Read 1st time February 3, 2000, and 1000 copies ordered printed.
ANNE C. WALKER, Chief Clerk
AN ACT
To amend chapter 208, RSMo, relating to public assistance by adding thereto one new section relating to reimbursement rates for in-home service providers.
Section A. Chapter 208, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 208.218, to read as follows:
208.218. 1. As used in this section, the following terms shall mean:
(1) "Association", an entity that represents in-home service providers and is intended to hold such providers harmless against increases in cost;
(2) "In-home service provider", any person or entity under contract with the state to provide eligible adults with services in their private homes;
(3) "Representative of an association", one person selected as a negotiation representative for each association that represents in-home service providers;
(4) "Trend factor", the negotiated rate of increase applied to the previous fiscal year's unit of service reimbursement rate for the state;
(5) "Unit of service", the measure used for service reimbursement, typically one hour of service for one unit of reimbursement.
2. For each state fiscal year a negotiated trend factor shall be applied to each unit of service reimbursement rate for in-home services. The trend factor shall be determined through negotiations between the department of social services and all persons selected as a representative of an association. Such negotiations shall begin no later than October first and be completed by December first of the calendar year immediately preceding the state fiscal year in which such rates shall apply. The negotiated trend factor shall not exceed the federal Health Care Financing Administration's market basket price index for that year. If an association does not select a representative by the October first deadline for beginning negotiations, or the department and the selected representatives cannot reach an agreement by the December first deadline for completing negotiations, the trend factor shall be the general inflation rate, as determined by the Federal Reserve Board, or its successor, plus two percent.
3. If moneys are not appropriated to fully fund the negotiated trend factor rate for the next state fiscal year, the appropriated trend factor rate shall represent an unfunded liability of the state. The basis for the trend factor in each subsequent fiscal year shall be based on the negotiated trend factor from the previous fiscal year, not the appropriated trend factor.
4. The provisions of this section shall apply to state fiscal year 2002 and every state fiscal year
thereafter.
Missouri House
of Representatives