Virginia Law

Article 1. General Provisions.

There is hereby established a Department of Medical Assistance Services, hereinafter referred to in this chapter as the Department. The Department shall be under the direction of the Secretary of Human Resources and a Director of Medical Assistance Services who shall be appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the General Assembly.

1984, c. 781.

By November 15 of each year, the Department of Planning and Budget, in cooperation with the Department of Medical Assistance Services, shall prepare and submit an estimate of Medicaid expenditures for the current year and a forecast of such expenditures for the next two years to the House Committees on Appropriations and Health and Human Services and to the Senate Committees on Finance and Appropriations and on Education and Health, and to the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission.

1996, c. 193; 2000, cc. 593, 605.

It is the intent of the General Assembly to eliminate the waiting lists for services pursuant to the Intellectual Disability Medicaid Waiver and the Individual and Family Developmental Disabilities and Support Medicaid Waiver.

In furtherance of this intent, beginning with the fiscal year starting July 1, 2010, and for each fiscal year thereafter, the Department of Medical Assistance Services shall add (i) at least 400 additional funded slots per fiscal year for the Intellectual Disability Medicaid Waiver, and (ii) at least 67 additional funded slots per fiscal year for the Individual and Family Developmental Disabilities and Support Medicaid Waiver, until the waiting lists for the Intellectual Disability Medicaid Waiver and the Individual and Family Developmental Disabilities and Support Medicaid Waiver have been eliminated.

In addition, the Governor shall develop a plan to eliminate the waiting lists for services provided to individuals on the Intellectual Disability Medicaid Waiver and the Individual and Family Developmental Disabilities and Support Medicaid Waiver by the 2018-2020 biennium. The plan shall include provisions to reduce the total number of individuals on the waiting list for the Intellectual Disability Medicaid Waiver by 10 percent in the 2008-2010 biennium. The Governor shall submit the plan to the chairman of the Joint Commission on Health Care, and the Chairmen of the House Committee on Appropriations and the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations by October 1, 2009.

The Department of Medical Assistance Services shall work with the Department of Planning and Budget to incorporate additional costs pursuant to this section in the estimate of Medicaid expenditures required pursuant to § 32.1-323.1.

2009, cc. 228, 303; 2012, cc. 476, 507.

The Department of Medical Assistance Services shall amend eligibility criteria for the Community Living waiver and the Family and Individual Support waiver to allow the dependent of a foreign service member who was added to the waiting list for services through such waivers while he was a resident of the Commonwealth to maintain his position on the waiting list following a transfer of the foreign service member to an assignment outside of the Commonwealth, so long as the foreign service member maintains the Commonwealth as his legal residence to which he intends to return following completion of the assignment.

2019, c. 416.

A. To ensure that persons considering transitioning from the Home and Community-Based Services waiver program to the Medicaid Works program have sufficient information to make an informed choice regarding such transition, the Department shall establish a process for (i) conducting a comprehensive needs assessment of a person who chooses to participate in the Medicaid Works program to determine the services such person may need to live and fully participate in his community and (ii) developing a plan of support for such person to guide the person in selection of the best waiver program for his needs.

B. The Department shall establish a process to enable a person who transitions from a Home and Community-Based Services waiver program to the Medicaid Works program to retain his Home and Community-Based Services waiver slot for up to 180 days following the date of such transition.

C. The Department shall establish a process to give priority to individuals previously receiving services through the Home and Community-Based Services waiver program who transitioned to the Medicaid Works program and who subsequently seek to resume services through the Home and Community-Based Services waiver program.

2020, c. 925.

A. Notwithstanding the provisions of Chapter 1 (§ 32.1-1 et seq.), there shall be a State Board of Medical Assistance Services hereinafter referred to as the Board. The Board shall consist of eleven residents of the Commonwealth to be appointed by the Governor as follows: five of whom shall be health care providers and six of whom shall not; of these six, at least two shall be individuals with significant professional experience in the detection, investigation, or prosecution of health care fraud. Any vacancy on the Board, other than by expiration of term, shall be filled by the Governor for the unexpired portion of the term. No person shall be eligible to serve on the Board for more than two full consecutive terms. Appointments shall be made for terms of four years each, except that appointments to fill vacancies shall be made for the unexpired terms. The Board shall meet at such times and places as it shall determine. It shall elect from its members a chairman who shall perform the usual duties of such office. The Board shall submit biennially a written report to the Governor and the General Assembly.

B. The Director shall be the executive officer of the Board but shall not be a member thereof.

C. The Director shall be vested with all the authority of the Board when it is not in session, subject to such rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the Board.

1984, c. 781; 1986, c. 440; 1989, c. 195; 1992, c. 107; 2012, c. 137.

A. The Director of the Department of Medical Assistance Services or his designee is authorized in the exercise and performance of official functions, duties, and powers under the provisions of this title to hold and conduct hearings, to administer oaths, and to take testimony under oath. The Director is authorized to make an ex parte application to the Circuit Court for the City of Richmond for the issuance of a subpoena, in furtherance of any investigation within the jurisdiction of the Department, to request the attendance of witnesses and the production of any relevant records, memoranda, papers, and other documents. The Court is authorized to issue and compel compliance with such subpoena upon a showing of good cause. The Court, upon determining that good cause exists to believe that evidence may be destroyed or altered, may issue a subpoena requiring the production of evidence forthwith.

B. In accordance with federal and state law, the Director or his designee shall conduct hearings on determinations of eligibility or continued eligibility of applicants or recipients for services under the state plan for medical assistance. In addition to the authority conferred upon the Director by subsection A of this section, the Director or his designee, in connection with any such proceedings, may issue subpoenas requiring the attendance of witnesses and the production of records, memoranda, papers, and other documents.

C. Failure or refusal to comply with a subpoena issued pursuant to subsection B of this section shall be punishable as a Class 4 misdemeanor.

1986, c. 440; 1990, c. 383.

In carrying out his duties under this chapter, the Director shall report to the Governor and members of the General Assembly the activities of facilitating communication between the Department and providers and recipients of health care services.

1999, c. 965.

A. There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Uninsured Medical Catastrophe Fund, hereafter referred to as "the Fund." The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. All contributions from income tax refunds and any other source shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Fund. Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund.

B. Moneys in the Fund shall be used solely for the purposes of providing a source of payment for medical treatment of uninsured medical catastrophes. An uninsured medical catastrophe shall include a life-threatening illness or injury requiring specialized medical treatment, hospitalization, or both. The Board shall promulgate regulations that (i) further define an uninsured medical catastrophe, (ii) establish procedures for distribution of moneys in the Fund to pay for the costs of treating uninsured medical catastrophes, (iii) establish application procedures, and (iv) establish criteria for eligibility for assistance from the Fund and the prioritization and allocation of available moneys among applicants for assistance from the Fund.

C. Expenditures and disbursements from the Fund shall be made by the State Treasurer on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written request signed by the Director of Medical Assistance Services.

1999, c. 998.

A. The Board, subject to the approval of the Governor, is authorized to prepare, amend from time to time, and submit to the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services a state plan for medical assistance services pursuant to Title XIX of the United States Social Security Act and any amendments thereto. The Board shall include in such plan:

1. A provision for payment of medical assistance on behalf of individuals, up to the age of 21, placed in foster homes or private institutions by private, nonprofit agencies licensed as child-placing agencies by the Department of Social Services or placed through state and local subsidized adoptions to the extent permitted under federal statute;

2. A provision for determining eligibility for benefits for medically needy individuals which disregards from countable resources an amount not in excess of $3,500 for the individual and an amount not in excess of $3,500 for his spouse when such resources have been set aside to meet the burial expenses of the individual or his spouse. The amount disregarded shall be reduced by (i) the face value of life insurance on the life of an individual owned by the individual or his spouse if the cash surrender value of such policies has been excluded from countable resources and (ii) the amount of any other revocable or irrevocable trust, contract, or other arrangement specifically designated for the purpose of meeting the individual's or his spouse's burial expenses;

3. A requirement that, in determining eligibility, a home shall be disregarded. For those medically needy persons whose eligibility for medical assistance is required by federal law to be dependent on the budget methodology for Aid to Families with Dependent Children, a home means the house and lot used as the principal residence and all contiguous property. For all other persons, a home shall mean the house and lot used as the principal residence, as well as all contiguous property, as long as the value of the land, exclusive of the lot occupied by the house, does not exceed $5,000. In any case in which the definition of home as provided here is more restrictive than that provided in the state plan for medical assistance services in Virginia as it was in effect on January 1, 1972, then a home means the house and lot used as the principal residence and all contiguous property essential to the operation of the home regardless of value;

4. A provision for payment of medical assistance on behalf of individuals up to the age of 21, who are Medicaid eligible, for medically necessary stays in acute care facilities in excess of 21 days per admission;

5. A provision for deducting from an institutionalized recipient's income an amount for the maintenance of the individual's spouse at home;

6. A provision for payment of medical assistance on behalf of pregnant women which provides for payment for inpatient postpartum treatment in accordance with the medical criteria outlined in the most current version of or an official update to the "Guidelines for Perinatal Care" prepared by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists or the "Standards for Obstetric-Gynecologic Services" prepared by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Payment shall be made for any postpartum home visit or visits for the mothers and the children which are within the time periods recommended by the attending physicians in accordance with and as indicated by such Guidelines or Standards. For the purposes of this subdivision, such Guidelines or Standards shall include any changes thereto within six months of the publication of such Guidelines or Standards or any official amendment thereto;

