34.Related organization.

"Related organization" means a person that furnishes goods or services to a nursing facility and that is a close relative of a nursing facility, an affiliate of a nursing facility, a close relative of an affiliate of a nursing facility, or an affiliate of a close relative of an affiliate of a nursing facility. As used in this subdivision, paragraphs (a) to (d) apply.

(a) "Affiliate" means a person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by, or is under common control with another person.

(b) "Person" means an individual, a corporation, a partnership, an association, a trust, an unincorporated organization, or a government or political subdivision.

(c) "Close relative of an affiliate of a nursing facility" means an individual whose relationship by blood, marriage, or adoption to an individual who is an affiliate of a nursing facility is no more remote than first cousin.

(d) "Control" including the terms "controlling," "controlled by," and "under common control with" means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management, operations, or policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise.

Subd. 35.Reporting period.

"Reporting period" means the one-year period beginning on October 1 and ending on the following September 30 during which incurred costs are accumulated and then reported on the statistical and cost report. If a facility is reporting for an interim or settle-up period, the reporting period beginning date may be a date other than October 1. An interim or settle-up report must cover at least five months, but no more than 17 months, and must always end on September 30.

Subd. 36.Resident day or actual resident day.

"Resident day" or "actual resident day" means a day for which nursing services are rendered and billable, or a day for which a bed is held and billed. The day of admission is considered a resident day, regardless of the time of admission. The day of discharge is not considered a resident day, regardless of the time of discharge.

Subd. 37.Salaries and wages.

"Salaries and wages" means amounts earned by and paid to employees or on behalf of employees to compensate for necessary services provided. Salaries and wages include accrued vested vacation and accrued vested sick leave pay. Salaries and wages must be paid within 30 days of the end of the reporting period in order to be allowable costs of the reporting period.

Subd. 38.Social services costs.

"Social services costs" means the costs for the salaries and wages of the supervisor and other social work employees, associated fringe benefits and payroll taxes, supplies, services, and consultants. This category includes the cost of those employees who manage and process admission to the nursing facility.

Subd. 39.Stakeholders.

"Stakeholders" means individuals and representatives of organizations interested in long-term care, including nursing homes, consumers, and labor unions.

Subd. 40.Standardized days.

"Standardized days" means the sum of resident days by case mix category multiplied by the RUG index for each category. When a facility has resident days at a penalty classification, these days shall be reported as resident days at the RUG class established immediately after the penalty period, if available, and otherwise, at the RUG class in effect before the penalty began.

Subd. 41.Statistical and cost report.

"Statistical and cost report" means the forms supplied by the commissioner for annual reporting of nursing facility expenses and statistics, including instructions and definitions of items in the report.

Subd. 42.

[Repealed, 2007 c 147 art 7 s 76]

Subd. 42a.Therapy costs.

"Therapy costs" means any costs related to medical assistance therapy services provided to residents that are not billed separately from the daily operating rate.

Subd. 43.Reporting of statistical and cost information.

(a) Beginning in 2006, all nursing facilities shall provide information annually to the commissioner on a form and in a manner determined by the commissioner. The commissioner may also require nursing facilities to provide statistical and cost information for a subset of the items in the annual report on a semiannual basis. Nursing facilities shall report only costs directly related to the operation of the nursing facility. The facility shall not include costs which are separately reimbursed by residents, medical assistance, or other payors. Allocations of costs from central, affiliated, or corporate office and related organization transactions shall be reported according to section 256B.432. Beginning with the September 30, 2013, reporting year, the commissioner shall no longer grant to facilities extensions to the filing deadline. The commissioner may separately require facilities to submit in a manner specified by the commissioner documentation of statistical and cost information included in the report to ensure accuracy in establishing payment rates and to perform audit and appeal review functions under this section. Facilities shall retain all records necessary to document statistical and cost information on the report for a period of no less than seven years. The commissioner may amend information in the report according to subdivision 47. The commissioner may reject a report filed by a nursing facility under this section if the commissioner determines that the report has been filed in a form that is incomplete or inaccurate and the information is insufficient to establish accurate payment rates. In the event that a complete report is not submitted in a timely manner, the commissioner shall reduce the reimbursement payments to a nursing facility to 85 percent of amounts due until the information is filed. The release of withheld payments shall be retroactive for no more than 90 days. A nursing facility that does not submit a report or whose report is filed in a timely manner but determined to be incomplete shall be given written notice that a payment reduction is to be implemented and allowed ten days to complete the report prior to any payment reduction. The commissioner may delay the payment withhold under exceptional circumstances to be determined at the sole discretion of the commissioner.

