North Carolina § 130A-45 - 13. Authority to contract directly with private providers to operate billing system for county Medicaid claims.

§ 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. Information systems authorized under this section shall be consistent with and interface with relevant statewide public health data systems to address State cost containment and service reporting needs. History (2005-459, s. 1.) Editor's Note. - The preamble to Session Laws 2005-459, provides: "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."