Payment rate methodology for personal care assistance services established, commissioner of human services required to study methodology, providers required to submit workforce data, and reports required. This bill creates: (1) a new payment methodology for the Medical Assistance (MA) Personal Care Assistance (PCA) program; and (2) an enhanced rate for enhanced care PCA services. The new payment methodology being created is based on federal Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data and various other component values associated with the costs of providing PCA services, similar to the payment rate system used for the disability waivers known as the Disability Waiver Rate System (DWRS). The new system would: (1)
replace the current rate-on-rate reimbursement system for PCA services; and (2) be effective January 1, 2020, or upon federal approval, whichever is later.