[§346-53.6]  Federally qualified health centers; rural health clinics; reimbursement.  (a)  Notwithstanding any law or waiver to the contrary, federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics, as defined in section 1905(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.), shall be reimbursed in accordance with section 1902(bb) of the Social Security Act, as that section was originally added in 2000 by section 702(b) of Public Law 106-554 and as amended in 2001 by section 2(b)(1) of Public Law 107-121, and services of federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics shall remain mandatory services as provided in sections 1902(a)(10)(A) and 1905(a)(2)(B) and (C) of the Social Security Act.

     (b)  Reimbursement rates paid to federally qualified health centers may be adjusted if costs exceed 1.75 per cent for changes related to the intensity, duration, or amount of service provided, facilities, regulatory requirements, or other extraordinary circumstances; provided that the federally qualified health center shall submit to the department an adjusted cost report covering a period of the previous two years.  The director shall review the filing within a period of sixty days.  The period may be extended by the director for an additional period not to exceed thirty days upon written notice to the filer.  A filing shall be deemed to be approved unless disapproved by the director within the initial filing period or any extension thereof. 

     (c)  The State may terminate the reimbursement methodology set forth in this section only in the event that changes in the relevant sections of the Social Security Act prohibit this reimbursement methodology. [L 2006, c 297, §2]

Note

  L 2006, c 297, §3 provides:

  "SECTION 3.  The department of health shall provide resources to nonprofit, community-based health care providers for direct medical care for the uninsured, including primary medical, dental, behavioral health care, and ancillary services, including education, follow-up, and outreach, and pharmacy services.  Distribution of funds may be on a "per visit" basis, taking into consideration need on all islands."