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

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—Other Types of Care (12 VAC 30-80).  Subsection 30 is being amended to increase supplemental payments for physician practices affiliated with Type 1 hospitals.  DMAS intends to revise the percent of Medicare, which represents the average commercial rate (ACR).  The current ACR percent of Medicare is 181%.  DMAS estimates that the percentage has increased to 189%.  The final percentage will be based on documentation furnished by the Type 1 hospitals and the methodology described in the State Plan.  An ACR percent of Medicare of 189% will result in an annual increase in supplemental payments of approximately $915,000 total funds.

 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 William Lessard, Provider Reimbursement Division, DMAS, 600 Broad Street, Suite 1300, Richmond, VA  23219, and this notice is available for public review on the Regulatory Town Hall (www.townhall.com).  Comments or inquiries may be submitted, in writing, within 30 days of this notice publication to Mr. Lessard and such comments are available for review at the same address.