Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Healthcare Finance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee recommends HB 473 to adopt Medicare fee schedules by rule for faster Medicaid payments
Summary
House Bill 473, requested by the Department of Public Health and Human Services, would allow the agency to adopt Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare fee schedules by rule so Medicaid payments track Medicare updates automatically; supporters said the change would reduce billing delays for providers.
House Bill 473, sponsored by Representative Gillette and requested by the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), was recommended for passage after brief floor discussion focused on billing efficiency.
The bill authorizes DPHHS to adopt Medicare fee schedules issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) by rule, including automatic incorporation of updated Medicare fee schedules. Supporters said the change would speed and simplify reimbursement for hospitals, physicians and other providers who bill Medicaid, since Montana’s Medicaid fees are commonly based on Medicare schedules.
Representative Gillette told the committee the bill was requested by DPHHS and would make it “easier and faster for hospitals, physicians, nurse practitioners” to get paid and reduce billing delays that can last months. Representative Oblander spoke in support, noting billing delays create cash-flow problems for providers.
The Committee of the Whole recorded 100 representatives voting aye on the motion to recommend the bill do pass. The chair announced House Bill 473 passed second reading in committee.
Why it matters: The measure would streamline fee updates and billing for Medicaid providers by tying state fee schedules to CMS Medicare fee schedules and enabling automatic incorporation of updates through administrative rulemaking.
Votes at committee: - Committee recommendation on HB 473: 100 yes, 0 no (motion carried)
Next steps: HB 473 passed the committee recommendation and will proceed through the House with implementing rulemaking to be conducted by DPHHS if enacted.
