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Chapter 256B

Section 256B.434

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256B.434 Contractual alternative payment demonstration project for nursing homes.

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 of one year. 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 one-year terms, unless either party provides written notice of termination. The provisions of the contract shall be renegotiated annually 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) For nursing facilities which have their payment rates determined under this section rather than section 256B.431, the commissioner shall establish a rate under this subdivision. The nursing facility must enter into a written contract with the commissioner.

(b) A nursing facility's case mix payment rate for the first rate year of a facility's contract under this section is the payment rate the facility would have received under section 256B.431.

(c) 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 Data Resources, Inc., 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, and July 1, 2002, this paragraph shall apply only to the property-related payment rate, except that adjustments to include the cost of any increase in health department licensing fees taking effect on or after July 1, 2001, shall be provided. 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.

(d) The commissioner shall develop additional incentive-based payments of up to five percent above the standard contract rate for achieving outcomes specified in each contract. The specified facility-specific outcomes must be measurable and approved by the commissioner. The commissioner may establish, for each contract, various levels of achievement within an outcome. After the outcomes have been specified the commissioner shall assign various levels of payment associated with achieving the outcome. Any incentive-based payment cancels if there is a termination of the contract. In establishing the specified outcomes and related criteria the commissioner shall consider the following state policy objectives:

(1) improved cost effectiveness and quality of life as measured by improved clinical outcomes;

(2) successful diversion or discharge to community alternatives;

(3) decreased acute care costs;

(4) improved consumer satisfaction;

(5) the achievement of quality; or

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

Subd. 4a. Facility rate increases. For the rate year beginning July 1, 1999, the nursing facilities described in clauses (1) to (5) shall receive the rate increases indicated. The increases provided under this subdivision shall be included in the facility's total payment rates for the purpose of determining future rates under this section or any other section:

(1) a nursing facility in Becker county licensed for 102 nursing home beds on September 30, 1998, shall receive an increase of $1.30 in its case mix class A payment rate; an increase of $1.33 in its case mix class B payment rate; an increase of $1.36 in its case mix class C payment rate; an increase of $1.39 in its case mix class D payment rate; an increase of $1.42 in its case mix class E payment rate; an increase of $1.42 in its case mix class F payment rate; an increase of $1.45 in its case mix class G payment rate; an increase of $1.49 in its case mix class H payment rate; an increase of $1.51 in its case mix class I payment rate; an increase of $1.54 in its case mix class J payment rate; and an increase of $1.59 in its case mix class K payment rate;

(2) a nursing facility in Chisago county licensed for 101 nursing home beds on September 30, 1998, shall receive an increase of $3.67 in each case mix payment rate;

(3) a nursing facility in Canby, licensed for 75 beds shall have its property-related per diem rate increased by $1.21. This increase shall be recognized in the facility's contract payment rate under this section;

(4) a nursing facility in Golden Valley with all its beds licensed to provide residential rehabilitative services to young adults under Minnesota Rules, parts 9570.2000 to 9570.3400, shall have the payment rate computed according to this section increased by $14.83; and

(5) a county-owned 130-bed nursing facility in Park Rapids shall have its per diem contract payment rate increased by $1.02 for costs related to compliance with comparable worth requirements.

Subd. 4b. Facility rate increases effective July 1, 2000. For the rate year beginning July 1, 2000, the nursing facilities described in clauses (1) to (6) shall receive the rate increases indicated. The increases under this subdivision shall be added following the determination under section 256B.431, subdivision 28, of the payment rate for the rate year beginning July 1, 2000, and shall be included in the facility's total payment rates for the purposes of determining future rates under this section or any other section:

(1) a nursing facility in Hennepin county licensed for 290 beds shall receive an operating cost per diem increase of 5.9 percent, provided that the facility delicenses, decertifies, or places on layaway status, if that status is otherwise permitted by law, 70 beds;

(2) a nursing facility in Goodhue county licensed for 84 beds shall receive an increase of $1.54 in each case mix payment rate;

