A bill for an act relating to private pay per diem rates at nursing facilities.
The passage of HF813 could have significant implications for both nursing facilities and private pay individuals. By limiting the rate of increase to the CPI, the bill intends to protect consumers from sudden or excessive rate hikes, providing them with a degree of financial predictability. Additionally, compliance with these new regulations will be a prerequisite for nursing facilities seeking to renew their licenses, placing an administrative responsibility on the facilities while ensuring oversight by the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL).
House File 813 (HF813) addresses the issue of per diem rates charged by nursing facilities to private pay individuals. The bill aims to regulate the increase of these rates by allowing adjustments only in accordance with the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) as published by the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. Specifically, nursing facilities will not be permitted to increase per diem rates by more than the CPI percentage for the past twelve months, and they must wait a minimum of twelve months before raising rates again.
While the bill has the potential to benefit consumers by providing more stable and predictable living costs, it may also lead to contention among stakeholders. Some nursing facilities might argue that such restrictions could limit their financial flexibility and ability to maintain quality services. They may raise concerns about balancing operational costs with regulated income, particularly if inflation exceeds the cap on rate increases set by the bill. Overall, the bill introduces an essential regulatory framework that could alter the financial landscape for nursing facilities in Iowa.