1. (1) Notwithstanding the requirement for Medicaid certification under Sections 26B-3-310 through 26B-3-313, and Section 26B-2-222, a small health care facility with four to 16 beds, functioning as a skilled nursing facility, may be approved for licensing by the department as a pilot program in accordance with this section, and without obtaining Medicaid certification for the beds in the facility.

2. (2)

   1. (a) The department shall establish one pilot program with a facility that meets the qualifications under Subsection (3).
   2. (b) The purpose of the pilot program described in Subsection (2)(a) is to study the impact of an integrated managed care model on cost and quality of care involving pre- and post-surgical services offered by a small health care facility operating as a skilled nursing facility.

3. (3) A small health care facility with four to 16 beds that functions as a skilled nursing facility may apply for a license under the pilot program if the facility will:

   1. (a) be located in:

      1. (i) a county of the second class that has at least 1,800 square miles within the county; and
      2. (ii) a city of the fifth class; and
   2. (b) limit a patient's stay in the facility to no more than 10 days.

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 305, 2023 General Session