7. A provision for the payment for family planning services on behalf of women who were Medicaid-eligible for prenatal care and delivery as provided in this section at the time of delivery. Such family planning services shall begin with delivery and continue for a period of 24 months, if the woman continues to meet the financial eligibility requirements for a pregnant woman under Medicaid. For the purposes of this section, family planning services shall not cover payment for abortion services and no funds shall be used to perform, assist, encourage or make direct referrals for abortions;

8. A provision for payment of medical assistance for high-dose chemotherapy and bone marrow transplants on behalf of individuals over the age of 21 who have been diagnosed with lymphoma, breast cancer, myeloma, or leukemia and have been determined by the treating health care provider to have a performance status sufficient to proceed with such high-dose chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant. Appeals of these cases shall be handled in accordance with the Department's expedited appeals process;

9. A provision identifying entities approved by the Board to receive applications and to determine eligibility for medical assistance, which shall include a requirement that such entities (i) obtain accurate contact information, including the best available address and telephone number, from each applicant for medical assistance, to the extent required by federal law and regulations, and (ii) provide each applicant for medical assistance with information about advance directives pursuant to Article 8 (§ 54.1-2981 et seq.) of Chapter 29 of Title 54.1, including information about the purpose and benefits of advance directives and how the applicant may make an advance directive;

10. A provision for breast reconstructive surgery following the medically necessary removal of a breast for any medical reason. Breast reductions shall be covered, if prior authorization has been obtained, for all medically necessary indications. Such procedures shall be considered noncosmetic;

11. A provision for payment of medical assistance for annual pap smears;

12. A provision for payment of medical assistance services for prostheses following the medically necessary complete or partial removal of a breast for any medical reason;

13. A provision for payment of medical assistance which provides for payment for 48 hours of inpatient treatment for a patient following a radical or modified radical mastectomy and 24 hours of inpatient care following a total mastectomy or a partial mastectomy with lymph node dissection for treatment of disease or trauma of the breast. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed as requiring the provision of inpatient coverage where the attending physician in consultation with the patient determines that a shorter period of hospital stay is appropriate;

14. A requirement that certificates of medical necessity for durable medical equipment and any supporting verifiable documentation shall be signed, dated, and returned by the physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse and in the durable medical equipment provider's possession within 60 days from the time the ordered durable medical equipment and supplies are first furnished by the durable medical equipment provider;

15. A provision for payment of medical assistance to (i) persons age 50 and over and (ii) persons age 40 and over who are at high risk for prostate cancer, according to the most recent published guidelines of the American Cancer Society, for one PSA test in a 12-month period and digital rectal examinations, all in accordance with American Cancer Society guidelines. For the purpose of this subdivision, "PSA testing" means the analysis of a blood sample to determine the level of prostate specific antigen;

16. A provision for payment of medical assistance for low-dose screening mammograms for determining the presence of occult breast cancer. Such coverage shall make available one screening mammogram to persons age 35 through 39, one such mammogram biennially to persons age 40 through 49, and one such mammogram annually to persons age 50 and over. The term "mammogram" means an X-ray examination of the breast using equipment dedicated specifically for mammography, including but not limited to the X-ray tube, filter, compression device, screens, film and cassettes, with an average radiation exposure of less than one rad mid-breast, two views of each breast;

17. A provision, when in compliance with federal law and regulation and approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), for payment of medical assistance services delivered to Medicaid-eligible students when such services qualify for reimbursement by the Virginia Medicaid program and may be provided by school divisions, regardless of whether the student receiving care has an individualized education program or whether the health care service is included in a student's individualized education program. Such services shall include those covered under the state plan for medical assistance services or by the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) benefit as specified in § 1905(r) of the federal Social Security Act, and shall include a provision for payment of medical assistance for health care services provided through telemedicine services, as defined in § 38.2-3418.16. No health care provider who provides health care services through telemedicine shall be required to use proprietary technology or applications in order to be reimbursed for providing telemedicine services;

18. A provision for payment of medical assistance services for liver, heart and lung transplantation procedures for individuals over the age of 21 years when (i) there is no effective alternative medical or surgical therapy available with outcomes that are at least comparable; (ii) the transplant procedure and application of the procedure in treatment of the specific condition have been clearly demonstrated to be medically effective and not experimental or investigational; (iii) prior authorization by the Department of Medical Assistance Services has been obtained; (iv) the patient selection criteria of the specific transplant center where the surgery is proposed to be performed have been used by the transplant team or program to determine the appropriateness of the patient for the procedure; (v) current medical therapy has failed and the patient has failed to respond to appropriate therapeutic management; (vi) the patient is not in an irreversible terminal state; and (vii) the transplant is likely to prolong the patient's life and restore a range of physical and social functioning in the activities of daily living;

19. A provision for payment of medical assistance for colorectal cancer screening, specifically screening with an annual fecal occult blood test, flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy, or in appropriate circumstances radiologic imaging, in accordance with the most recently published recommendations established by the American College of Gastroenterology, in consultation with the American Cancer Society, for the ages, family histories, and frequencies referenced in such recommendations;

20. A provision for payment of medical assistance for custom ocular prostheses;

21. A provision for payment for medical assistance for infant hearing screenings and all necessary audiological examinations provided pursuant to § 32.1-64.1 using any technology approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, and as recommended by the national Joint Committee on Infant Hearing in its most current position statement addressing early hearing detection and intervention programs. Such provision shall include payment for medical assistance for follow-up audiological examinations as recommended by a physician, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse, or audiologist and performed by a licensed audiologist to confirm the existence or absence of hearing loss;

22. A provision for payment of medical assistance, pursuant to the Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-354), for certain women with breast or cervical cancer when such women (i) have been screened for breast or cervical cancer under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program established under Title XV of the Public Health Service Act; (ii) need treatment for breast or cervical cancer, including treatment for a precancerous condition of the breast or cervix; (iii) are not otherwise covered under creditable coverage, as defined in § 2701 (c) of the Public Health Service Act; (iv) are not otherwise eligible for medical assistance services under any mandatory categorically needy eligibility group; and (v) have not attained age 65. This provision shall include an expedited eligibility determination for such women;

23. A provision for the coordinated administration, including outreach, enrollment, re-enrollment and services delivery, of medical assistance services provided to medically indigent children pursuant to this chapter, which shall be called Family Access to Medical Insurance Security (FAMIS) Plus and the FAMIS Plan program in § 32.1-351. A single application form shall be used to determine eligibility for both programs;

24. A provision, when authorized by and in compliance with federal law, to establish a public-private long-term care partnership program between the Commonwealth of Virginia and private insurance companies that shall be established through the filing of an amendment to the state plan for medical assistance services by the Department of Medical Assistance Services. The purpose of the program shall be to reduce Medicaid costs for long-term care by delaying or eliminating dependence on Medicaid for such services through encouraging the purchase of private long-term care insurance policies that have been designated as qualified state long-term care insurance partnerships and may be used as the first source of benefits for the participant's long-term care. Components of the program, including the treatment of assets for Medicaid eligibility and estate recovery, shall be structured in accordance with federal law and applicable federal guidelines;

25. A provision for the payment of medical assistance for otherwise eligible pregnant women during the first five years of lawful residence in the United States, pursuant to § 214 of the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-3);

26. A provision for the payment of medical assistance for medically necessary health care services provided through telemedicine services, as defined in § 38.2-3418.16, regardless of the originating site or whether the patient is accompanied by a health care provider at the time such services are provided. No health care provider who provides health care services through telemedicine services shall be required to use proprietary technology or applications in order to be reimbursed for providing telemedicine services.

For the purposes of this subdivision, a health care provider duly licensed by the Commonwealth who provides health care services exclusively through telemedicine services shall not be required to maintain a physical presence in the Commonwealth to be considered an eligible provider for enrollment as a Medicaid provider.

For the purposes of this subdivision, a telemedicine services provider group with health care providers duly licensed by the Commonwealth shall not be required to have an in-state service address to be eligible to enroll as a Medicaid vendor or Medicaid provider group.

For the purposes of this subdivision, "originating site" means any location where the patient is located, including any medical care facility or office of a health care provider, the home of the patient, the patient's place of employment, or any public or private primary or secondary school or postsecondary institution of higher education at which the person to whom telemedicine services are provided is located;

27. A provision for the payment of medical assistance for the dispensing or furnishing of up to a 12-month supply of hormonal contraceptives at one time. Absent clinical contraindications, the Department shall not impose any utilization controls or other forms of medical management limiting the supply of hormonal contraceptives that may be dispensed or furnished to an amount less than a 12-month supply. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to (i) require a provider to prescribe, dispense, or furnish a 12-month supply of self-administered hormonal contraceptives at one time or (ii) exclude coverage for hormonal contraceptives as prescribed by a prescriber, acting within his scope of practice, for reasons other than contraceptive purposes. As used in this subdivision, "hormonal contraceptive" means a medication taken to prevent pregnancy by means of ingestion of hormones, including medications containing estrogen or progesterone, that is self-administered, requires a prescription, and is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for such purpose;

28. A provision for payment of medical assistance for remote patient monitoring services provided via telemedicine, as defined in § 38.2-3418.16, for (i) high-risk pregnant persons; (ii) medically complex infants and children; (iii) transplant patients; (iv) patients who have undergone surgery, for up to three months following the date of such surgery; and (v) patients with a chronic or acute health condition who have had two or more hospitalizations or emergency department visits related to such health condition in the previous 12 months when there is evidence that the use of remote patient monitoring is likely to prevent readmission of such patient to a hospital or emergency department. For the purposes of this subdivision, "remote patient monitoring services" means the use of digital technologies to collect medical and other forms of health data from patients in one location and electronically transmit that information securely to health care providers in a different location for analysis, interpretation, and recommendations, and management of the patient. "Remote patient monitoring services" includes monitoring of clinical patient data such as weight, blood pressure, pulse, pulse oximetry, blood glucose, and other patient physiological data, treatment adherence monitoring, and interactive videoconferencing with or without digital image upload;

