Or. Admin. Code § 411-027-0160 - Enhanced Wage Add-on Program
(1) For the
purposes of this rule, Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) providers refer
to Assisted Living Facilities, Residential Care Facilities, Memory Care
(Endorsed Units Only) and In-Home Agencies. Effective January 1, 2023, this
rule includes Adult Day Services providing full day services.
(2) ESTABLISHMENT. The Department establishes
the Enhanced Wage Add-on Program (Program). The Program is designed to support
Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) providers with retention of caregivers
by paying a starting wage of $15 per hour for all caregivers, with an increase
to $15.50 per hour by the second year of the 2021-2023 biennium (July 1,
2022).
(3) The Department will
provide additional compensation to HCBS providers who meet the criteria
contained in paragraph (4). Such compensation shall be an add-on of 10% of the
Medicaid rate, as authorized in OAR
411-027-0170, during the
effective dates of the Program. A HCBS provider may be eligible to apply
between October 1, 2021 and June 30, 2023.
(4) CRITERIA. Criteria must be met in order
for a HCBS provider to be eligible for the Enhanced Wage Add-on Program. The
HCBS provider shall submit documentation supporting that it provides a starting
wage of $15 per hour or more for all caregivers, escalating up to $15.50 per
hour or more by the second year of the 2021-2023 biennium (July 1, 2022).
Sufficient documentation shall be submitted to the Department with the required
form referenced in paragraph (6) and shall include at least one of the
following:
(a) A copy of a collective
bargaining agreement or addendums with such provisions;
(b) Amended policies that includes the wages
for direct caregivers during the period of the Program;
(c) Notification to caregivers of wages
during the period of the Program;
(d) Payroll records demonstrating rates of
pay for caregivers equal to or higher than $15.50 per hour; or
(e) Written communication to staff with wage
criteria that includes reference to the Legislature establishing a wage add-on
to Medicaid rates for the purpose of supporting caregiver wages in partnership
with the Oregon Department of Human Services, the Oregon Health Care
Association, SEIU Local 503, and other senior care advocates.
(5) PAYMENT. The Department will
provide the Enhanced Wage Add-on equal to 10% of the Medicaid rate, as
authorized in OAR 411-027-0170, between October 1,
2021 and June 30, 2023, for providers who meet the criteria contained in
paragraph (4). The documentation of the criteria being met shall be submitted
with the form by the 15th of the month for which the provider is requesting to
be approved. The wage add-on rate will not be effective until the Department
provides written approval to the provider.
(6) FORM. HCBS providers shall submit a claim
for the Enhanced Wage Add-on Program on the form created by the Department. The
documentation of the criteria being met shall be submitted with the form by the
15th of the month for which the provider is requesting to be
approved.
(7) APPLICABILITY. The
Department will only provide the Enhanced Wage Add-on rate for services
provided during the period of October 1, 2021 to June 30, 2023, in which the
provider was in compliance with the criteria contained in paragraph
(4).
(8) TIMELINESS. Forms for the
Enhanced Wage Add-on rate may be submitted during the effective dates of the
Program. The documentation of the criteria being met shall be submitted with
the form by the 15th of the month for which the provider is requesting to be
approved.
Notes
Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 410.070
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 410.070
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