Equitable Payments for Nursing Facilities Act of 2023

The Equitable Payments for Nursing Facilities Act of 2023 would allow the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to adjust Medicare payment rates for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) located in Alaska or Hawaii. These adjustments would account for unique circumstances specific to these states, such as higher operational costs due to geographic isolation. The bill does not set specific payment amounts but authorizes HHS to make necessary changes to better align rates with actual costs. This policy would directly affect SNFs in Alaska and Hawaii that receive Medicare funding. The goal is to ensure payment rates more accurately reflect the true expenses of operating in these regions.