The measure also ups Medicaid payment rates for outpatient procedures performed at hospitals.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has signed a law that will expand healthcare services for people in the state while also boosting Medicaid payment rates for outpatient procedures performed at hospitals.
"More than any other entity, Kentucky’s hospitals have felt the strain of increased demand on resources and services as we’ve dealt with the impacts of a global pandemic over the past three years as well as devastating weather events," Beshear said in a statement on the Kentucky government website. "We must do everything we can to support our hospitals and ensure they are equipped to provide the services and care needed in their communities. I am thrilled to sign HB 75 into law, ensuring that our hospitals, especially our rural providers, can continue to improve health outcomes for all our Kentucky families."
Through HB 75, hospitals will be reimbursed for outpatient services and have access to federal resources. The law requires Kentucky’s Department for Medicaid Services to review outpatient services and provide additional payments to hospitals to lower the payment gaps between Medicaid reimbursements and what is paid by private health insurance. The law also lets Medicaid create a hospital rate increase program for people enrolled in its fee-for-service program to pay up to the upper payment limit of the federal Medicare program. The legislation is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2023.
"The passage of HB 75 and the Governor signing the bill into law will help to strengthen and stabilize hospitals and health systems throughout the commonwealth, especially those in rural areas of Kentucky who have been historically vulnerable," Donald Lloyd, president, and CEO of St. Claire HealthCare in Morehead, said in the statement.
Amanda Schiavo is the Finance Editor for HealthLeaders.