(b) Nursing facilities may, within 12 months of the due date of a statistical and cost report, file an amendment when errors or omissions in the annual statistical and cost report are discovered and an amendment would result in a rate increase of at least 0.15 percent of the statewide weighted average operating payment rate and shall, at any time, file an amendment which would result in a rate reduction of at least 0.15 percent of the statewide weighted average operating payment rate. The commissioner shall make retroactive adjustments to the total payment rate of a nursing facility if an amendment is accepted. Where a retroactive adjustment is to be made as a result of an amended report, audit findings, or other determination of an incorrect payment rate, the commissioner may settle the payment error through a negotiated agreement with the facility and a gross adjustment of the payments to the facility. Retroactive adjustments shall not be applied to private pay residents. An error or omission for purposes of this item does not include a nursing facility's determination that an election between permissible alternatives was not advantageous and should be changed.

(c) If the commissioner determines that a nursing facility knowingly supplied inaccurate or false information or failed to file an amendment to a statistical and cost report that resulted in or would result in an overpayment, the commissioner shall immediately adjust the nursing facility's payment rate and recover the entire overpayment. The commissioner may also terminate the commissioner's agreement with the nursing facility and prosecute under applicable state or federal law.

Subd. 44.Calculation of a quality score.

(a) The commissioner shall determine a quality score for each nursing facility using quality measures established in section 256B.439, according to methods determined by the commissioner in consultation with stakeholders and experts, and using the most recently available data as provided in the Minnesota Nursing Home Report Card. These methods shall be exempt from the rulemaking requirements under chapter 14.

(b) For each quality measure, a score shall be determined with the number of points assigned as determined by the commissioner using the methodology established according to this subdivision. The determination of the quality measures to be used and the methods of calculating scores may be revised annually by the commissioner.

(c) Beginning January 1, 2016, the quality score shall include up to 50 points related to the Minnesota quality indicators score, up to 40 points related to the resident quality of life score, and up to ten points related to the state inspection results score.

(d) The commissioner, in cooperation with the commissioner of health, may adjust the formula in paragraph (c), or the methodology for computing the total quality score, effective July 1 of any year beginning in 2017, with five months advance public notice. In changing the formula, the commissioner shall consider quality measure priorities registered by report card users, advice of stakeholders, and available research.

Subd. 45.

[Repealed, 2007 c 147 art 7 s 76]

Subd. 46.

[Repealed, 2014 c 262 art 4 s 9]

Subd. 46a.

[Repealed, 2014 c 262 art 4 s 9]

Subd. 46b.Calculation of quality add-on, with an average value of 1.25 percent, effective September 1, 2013.

(a) The commissioner shall determine quality add-ons to the operating payment rates for each facility. 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 subdivision 55a, critical access nursing facility program participation under subdivision 63, or performance-based incentive payment program participation under section 256B.434, subdivision 4, paragraph (d), for a RUG class with a weight of 1.00 in effect on August 31, 2013.

(b) For each facility, the commissioner shall compute a quality factor by subtracting 40 from the most recent quality score computed under subdivision 44, and then dividing by 60. If the quality factor is less than zero, the commissioner shall use the value zero.

(c) The quality add-ons shall be the operating payment rates determined in paragraph (a), multiplied by the quality factor determined in paragraph (b), and then multiplied by 3.2 percent. The commissioner shall implement the quality add-ons effective September 1, 2013.

