HF 1776

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 03/16/2017 04:41pm

A bill for an act
relating to human services; modifying reimbursement rates for intermediate care
facilities for persons with developmental disabilities and home and
community-based services providers; amending Minnesota Statutes 2016, section
256B.5012, by adding a subdivision; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 256B; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 256B.5012,
subdivisions 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [256B.4915] DISABILITY WAIVER REIMBURSEMENT RATE
ADJUSTMENTS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Historical rate. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of human services shall adjust the
historical rates calculated in section 256B.4913, subdivision 4a, paragraph (b), in effect
during the banding period under section 256B.4913, subdivision 4a, paragraph (a), for each
reimbursement rate increase effective on or after July 1, 2017.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Residential support services. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall adjust the rates calculated
in section 256B.4914, subdivision 6, paragraphs (b) and (c), for each reimbursement rate
increase effective on or after July 1, 2017.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Day programs. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall adjust the rates calculated in section
256B.4914, subdivision 7, for each reimbursement rate increase effective on or after July
1, 2017.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Unit-based services with programming. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall adjust the
rate calculated in section 256B.4914, subdivision 8, for each reimbursement rate increase
effective on or after July 1, 2017.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Unit-based services without programming. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall adjust
the rate calculated in section 256B.4914, subdivision 9, for each reimbursement rate increase
effective on or after July 1, 2017.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 256B.5012, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 17. new text end

new text begin ICF/DD rate increases effective July 1, 2017, and July 1, 2018. new text end

new text begin (a) For the
rate period beginning July 1, 2017, the commissioner shall increase operating payments for
each facility reimbursed under this section equal to ten percent of the operating payment
rates in effect on June 30, 2017. The ten percent increase in operating payment rates shall
consist of a workforce compensation component of eight percent, a quality component of
one percent, and a person-centered component of one percent. For the rate period beginning
July 1, 2018, the commissioner shall increase operating payment rates for each facility
reimbursed under this section equal to five percent of the operating payment rates in effect
on June 30, 2018. The five percent increase in operating payment rates shall consist of a
workplace compensation component of five percent.
new text end

new text begin (b) For each facility, the commissioner shall apply each rate increase based on occupied
beds, using the percentage specified in this subdivision multiplied by the total payment rate,
including the variable rate but excluding the property-related payment rate in effect on the
preceding date. The total rate increase shall include the adjustment provided in section
256B.501, subdivision 12.
new text end

new text begin (c) A facility that receives a rate increase under this subdivision shall use the additional
revenue attributed to the workforce compensation component of the operating payment rate
increase for compensation-related costs for employees directly employed by the facility on
or after July 1, 2017, except:
new text end

new text begin (1) persons employed in the central office of a corporation or entity that has an ownership
interest in the facility or exercises control over the facility; and
new text end

new text begin (2) persons paid by the facility under a management contract.
new text end

new text begin (d) Compensation-related costs include:
new text end

new text begin (1) wages and salaries;
new text end

new text begin (2) the employer's share of FICA taxes, Medicare taxes, state and federal unemployment
taxes, workers' compensation, and mileage reimbursement;
new text end

new text begin (3) the employer's share of health and dental insurance, life insurance, disability insurance,
long-term care insurance, uniform allowance, pensions, and contributions to employee
retirement accounts; and
new text end

new text begin (4) other benefits provided and workforce needs, including the recruiting and training
of employees as specified in the distribution plan required under paragraph (h).
new text end

new text begin (e) For public employees under a collective bargaining agreement, the increases for
wages and benefits for certain staff are available and pay rates must be increased only to
the extent that the increases comply with laws governing public employees' collective
bargaining. Money received by a facility under paragraph (c) for pay increases for public
employees must be used only for pay increases implemented between July 1 and August 1
of each year in which a rate adjustment is implemented.
new text end

new text begin (f) For a facility that has employees that are represented by an exclusive bargaining
representative, the provider shall obtain a letter of acceptance of the distribution plan required
under paragraph (h), relating to the members of the bargaining unit, signed by the exclusive
bargaining agent. Upon receipt of the letter of acceptance, the facility shall be deemed to
have met all the requirements of this subdivision relating to the members of the bargaining
unit. Upon request, the facility shall produce the letter of acceptance to the commissioner.
new text end