29. A provision for the payment of medical assistance for provider-to-provider consultations that is no more restrictive than, and is at least equal in amount, duration, and scope to, that available through the fee-for-service program;

30. A provision for payment of the originating site fee to emergency medical services agencies for facilitating synchronous telehealth visits with a distant site provider delivered to a Medicaid member. As used in this subdivision, "originating site" means any location where the patient is located, including any medical care facility or office of a health care provider, the home of the patient, the patient's place of employment, or any public or private primary or secondary school or postsecondary institution of higher education at which the person to whom telemedicine services are provided is located;

31. A provision for the payment of medical assistance for targeted case management services for individuals with severe traumatic brain injury;

32. A provision for payment of medical assistance for the initial purchase or replacement of complex rehabilitative technology manual and power wheelchair bases and related accessories, as defined by the Department's durable medical equipment program policy, for patients who reside in nursing facilities. Initial purchase or replacement may be contingent upon (i) determination of medical necessity; (ii) requirements in accordance with regulations established through the Department's durable medical equipment program policy; and (iii) exclusive use by the nursing facility resident. Recipients of medical assistance shall not be required to pay any deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or patient costs related to the initial purchase or replacement of complex rehabilitative technology manual and power wheelchair bases and related accessories; and

33. A provision for payment of medical assistance for remote ultrasound procedures and remote fetal non-stress tests. Such provision shall utilize established CPT codes for these procedures and shall apply when the patient is in a residence or other off-site location from the patient's provider that provides the same standard of care. The provision shall provide for reimbursement only when a provider uses digital technology (i) to collect medical and other forms of health data from a patient and electronically transmit that information securely to a health care provider in a different location for interpretation and recommendation; (ii) that is compliant with the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. § 1320d et seq.); and (iii) that is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. For fetal non-stress tests under CPT Code 59025, the provision shall provide for reimbursement only if such test (a) is conducted with a place of service modifier for at-home monitoring and (b) uses remote monitoring solutions that are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for on-label use to monitor fetal heart rate, maternal heart rate, and uterine activity.

B. In preparing the plan, the Board shall:

1. Work cooperatively with the State Board of Health to ensure that quality patient care is provided and that the health, safety, security, rights and welfare of patients are ensured.

2. Initiate such cost containment or other measures as are set forth in the appropriation act.

3. Make, adopt, promulgate and enforce such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter.

4. Examine, before acting on a regulation to be published in the Virginia Register of Regulations pursuant to § 2.2-4007.05, the potential fiscal impact of such regulation on local boards of social services. For regulations with potential fiscal impact, the Board shall share copies of the fiscal impact analysis with local boards of social services prior to submission to the Registrar. The fiscal impact analysis shall include the projected costs/savings to the local boards of social services to implement or comply with such regulation and, where applicable, sources of potential funds to implement or comply with such regulation.

5. Incorporate sanctions and remedies for certified nursing facilities established by state law, in accordance with 42 C.F.R. § 488.400 et seq., Enforcement of Compliance for Long-Term Care Facilities With Deficiencies.

6. On and after July 1, 2002, require that a prescription benefit card, health insurance benefit card, or other technology that complies with the requirements set forth in § 38.2-3407.4:2 be issued to each recipient of medical assistance services, and shall upon any changes in the required data elements set forth in subsection A of § 38.2-3407.4:2, either reissue the card or provide recipients such corrective information as may be required to electronically process a prescription claim.

C. In order to enable the Commonwealth to continue to receive federal grants or reimbursement for medical assistance or related services, the Board, subject to the approval of the Governor, may adopt, regardless of any other provision of this chapter, such amendments to the state plan for medical assistance services as may be necessary to conform such plan with amendments to the United States Social Security Act or other relevant federal law and their implementing regulations or constructions of these laws and regulations by courts of competent jurisdiction or the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services.

In the event conforming amendments to the state plan for medical assistance services are adopted, the Board shall not be required to comply with the requirements of Article 2 (§ 2.2-4006 et seq.) of Chapter 40 of Title 2.2. However, the Board shall, pursuant to the requirements of § 2.2-4002, (i) notify the Registrar of Regulations that such amendment is necessary to meet the requirements of federal law or regulations or because of the order of any state or federal court, or (ii) certify to the Governor that the regulations are necessitated by an emergency situation. Any such amendments that are in conflict with the Code of Virginia shall only remain in effect until July 1 following adjournment of the next regular session of the General Assembly unless enacted into law.

D. The Director of Medical Assistance Services is authorized to:

1. Administer such state plan and receive and expend federal funds therefor in accordance with applicable federal and state laws and regulations; and enter into all contracts necessary or incidental to the performance of the Department's duties and the execution of its powers as provided by law.

2. Enter into agreements and contracts with medical care facilities, physicians, dentists and other health care providers where necessary to carry out the provisions of such state plan. Any such agreement or contract shall terminate upon conviction of the provider of a felony. In the event such conviction is reversed upon appeal, the provider may apply to the Director of Medical Assistance Services for a new agreement or contract. Such provider may also apply to the Director for reconsideration of the agreement or contract termination if the conviction is not appealed, or if it is not reversed upon appeal.

3. Refuse to enter into or renew an agreement or contract, or elect to terminate an existing agreement or contract, with any provider who has been convicted of or otherwise pled guilty to a felony, or pursuant to Subparts A, B, and C of 42 C.F.R. Part 1002, and upon notice of such action to the provider as required by 42 C.F.R. § 1002.212.

4. Refuse to enter into or renew an agreement or contract, or elect to terminate an existing agreement or contract, with a provider who is or has been a principal in a professional or other corporation when such corporation has been convicted of or otherwise pled guilty to any violation of § 32.1-314, 32.1-315, 32.1-316, or 32.1-317, or any other felony or has been excluded from participation in any federal program pursuant to 42 C.F.R. Part 1002.

5. Terminate or suspend a provider agreement with a home care organization pursuant to subsection E of § 32.1-162.13.

For the purposes of this subsection, "provider" may refer to an individual or an entity.

E. In any case in which a Medicaid agreement or contract is terminated or denied to a provider pursuant to subsection D, the provider shall be entitled to appeal the decision pursuant to 42 C.F.R. § 1002.213 and to a post-determination or post-denial hearing in accordance with the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.). All such requests shall be in writing and be received within 15 days of the date of receipt of the notice.

The Director may consider aggravating and mitigating factors including the nature and extent of any adverse impact the agreement or contract denial or termination may have on the medical care provided to Virginia Medicaid recipients. In cases in which an agreement or contract is terminated pursuant to subsection D, the Director may determine the period of exclusion and may consider aggravating and mitigating factors to lengthen or shorten the period of exclusion, and may reinstate the provider pursuant to 42 C.F.R. § 1002.215.

F. When the services provided for by such plan are services which a marriage and family therapist, clinical psychologist, clinical social worker, professional counselor, or clinical nurse specialist is licensed to render in Virginia, the Director shall contract with any duly licensed marriage and family therapist, duly licensed clinical psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, licensed professional counselor or licensed clinical nurse specialist who makes application to be a provider of such services, and thereafter shall pay for covered services as provided in the state plan. The Board shall promulgate regulations which reimburse licensed marriage and family therapists, licensed clinical psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, licensed professional counselors and licensed clinical nurse specialists at rates based upon reasonable criteria, including the professional credentials required for licensure.

G. The Board shall prepare and submit to the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services such amendments to the state plan for medical assistance services as may be permitted by federal law to establish a program of family assistance whereby children over the age of 18 years shall make reasonable contributions, as determined by regulations of the Board, toward the cost of providing medical assistance under the plan to their parents.

H. The Department of Medical Assistance Services shall:

1. Include in its provider networks and all of its health maintenance organization contracts a provision for the payment of medical assistance on behalf of individuals up to the age of 21 who have special needs and who are Medicaid eligible, including individuals who have been victims of child abuse and neglect, for medically necessary assessment and treatment services, when such services are delivered by a provider which specializes solely in the diagnosis and treatment of child abuse and neglect, or a provider with comparable expertise, as determined by the Director.

2. Amend the Medallion II waiver and its implementing regulations to develop and implement an exception, with procedural requirements, to mandatory enrollment for certain children between birth and age three certified by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services as eligible for services pursuant to Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. § 1471 et seq.).

3. Utilize, to the extent practicable, electronic funds transfer technology for reimbursement to contractors and enrolled providers for the provision of health care services under Medicaid and the Family Access to Medical Insurance Security Plan established under § 32.1-351.

4. Require any managed care organization with which the Department enters into an agreement for the provision of medical assistance services to include in any contract between the managed care organization and a pharmacy benefits manager provisions prohibiting the pharmacy benefits manager or a representative of the pharmacy benefits manager from conducting spread pricing with regards to the managed care organization's managed care plans. For the purposes of this subdivision:

"Pharmacy benefits management" means the administration or management of prescription drug benefits provided by a managed care organization for the benefit of covered individuals.

"Pharmacy benefits manager" means a person that performs pharmacy benefits management.

"Spread pricing" means the model of prescription drug pricing in which the pharmacy benefits manager charges a managed care plan a contracted price for prescription drugs, and the contracted price for the prescription drugs differs from the amount the pharmacy benefits manager directly or indirectly pays the pharmacist or pharmacy for pharmacist services.

