Page 416

_ 416 Item Details($) Appropriations($) ITEM 288. First Year Second Year First Year Second Year FY2025 FY2026 FY2025 FY2026 BBBBB. Out of this appropriation, $95,000,000 from the general fund the first year is authorized to be provided to the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) if the general fund amounts in Item 288 of this act are insufficient to pay all Medicaid costs in the fiscal year due to higher than expected program enrollment. The Director, Department of Planning and Budget (DPB), shall unallot this appropriation until such time the Director of DMAS can demonstrate that the general fund appropriation is insufficient to meet all obligations for the fiscal year. In the first year, if the Director of DMAS notifies DPB that payments in the Medicaid program were delayed from fiscal year 2024 into fiscal year 2025 due to insufficient funding, the Director of DPB shall have the authority to allot the general fund share of that shortfall to cover those payments in fiscal year 2025. The Director of DPB shall notify the Chairs of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee within five days of any allotment of appropriation pursuant to these provisions. CCCCC. The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) shall modify requirements for Consumer-Directed Services Facilitators to eliminate the requirement that individuals providing these services have an Associate's or Bachelor's Degree in order to provide services. Work experience shall be listed as sufficient in the list of requirements. The department shall have the authority to implement these changes prior to completion of any regulatory process undertaken in order to effect such change. DDDDD. The Department of Medicaid Assistance Services shall have the authority to draw down federal funds to cover unreimbursed Medicaid costs for services provided by nonstate government-owned nursing facilities as certified by the provider through cost reports not to exceed the upper payment limit for each nursing facility. The department shall have the authority to implement this reimbursement change prior to completion of any regulatory process in order to effect such change. EEEEE. Effective July 1, 2024, the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) shall have the authority to amend the State Plan for Medical Assistance to increase the per diem rates paid to therapeutic group homes (TGH) that accept children requiring early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment (EPSDT) services by 50 percent. FFFFF.1. Effective July 1, 2024, the Department of Medical Assistance Services shall have the authority to update the rates for DD waiver services by three percent for Group Homes, Sponsored Residential, Supported Living, Independent Living Supports, In-home Supports, Community Engagement, Community Coaching, Therapeutic Consultation, Private Duty and Skilled Nursing, Group Day Support, Group Supported Employment, Workplace Assistance, Community Guide, and Benefits Planning. The department shall have the authority to implement these changes prior to completion of any regulatory process to effect such change. 2. Effective July 1, 2025, the Department of Medical Assistance Services shall have the authority to update the rates for DD waiver services by three percent for Group Homes, Sponsored Residential, Supported Living, Independent Living Supports, In-home Supports, Community Engagement, Community Coaching, Therapeutic Consultation, Private Duty and Skilled Nursing, Group Day Support, Group Supported Employment, Workplace Assistance, Community Guide, and Benefits Planning. The department shall have the authority to implement these changes prior to completion of any regulatory process to effect such change. GGGGG.1. Effective July 1, 2024, DMAS shall increase the rates for agency- and consumer- directed personal care, respite and companion services in the home and community-based services waivers and Early Periodic Screening, and Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) program by two percent. The department shall have the authority to implement these changes prior to completion of any regulatory process undertaken in order to effect such change. 2. Effective July 1, 2025, DMAS shall increase the rates for agency- and consumer-directed personal care, respite and companion services in the home and community-based services waivers and Early Periodic Screening, and Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) program by two percent. The department shall have the authority to implement these changes prior to completion of any regulatory process undertaken in order to effect such change. HHHHH. The Department of Medical Assistance Services shall have the authority to change the reimbursement methodology for adult day health care from a daily rate to an hourly rate, however, such reimbursement is limited to no more than six hours per day. Any such reimbursement rate adjustment must be budget neutral and not increase the cost of this