Notice of Proposed Rule

AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION
Medicaid
RULE NO: RULE TITLE
59G-6.090: Payment Methodology for County Health Departments
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose and effect of the proposed rule is to incorporate changes to the Florida Title XIX Payment Methodology for County Health Departments Reimbursement Plan (the Plan) effective July 1, 2008. In accordance with House Bill 5001, 2008-09 General Appropriations Act, Specific Appropriation 229, and House Bill 5085, Section 5, which amended Section 409.908, Florida Statues, the Florida Title XIX Payment Methodology for County Health Departments Reimbursement Plan will be amended as follows:
1. As a result of modifying the reimbursement for county health department rates, the Agency shall implement a recurring methodology in the Title XIX County Health Department Reimbursement Plan to achieve a $7,426,780 recurring rate reduction. In establishing rates through the normal process, prior to including this reduction, if the unit cost is equal to or less than the unit cost used in establishing the budget, then no additional reduction in rates is necessary. In establishing rates through the normal process, prior to including this reduction, if the unit cost is greater than the unit cost used in establishing the budget, then rates shall be reduced by an amount required to achieve this reduction, but shall not be reduced below the unit cost used in establishing the budget.
2. The Agency shall establish rates at a level that ensures no increase in statewide expenditures resulting from a change in unit costs for two fiscal years effective July 1, 2009. Reimbursement rates for the two fiscal years shall be as provided in the General Appropriations Act.
SUMMARY: Effective July 1, 2008, in accordance with House Bill 5001, 2008-09 General Appropriations Act, Specific Appropriation 229, and House Bill 5085, Section 5, which amended section 409.908, Florida Statues, the Agency for Health Care Administration will modify the reimbursement rates for County Health Departments.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: No Statement of Estimated Regulatory Cost was prepared.
Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 409.919 FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 409.908 FS.
IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE,TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW(IF NOT REQUESTED, THIS HEARING WILL NOT BE HELD):
DATE AND TIME: October 28, 2008, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon
PLACE: Agency for Health Care Administration, 2727 Mahan Drive, Building 3, Conference Room C, Tallahassee, Florida 32308
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Edwin Stephens, Medicaid Program Analysis, 2727 Mahan Drive, Mail Stop 21, Tallahassee, Florida 32308 or stephene@ahca.myflorida.com

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

59G-6.090 Payment Methodology for County Health Departments.

Reimbursement to participating county health departments for services provided shall be in accordance with the Florida Title XIX County Health Departments Reimbursement Plan Version V IV July 1, 2008 November 21, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference. A copy of the Plan as revised may be obtained by writing to the Deputy Secretary for Medicaid, 2727 Mahan Drive, Building 3, Mail Stop 8, Tallahassee, Florida 32308.

Specific Authority 409.919 FS. Law Implemented 409.908 FS. History–New 6-3-93, Formerly 10P-6.090, Amended 7-21-02, 11-21-04,_________.


NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Edwin Stephens
NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Holly Benson
DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: September 18, 2008
DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAW: June 27, 2008