I. The Director is authorized to negotiate and enter into agreements for services rendered to eligible recipients with special needs. The Board shall promulgate regulations regarding these special needs patients, to include persons with AIDS, ventilator-dependent patients, and other recipients with special needs as defined by the Board.

J. Except as provided in subdivision A 1 of § 2.2-4345, the provisions of the Virginia Public Procurement Act (§ 2.2-4300 et seq.) shall not apply to the activities of the Director authorized by subsection I of this section. Agreements made pursuant to this subsection shall comply with federal law and regulation.

K. When the services provided for by such plan are services by a pharmacist, pharmacy technician, or pharmacy intern (i) performed under the terms of a collaborative agreement as defined in § 54.1-3300 and consistent with the terms of a managed care contractor provider contract or the state plan or (ii) related to services and treatment in accordance with § 54.1-3303.1, the Department shall provide reimbursement for such service.

1984, c. 781; 1985, cc. 519, 532, 535, 564; 1986, cc. 393, 455; 1987, cc. 398, 446, 642; 1988, cc. 99, 215, 504, 790; 1989, c. 269; 1990, cc. 395, 793; 1993, cc. 298, 971; 1996, cc. 155, 201, 511, 788, 796, 946; 1997, cc. 671, 683, 730; 1998, cc. 56, 257, 459, 554, 558, 571, 631, 653, 709, 858, 875; 1999, cc. 818, 878, 967, 1005, 1024; 2000, cc. 484, 855, 888; 2001, cc. 334, 534, 663, 859; 2003, cc. 66, 71; 2004, cc. 125, 246, 855; 2006, cc. 396, 425; 2007, cc. 536, 873, 916; 2009, cc. 813, 840; 2010, cc. 305, 785, 790; 2012, cc. 367, 646, 689; 2014, cc. 196, 750; 2017, c. 106; 2019, cc. 211, 219; 2020, cc. 1082, 1083; 2020, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 44, 53; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 245, 250, 301, 302; 2022, cc. 269, 384, 790, 791; 2022, Sp. Sess. I, c. 11; 2023, cc. 112, 113, 183, 266, 412; 2024, c. 585.

Expired.

When making eligibility determinations for institutional or community-based care to be paid for by the Department, the Department shall consider as an uncompensated transfer all resources that are used by an applicant to purchase any term life insurance policy that does not have a benefit payable at death that will equal or exceed twice the sum of all premiums paid for such policy if such policy was purchased within thirty months prior to the date of application for assistance.

The provisions of this section shall not apply to term life insurance policies for pre-need funerals pursuant to § 54.1-2820, except that any benefits paid under such policy in excess of such actual expenses shall be subject to recovery by the Department of Medical Assistance Services for Medicaid payments made on behalf of the deceased insured. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any term life insurance policies purchased prior to the effective date of this law.

1993, c. 990.

A. When determining eligibility for medical assistance services, "assets" means, in regard to an individual, all income and resources of the individual and the individual's spouse, including, but not limited to, any income or resources which the individual or such individual's spouse is or becomes entitled to, but does not receive, because of any action by such individual or such individual's spouse, or by a person, including a court or administrative body, with legal authority to act in the place of or on behalf of the individual or such individual's spouse, or by any person, including any court or administrative body, acting at the direction of or upon the request of the individual or such individual's spouse.

B. For the sole purpose of determining eligibility for medical assistance services as provided in this title, Chapter 5 (§ 63.2-500 et seq.) of Title 63.2, and the regulations of the Department of Medical Assistance Services, any disclaimer of succession pursuant to Chapter 26 (§ 64.2-2600 et seq.) of Title 64.2 shall be considered an uncompensated transfer of assets equal to the value of any interest disclaimed by any person who would, by reason of the disclaimer of succession, retain Medicaid eligibility or become eligible for medical assistance within (i) 36 months of the date that the disclaimer instrument is filed with a court of competent jurisdiction when the disclaimer instrument relates to any property other than property passed through a trust or (ii) 60 months of the date that the disclaimer instrument is filed with a court of competent jurisdiction when the disclaimer instrument relates to payments from a trust or portions of a trust.

1994, c. 765; 2003, c. 253.

A. In addition to meeting the existing eligibility requirements of the benefits applied for, no person who is not a United States Citizen or legally present in the United States shall receive medical services under this chapter, except for the following:

1. Medicaid benefits for those residing in long-term institutional facilities or participating in home and community based waivers on June 30, 1997, who were eligible for full Medicaid benefits shall continue to be eligible for Medicaid benefits at state expense if federal financial participation is not available;

2. Medicaid benefits for those who because of alien requirements pursuant to the federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-193) (i) are under the age of 19 years and (ii) would be eligible for full Medicaid benefits if the alien requirements prior to the passage of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 were still in effect. However, such person upon reaching the age of 19 years shall comply with the provisions of this section; and

3. State or local public benefits that are mandated by Federal Law pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1621.

B. The determination of eligibility for public benefits as provided in this chapter shall be subject to the provisions of § 63.2-503.1, as applicable.

2005, cc. 867, 876.

A. The Department shall coordinate with the Department of Corrections to identify persons in the custody of state correctional facilities who are currently enrolled in the Commonwealth's program of medical assistance or who may be eligible for services under the state plan for medical assistance upon release and shall, prior to the release of such persons, (i) review the eligibility of currently enrolled persons to ensure continued access to medical assistance upon release or (ii) enroll persons not previously enrolled who meet eligibility criteria in the Commonwealth's program of medical assistance services; however, no services under the state plan for medical assistance shall be furnished to any person while he is confined in a state correctional facility unless federal financial participation is available to pay for the cost of the services provided.

B. An individual who is enrolled in the Commonwealth's program of medical assistance services at the time of release from the custody of a state correctional facility shall be eligible for services upon release and shall continue to be eligible for services under the state plan for medical assistance until such time as the person is determined to no longer be eligible for medical assistance.

2022, c. 300.

A. The Director shall make an initial determination as to whether an overpayment has been made to a provider in accordance with the state plan for medical assistance, the provisions of § 2.2-4019 and applicable federal law. The initial determination shall be issued within 180 days of the receipt of the appeal request. If the agency does not render a decision within 180 days, the decision is deemed to be in favor of the provider.

B. An appeal of the Director's initial determination concerning provider reimbursement shall be heard in accordance with § 2.2-4020 of the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4020 et seq.) and the state plan for medical assistance provided for in § 32.1-325. The hearing officer appointed pursuant to § 2.2-4024 shall conduct the appeal and submit a recommended decision to the Director within 120 days of the agency's receipt of the appeal request. The Director shall consider the parties' exceptions and issue the final agency case decision within sixty days of receipt of the hearing officer's recommended decision. If the Director does not render a final agency case decision within sixty days of the receipt of the hearing officer's recommended decision, the decision is deemed to be in favor of the provider. The Director shall adopt the hearing officer's recommended decision unless to do so would be an error of law or Department policy. Any final agency case decision in which the Director rejects a hearing officer's recommended decision shall state with particularity the basis for rejection. Prior to a final agency case decision issued in accordance with § 2.2-4023, the Director may not undertake recovery of any overpayment amount paid to the provider through offset or other means. Once a final determination of overpayment has been made, the Director shall undertake full recovery of such overpayment whether or not the provider disputes, in whole or in part, the initial or the final determination of overpayment. Interest charges on the unpaid balance of any overpayment shall accrue pursuant to § 32.1-313 from the date the Director's determination becomes final. Nothing in § 32.1-313 shall be construed to require interest payments on any portion of overpayment other than the unpaid balance referenced herein.

C. The burden of proof in informal and formal administrative appeals is on the provider. The agency shall reimburse a provider for reasonable and necessary attorneys' fees and costs associated with an informal or formal administrative appeal if the provider substantially prevails on the merits of the appeal and the agency's position is not substantially justified, unless special circumstances would make an award unjust. In any case in which a provider has recovered attorneys' fees and costs associated with an informal or formal administrative appeal, the provider shall not be entitled to recover those same attorneys' fees and costs in a subsequent judicial proceeding.

D. Court review of final agency determinations concerning provider reimbursement shall be made in accordance with the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.). In any case in which a final determination of overpayment has been reversed in a subsequent judicial proceeding, the provider shall be reimbursed that portion of the payment to which he is entitled plus any applicable interest, within thirty days of the subsequent judicial order.

1986, c. 441; 2000, c. 967.

A. For the purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:

"Agreement" means any contract executed for the delivery of services to recipients of medical assistance pursuant to subdivision D 2 of § 32.1-325.

"Successor in interest" means any person as defined in § 1-230 having stockholders, directors, officers, or partners in common with a health care provider for which an agreement has been terminated.

"Termination" means (i) the cessation of operations by a provider, (ii) the sale or transfer of the provider, (iii) the reorganization or restructuring of the health care provider, or (iv) the termination of an agreement by either party.

B. The Director of Medical Assistance Services shall collect by any means available to him at law any amount owed to the Commonwealth because of overpayment for medical assistance services. Upon making an initial determination that an overpayment has been made to the provider pursuant to § 32.1-325.1, the Director shall notify the provider of the amount of the overpayment. Such initial determination shall be made within the earlier of (i) four years, or (ii) 15 months after filing of the final cost report by the provider subsequent to sale of the facility or termination of the provider. The provider shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Director to repay the amount due. If the provider fails or refuses to make arrangements satisfactory to the Director for such repayment or fails or refuses to repay the Commonwealth for the amount due for overpayment in a timely manner, the Director may devise a schedule for reducing the Medicaid reimbursement due to any successor in interest.

