One-Time Rate Decrease

Definition:

If the person needs a temporary decrease to the rate of an existing service in the Person Centered Support Plan (PCSP), then it means the new rate is likely based on a worksheet calculation.  The rates for worksheet services, one-time purchase services and summer program services are allowed to vary from the rate originally loaded in the PCSP.  In order to submit the Request that involves a  one-time a rate decrease, the support coordinator must include documentation that justifies it.  The justification should explain the nature of the situation or circumstance in the person’s life that requires the decrease.

A one-time decrease in the rate for a service does not have to be justified by criteria in the Request for Services unless it is a worksheet rate.  Rather, the decrease can be implemented directly on the budget screen inside the request.  In order to implement the reduction, the worker must respond to five questions that dynamically and automatically build the budget line for the “One-Time Rate Decrease”.  Each one contributes information toward a holistic view regarding how much of the rate increase will impact the person’s needs.

Explanation:

The following five questions must be completed in order to submit the Request for the “One-Time Rate Decrease”.

What will the rate become after it is temporarily reduced?

This question asks for new value the rate will have after the decrease is applied.

What date will the temporary rate reduction start?

This question asks for the date the rate decrease is scheduled to begin and represents its Effective Start Date.  The date cannot be arbitrary.  Rather, it must accurately reflect the expected date the provider will begin delivering the service at the higher rate.  If the date is unknown, then the worker should select the first day of the month in which the provider is expected to begin delivering the lower rate.    

What date will the temporary rate reduction end?

This question asks for the date the rate decrease is expected to end and represents its Effective End Date.  The date cannot be arbitrary.  If the date is unknown and the decrease is expected to begin in the Active Plan, then the worker should use the Active Plan’s Effective End Date.  

How many units will be temporarily used at the lower rate in the Active plan?

This questions asks for the number of units the person is expected to use in the Active PCSP at the lower rate.  Considering the original prescription of units for  the service is not changing, the number of units that can be affected by the rate decrease in the Active plan are those which have not been spent.  The number of units cannot be arbitrary. If the units are not accurate, then the Plan Max may provide insufficient funds to cover the person’s need.

If the Effective End Date falls in the next plan cycle, how many units will be temporarily used at the lower rate in the next plan?

This question asks for the total number of units the person is expected to use in the next plan cycle at the lower rate.  Typically, one-time money does not flow into the next plan cycle simply because planning that far into the future is difficult.  Even so, if the support coordinator has accurately determined some portion of the one-time rate’s duration will fall into the next plan cycle, then they must determine exactly how many units will be billed at the lower rate in the next plan.  The number of units cannot be arbitrary.  If the units are not accurate, then the Plan Max may provide insufficient funds to cover the person’s need.