<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<section article="ghg" article_name="Health - General" number="7-306.2" title_number="7" title_name="Developmental Disabilities Law" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Plan">
  <level label="a">
    <text>The Administration shall:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>Conduct an independent cost–driven, rate–setting study to set provider rates for community–based services that includes a rate analysis and an impact study that considers the actual cost of providing community–based services, including:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>The cost of transportation across all service types;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Appropriate wage and benefit levels for direct support and supervisory staff; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>Rates that incorporate the fiscal impact of absence days;</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Develop and implement a plan incorporating the findings of the rate–setting study conducted under item (1) of this subsection, including projected costs of implementation and recommendations to address any potential shortfall in funding;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>Develop a strategy for assessing the needs of an individual receiving services that conforms with the findings of the rate–setting study conducted under item (1) of this subsection;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>Provide for adequate working capital payments to providers;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <text>Develop a sound fiscal billing and payment system that is tested for adequacy and efficiency in payment of providers;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="6">
      <text>Establish a payment schedule that ensures the timely and efficient reimbursement of providers for services provided; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="7">
      <text>Consult with stakeholders, including providers and individuals receiving services, in conducting the rate–setting study and developing the payment system required by this subsection.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>The Administration, on or before September 30, 2017, shall complete the study required under subsection (a) of this section.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>The Administration shall adopt regulations to implement the payment system required by this section.</text>
  </level>
</section>