C. In any case in which the Director is unable to recover the amount due for overpayment pursuant to subsection B, he shall not enter into another agreement with the responsible provider or any person who is the transferee, assignee, or successor in interest to such provider unless (i) he receives satisfactory assurances of repayment of all amounts due or (ii) the agreement with the provider is necessary in order to ensure that Medicaid recipients have access to the covered services rendered by the provider.

Further, to the extent consistent with federal and state law, the Director shall not enter into any agreement with a provider having any stockholder possessing a material financial interest, partner, director, officer, or owner in common with a provider which has terminated a previous agreement for participation in the medical assistance services program without making satisfactory arrangements to repay all outstanding Medicaid overpayment.

D. The provisions of this section shall not apply to successors in interest with respect to transfer of a medical care facility pursuant to contracts entered into before February 1, 1990.

1990, c. 389; 1994, c. 669; 1999, c. 1024; 2005, c. 839.

A. Insurers, including group health plans as defined in § 607(1) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, self-insured plans, health services plans, service benefit plans, health maintenance organizations, managed care organizations, pharmacy benefits managers, or other parties that are, by statute, contract, or agreement legally responsible for payment of a claim for a health care item or service, are prohibited from including any clause in health care contracts which would exclude enrolling an individual or in making any payment for benefits to the individual or on the individual's behalf for health care when the individual is eligible for medical assistance.

B. The Department of Medical Assistance Services shall be the payor of last resort to any insurer, including a group health plan as defined in § 607(1) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, a self-insured plan, a health services plan, a service benefit plan, a health maintenance organization, a managed care organization, a pharmacy benefits manager, or other party that is, by statute, contract, or agreement legally responsible for payment of a claim for a health care item or service for persons eligible for medical assistance in the Commonwealth. The above entities, as a condition of doing business in the Commonwealth, shall comply with the requirements set forth in 42 U.S.C. 1396a (a) (25) (I) (i)-(iv).

C. To the extent the Department of Medical Assistance Services has made payment for medical services where a third party has a legal obligation to make payment for such services, the Commonwealth shall automatically acquire all rights to such payment from the third party.

D. To the extent the Department of Medical Assistance Services is permitted by law to obtain recoveries from third parties, actions at law for such recoveries shall be decided under the same laws, rules and standards including applicable bases of liability and defenses as would apply if the individual receiving the services had brought the action directly; provided that nothing herein shall affect the sovereign immunity of the Commonwealth.

E. The term "insurer" as used herein shall be deemed to include without limitation "insurance carriers."

1986, c. 550; 1994, c. 213; 1996, c. 851; 2007, c. 535.

A. The Board of Medical Assistance Services shall promulgate regulations consistent with federal law to provide safeguards against the use or disclosure of information, including information provided to a managed care organization pursuant to § 32.1-330.5, concerning applicants for and recipients of medical assistance services for any purpose that is not directly connected with the administration of the state plan for medical assistance services.

B. Information in the possession or control of the Department or a managed care organization pursuant to § 32.1-330.5 concerning applicants for and recipients of medical assistance services shall not be subject to disclosure through discovery in litigation to which the Department is not a necessary party, unless the appropriate circuit court, for good cause shown, shall order such disclosure.

1989, c. 67; 1992, c. 107; 2018, c. 382.

Any person who willfully violates or refuses, fails, or neglects to comply with any regulation or order of the Board or the Director promulgated pursuant to § 32.1-325.3 shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

1989, c. 67.

The Director of Medical Assistance Services is authorized, subject to the state plan provided for in § 32.1-325 and any other regulations of the Board, to make payments to or on behalf of eligible persons in state-owned mental hospitals, nursing or geriatric units or other state-owned medical facilities.

1984, c. 781.

In accordance with applicable federal law and regulations, including those under Title XIX of the Social Security Act, the Department shall operate a program of estate recovery for all persons who receive payments or on whose behalf payments are made for Medicaid-financed nursing facility care by the Department. The amount recovered from the estate of a deceased recipient shall not exceed the amount of total Medicaid payments made on behalf of such recipient.

1993, cc. 193, 700.

The Department of Medical Assistance Services, in cooperation with the Department of Education, shall, consistent with the biennium budget cycle, examine and may revise the funding and components of the pilot school/community health centers. Any revisions shall be designed to maximize access to health care for poor children, and to improve the funding by making use of every possible, cost-effective means, Medicaid reimbursement or program. Any revisions shall be focused on prevention of large costs for acute or medical care and may include, but not be limited to:

1. Funding sources and means of distribution for the state match which will clearly demonstrate that local governments are not funding the state match for these centers.

2. The benefits and drawbacks of allowing school divisions to provide services to disabled students as Medicaid providers.

3. The appropriate credentials of the providers of care in the school health centers, e.g., licensure by the Board of Education and compliance with federal requirements or licensure by a regulatory board within the Department of Health Professions.

4. Utilization of the individualized education plan, when signed by a physician, as the plan of care authorizing services.

5. Delivery of medically necessary services, such as rehabilitation services, psychiatric and psychological evaluations and therapy, transportation, and nursing.

6. Payment for Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) services, with proper medical oversight, in consultation with the students' primary care physicians.

7. The role of the Medallion and Options programs in regard to the school health centers and flexibility for school divisions regarding any required referrals.

Any funds necessary to support revisions to the school/community health center projects shall be included in the budget estimates for the departments, as appropriate.

1996, c. 864.

A. The Department of Medical Assistance Services, in cooperation with the Department of Education, shall, consistent with the biennium budget cycle, examine and revise, as necessary, the regulations relating to the funding and components of special education services.

Any revisions shall be designed to maximize access to health care for poor children who are eligible for medical assistance services and to assist school divisions in the funding of medically necessary related services by making use of every possible, cost-effective means, Medicaid reimbursement or other program administered by the Department of Medical Assistance Services, including, but not limited to, the State Children's Health Insurance Plan pursuant to Title XXI of the United States Social Security Act, as approved by the federal Health Care Financing Administration at the time. Any revisions shall be based on the flexibility allowed to the states and be focused on avoiding large costs for acute or medical care and increasing children's access to health care, and shall include, but need not be limited to:

1. Rates for services which shall clearly identify that only the federal share shall be reimbursed for the special education health services and shall demonstrate that local governments are funding the state match for the special education health services provided by school divisions.

2. The benefits and drawbacks of allowing school divisions to provide services as Medicaid providers to disabled students.

3. The appropriate credentials of the providers of care, in compliance with federal requirements and with the approval of the Health Care Financing Administration, for special education health services; e.g., licensure by the Board of Education and licensure by the appropriate health regulatory board within the Department of Health Professions.

4. Delivery of medically necessary related services for students who are eligible for medical assistance services.

The services shall be limited to those services which are covered under the then-current state plan for medical assistance services, and may be provided, consistent with federal law and as approved by the Health Care Financing Administration, by a school division participating as a health services provider. Such services shall include, but need not be limited to, speech therapy, including such services when delivered by school speech-language pathologists licensed by the Board of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology or those individuals who are directly supervised, at least twenty-five percent of the time, by such licensed speech-language pathologists; physical therapy; occupational therapy; psychiatric and psychological evaluations and therapy, including such services when delivered by school psychologists-limited licensed by the Board of Psychology; transportation between the student's home, the school or other site where health-related services are to be provided on those days when the student is scheduled to receive such services at the school or such other site; and skilled nursing services, such as health assessments, screening activities, nursing appraisals, nursing assessments, nursing procedures, medication assessment, medication monitoring, and medication administration.

5. The role of the Medallion, Medallion II, Options or other managed care programs in regard to the special education health services and coordination with school divisions regarding any required referrals.

B. Any funds necessary to support revisions to the special education health services shall be included in the budget estimates for the departments, as appropriate.

C. The Director of the Department of Medical Assistance Services or his designee and the Superintendent of Public Instruction or his designee shall develop and execute a memorandum of agreement relating to special education health services. This memorandum of agreement shall be revised on a periodic basis; however, the agreement shall, at a minimum, be revised and executed within six months of the inauguration of a new governor in order to maintain policy integrity.

D. The agreement shall include, but need not be limited to, (i) requirements for regular and consistent communications and consultations between the two departments and with school division personnel and officials and school board representatives; (ii) a specific and concise description and history of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a summary of school division responsibilities pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and a summary of any corresponding state law which influences the scope of these responsibilities; (iii) a specific and concise summary of the then-current Department of Medical Assistance Services regulations regarding the special education health services; (iv) assignment of the specific responsibilities of the two state departments for the operation of special education health services; (v) a schedule of issues to be resolved through the regular and consistent communications process, including, but not limited to, ways to integrate and coordinate care between the Department of Medical Assistance Services' managed care providers and special education health services providers; (vi) a process for the evaluation of the services which may be delivered by school divisions participating as special education health services providers pursuant to Medicaid; (vii) a plan and schedule to reduce the administrative and paperwork burden of Medicaid participation on school divisions in Virginia; and (viii) a mechanism for informing primary care providers and other case management providers of those school divisions that are participating as Medicaid providers and for identifying such school divisions as Medicaid providers that are available to receive referrals to provide special education health services.

E. The Board of Medical Assistance Services shall cooperate with the Board of Education in developing a form to be included with the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) that shall be accepted by the Department of Medical Assistance Services as the plan of care (POC) and in collecting the data necessary to establish separate and specific Medicaid rates for the IEP meetings and other services delivered by school divisions to students.

The POC form shall (i) be consistent with the plan of care required by the Department of Medical Assistance Services of other Medicaid providers, (ii) allow for written updates, (iii) be used by all school divisions participating as Medicaid providers of special education health services, (iv) document the student's progress, and (v) be integrated and coordinated with the Department of Medical Assistance Services' managed care providers.

