HB 4678

Abstract

Amends the Nurse Agency Licensing Act. Prohibits nurse agencies from entering into covenants not to compete with nurses and certified nurse aides who are employed by the agencies. Provides that a supplemental healthcare staffing agency must not bill nor receive payments from a licensed health care facility at a rate higher than 130% of the sum of total compensation plus associated payroll taxes for applicable employee classifications. Provides that the maximum charge must include all charges for administrative fees, contract fees, or other special charges in addition to compensation for the temporary nursing pool personnel supplied to a health care facility. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that is shall be a matter of State policy that the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall set nursing facility rates, by rule, utilizing an evidence-based methodology that rewards appropriate staffing, quality-of-life improvements for nursing facility residents, and the reduction of racial inequities and health disparities for nursing facility residents enrolled in Medicaid. Contains provisions concerning the Patient Driven Payment Model for nursing services reimbursements; utilization of the Staff Time and Resource Intensity Verification study; the statewide base rate for certain dates of service; the establishment of a variable per diem add-on for nursing facilities with specified staffing levels; directed payments to improve the quality of care delivered by nursing facilities; occupied bed tax amounts beginning January 1, 2022, emergency rules; and other matters. Schedules for repeal on July 1, 2024 the Nursing Home License Fee Article of the Code. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Permits the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to adopt emergency rules to implement certain changes made by the amendatory Act. Effective immediately.