Oklahoma Senate Bill SB412

Oklahoma 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/23
• Refer: 2/7/23

Caption

Medicaid; modifying quality measures used for nursing facility incentive reimbursement rate plan. Effective date.

Impact

The implementation of SB412 is expected to lead to a more structured approach to measuring the quality of care in nursing facilities, with direct financial incentives for those that meet or exceed established metrics. By reserving a portion of the per diem rates for quality assurance, the bill aims to financially reward facilities that showcase improvements in their operational performance related to long-stay resident care. This shift allows better allocation of state Medicaid funds towards providers that prioritize quality and demonstrate effective resident care strategies.

Summary

Senate Bill 412 addresses the quality measures used for the nursing facility incentive reimbursement rate plan under the Oklahoma Medicaid program. It specifically amends Section 1011.5 of Title 56 of the Oklahoma statutes, intending to enhance the quality of care for residents in nursing homes by revising how reimbursement rates are calculated based on facility performance metrics. The bill emphasizes achieving measurable improvements in resident outcomes and quality of life, aligning with the federal standards set forth by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding this bill may arise from the inherent challenges of defining and measuring quality in healthcare. Stakeholders, including nursing home operators and advocacy groups, might express concerns about the practicality of setting achievable quality metrics and the implications of financial penalties for underperforming facilities. Furthermore, the establishment of an advisory group for recommending quality measures could lead to disputes over which metrics are prioritized, potentially affecting the distribution of state Medicaid funds and subsequently the quality of care delivered to residents.