Subd. 46c.Quality improvement incentive system beginning October 1, 2015.

The commissioner shall develop a quality improvement incentive program in consultation with stakeholders. The annual funding pool available for quality improvement incentive payments shall be equal to 0.8 percent of all operating payments, not including any rate components resulting from equitable cost-sharing for publicly owned nursing facility program participation under subdivision 55a, critical access nursing facility program participation under subdivision 63, or performance-based incentive payment program participation under section 256B.434, subdivision 4, paragraph (d). For the period from October 1, 2015, to December 31, 2016, rate adjustments provided under this subdivision shall be effective for 15 months. Beginning January 1, 2017, annual rate adjustments provided under this subdivision shall be effective for one year, starting January 1 and ending the following December 31. The increase in this subdivision shall be included in the external fixed payment rate under subdivisions 13 and 53.

Subd. 46d.Performance-based incentive payments.

The commissioner shall develop additional incentive-based payments of up to five percent above a facility's operating payment rate for achieving outcomes specified in a contract. The commissioner may solicit proposals and select those which, on a competitive basis, best meet the state's policy objectives. The commissioner shall limit the amount of any incentive payment and the number of contract amendments under this subdivision to operate the incentive payments within funds appropriated for this purpose. The commissioner shall approve proposals through a memorandum of understanding which shall specify various levels of payment for various levels of performance. Incentive payments to facilities under this subdivision shall be in the form of time-limited rate adjustments which shall be included in the external fixed payment rate under subdivisions 13 and 53. In establishing the specified outcomes and related criteria, the commissioner shall consider the following state policy objectives:

(1) successful diversion or discharge of residents to the residents' prior home or other community-based alternatives;

(2) adoption of new technology to improve quality or efficiency;

(3) improved quality as measured in the Minnesota Nursing Home Report Card;

(4) reduced acute care costs; and

(5) any additional outcomes proposed by a nursing facility that the commissioner finds desirable.

Subd. 47.Audit authority.

(a) The commissioner may subject reports and supporting documentation to desk and field audits to determine compliance with this section. Retroactive adjustments shall be made as a result of desk or field audit findings if the cumulative impact of the finding would result in a rate adjustment of at least 0.15 percent of the statewide weighted average operating payment rate. If a field audit reveals inadequacies in a nursing facility's record keeping or accounting practices, the commissioner may require the nursing facility to engage competent professional assistance to correct those inadequacies within 90 days so that the field audit may proceed.

(b) Field audits may cover the four most recent annual statistical and cost reports for which desk audits have been completed and payment rates have been established. The field audit must be an independent review of the nursing facility's statistical and cost report. All transactions, invoices, or other documentation that support or relate to the statistics and costs claimed on the annual statistical and cost reports are subject to review by the field auditor. If the provider fails to provide the field auditor access to supporting documentation related to the information reported on the statistical and cost report within the time period specified by the commissioner, the commissioner shall calculate the total payment rate by disallowing the cost of the items for which access to the supporting documentation is not provided.

(c) Changes in the total payment rate which result from desk or field audit adjustments to statistical and cost reports for reporting years earlier than the four most recent annual cost reports must be made to the four most recent annual statistical and cost reports, the current statistical and cost report, and future statistical and cost reports to the extent that those adjustments affect the total payment rate established by those reporting years.

(d) The commissioner shall extend the period for retention of records under subdivision 43 for purposes of performing field audits as necessary to enforce section 256B.48 with written notice to the facility postmarked no later than 90 days prior to the expiration of the record retention requirement.

Subd. 48.Calculation of care-related per diems.

The direct care per diem for each facility shall be the facility's direct care costs divided by its standardized days. The other care-related per diem shall be the sum of the facility's activities costs, other direct care costs, raw food costs, therapy costs, and social services costs, divided by the facility's resident days.

Subd. 49.Determination of total care-related per diem.

The total care-related per diem for each facility shall be the sum of the direct care per diem and the other care-related per diem.

Subd. 50.Determination of total care-related limit.

(a) The median total care-related per diem shall be determined according to subdivision 30.

