Accreditation brought billing changes but state hospitals face rising civil-commitment costs, officials say

Summary

Analysts and the Department of Health and Welfare described how accreditation at state hospitals changed billing and receipts, noted one-time supplemental requests tied to civil-commitment costs after 2022 statutory changes, and reported increases in restoration-to-competency admissions that are filling hospital capacity.

BOISE — The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee reviewed the psychiatric hospitalization budget Friday and heard the department explain how accreditation, billing changes and growing commitment caseloads are affecting state hospital finances.

Alex Williamson, budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, said psychiatric hospitalization comprises three state hospitals (North in Orofino, South in Blackfoot and West in Nampa) plus a community hospitalization program and that the division is authorized at 467 full-time positions. Williamson said accreditation delays in prior years forced shifts from federal funds to general funds and that fiscal year 2025 included a $6 million request for receipt authority and additional staff tied to billing changes.

Alex Adams, director of the Department of Health and Welfare, told the committee that all three facilities are now accredited. Accreditation allows the hospitals to bill Medicaid…

Accreditation brought billing changes but state hospitals face rising civil-commitment costs, officials say

Summary

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