2021 -- S 0878

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LC002788

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT – OFFICE OF HEALTH AND

HUMAN SERVICES

     Introduced By: Senators DiMario, Miller, Valverde, Sosnowski, Lawson, Mendes,
Anderson, and Kallman

     Date Introduced: May 07, 2021

     Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 42-7.2 of the General Laws entitled "Office of Health and Human

Services" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     42-7.2-21. Medicaid primary care parity.

     (a) Statement of intent. The intent of this section is to ensure that Rhode Island's Medicaid

beneficiaries are able to access high quality and coordinated health care. To meet this need, Rhode

Island Medicaid and its contracted managed care entities shall increase Medicaid primary care

payment rates to rates not lower than federal Medicare payment rates for the same service. The

intent of this section of law is to:

     (1) Incentivize private community-based primary care providers to participate in the state's

Medicaid program;

     (2) Support the goals and objectives of the executive office of health and human services'

accountable entity program;

     (3) Support the ten (10) year public health vision shared by the Rhode Island department

of health in partnership with the Rhode Island Foundation;

     (4) Support the office of the health insurance commissioner's affordability standards;

     (5) Ensure Medicaid beneficiaries get access to high quality and coordinated primary care;

and

     (6) Support Rhode Island's private community-based primary care providers.

     (b) On or before July 1, 2022, Rhode Island Medicaid and its contracted managed care

entities shall provide that all primary care reimbursement rates are not lower than one hundred

percent (100%) of the federal Medicare reimbursement rates.

     (c) The executive office of health and human services shall conduct an analysis of the

impact of this section on access to care for Medicaid beneficiaries and submit a report of its findings

to the general assembly on or before January 1, 2025.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT – OFFICE OF HEALTH AND

HUMAN SERVICES

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     This act would raise Rhode Island Medicaid primary care payment rates to not less than

federal Medicare rates for the same service.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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