(b) A facility's total care-related limit shall be a variable amount based on each facility's quality score, as determined under subdivision 44, in accordance with clauses (1) to (3):

(1) the quality score shall be multiplied by 0.5625;

(2) add 89.375 to the amount determined in clause (1), and divide the total by 100; and

(3) multiply the amount determined in clause (2) by the median total care-related per diem determined in subdivision 30, paragraph (b).

(c) A RUG's weight of 1.00 shall be used in the calculation of the median total care-related per diem, and in comparisons of facility-specific direct care costs to the median.

(d) A facility that is above its total care-related limit as determined according to paragraph (b) shall have its total care-related per diem reduced to its limit. If a reduction of the total care-related per diem is necessary due to this limit, the reduction shall be made proportionally to both the direct care per diem and the other care-related per diem.

Subd. 50a.

[Repealed, 2015 c 71 art 6 s 44]

Subd. 51.Determination of other operating price.

A price for other operating costs shall be determined. The price shall be calculated as 105 percent of the median other operating per diem described in subdivision 30, paragraph (c).

Subd. 51a.Exception for specialized care facilities.

(a) For rate years beginning on or after January 1, 2016, the care-related limit for specialized care facilities shall be increased by 50 percent.

(b) "Specialized care facilities" are defined as a facility having a program licensed under chapter 245A and Minnesota Rules, chapter 9570, or a facility with 96 beds on January 1, 2015, located in Robbinsdale that specializes in the treatment of Huntington's Disease.

Subd. 51b.Special dietary needs.

The commissioner shall adjust the rates of a nursing facility that meets the criteria for the special dietary needs of its residents and the requirements in section 31.651 or 31.658. The adjustment for raw food cost shall be the difference between the nursing facility's most recently reported allowable raw food cost per diem and 115 percent of the median allowable raw food cost per diem. For rate years beginning on or after January 1, 2016, this amount shall be removed from allowable raw food per diem costs under operating costs and included in the external fixed per diem rate under subdivisions 13 and 53.

Subd. 52.

[Repealed, 2015 c 71 art 6 s 44]

Subd. 53.Calculation of payment rate for external fixed costs.

The commissioner shall calculate a payment rate for external fixed costs.

(a) For a facility licensed as a nursing home, the portion related to section 256.9657 shall be equal to $8.86. For a facility licensed as both a nursing home and a boarding care home, the portion related to section 256.9657 shall be equal to $8.86 multiplied by the result of its number of nursing home beds divided by its total number of licensed beds.

(b) The portion related to the licensure fee under section 144.122, paragraph (d), shall be the amount of the fee divided by actual resident days.

(c) The portion related to development and education of resident and family advisory councils under section 144A.33 shall be $5 divided by 365.

(d) The portion related to scholarships shall be determined under section 256B.431, subdivision 36.

(e) The portion related to planned closure rate adjustments shall be as determined under section 256B.437, subdivision 6, and Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 256B.436.

(f) The single bed room incentives shall be as determined under section 256B.431, subdivision 42.

(g) The portions related to real estate taxes, special assessments, and payments made in lieu of real estate taxes directly identified or allocated to the nursing facility shall be the actual amounts divided by actual resident days.

(h) The portion related to employer health insurance costs shall be the allowable costs divided by resident days.

(i) The portion related to the Public Employees Retirement Association shall be actual costs divided by resident days.

(j) The portion related to quality improvement incentive payment rate adjustments shall be as determined under subdivision 46c.

(k) The portion related to performance-based incentive payments shall be as determined under subdivision 46d.

(l) The portion related to special dietary needs shall be the per diem amount determined under subdivision 51b.

(m) The payment rate for external fixed costs shall be the sum of the amounts in paragraphs (a) to (l).

Subd. 54.Determination of total payment rates.

