(1) The legislature finds that the current health care delivery system of payment to medicaid health care providers on a fee for service basis does not provide the appropriate incentives and can be improved by incorporating managed care tools, including capitation and selective contracting, with the objective of moving toward an accountable care system that results in improved health outcomes.
(2)  The legislature intends that the provisions of sections 56-260 through 56-266, Idaho Code, result in the improved health of public assistance recipients while, at the same time, increasing the choices and responsibilities of those recipients. The legislature further intends that these sections result in improved business practices of providers.

Terms Used In Idaho Code 56-261

  • Appropriation: The provision of funds, through an annual appropriations act or a permanent law, for federal agencies to make payments out of the Treasury for specified purposes. The formal federal spending process consists of two sequential steps: authorization
(3)  The legislature directs the department to pursue opportunities in the medicaid program that result in safe and appropriate discharge from public and private institutions including nursing homes, intermediate care facilities and psychiatric facilities into community settings and that such results should be financially sustainable.
(4)  Price increases should be implemented only through specific appropriation authority unless the adjustments are specified in federal law.