(a) Effective October 1, 1991, every chronic and convalescent nursing home, except those restricted to use by patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome, chronic disease hospital associated with a chronic and convalescent nursing home, and rest home with nursing supervision, that participates in the medical assistance program provided in Title XIX of the Social Security Act shall, as a condition of participation in said program, if eligible, maintain or execute a provider agreement with the Secretary of Health and Human Services to participate in the Medicare program under Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to the same extent that the facility participates in the Title XIX medical assistance program.

(b) The commissioner may issue a rate for any facility which fails to comply with the provisions of this section provided such rate may not be lower than the lowest rate paid to a facility for the same level of care.