The total care-related per diem, other operating price, and external fixed per diem for each facility shall be converted to payment rates. The total payment rate for a RUG's weight of 1.00 shall be the sum of the total care-related payment rate, other operating payment rate, external fixed cost rate, and the property rate determined under section 256B.434. To determine a total payment rate for each RUG's level, the total care-related payment rate shall be divided into the direct care payment rate and the other care-related payment rate, and the direct care payment rate multiplied by the RUG's weight for each RUG's level.

Subd. 55.

[Repealed, 2015 c 71 art 6 s 44]

Subd. 55a.Alternative to phase-in for publicly owned nursing facilities.

(a) For operating payment rates implemented between October 1, 2011, and the day before operating payment rates are determined under this section, the commissioner shall allow nursing facilities whose physical plant is owned or whose license is held by a city, county, or hospital district to apply for a higher payment rate under this section if the local governmental entity agrees to pay a specified portion of the nonfederal share of medical assistance costs. Nursing facilities that apply shall be eligible to select an operating payment rate, with a weight of 1.00, up to the rate calculated in subdivision 54, without application of the phase-in under subdivision 55. The rates for the other RUGs shall be computed as provided under subdivision 54.

(b) For operating payment rates implemented beginning the day when the operating payment rates are determined under this section, the commissioner shall allow nursing facilities whose physical plant is owned or whose license is held by a city, county, or hospital district to apply for a higher payment rate under this section if the local governmental entity agrees to pay a specified portion of the nonfederal share of medical assistance costs. Nursing facilities that apply are eligible to select an operating payment rate with a weight of 1.00, up to an amount determined by the commissioner to be allowable under the Medicare upper payment limit test. The rates for the other RUGs shall be computed under subdivision 54. The rate increase allowed in this paragraph shall take effect only upon federal approval.

(c) Rates determined under this subdivision shall take effect in accordance with the rate year in subdivision 33, based on the most recent available cost report.

(d) Eligible nursing facilities that wish to participate under this subdivision shall make an application to the commissioner by August 31, 2011, or by September 30 of any subsequent year.

(e) For each participating nursing facility, the public entity that owns the physical plant or is the license holder of the nursing facility shall pay to the state the entire nonfederal share of medical assistance payments received as a result of the difference between the nursing facility's payment rate under paragraph (a) or (b), and the rates that the nursing facility would otherwise be paid without application of this subdivision under subdivision 54 as determined by the commissioner.

(f) The commissioner may, at any time, reduce the payments under this subdivision based on the commissioner's determination that the payments shall cause nursing facility rates to exceed the state's Medicare upper payment limit or any other federal limitation. If the commissioner determines a reduction is necessary, the commissioner shall reduce all payment rates for participating nursing facilities by a percentage applied to the amount of increase they would otherwise receive under this subdivision and shall notify participating facilities of the reductions. If payments to a nursing facility are reduced, payments under section 256B.19, subdivision 1e, shall be reduced accordingly.

Subd. 56.Hold harmless.

(a) For the rate years beginning on or after January 1, 2016, no nursing facility shall receive a cost payment rate, including the property insurance portion of operating costs plus the health insurance component of external fixed, less than its prior system cost payment rate, which included operating costs inclusive of health insurance costs plus the property insurance component of external fixed. The comparison of operating payment rates under this section shall be made for a RUG's rate with a weight of 1.00.

(b) For rate years beginning on or after January 1, 2016, no facility shall be subject to a care-related payment rate limit reduction greater than five percent of the median determined in subdivision 30.

Subd. 57.Appeals.

Nursing facilities may appeal, as described under section 256B.50, the determination of a payment rate established under this chapter.

Subd. 58.

[Repealed, 2015 c 71 art 6 s 44]

Subd. 59.Single-bed payments for medical assistance recipients.

Effective October 1, 2009, the amount paid for a private room under Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0070, subpart 3, is reduced from 115 percent to 111.5 percent.

Subd. 60.Method for determining budget-neutral nursing facility rates for relocated beds.

(a) Nursing facility rates for bed relocations must be calculated by comparing the estimated medical assistance costs prior to and after the proposed bed relocation using the calculations in this subdivision. All payment rates are based on a 1.0 case mix level, with other case mix rates determined accordingly. Nursing facility beds on layaway status that are being moved must be included in the calculation for both the originating and receiving facility and treated as though they were in active status with the occupancy characteristics of the active beds of the originating facility.