(3) a nursing facility located in Rochester and licensed for 103 beds on January 1, 2000, shall receive an increase in its case mix resident class A payment of $3.78, and an increase in the payment rate for all other case mix classes of that amount multiplied by the class weight for that case mix class established in Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0058, subpart 3;

(4) a nursing facility in Wright county licensed for 154 beds shall receive an increase of $2.03 in each case mix payment rate to be used for employee wage and benefit enhancements;

(5) a facility in Todd county licensed for 78 beds, shall have its operating cost per diem increased by the following amounts:

(i) case mix class A, $1.16;

(ii) case mix class B, $1.50;

(iii) case mix class C, $1.89;

(iv) case mix class D, $2.26;

(v) case mix class E, $2.63;

(vi) case mix class F, $2.65;

(vii) case mix class G, $2.96;

(viii) case mix class H, $3.55;

(ix) case mix class I, $3.76;

(x) case mix class J, $4.08; and

(xi) case mix class K, $4.76; and

(6) a nursing facility in Pine City that decertified 22 beds in calendar year 1999 shall have its property-related per diem payment rate increased by $1.59.

Subd. 4c. Facility rate increases effective January 1, 2002. For the rate period beginning January 1, 2002, and for the rate year beginning July 1, 2002, a nursing facility in Morrison county licensed for 83 beds as of March 1, 2001, shall receive an increase of $2.54 in each case mix payment rate to offset property tax payments due as a result of the facility's conversion from nonprofit to for-profit status. The increase under this subdivision shall be added following the determination under this chapter of the payment rate for the rate year beginning July 1, 2001, and shall be included in the facility's total payment rates for the purposes of determining future rates under this section or any other section.

Subd. 4d. Facility rate increases effective July 1, 2001. For the rate year beginning July 1, 2001, a nursing facility in Hennepin county licensed for 302 beds shall receive an increase of 29 cents in each case mix payment rate to correct an error in the cost-reporting system that occurred prior to the date that the facility entered the alternative payment demonstration project. The increase under this subdivision shall be added following the determination under this chapter of the payment rate for the rate year beginning July 1, 2001, and shall be included in the facility's total payment rates for the purposes of determining future rates under this section or any other section.

Subd. 4e. Rate increase effective July 1, 2001. A nursing facility in Anoka county licensed for 98 beds as of July 1, 2000, shall receive a total increase of $10 in each case mix rate for the rate year beginning July 1, 2001, as a result of increases provided under this subdivision and section 256B.431, subdivision 33. The increases under this subdivision shall be added prior to the determination under section 256B.431, subdivision 33, of the payment rate for the rate year beginning July 1, 2001, and shall be included in the facility's total payment rate for purposes of determining future rates under this section or any other section through June 30, 2004.

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. Case mix assessments. The commissioner may allow a contract facility to develop and implement a case mix assessment using the federal minimum data set resident assessment.

Subd. 8. Optional higher payments for first 100 days. The commissioner may include in the contract with a nursing facility under this section a higher rate for the first 100 days after admission than for subsequent days. The rate for the subsequent days must be reduced so that the estimated total cost to the medical assistance program will not exceed the estimated cost without the differential payment rates.

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 section 256B.48, subdivision 6, paragraphs (c), (d), and (e), and pursuant to any terms and conditions contained in the facility's contract, a nursing facility that is under contract with the commissioner under this section is in compliance with section 256B.48, subdivision 6, paragraph (b), if the facility is Medicare certified.

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

(e) 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.

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

HIST: 1995 c 207 art 7 s 32; 1996 c 451 art 5 s 28; 1997 c 187 art 4 s 8; 1997 c 203 art 3 s 10-12; art 9 s 11,12; 1998 c 407 art 3 s 13; 1999 c 245 art 3 s 21-24; 2000 c 449 s 13,14; 2000 c 488 art 9 s 22; 1Sp2001 c 9 art 5 s 23-26

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