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DHS seeks higher private-duty nursing rates; committee told increase equals $56/hour for RNs, $38 for LPNs
Summary
The Department of Human Services told the Senate panel a state-plan amendment would raise private-duty nursing reimbursement to $56 for RNs and $38 for LPNs to aid recruitment and retention; DHS estimated an annual $430,000 state-and-federal fiscal impact and said the change stems from a stakeholder process tied to a 1993 consent decree.
The Arkansas Department of Human Services told the Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee it will raise private-duty nursing reimbursement under a State Plan Amendment intended to help recruitment and retention.
Janet Mann, director of the Division of Medical Services, said the change raises hourly rates to $56 for registered nurses and $38 for licensed practical nurses. "It does raise them to $56 an hour and $38 an hour for RNs and LPNs respectively," Mann said. The department estimated the total annual impact at about $430,000 in combined state and federal funds and said the proposal resulted from a stakeholder process required by a 1993 consent decree.
Mann told members the rule predated a broader rate-review process that began May 1; she said DHS has started a multi-provider rate review and will report monthly updates to the committee. Committee members asked whether the new RN/LPN rates are competitive regionally and whether advanced practice nurses are included; DHS said the increase applies only to RNs and LPNs now and APNs will be addressed in the rate review.
The committee asked DHS to provide a timeline and follow-up briefing on the ongoing rate-review work so members can track broader reimbursement changes across provider types.
