Catch Title: Medicaid reimbursement-nursing homes

Category: Public Health

Sponsor: Representative(s) Clouston and Posey; Senator(s) Barlow, Crum, Driskill and Landen

Effective Date: July 1, 2026 (Sections 4 and 5 are effective immediately)

Bill URL: https://wyoleg.gov/2026/Introduced/HB0063.pdf

Overview:

This bill authorizes a temporary five percent (5%) increase in Medicaid reimbursement rates for services provided by skilled nursing homes under the Wyoming Medical Assistance and Services Act. The increase is applicable to services rendered between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2028, and is supported by a combined state and federal appropriation.

Key Provisions:

• Reimbursement Increase: Mandates a 5% increase in Medicaid reimbursement for services provided by skilled nursing homes for the period beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2028.
• Mandatory Reporting: Requires the Department of Health to report to the Joint Appropriations Committee and the Joint Labor, Health, and Social Services Interim Committee by October 31, 2027, regarding the costs of the increase and any recommendations for future modifications.
• Appropriations: Appropriates $4,700,000 from the general fund and $4,700,000 from federal funds (totaling $9,400,000) for the fiscal biennium.
• Non-Transferable Funds: Prohibits the transfer or expenditure of these appropriations for any other purpose and requires any unexpended funds to revert by June 30, 2028.
• Rulemaking Authority: Directs the Department of Health to promulgate all rules necessary to implement the reimbursement changes.

Implications:

• Appropriation Cap Risk: While the 5% increase is a mandate for all rendered services, the bill appropriates a fixed amount of $9.4 million. There is [Ambiguous: The bill does not specify how a shortfall will be covered if the actual cost of the mandated 5% increase exceeds the provided appropriation].
• Facility Scope Uncertainty: The bill applies specifically to “skilled nursing homes,” but this term is [Ambiguous: Not further defined within the bill], potentially leaving it to executive rulemaking to determine if specialized or state-run facilities qualify.
• Long-Term Fiscal Cliff: The reimbursement increase expires on June 30, 2028, creating significant financial uncertainty for nursing facilities despite the legislature’s expressed intent to include these costs in future standard budgets.
• Administrative Burden: The broad rulemaking authority granted to the Department of Health may result in additional compliance or reporting requirements for facilities to qualify for the increased rates.