Our customers can access benefit and application information, 24/7, at www.connect.ct.govand www.ct.gov/dss/apply;
or 1-855-6-CONNECT (except during system maintenance beginning on Friday, March 13, from 7:00 p.m. to Saturday, March 14, 7:00 p.m.).ADDING SOME TEXT.

Medicaid Nursing Home Reimbursement Modernization Acuity Based Methodology

Overview

The Department of Social Services (DSS) will be transitioning Medicaid nursing facility reimbursement from a cost-based methodology to a case mix payment system. This method will aid DSS in its goals of enabling a meaningful continuum of long-term services and supports, modernizing Medicaid reimbursement, aligning payment with the acuity of residents, and preparing providers for value-based payment approaches. Please visit this web page often for updates regarding the transition to case mix reimbursement. 

Connecticut General Statute Section § 17b-340d. Acuity-based methodology for Medicaid reimbursement of nursing home services. Regulations.
(a) The Commissioner of Social Services may implement an acuity-based methodology for Medicaid reimbursement of nursing home services. In the course of developing such a system, the commissioner shall review the skilled nursing facility prospective payment system developed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, as well as other methodologies used nationally, and shall consider recommendations from the nursing home industry.

(b) The Commissioner of Social Services may implement policies as necessary to carry out the provisions of this section while in the process of adopting the policies as regulations, provided that prior to implementation the policies are posted on the eRegulations System established pursuant to section 4-173b and the Department of Social Services' Internet web site.

Medicaid Acuity-Based Methodology Updates:

February 6, 2020 - Committees of Cognizance Nursing Home Forum: Modernization of Connecticut Medicaid Nursing Facility Reimbursement: An Essential Component of Long-Term Services and Supports "Rebalancing" Download the presentation

January 31, 2020 - Myers & Stauffer provided a an update on resident roster report processing. Download the presentation.

January 10, 2020 - Myers & Stauffer provided a brief overview of acuity based reimbursement methodology to the Medical Assistance Program Oversight Council (MAPOC). Download the presentation

December 2019
Resident rosters training took place to give providers the tools needed to access the web portal. Please visit the Provider Resource section for user guides and additional information.

November 22, 2019
On November 22, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. the Department hosted a webinar presentation on the components of the Case Mix Index (CMI). The CMI is a weight assigned to a specific Resource Utilization Group (RUG) which reflects the diversity, clinical complexity, and resource needs of all residents within a nursing facility. An FAQ will be created shortly and posted to this page. Questions and comments may be sent to: con-ratesetting.dss@ct.gov

Download the CMI presentation

October 4, 2019
Accurate Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment data is essential in implementing a case mix reimbursement system. Access to and use of MDS data is controlled by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) through data use agreements. Myers and Stauffer obtained permission through such an agreement to use the data to assist the State in the development, implementation and on-going operation of the reimbursement system.

To facilitate this process, Case Mix Index (CMI) reports will be posted to a secure MDS web portal hosted by Myers and Stauffer. To ensure access to CMI Reports, nursing facilities are asked to please complete the form below and return to Myers and Stauffers no later than October 18, 2019. Additional information is available in the provider announcement below.

Web Portal Provider Announcement
Portal User Registration Form

September 3, 2019
On Tuesday, September 3, 2019 the Department hosted a public meeting to discuss plans for implementation of a Case Mix Reimbursement System.

View the presentation
Frequently Asked Questions (revision issued November 12, 2019)

July 2018
CMS finalized a new Medicare case-mix classification model, the Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM). The CMS PDPM web-site includes a variety of educational and training resources to assist in understanding the Medicare PDPM method.

August 28, 2018
The Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) contracted with Myers and Stauffer LLC (MSLC) for consulting services to assist in transitioning Connecticut's Medicaid nursing facility reimbursement system from a cost-based methodology to a prospective acuity-based or case mix, payment system. MSLC will assist DSS with the design, development, implementation, and ongoing operational activities relating to a case mix reimbursement system.