new text begin (g) The commissioner shall amend state grant contracts that include direct
personnel-related grant expenditures to include the allocation for the portion of the contract
related to employee compensation. Grant contracts for compensation-related services must
be amended to pass through these adjustments within 60 days of the effective date of each
increase and must be retroactive to July 1, 2017, and July 1, 2018, respectively.
new text end

new text begin (h) A facility that receives a rate adjustment under paragraph (a) that is subject to
paragraphs (c) and (d) shall prepare and, upon request, submit to the commissioner a
distribution plan that specifies the amount of money the facility expects to receive that is
subject to the requirements of paragraphs (c) and (d), including how that money will be
distributed to increase compensation for employees.
new text end

new text begin (i) Within six months of the effective date of each rate adjustment, the facility shall post
the distribution plan required under paragraph (h) for at least six weeks in an area of the
facility's operation to which all eligible employees have access and shall provide instructions
for employees who do not believe they have received the wage and other
compensation-related increases specified in the distribution plan. The instructions must
include a mailing address, e-mail address, and telephone number that an employee may use
to contact the commissioner or the commissioner's representative.
new text end

new text begin (j) To receive the quality component of the rate increase under paragraph (a), a facility
must submit to the commissioner documentation that identifies a quality improvement
project that the facility must implement by June 30, 2018. The project may be a continuation
or enhancement of projects developed under subdivision 16, paragraph (c). Documentation
must be provided in a format specified by the commissioner. Projects must:
new text end

new text begin (1) improve the quality of life of home and community-based services recipients in a
meaningful way;
new text end

new text begin (2) improve the quality of services in a meaningful way; or
new text end

new text begin (3) deliver good-quality service more efficiently while using the savings to enhance the
services for recipients served.
new text end

new text begin (k) To receive the person-centered component of the rate increase under paragraph (a),
a facility must submit to the commissioner documentation that identifies a community
integration improvement project that the facility must implement by June 30, 2018.
Documentation must be provided in a format specified by the commissioner. Projects must:
new text end

new text begin (1) incorporate person-centered thinking into the provision of services; or
new text end

new text begin (2) advance one or more of the goals adopted in the state's Olmstead plan.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 3.

new text begin [256B.745] HOME AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES PROVIDER
RATE AND GRANT INCREASES.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Rate and grant increases. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of human services shall
increase reimbursement rates, grants, allocations, individual limits, and rate limits, as
applicable, by ten percent for the rate period beginning July 1, 2017, for services rendered
on or after that date, and by five percent for the rate period beginning July 1, 2018, for
services rendered on or after that date. County or tribal contracts for services specified in
this section must be amended to pass through each rate increase within 60 days of the
effective date of each increase. The ten percent increase shall consist of a workforce
compensation component of eight percent, a quality component of one percent, and a
person-centered component of one percent. The five percent increase shall consist of a
workforce compensation component of five percent.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Eligible services, grants, and programs. new text end

new text begin The rate changes described in this
section apply to:
new text end

new text begin (1) home and community-based waivered services for persons with developmental
disabilities, including consumer-directed community supports, under section 256B.092;
new text end

new text begin (2) waivered services under community alternatives for disabled individuals, including
consumer-directed community supports, under section 256B.49;
new text end

new text begin (3) community alternative care waivered services, including consumer-directed
community supports, under section 256B.49;
new text end

new text begin (4) brain injury waivered services, including consumer-directed community supports,
under section 256B.49;
new text end

new text begin (5) home and community-based waivered services for the elderly under section
256B.0915;
new text end

new text begin (6) nursing services and home health services under section 256B.0625, subdivision 6a;
new text end

new text begin (7) personal care services and qualified professional supervision of personal care services
under section 256B.0625, subdivisions 6a and 19a;
new text end

new text begin (8) home care nursing services under section 256B.0625, subdivision 7;
new text end

new text begin (9) community first services and supports under section 256B.85;
new text end

new text begin (10) essential community supports under section 256B.0922;
new text end