F. The Department of Medical Assistance Services shall consult with the Department of Education in preparing a consent form which (i) is separate from the IEP, (ii) includes a statement noting that such form is not part of the student's IEP, (iii) includes a release to authorize billing of school-based health services delivered to the relevant student by the school division, and (iv) shall be used by all school divisions participating in Medicaid reimbursement. This consent form shall be made available to the parents upon conclusion of the IEP meeting. The release shall allow for billing of school-based health services by Virginia school divisions to the Virginia Medicaid program and other programs operated by the Department of Medical Assistance Services.

G. The Department of Medical Assistance Services and the Department of Education shall also develop a cost-effective, efficient, and appropriate process to allow school divisions access to eligibility data for students for whom consent has been obtained.

H. The Board of Medical Assistance Services shall, when in compliance with federal law and regulation and approved by the Health Care Financing Administration, also (i) include, in its regulations which provide for reimbursement of school divisions participating in Medicaid as special education health services providers, a provision for reimbursement of mental health services delivered by licensed school psychologists-limited and a provision for reimbursement for services rendered to Medicaid-eligible students of speech-language pathology services delivered by school speech-language pathologists or those individuals who are directly supervised, at least twenty-five percent of the time, by such licensed speech-language pathologists; (ii) revise the limitations, established pursuant to relevant regulations and Virginia's state plan for medical assistance services, on services delivered by school divisions participating in Medicaid as special education health services providers, in effect on January 1, 1999, for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech, hearing, and language disorders when such services are rendered to children who are eligible for special education services and have IEPs requiring such services; (iii) cooperate with the Board of Education in developing a form to be included with the IEP that shall be accepted by the Department of Medical Assistance Services as the plan of care when signed by a physician or, when under such physician's supervision, his designee; (iv) cooperate with the Board of Education in collecting the data necessary to establish separate and specific rates for the IEP services delivered by school divisions to students with disabilities who are eligible for special education and for medical assistance services; and (v) analyze the data necessary for such rates and establish new rates for reimbursement of IEP meetings based on such data.

I. Services delivered by school divisions as participating providers in the Medicaid program or any other program operated by the Department of Medical Assistance Services shall not include any family planning, pregnancy or abortion services.

1999, cc. 967, 1005; 2002, c. 457; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 250.

In accordance with applicable federal law and regulations, including those under Title XIX of the Social Security amendments of 1965, the Department may make claim against the estate of an indigent or medically indigent person for the amount of any medical assistance payments made on his behalf by the Department. The Department may waive its claim if it determines that enforcement of the claim would result in substantial hardship to the heirs or dependents of the individual against whose estate the claim exists.

1984, c. 781.

Repealed by Acts 2003, c. 428, cl. 2.

Repealed by Acts 1999, c. 728, effective July 1, 2000.

A. As used in this section, "acute care hospital" includes an acute care hospital, a rehabilitation hospital, a rehabilitation unit in an acute care hospital, or a psychiatric unit in an acute care hospital.

B. Every individual who applies for or requests community or institutional long-term services and supports as defined in the state plan for medical assistance services may choose to receive services in a community or institutional setting. Every individual who applies for or requests community or institutional long-term services and supports shall be afforded the opportunity to choose the setting and provider of long-term services and supports.

C. Every individual who applies for or requests community or institutional long-term services and supports shall be screened prior to, or in the situations described in subsection F within three business days of, initiation of such community or institutional long-term services and supports to determine his need for long-term services and supports, including nursing facility services as defined in the state plan for medical assistance services. The type of long-term services and supports screening performed shall not limit the long-term services and supports settings or providers for which the individual is eligible.

D. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, if an individual who applies for or requests long-term services and supports as defined in the state plan for medical assistance services is residing in a community setting at the time of such application or request, the screening for long-term services and supports required pursuant to subsection C shall be completed by a long-term services and supports screening team that includes a nurse, social worker or other assessor designated by the Department who is an employee of the Department of Health or the local department of social services and a physician who is employed or engaged by the Department of Health. To the extent such screening team determines it is unable to complete the long-term services and supports screening within 30 days and the individual is in imminent need of nursing facility placement, such screening team shall confer as to which entity can most expeditiously conduct the long-term services and supports screening. The nursing facility screening team as described in subsection F shall be authorized to conduct such screening if it is determined that it is the most expeditious option. To the extent such screening team determines it is unable to complete the long-term services and supports screening within 30 days or the individual has requested enrollment in a program of all-inclusive care for the elderly (PACE) as defined in § 32.1-330.3, such screening team shall confer as to which entity can most expeditiously conduct the long-term services and supports screening. Qualified staff of the PACE program shall be organized to conduct such screening if it is determined that it is the most expeditious option.

E. If an individual who applies for or requests long-term services and supports as defined in the state plan for medical assistance services is receiving inpatient services in an acute care hospital at the time of such application or request and will immediately begin receiving long-term services and supports as defined in the state plan for medical assistance services pursuant to a discharge order from an acute care hospital, the screening for long-term services and supports required pursuant to subsection C shall be completed by the acute care hospital in accordance with the screening requirements established by the Department. Any individual receiving inpatient services in an acute care hospital discharged to a nursing facility for skilled care only is not required to be screened prior to discharge from the hospital unless the individual requests the screening.

F. If an individual who applies for or requests long-term services and supports as defined in the state plan for medical assistance services is receiving skilled nursing services in a nursing facility, or in the situation described in subsection D where the nursing facility screening team is authorized to conduct the long-term services and supports screening, the Department shall require qualified staff of the nursing facility to conduct the long-term services and supports screening prior to or within three business days of initiation of long-term services and supports and in accordance with the requirements established by the Department, with the results certified by a physician prior to or within three business days of initiation of long-term services and supports under the state plan for medical assistance services.

G. If an individual is admitted to a nursing facility and such individual was not screened but is subsequently determined to have been required to be screened prior to admission to the nursing facility, then the qualified staff designated in subsection F may conduct a screening after admission. Coverage of institutional long-term services and supports under this subsection by the Commonwealth's program of medical assistance services indicated by the screening shall not begin until six months after the initial admission to the nursing facility. During this six-month period, the nursing home in which the individual resides shall be responsible for all costs indicated for institutional long-term services and supports that would otherwise have been covered by the Commonwealth's program of medical assistance services, without accessing patient funds. Six months after the date of admission to the nursing facility, and as indicated through the eligibility determination, the Commonwealth's program of medical assistance services shall assume coverage of such services. To the extent that sufficient evidence is provided to indicate that the admission without screening was of no fault of the nursing facility, the Department shall begin coverage of institutional long-term services and supports under this subsection by the Commonwealth's program of medical assistance services immediately upon the completion of the functional screening indicating nursing facility level of care pending the financial eligibility determination.

H. If an individual seeks enrollment in a program of all-inclusive care for the elderly (PACE) as defined in § 32.1-330.3, qualified staff of the PACE program may conduct the long-term services and supports screening in accordance with the requirements established by the Department, with the results certified by the PACE program's physician prior to the initiation of long-term services and supports under the state plan for medical assistance services. If a PACE program is unable to complete the long-term services and supports screening of an individual, the screening teams described in subsection D or the acute care hospital described in subsection E shall conduct the screening.

I. In any jurisdiction in which a long-term services and supports screening team described in subsection D or the acute care hospital described in subsection E has failed or is unable to perform the long-term services and supports screenings required by subsection D or E within 30 days of receipt of the individual's application or request for long-term services and supports under the state plan, the Department shall enter into contracts with other public or private entities to conduct such long-term services and supports screenings in addition to or in lieu of the long-term services and supports screening teams described in subsection D or the acute care hospitals described in subsection E. This subsection shall not apply to the specific circumstances outlined in subsection D where the qualified staff of a nursing facility or PACE program agree to conduct such screening.

J. The Department shall require all individuals who perform long-term services and supports screenings pursuant to this section to receive training on and be certified in the use of the long-term services and supports screening tool for eligibility for community or institutional long-term services and supports provided in accordance with the state plan for medical assistance services prior to conducting such long-term services and supports screenings.

K. The Department shall report annually by August 1 to the Governor and the Chairmen of the House Committee on Health and Human Services and the Senate Committee on Education and Health regarding (i) the number of long-term services and supports screenings for eligibility for community and institutional long-term services and supports conducted pursuant to this section and (ii) the number of cases in which the Department or the public or private entity with which the Department has entered into a contract to conduct such long-term services and supports screenings fails to complete such long-term services and supports screenings within 30 days.

1984, c. 781; 1990, c. 716; 2003, c. 480; 2014, cc. 285, 413; 2015, c. 542; 2017, c. 749; 2019, c. 430; 2020, cc. 304, 365; 2023, cc. 184, 185; 2024, cc. 24, 48, 152, 517.

A. The Department shall (i) develop a program for the training and certification of individuals who perform long-term services and supports screenings for community and institutional long-term services and supports provided in accordance with the state plan for medical assistance services and ensure that all screeners are trained on and certified in the use of the long-term services and supports screening tool for long-term services and supports screening, (ii) develop guidelines for a standardized long-term services and supports screening process for community and institutional long-term services and supports provided in accordance with the state plan for medical assistance services and ensure that all long-term services and supports screenings are performed in accordance with such guidelines, (iii) establish and monitor performance according to established standards, and (iv) strengthen oversight of the long-term services and supports screening process for community and institutional long-term services and supports to ensure that problems are identified and addressed promptly.

B. The Department shall require managed care organizations that provide managed long-term services and supports in the Commonwealth to develop the portion of the plan of care addressing the type and amount of long-term services and supports for each recipient. For recipients of long-term services and supports, the managed care organization shall participate in and collaborate with the existing interdisciplinary care team planning process already established pursuant to federal law and regulations in the development of the care plan.

