DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, BUREAU OF HEALTH INSURANCE AND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
PUBLIC NOTICE
The Department of Health hereby provides notice of its intent to change the way it reimburses off-island providers for services provided to individuals in the Medical Assistance Program (MAP). This notice is to comply with the requirements set forth at 42 CFR 447.205 and 1902(a)(13) of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 1396a(a)(13).
The Department recognizes that these providers provide significant care to MAP beneficiaries and that the current reimbursement structure would benefit from standardization and simplification . As such, beginning April 1, 2009, and subject to the availability of local and federal funds, the MAP will implement a new payment methodology whereby off-island providers will be reimbursed for services provided to MAP beneficiaries at the prevailing Medicaid fee-for-service rate for the locality. The Department is determining the full fiscal impact of this change to the MAP but in no event will reimbursement to the off-island providers exceed the Territorys ability to manage within its federal allotments.
A copy of this notice is available for public review at the office of the Bureau of Health Insurance and Medical Assistance listed below. Comment or inquiries may be submitted in writing within 30 days to:
Department of Health
Bureau of Health Insurance and Medical Assistance
3500 Richmond
Charles Harwood Complex
Christiansted, USVI 00820
OR
Julia Sheen-Aaron, Acting Commissioner
Department of Health
Bureau of Health Insurance and Medical Assistance
3730 Estate Altona
Suite 302
St. Thomas, USVI 00802