Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 39, September 25, 2024
(a) The
Commissioner may accept applications from licensed providers of mental health
clinic services requesting designation as a Vital Access Provider eligible to
receive supplemental funding or a temporary rate adjustment. The Commissioner
may give priority to providers serving regions or populations in the State that
he or she shall determine are in special need of services. Such applications
must sufficiently demonstrate that:
(1) The
provider is essential to maintaining access to the mental health services it is
authorized to provide to individuals with mental illness who reside in the
geographic or economic region of the State served by the provider;
(2) The provider is in financial jeopardy due
to payer mix or geographic isolation;
(3) The additional resources provided by
supplemental funding or a rate or fee adjustment will achieve one or more of
the following:
(i) protect or enhance access
to care;
(ii) protect or enhance
quality of care;
(iii) improve the
cost effectiveness of the delivery of health care services; or
(iv) otherwise protect or enhance the health
care delivery system, as determined by the Commissioner.
(b) Application.
(1) The written application required pursuant
to subdivision (a) of this Section shall be submitted to the Commissioner at
least sixty (60) days prior to the requested effective date of the designation
as a Vital Access Provider and shall include a proposed budget to achieve the
goals identified in the application.
(2) The Commissioner may require that
applications submitted pursuant to this Section be submitted in response to,
and in accordance with, a Request For Applications or a Request For Proposals
issued by the Office.
(c) Reimbursement. A provider that is
designated as a Vital Access Provider shall be eligible to receive supplemental
funding or a temporary rate or fee adjustment. (d) Conditions on Approval.
(1) Any temporary rate adjustment issued
pursuant to this section shall be in effect for a specified period of time of
no more than three years, as determined by the Commissioner, based upon review
and approval of a specific plan of action to achieve one or more of the goals
set forth in subdivision (a) of this section. At the end of the specified
timeframe, the provider shall be reimbursed in accordance with the otherwise
applicable rate-setting methodology or fee schedule pertaining to such
provider.
(2) The Commissioner may
establish, as a condition of designation as a Vital Access Provider,
benchmarks, goals and standards to be achieved, and may require such periodic
reports as he or she shall determine to be necessary to ensure their
achievement. A determination by the Commissioner of a failure to demonstrate
satisfactory progress in achieving such benchmarks, goals and standards shall
be a basis for revoking the provider's designation as a Vital Access Provider,
and terminating the supplemental funding or temporary rate or fee adjustment
prior to the end of the specified timeframe.
(3) No portion of the funds received pursuant
to this Part shall be used for the payment of any prior debt or obligation
incurred by the designated provider, or for any purpose not related to the
purposes set forth in this Part.