C. The Department shall work with its actuary to (i) ensure that trends are consistent with Actuarial Standards of Practice, including consideration of negative historical trends in medical spending by managed care organizations to be carried forward when setting capitation rates paid to managed care organizations through the managed care program where appropriate, and (ii) annually rebase administrative expenses per member per month for projected enrollment changes and future program changes impacting administrative costs beginning in Fiscal Year 2019.

D. The Department shall include additional financial and utilization reporting requirements in contracts with managed care organizations and the Managed Care Technical Manual, including requirements for submission of (i) income statements that show medical services expenditures by service category, (ii) statements of revenues and expenses, (iii) information about related party transactions, and (iv) information about service utilization metrics, and shall monitor data submitted by managed care organizations to identify undesirable trends in spending and service utilization and work with managed care organizations to address such trends.

E. The Department shall (i) establish a compliance enforcement review process and apply consistent and uniform compliance standards in accordance with the Managed Care Technical Manual, managed care contracts, and federal standards; (ii) return all compliance feedback to managed care organizations within the same reporting or auditing period in which such reports were generated; (iii) review the reasons for which the Commonwealth will mitigate or waive sanctions imposed on managed care organizations that fail to fulfill contract requirements and review and consider infractions due to unforeseen circumstances beyond the managed care organization's control, infractions occurring during the first year of the managed care organization's operation, infractions occurring for the first time, and infractions that are self-reported by the managed care organization; (iv) when applicable, include guidance in the Managed Care Technical Manual for managed care organizations that state the reasons for which sanctions may be mitigated or waived; (v) include information about the number of sanctions mitigated or waived and the reasons for such mitigation or waiver in its monthly compliance reports; and (vi) annually review the results of its contract compliance enforcement action process and include information about the process and results, including the percentage of points and fines mitigated or waived and the reasons for mitigating them for each managed care organization, in its annual report.

F. The Department shall (i) incrementally increase the amount of performance incentive awards granted to managed care organizations that meet certain performance goals to create a stronger incentive for managed care organizations to improve performance and (ii) retain at least one metric related to chronic conditions in the performance incentive award program.

G. The Department shall work collaboratively with managed care organizations and relevant stakeholders, where appropriate, to annually publish a uniform and agreed-upon managed care organization report card for the Department for the managed care program and shall make such information available to new enrollees as part of the enrollment process.

H. Upon the inclusion of behavioral health services in the managed care program and implementation of managed long-term services and supports, the Department shall require all managed care organizations participating in the managed care program to provide to the Department information about (i) the managed care organization's policies and processes for identifying behavioral health providers who provide services deemed to be inappropriate to meet the behavioral health needs of the individual receiving services and (ii) the number of such providers that are disenrolled from the managed care provider's provider network.

I. The Department shall develop a process that allows managed care organizations providing services through the managed care program to determine utilization control measures for services provided but includes monitoring of the impact of utilization controls on utilization rates and spending to assess the effectiveness of each managed care organization's utilization control measures.

J. The Department shall include language in contracts for managed care long-term services and supports requiring managed care organizations providing services through the managed care program to develop a plan that includes (i) a standardized process to determine the capacity of individuals receiving services to self-direct services received, (ii) criteria for determining when a person receiving services is no longer able to self-direct services received, and (iii) the roles and responsibilities of service facilitators, including requirements to regularly verify that appropriate services are provided.

K. Following inclusion of managed long-term services and supports in the managed care program, the Department shall (i) review information about utilization and spending on long-term services and supports provided by managed care organizations and work with managed care organizations to make necessary changes to managed care organizations' prior authorization and quality management review processes when undesirable trends are identified; (ii) include revenue and expense reports, information about related party transactions, and information about service utilization metrics in contracts for managed long-term services and supports and the Managed Care Technical Manual and utilize data and information received from managed long-term services and supports providers to monitor spending and utilization trends for managed long-term services and supports and address problems related to spending and utilization of services through managed long-term services and supports program contracts or the rate-setting process; (iii) include additional requirements for information about metrics related to behavioral health services in the managed long-term services and supports contract and the Managed Care Technical Manual to facilitate identification of undesirable trends in service utilization and enable the Department to address problems identified with managed care organizations participating in the program; and (iv) include additional metrics related to the long-term services and supports in the managed long-term services and supports contract and the Managed Care Technical Manual to facilitate identification of differences between models of care, assessment of progress in and challenges related to keeping service recipients in community-based rather than institutional care, and cooperation with managed care organizations in resolving problems identified.

2017, c. 749; 2020, cc. 304, 365.

The Department shall annually publish on its website the average hourly payment rates for home care services for each type of service provided. The average hourly payment rates shall be differentiated for each service if the rate varies based on (i) whether the provider is an independent provider or employed by an agency, (ii) the provider type and qualifications, (iii) whether the clients served are adult or pediatric, and (iv) the geographical location of the services provided. The Department shall also publish the total number of Medicaid-paid home care claims and the number of Medicaid enrollees who received home care services in the prior year.

2024, c. 484.

The Board of Medical Assistance Services shall from funds eligible for this purpose from Title II of the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency CARE Act (42 U.S.C. § 300ff-21 et seq.) or other funds appropriated or made available for this purpose, implement, and may promulgate any necessary regulations for implementation of, a premium assistance program for HIV-positive individuals which shall have, at minimum, the following characteristics:

1. Payment of health insurance premiums for individuals who are not eligible for Medicaid and who can document (i) HIV infection and inability to continue working for medical reasons and (ii) eligibility to continue their employer's group policy pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985;

2. Financial eligibility criteria allowing a maximum income of no more than 250 percent of the federal poverty guidelines and countable liquid assets of no more than $10,000 in value;

3. Funds eligible under Title II of the Ryan White CARE Act shall not be used toward copayments and deductible payments; and

4. Coverage of family members, if the HIV-infected person's policy is the sole source of health insurance.

1994, c. 200; 1996, c. 195; 2000, c. 870.

A. As used in this section, "program information" means all forms of communication that (i) are provided to any person who is an applicant for or a recipient of medical assistance services provided by the Commonwealth pursuant to Titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act and (ii) describe eligibility requirements, available medical assistance services, and the rights and responsibilities of recipients of medical assistance services provided by the Commonwealth pursuant to Titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act.

B. The Board of Medical Assistance Services shall require that all program information be (i) communicated in nontechnical, readily understandable, plain language and (ii) made available in a manner that is timely and accessible to (a) individuals with limited English proficiency through the provision of language access services, including oral interpretation and written translations, and (b) individuals with disabilities through the provision of auxiliary aids services, when doing so is a reasonable step to providing meaningful access to health care coverage. A person that makes program information available may consider resources, including staffing, available to such person and the cost of responding to requests for language access or auxiliary aids services in determining the reasonableness of making program information available pursuant to this subsection.

C. Language access services and auxiliary aids services provided to ensure program information is accessible to individuals with limited English proficiency and individuals with disabilities shall be provided without charge to such individuals. Information regarding how to receive language access services and auxiliary aids services shall be included with program information documents on a website maintained by the Department and on the website of every state or local government agency or state agency contractor that provides program information.

D. Every person that provides program information shall use an objective readability measure approved by the Department to test the readability of its program information documents. The requirements of this subsection shall not apply to language that is mandated by federal or state laws, regulations, or agencies.

E. All program information documents within the scope of this section, and all amendments thereto, shall be made available for review upon the request of the Department. Any program information document that is exempt from the requirements of subsection B shall be accompanied by a documentation of the federal or state law, regulation, or agency mandate that authorizes the exemption.

1996, c. 318; 2022, c. 775.

A. As used in this section, unless the context requires a different meaning, "PACE" means of or associated with long-term care health plans (i) authorized as programs of all-inclusive care for the elderly by Subtitle I (§ 4801 et seq.) of Chapter 6 of Title IV of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, Pub. L. No. 105-33, 111 Stat. 528 et seq., §§ 4801-4804, 1997, pursuant to Title XVIII and Title XIX of the United States Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 1395eee et seq.), and the state plan for medical assistance services as established pursuant to Chapter 10 (§ 32.1-323 et seq.) and (ii) which have signed agreements with the Department of Medical Assistance Services as long-term care health plans.

B. Operation of a PACE plan that participates in the medical assistance services program shall be in accordance with a prepaid health plan contract or other PACE contract consistent with Chapter 6 of Title IV of the federal Balanced Budget Act of 1997 with the Department of Medical Assistance Services.

C. All contracts and subcontracts shall contain an agreement to hold harmless the Department of Medical Assistance Services and PACE enrollees in the event that a PACE provider cannot or will not pay for services performed by the subcontractor pursuant to the contract or subcontract.

D. During the PACE period, the plan shall have a fiscally sound operation as demonstrated by total assets being greater than total unsubordinated liabilities, sufficient cash flow and adequate liquidity to meet obligations as they become due, and a plan for handling insolvency approved by the Department of Medical Assistance Services.

E. The PACE plan must demonstrate that it has arrangements in place in the amount of, at least, the sum of the following to cover expenses in the event of insolvency:

1. One month's total capitation revenue to cover expenses the month prior to insolvency; and

2. One month's average payment of operating expenses to cover potential expenses the month after the date of insolvency has been declared or operations cease.

The required arrangements to cover expenses shall be in accordance with the PACE Protocol as published by On Lok, Inc., in cooperation with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, as of April 14, 1995, or any successor protocol that may be agreed upon between the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and On Lok, Inc.

