LEGAL NOTICE

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AMEND

(Pursuant to §1902(a)(13) of the Act (U.S.C. 1396a(a)(13))

THE VIRGINIA STATE PLAN FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

This Notice was posted on July 31, 2026

The Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) hereby affords the public notice of its intention to amend the Virginia State Plan for Medical Assistance to provide for changes to the Methods and Standards for Establishing Payment Rates – Long-Term Care (12 VAC 30-90).  

This notice is intended to satisfy the requirements of 42 C.F.R. § 447.205 and of § 1902(a)(13) of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1396a(a)(13).  A copy of this notice is available for public review from Meredith Lee, DMAS, 600 Broad Street, Suite 1300, Richmond, VA  23219, or via e-mail at: Meredith.Lee@dmas.virginia.gov. 

DMAS is specifically soliciting input from stakeholders, providers and beneficiaries, on the potential impact of the proposed changes discussed in this notice.  Comments or inquiries may be submitted, in writing, within 30 days of this notice publication to Meredith Lee and such comments are available for review at the same address.  Comments may also be submitted, in writing, on the Town Hall public comment forum attached to this notice.

This notice is available for public review on the Regulatory Town Hall (https://townhall.virginia.gov) on the General Notices page, found at:  https://townhall.virginia.gov/L/generalnotice.cfm

Methods and Standards for Establishing Payment Rates for Long-Term Care (12 VAC 30-90)

In accordance with the 2026 Appropriation Act, Item 291.LLL.2, the state plan is being revised to indicate that nursing facility value-based program funding is restricted to facilities demonstrating sufficiently high quality of care as determined by the department.  Facilities failing to meet quality of care standards, including facilities under complaint surveys due to major quality or safety issues can be found ineligible for value-based payment enhanced funds for a period determined by the department. Special Focus Facilities (SFF) are barred from receiving VBP rewards until they successfully graduate from SFF status. Updates are also being made to address outdated website links and to streamline text related to the program year and performance measures.

There are no expected increases or decreases in annual fee-for-service aggregate expenditures as a result of these changes.