I am a board member at Rockbridge Area Health Center (RAHC) in Lexington VA. In my time on the board, the demand for expanded services to meet the needs of the Medicaid beneficiaries has grown. We have added staff to address the increasing needs of our patients, especially to meet the behavioral health needs as well as physical health. 

The ever increasing cost of supplies and salaries to meet the needs of the Medicaid population has not been matched by the reimbursement for these services. Please make certain that we can continue our services and meet the increasing needs of the populations we serve.

1. 12VAC30-80-25:B.1-Reimbursement for federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and rural health clinics(RHCs): Beginning October 1, 2001, and for each fiscal year thereafter, each FQHC/RHC shall be entitled to the payment amount (on a per-visit basis) to which the center or clinic was entitled under BIPA of 2000 in the previous fiscal year, adjusted by the percentage change in the Medicare Economic Index (MEI) for primary care services, and adjusted to take into account any increase or decrease in the scope of services furnished by the FQHC/RHC during its fiscal year.
2. Budget Bill-Item 288 WWWW: DMAS shall implement a process no later than January 1, 2025, for FQHCs to notify the department of any changes in the scope of services offered by an FQHC, pursuant to Section 1902(bb)(3) of 42 U.S.C.1396a. The department is authorized to reimburse FQHCs for unreimbursed costs, as allowed by the applicable federal law, prior to an initial request for a change in scope under the new process. After more than 20 years of waiting and in compliance with Item 288 WWWW, (add your FQHC name) respectfully requests the implementation of this policy, alongwith the new PPS rate, effective January 1, 2025. We also request reimbursement for any unreimbursed costs incurredprior to the submissionin accordance with applicable federal law.

After more than 20 years of waiting and in compliance with item 288 WWWW, RAHC (a Virginia FQHC) respectfully requests the implementation of this policy, along with the new PPS rate, effective January 1, 2025. We also request reimbursement for any unreimbursed costs incurred prior to the submission in accordance with applicable federal law.