(b) Medical assistance costs of the beds in the originating nursing facilities must be calculated as follows:

(1) multiply each originating facility's total payment rate for a RUGS weight of 1.0 by the facility's percentage of medical assistance days on its most recent available cost report;

(2) take the products in clause (1) and multiply by each facility's average case mix score for medical assistance residents on its most recent available cost report;

(3) take the products in clause (2) and multiply by the number of beds being relocated, times 365; and

(4) calculate the sum of the amounts determined in clause (3).

(c) Medical assistance costs in the receiving facility, prior to the bed relocation, must be calculated as follows:

(1) multiply the facility's total payment rate for a RUGS weight of 1.0 by the medical assistance days on the most recent cost report; and

(2) multiply the product in clause (1) by the average case mix weight of medical assistance residents on the most recent cost report.

(d) The commissioner shall determine the medical assistance costs prior to the bed relocation which must be the sum of the amounts determined in paragraphs (b) and (c).

(e) The commissioner shall estimate the medical assistance costs after the bed relocation as follows:

(1) estimate the medical assistance days in the receiving facility after the bed relocation. The commissioner may use the current medical assistance portion, or if data does not exist, may use the statewide average, or may use the provider's estimate of the medical assistance utilization of the relocated beds;

(2) estimate the average case mix weight of medical assistance residents in the receiving facility after the bed relocation. The commissioner may use current average case mix weight or, if data does not exist, may use the statewide average, or may use the provider's estimate of the average case mix weight; and

(3) multiply the amount determined in clause (1) by the amount determined in clause (2) by the total payment rate for a RUGS weight of 1.0 that is the highest rate of the facilities from which the relocated beds either originate or to which they are being relocated so long as that rate is associated with ten percent or more of the total number of beds to be in the receiving facility after the bed relocation.

(f) If the amount determined in paragraph (e) is less than or equal to the amount determined in paragraph (d), the commissioner shall allow a total payment rate equal to the amount used in paragraph (e), clause (3).

(g) If the amount determined in paragraph (e) is greater than the amount determined in paragraph (d), the commissioner shall allow a rate with a RUGS weight of 1.0 that when used in paragraph (e), clause (3), results in the amount determined in paragraph (e) being equal to the amount determined in paragraph (d).

(h) If the commissioner relies upon provider estimates in paragraph (e), clause (1) or (2), then annually, for three years after the rates determined in this subdivision take effect, the commissioner shall determine the accuracy of the alternative factors of medical assistance case load and RUGS weight used in this subdivision and shall reduce the total payment rate for a RUGS weight of 1.0 if the factors used result in medical assistance costs exceeding the amount in paragraph (d). If the actual medical assistance costs exceed the estimates by more than five percent, the commissioner shall also recover the difference between the estimated costs in paragraph (e) and the actual costs according to section 256B.0641. The commissioner may require submission of data from the receiving facility needed to implement this paragraph.

(i) When beds approved for relocation are put into active service at the destination facility, rates determined in this subdivision must be adjusted by any adjustment amounts that were implemented after the date of the letter of approval.

Subd. 61.Rate increase for low-rate facilities.

Effective October 1, 2011, operating payment rates of all nursing facilities that are reimbursed under this section or section 256B.434 shall be increased for a resource utilization group rate with a weight of 1.00 by up to 2.45 percent, but not to exceed for the same resource utilization group weight the rate of the facility at the 18th percentile of all nursing facilities in the state. The percentage of the operating payment rate for each facility to be case-mix adjusted shall be equal to the percentage that is case-mix adjusted in that facility's operating payment rate on the preceding September 30.

Subd. 62.

[Repealed, 2015 c 71 art 6 s 44]

Subd. 63.Critical access nursing facilities.

