Identical to H 998, filed 5/23/18.

Directs the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to study, identify options, and make recommendations to incentivize rural healthcare providers to participate in medical education programs exposing medical residents to rural areas, programs, and populations, and support medical education and medical residency programs that meet the State’s healthcare needs. Allows DHHS to collaborate with the North Carolina Area Health Education Centers Program. Specifically requires DHHS to examine: (1) changes in Medicaid graduate medical education reimbursement and funding sources after the 1115 Medicaid waiver submitted by DHHS to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is approved, (2) options to coordinate with the NC Area Health Education Centers funding to attract residents and students to rural areas of the State, and (3) other issues DHHS deems appropriate. Requires DHHS to report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services and the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Medicaid and NC Health Choice by October 1, 2018, including specific, actionable steps that can be implemented and the estimated costs and timetable for implementation.

Directs DHHS to identify rural hospitals that wish to be designated as new teaching hospitals by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and evaluate the technical assistance and expected costs required in order for those hospitals to be so designated. Requires DHHS to collaborate with external professionals with experience and expertise in the establishment of new teaching programs, expanding existing programs, and maximizing the effectiveness of funding for medical education, particularly in rural areas. Specifically requires DHHS to examine: (1) the expansion of graduate medical education payments to outpatient costs and services, (2) modifications to cost-finding and reimbursement formulas that incentivize participation, (3) options in physician reimbursement to incentivize participation, and (4) other issues DHHS deems appropriate. Requires DHHS to submit an interim report by October 1, 2018, and a final report by October 1, 2019, to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services and the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Medicaid and NC Health Choice.