2023 California Code › Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC › DIVISION 9 - PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES › PART 3 - AID AND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE › CHAPTER 7 - Basic Health Care › ARTICLE 3 - Administration › Section 14105.194.

14105.194. (a) (1) Notwithstanding Sections 14105.191, 14105.192, and 14105.193, and for dates of service on or after August 1, 2021, the reimbursement rates for freestanding pediatric subacute care units, as defined in Section 51215.8 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations, shall be determined without applying any reductions or limitations as set forth under Sections 14105.191, 14105.192, and 14105.193.
(2) For dates of service on or after August 1, 2021, and for each rate year thereafter, the department shall calculate and publish the reimbursement rates, as specified in paragraph (1), plus the projected cost of complying with new state or federal mandates.
(3) For the 2021–22 fiscal year, and for each fiscal year thereafter, the reimbursement rates for freestanding pediatric subacute care units shall account for, and be inclusive of, supplemental payments, as described under the California Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act of 2016, or Proposition 56, if the Budget Act of that fiscal year appropriates funds from the Healthcare Treatment Fund, as established pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 30130.55 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, to the department to make those supplemental payments to the freestanding pediatric subacute care units.
(4) Effective for dates of service August 1, 2022, to December 31, 2023, inclusive, the reimbursement rates for freestanding pediatric subacute care units shall continue to be the reimbursement rate in effect on August 1, 2022, inclusive of any federally authorized temporary Medicaid payments.
(5) Effective for dates of service on or after January 1, 2024, the department shall adopt a rate year based on the calendar year for freestanding pediatric subacute care units.
(6) Effective for rate years beginning on or after January 1, 2024, the reimbursement rates for freestanding pediatric subacute care units shall be no less than the reimbursement rate, inclusive of the federally authorized temporary increased Medicaid payments or an equivalent amount described in paragraph (4), in effect for that facility on December 31, 2023.
(b) In implementing this section, the department shall seek any federal approvals it deems necessary. This section shall be implemented only to the extent that any necessary federal approvals are obtained and federal financial participation is available and is not otherwise jeopardized.
(c) Notwithstanding the rulemaking provisions of Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, the department may implement this section, in whole or in part, by means of provider bulletins or other similar instructions, without taking regulatory action.
(d) (1) The department may modify any methodology or provision specified in this section to the extent it deems necessary to meet the requirements of federal law or regulations, to obtain or maintain federal approval, or to ensure federal financial participation is available or is not otherwise jeopardized, only if that modification does not violate the spirit, purposes, and intent of this section.
(2) If the department determines that a modification is necessary pursuant to paragraph (1), the department shall consult with affected providers and stakeholders to the extent practicable.
(Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 42, Sec. 138. (AB 118) Effective July 10, 2023.)