(a) The commissioner, in consultation with the commissioner of health, may designate certain nursing facilities as critical access nursing facilities. The designation shall be granted on a competitive basis, within the limits of funds appropriated for this purpose.

(b) The commissioner shall request proposals from nursing facilities every two years. Proposals must be submitted in the form and according to the timelines established by the commissioner. In selecting applicants to designate, the commissioner, in consultation with the commissioner of health, and with input from stakeholders, shall develop criteria designed to preserve access to nursing facility services in isolated areas, rebalance long-term care, and improve quality. Beginning in fiscal year 2015, to the extent practicable, the commissioner shall ensure an even distribution of designations across the state.

(c) The commissioner shall allow the benefits in clauses (1) to (5) for nursing facilities designated as critical access nursing facilities:

(1) partial rebasing, with the commissioner allowing a designated facility operating payment rates being the sum of up to 60 percent of the operating payment rate determined in accordance with subdivision 54 and at least 40 percent, with the sum of the two portions being equal to 100 percent, of the operating payment rate that would have been allowed had the facility not been designated. The commissioner may adjust these percentages by up to 20 percent and may approve a request for less than the amount allowed;

(2) enhanced payments for leave days. Notwithstanding section 256B.431, subdivision 2r, upon designation as a critical access nursing facility, the commissioner shall limit payment for leave days to 60 percent of that nursing facility's total payment rate for the involved resident, and shall allow this payment only when the occupancy of the nursing facility, inclusive of bed hold days, is equal to or greater than 90 percent;

(3) two designated critical access nursing facilities, with up to 100 beds in active service, may jointly apply to the commissioner of health for a waiver of Minnesota Rules, part 4658.0500, subpart 2, in order to jointly employ a director of nursing. The commissioner of health will consider each waiver request independently based on the criteria under Minnesota Rules, part 4658.0040;

(4) the minimum threshold under section 256B.431, subdivision 15, paragraph (e), shall be 40 percent of the amount that would otherwise apply; and

(5) the quality-based rate limits under subdivision 50 shall apply to designated critical access nursing facilities.

(d) Designation of a critical access nursing facility shall be for a period of two years, after which the benefits allowed under paragraph (c) shall be removed. Designated facilities may apply for continued designation.

(e) This subdivision is suspended and no state or federal funding shall be appropriated or allocated for the purposes of this subdivision from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2017.

Subd. 64.Rate adjustments for compensation-related costs.

(a) Operating payment rates of all nursing facilities that are reimbursed under this section or section 256B.434 shall be increased effective for rate years beginning on and after October 1, 2014, to address changes in compensation costs for nursing facility employees paid less than $14 per hour in accordance with this subdivision.

(b) Based on the application in paragraph (d), the commissioner shall calculate the allowable annualized compensation costs by adding the totals of clauses (1), (2), and (3). The result must be divided by the standardized or resident days from the most recently available cost report to determine per diem amounts, which must be included in the operating portion of the total payment rate and allocated to direct care or other operating as determined by the commissioner:

(1) the sum of the difference between $8 and any hourly wage rate less than $8 for October 1, 2014; between $9 and any hourly wage rate less than $9 for October 1, 2015; between $9.50 and any hourly wage rate less than $9.50 for October 1, 2016; and between the indexed value of the minimum wage, as defined in section 177.24, subdivision 1, paragraph (f), and any hourly wage less than that indexed value for rate years beginning on and after October 1, 2017; multiplied by the number of compensated hours at that wage rate;

(2) using wages and hours in effect during the first three months of calendar year 2014, beginning with the first pay period beginning on or after January 1, 2014; 33.3 percent of the sum of items (i) to (viii) for October 1, 2014; 44.4 percent of the sum of items (i) to (viii) for October 1, 2015; and 22.2 percent of the sum of items (i) to (viii) for October 1, 2016;

(i) for all compensated hours from $8 to $8.49 per hour, the number of compensated hours is multiplied by $0.13;

(ii) for all compensated hours from $8.50 to $8.99 per hour, the number of compensated hours is multiplied by $0.25;