Appropriate arrangements to cover expenses shall include one or more of the following: reasonable and sufficient net worth, insolvency insurance, letters of credit, or parental guarantees.

F. Enrollment in a PACE plan shall be restricted to those individuals who participate in programs authorized pursuant to Title XIX or Title XVIII of the United States Social Security Act, respectively.

G. Full disclosure shall be made to all individuals in the process of enrolling in the PACE plan that services are not guaranteed beyond a 30-day period.

H. The Board of Medical Assistance Services shall establish a Transitional Advisory Group to determine license requirements, regulations, and ongoing oversight. The Advisory Group shall include representatives from each of the following organizations: Department of Medical Assistance Services, Department of Social Services, Department of Health, Bureau of Insurance, Board of Medicine, Board of Pharmacy, Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, and a PACE provider.

I. The Department shall develop and implement a coordinated plan to provide choice and education about the PACE program. The plan shall ensure that:

1. Information about the availability and potential benefits of participating in the PACE program is provided to all eligible long-term services and supports clients as part of the long-term services and supports screening process pursuant to § 32.1-330. The client's choice regarding participation in the PACE program shall be documented on the state long-term services and supports screening authorization form. The Department shall provide initial and ongoing training of all long-term services and supports screening teams on the PACE program.

2. The Department develops informational materials and correspondence, including the initial and annual enrollment letters, for use by the Department and its contractors to educate and notify potentially eligible clients about long-term services and supports. These informational materials shall include the following:

a. A description of the PACE program;

b. A statement that an eligible individual has the option to enroll in the PACE program or be automatically enrolled in a managed care organization; and

c. Contact information for PACE providers.

1997, cc. 414, 475; 1998, c. 318; 2012, cc. 803, 835; 2019, c. 419; 2020, cc. 304, 365.

Every individual who requests a screening for the purpose of enrollment in a PACE plan, as defined in § 32.1-330.3, shall be eligible for such screening, regardless of whether the individual is eligible under the state plan for medical assistance.

2014, c. 413.

The Department of Medical Assistance Services shall provide a quarterly report to each managed care organization that is contracted with the Department to provide services through the Medicaid managed care program that specifies the medical assistance application renewal date for each recipient of medical assistance services who has been attributed to the managed care organization.

2018, c. 382.

Repealed by Acts 1989, c. 618.

A. As used in this section:

"Covered hospital" means any in-state private acute care hospital other than a hospital classified as a public hospital, freestanding psychiatric and rehabilitation hospital, children's hospital, long stay hospital, long-term care hospital, or critical access hospital.

"Newly eligible adult" means an individual described in 42 U.S.C. § 1396a(a)(10)(A)(i)(VIII).

"State Plan" means the state plan for medical assistance under Title XIX (42 U.S.C. § 1396 et seq.) of the Social Security Act.

B. There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Health Care Coverage Assessment Fund, referred to in this section as "the Fund." The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. All revenues collected or received as a result of imposition of a health care coverage assessment on covered hospitals and any other such moneys, public or private, received for the administration of the health care coverage assessment shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Fund. Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Moneys deposited to the Fund shall be used solely for the nonfederal share of the cost of medical assistance for newly eligible adults, the administrative costs of collecting the assessment and implementing and operating the coverage for newly eligible adults. Such moneys shall be appropriated as provided in the general appropriation act. Expenditures and disbursements from the Fund shall be made by the State Treasurer on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written request signed by the Director of the Department of Medical Assistance Services.

2018, Sp. Sess. I, c. 2.

A. As used in this section:

"Covered hospital" means any in-state private acute care hospital other than a hospital classified as a public hospital, freestanding psychiatric and rehabilitation hospital, children's hospital, long stay hospital, long-term care hospital, or critical access hospital.

"Managed care organization hospital payment gap" means the difference between the amount included in rates for inpatient and outpatient services provided by covered hospitals, based on historical paid claims, and the amount that would be included when hospital services are priced according to the existing State Plan methodology but using 100 percent of the adjustment factors, including the capital reimbursement percentage, and full inflation subject to approval by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services pursuant to 42 C.F.R. § 438.6(c).

"State Plan" means the state plan for medical assistance under Title XIX (42 U.S.C. § 1396 et seq.) of the Social Security Act.

"Upper payment limit" means the amount equal to the maximum amount of payment for inpatient services for recipients of medical assistance services established in accordance with 42 C.F.R § 447.272 and outpatient services for recipients of medical assistance services pursuant to 42 CFR § 447.321.

B. There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Health Care Payment Rate Assessment Fund, referred to in this section as "the Fund." The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. All revenues collected or received as a result of imposition of a health care payment rate assessment on covered hospitals and any other such moneys, public or private, received for the administration of the health care payment assessment shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Fund. Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Moneys deposited to the Fund shall be used solely for the nonfederal share of the cost of payment rate actions associated with the payment rate assessment as provided in the general appropriation act and the administrative costs of collecting the assessment and of implementing and operating the associated payment rate actions. Such moneys shall be appropriated as provided in the general appropriation act. Expenditures and disbursements from the Fund shall be made by the State Treasurer on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written request signed by the Director of the Department of Medical Assistance Services.

2018, Sp. Sess. I, c. 2.

The Department of Medical Assistance Services shall, to the extent permitted by federal law, implement a process for payment of the nursing facility or ICF/MR share of payments directly to the nursing facility or ICF/MR rather than to the hospice care provider for hospice services furnished to an individual who is a resident of a nursing facility or ICF/MR and who would be eligible under the Commonwealth's program of medical assistance for nursing facility services or services in an ICF/MR had he not elected hospice care. Payments made directly to a nursing facility or ICF/MR shall be the full amount that would be paid to the nursing facility or ICF/MR if the individual was not receiving hospice services, and shall not reflect any discount to such rates.

2019, c. 209.

A. The Department of Medical Assistance Services shall establish an orientation program for all personal care aides who provide self-directed services through the Medicaid program. The program shall have the following requirements:

1. Attendance shall be limited to personal care aides, consumers who utilize the services of personal care aides, home care workers' employers of record, and worker advocacy organizations that represent personal care aides;

2. Orientations shall be held in-person or online at least quarterly, and personal care aides shall be invited and encouraged to attend at least one such orientation per calendar year; and

3. The orientation curriculum shall include content addressing operational procedures and recordkeeping, including pay and benefits; available assistance and resources; roles and responsibilities in self-direction; diversity and equity training; transparency and fraud; and worker rights and responsibilities.

B. The Department of Medical Assistance Services may, in its discretion, contract with another state agency to provide the orientation described in this section.

2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 236.

A. The Department shall establish a work group in coordination with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to evaluate and make recommendations to improve approaches to early psychosis and mood disorder detection approaches, make program funding recommendations, and recommend a core set of standardized clinical and outcome measures. Early psychosis intervention includes services to youth and young adults who are determined to either be at a clinical high risk for psychosis or are experiencing a first episode of psychosis.

B. The work group shall include (i) a representative from the Bureau of Insurance; (ii) a representative from the Department of Health Professions; (iii) a representative from the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services; (iv) a psychiatrist with working knowledge of first-episode psychosis and coordinated specialty care; (v) a mental health clinician with working knowledge of first-episode psychosis and coordinated specialty care; (vi) a support services specialist with experience in supported education and employment; (vii) a representative of a state, regional, or local mental health advocacy group as recommended by such group; (viii) an individual who has experienced psychosis or a family member of an individual who has experienced psychosis; and (ix) up to three representatives of health insurance issuers or managed care organizations operating in the Commonwealth as recommended by such issuers or organizations.

C. The work group shall develop a five-year strategic plan to accomplish the following objectives:

1. Enhance services to existing coordinated specialty care programs;

2. Expand early psychosis intervention in underserved areas of the Commonwealth;

3. Develop a strategy to identify and apply for funds from individual foundations and federal and state sources and disburse those funds; and

4. Develop a strategy to advance the goals and utilization of coordinated specialty care for Medicaid beneficiaries and individuals who are privately insured.

The strategic plan shall identify current coordinated specialty care programs in the Commonwealth and include information on how they are funded, how many individuals use the current programs, and the insurance status of the programs. As used in this section, "coordinated specialty care" means a team-based service provided to a person for treatment of first-episode psychosis that is composed of case management, family support and education, pharmacotherapy and medication management, individual and group psychotherapy, supported education and employment, coordination with primary care, and outreach and recruitment activities.

D. The work group shall meet to produce an initial five-year plan report to the General Assembly no later than November 1, 2022, and then provide annual updates to the five-year strategic plan beginning November 1, 2023.

2022, c. 621.

A. The Department of Medical Assistance Services shall conduct an annual review of all medications, services, and forms of treatment for sickle cell disease available to individuals with a diagnosis of sickle cell disease who are eligible for coverage under the state plan for medical assistance services. The purpose of the annual review is to determine (i) if the available covered medications, treatments, and services are adequate to meet the needs of enrollees with a diagnosis of sickle cell disease and (ii) whether the Department of Medical Assistance Services should seek to expand coverage for additional medications, treatments, or services.

B. When conducting the annual review required by this section, the Department of Medical Assistance Services shall solicit and consider input from the general public, with specific emphasis on input from persons or groups with knowledge and experience in the area of sickle cell disease treatment.

C. By November 15 of each year, the Department of Medical Assistance Services shall prepare and submit a report that details the Department's findings from the annual review required by this section, as well as any recommendations to the General Assembly based upon those findings, to the Chairmen of the House Committee on Health and Human Services and the Senate Committee on Education and Health and to the Joint Commission on Health Care. The report shall be submitted for publication as a report document as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website and the Department's website.

2024, c. 306.