A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE PUBLIC HEALTH AUTHORITIES TO CONTRACT DIRECTLY WITH PRIVATE VENDORS TO OPERATE THE COUNTY BILLING SYSTEM FOR MEDICAID CLAIMS.
Whereas, the county share of the nonfederal share of Medicaid costs has a significant impact on county resources and cash flow; and
Whereas, more timely reimbursement of county Medicaid claims would improve county cash flow; and
Whereas, the current process for Medicaid billing is more complicated than necessary; and
Whereas, contracting with a private vendor to interface directly with the State Medicaid billing system would make the billing process for county Medicaid claims much simpler than it now is; and
Whereas, county public health authorities would benefit from private vendor‑operated Medicaid billing by enabling the authorities to optimize revenue through efficiencies that are currently not in place through the State billing system; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Part 1B of Article 2 of Chapter 130A of the General Statutes is amended by adding the following new section to read:
"§ 130A‑45.13.  Authority to contract directly with private providers to operate billing system for county Medicaid claims.
A public health authority board may contract directly with private vendors to operate the authority's Medicaid billing system as an alternative to the State-operated health services information system. The contract may provide for the private vendor to bill directly the State Medicaid billing system (MMIS), thereby bypassing the State health services information system (HSIS). The public health authority shall issue a "request for proposal" to solicit private vendor bids for contracts authorized under this section."
SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law and applies to county Medicaid claims arising on and after that date.