(iii) for all compensated hours from $9 to $9.49 per hour, the number of compensated hours is multiplied by $0.38;

(iv) for all compensated hours from $9.50 to $10.49 per hour, the number of compensated hours is multiplied by $0.50;

(v) for all compensated hours from $10.50 to $10.99 per hour, the number of compensated hours is multiplied by $0.40;

(vi) for all compensated hours from $11 to $11.49 per hour, the number of compensated hours is multiplied by $0.30;

(vii) for all compensated hours from $11.50 to $11.99 per hour, the number of compensated hours is multiplied by $0.20; and

(viii) for all compensated hours from $12 to $13 per hour, the number of compensated hours is multiplied by $0.10; and

(3) the sum of the employer's share of FICA taxes, Medicare taxes, state and federal unemployment taxes, workers' compensation, pensions, and contributions to employee retirement accounts attributable to the amounts in clauses (1) and (2).

(c) For the rate years beginning October 1, 2014, and later, nursing facilities that receive approval of the applications in paragraph (d) must receive rate adjustments according to paragraph (b). The rate adjustments must be used to pay compensation costs for nursing facility employees paid less than $14 per hour.

(d) To receive a rate adjustment, nursing facilities must submit applications to the commissioner in a form and manner determined by the commissioner. The applications for the rate adjustments shall include specified data, and spending plans that describe how the funds from the rate adjustments will be allocated for compensation to employees paid less than $14 per hour. The applications must be submitted within three months of the effective date of any operating payment rate adjustment under this subdivision. The commissioner may request any additional information needed to determine the rate adjustment within three weeks of receiving a complete application. The nursing facility must provide any additional information requested by the commissioner within six months of the effective date of any operating payment rate adjustment under this subdivision. The commissioner may waive the deadlines in this subdivision under extraordinary circumstances.

(e) For nursing facilities in which employees are represented by an exclusive bargaining representative, the commissioner shall approve the applications submitted under this subdivision only upon receipt of a letter or letters of acceptance of the spending plans in regard to members of the bargaining unit, signed by the exclusive bargaining agent and dated after May 31, 2014. Upon receipt of the letter or letters of acceptance, the commissioner shall deem all requirements of this subdivision as having been met in regard to the members of the bargaining unit.

Subd. 65.Nursing facility in Golden Valley.

Effective for the rate year beginning January 1, 2016, and all subsequent rate years, the operating payment rate for a facility located in the city of Golden Valley at 3915 Golden Valley Road with 44 licensed rehabilitation beds as of January 7, 2015, must be calculated without the application of subdivisions 50 and 51.

Subd. 66.Nursing facilities in border cities.

Effective for the rate year beginning January 1, 2016, and annually thereafter, operating payment rates of a nonprofit nursing facility that exists on January 1, 2015, is located anywhere within the boundaries of the city of Breckenridge, and is reimbursed under this section, section 256B.431, or section 256B.434, shall be adjusted to be equal to the median RUG's rates, including comparable rate components as determined by the commissioner, for the equivalent RUG's weight of the nonprofit nursing facility or facilities located in an adjacent city in another state and in cities contiguous to the adjacent city. The Minnesota facility's operating payment rate with a weight of 1.0 shall be computed by dividing the adjacent city's nursing facilities median operating payment rate with a weight of 1.02 by 1.02. If the adjustments under this subdivision result in a rate that exceeds the limits in subdivisions 50 and 51 in a given rate year, the facility's rate shall not be subject to those limits for that rate year. This subdivision shall apply only if it results in a higher operating payment rate than would otherwise be determined under this section, section 256B.431, or section 256B.434.

Subd. 67.Nursing facility; contract with insurance provider.

Within the projected cost of nursing facility payment reform under this section, for a facility that did not provide employee health insurance coverage as of May 1, 2015, if the facility has a signed contract with a health insurance provider to begin providing employee health insurance coverage by January 1, 2016, the facility shall be paid for the employer health insurance costs portion of external fixed costs under subdivisions 13 and 53 beginning January 1, 2016.

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes