Nursing Facilities Services
Nursing Facility Services Bureau Staff
Bureau Chief
Contact Rick Norine at 406-444-4209 or e-mail
Rick Norine was named Nursing Facilities Bureau Chief for the DPHHS SLTCD in June 2004. He is responsible for the overall management and coordination of the Medicaid nursing facility program including policy, reimbursement and program development. The Bureau Chief acts as the supervisor for the following positions: Institutional Superintendent of Montana Veterans Home, two Human Services Specialists, and an Administrative Officer at Eastern Montana Veterans Home.
Rick was previously employed as an auditor with the Montana Department of Revenue, as the admission and continuing medical education coordinator for the Physician Assistant Program at Rocky Mountain College, and as an administrator of a private technical college including a nursing assistant program.
A graduate from the University of Montana with Bachelor’s degrees in political science and accounting, Rick recently completed his Master’s degree in organizational management.
Human Services Specialist
Contact Steve Blazina 406-444-4129 or e-mail
Steve Blazina sets the Nursing Facility Medicaid Per Diem Rates and the Medicaid Swing Bed Per Diem Rates for Hospital Providers. He maintains the Medicaid Nursing Facility Cost Reports for each fiscal year.
He has 28 years of experience with state government and has spent the past 16 years as an human services specialist for the nursing facilities services bureau. He is a University of Montana State graduate with a degree in business finance.
Human Services Specialist
Contact Lucinda “Cindy” Fleming at 406-444-3997 or e-mail
Lucinda Fleming has been with Nursing Facility Services Bureau for 8 years. Lucinda collects Data from Staffing Reports and CNA Training & Testing quarterly reports then compiles out going reports which are used by budget management, policy and legislative staff. Therapeutic Home Visit & Hospital Hold forms are submitted to Lucinda for tracking number of days used and compliance with Department policies regarding THV & HH. Requests for prior authorization to bill Medicaid for selected services in the Nursing Home are submitted to Lucinda for review and authorization. Problem Nursing Home Medicaid claims can be sent to Lucinda for review. Out of state Nursing Home placements must be prior authorized and Lucinda is the contact person for these authorizations.
Her other State government experience includes: DPHHS Disability Services Program, Labor & Industry-Job Service Division, and Legislative Auditor’s Office. Lucinda received a Bachelor of Science from Montana State University and is currently working on an MBA/PA
