Assemblyman Bill Reilich (R,C,I-Greece) is pleased to announced that, as a result of his work in conjunction with local nursing homes, overdue state reimbursements have been sent to the 19 Monroe County facilities. A group of nursing homes filed suit in March over concerns that they had been underpaid by state officials. New York State recently sent about $80 million to approximately 100 facilities, including the 19 from Monroe County, to cover the lapsed Medicaid payments.
The error occurred due to a flawed calculation by the New York State Health Department on the state-share portion of Medicaid payments to nursing home patients. Due to a complicated and unfunded restructuring model, the state fell behind on payments and was shortchanging local nursing homes. A lawsuit was filed by the collective of 100 nursing homes to receive that funding retroactive from April 1, 2009. When brought to Assemblyman Reilich, he began championing for the state to rectify their mistake and give local nursing homes their owed money.
"I am pleased to see the state acknowledge its miscalculations for reimbursements and work to rectify the situation," said Reilich. "When I was told about these problems, I worked with the local nursing homes to educate myself on the matter and facilitate their reimbursements in the most expeditious manner possible. This money allows these nursing homes to continue the uninterrupted care of patients, bring their accounting current, and avoid default."
Dan Richardson of the Latta Road Nursing Home noted the important role Assemblyman Reilich played in advocating for the Monroe County nursing homes. "Assemblyman Reilich has spent countless hours with me, educating himself on the need for a better Medicaid reimbursement system," said Mr. Richardson. "The Reimbursement Reform Act of 2006 was adopted almost five years ago because the nursing home Medicaid reimbursement system was outdated and based on 1983 costs for many facilities. This resulted in many nursing homes being substantially underpaid for the services they were providing to Medicaid recipients. By delaying implementation of a reformed reimbursement system, many nursing homes have struggled financially for the past several years."
Those interested in more information on this initiative, or any other state matter, may reach Assemblyman Reilich at his district office at 585-225-4190 or via email at reilicw@assembly.state.ny.us.