new text begin (11) day training and habilitation services for adults with developmental disabilities
under sections 252.41 to 252.46, including the additional cost to counties of the rate
adjustments on day training and habilitation services provided as a social service;
new text end

new text begin (12) alternative care services under section 256B.0913;
new text end

new text begin (13) living skills training programs for persons with intractable epilepsy who need
assistance in the transition to independent living under Laws 1988, chapter 689;
new text end

new text begin (14) semi-independent living services (SILS) under section 252.275;
new text end

new text begin (15) consumer support grants under section 256.476;
new text end

new text begin (16) family support grants under section 252.32;
new text end

new text begin (17) housing access grants under section 256B.0658;
new text end

new text begin (18) self-advocacy grants under Laws 2009, chapter 101;
new text end

new text begin (19) technology grants under Laws 2009, chapter 79;
new text end

new text begin (20) aging grants under sections 256.975 to 256.977 and 256B.0917;
new text end

new text begin (21) deaf and hard-of-hearing grants, including community support services for deaf
and hard-of-hearing adults with mental illness who use or wish to use sign language as their
primary means of communication under section 256.01, subdivision 2;
new text end

new text begin (22) deaf and hard-of-hearing grants under sections 256C.233, 256C.25, and 256C.261;
new text end

new text begin (23) Disability Linkage Line grants under section 256.01, subdivision 24;
new text end

new text begin (24) home and community-based transition initiative grants under section 256.478;
new text end

new text begin (25) employment support grants under section 256B.021, subdivision 6; and
new text end

new text begin (26) grants provided to people who are eligible for the Housing Opportunities for Persons
with AIDS program under section 256B.492.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Managed care and county-based purchasing plans. new text end

new text begin A managed care plan or
county-based purchasing plan receiving state payments for the services, grants, and programs
in subdivision 2 must include the increases in their payments to providers. For the purposes
of this section, "providers" means entities that provide care coordination. To implement the
rate increase in subdivision 1, capitation rates paid by the commissioner to managed care
plans and county-based purchasing plans under section 256B.69 shall reflect the percentage
increases for the services, grants, and programs specified in subdivision 2 for the periods
beginning on the effective dates of the rate adjustments under subdivision 1.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Consumer-directed community supports. new text end

new text begin Counties shall increase the budget
for each recipient of consumer-directed community supports by the amounts in subdivision
1 on the effective date of each rate adjustment under subdivision 1.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Workforce compensation component. new text end

new text begin A provider that receives a rate increase
under subdivision 1 shall use the additional revenue attributed to the workforce compensation
component of the rate increase to increase compensation-related costs for employees directly
employed by the program on or after the effective dates of each rate adjustment under
subdivision 1, except:
new text end

new text begin (1) persons employed in the central office of a corporation or entity that has an ownership
interest in the provider or exercises control over the provider; and
new text end

new text begin (2) persons paid by the provider under a management contract.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Compensation-related costs. new text end

new text begin Compensation-related costs include:
new text end

new text begin (1) wages and salaries;
new text end

new text begin (2) the employer's share of FICA taxes, Medicare taxes, state and federal unemployment
taxes, workers' compensation, and mileage reimbursement;
new text end

new text begin (3) the employer's share of health and dental insurance, life insurance, disability insurance,
long-term care insurance, uniform allowance, pensions, and contributions to employee
retirement accounts; and
new text end

new text begin (4) other benefits provided and workforce needs, including the recruiting and training
of employees as specified in the distribution plan required under subdivision 11.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Public employees under collective bargaining agreement. new text end

new text begin For public
employees under a collective bargaining agreement, the increases for wages and benefits
are available and pay rates must be increased only to the extent that the increases comply
with laws governing public employees' collective bargaining. Money received by a provider
for pay increases for public employees under subdivision 5 must be used only for pay
increases implemented between July 1 and August 1 of the years the rate adjustments are
implemented under subdivision 1.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Employees represented by exclusive bargaining representative. new text end

new text begin For a
provider that has employees who are represented by an exclusive bargaining representative,
the provider shall obtain a letter of acceptance of the distribution plan required under
subdivision 11, relating to the members of the bargaining unit, signed by the exclusive
bargaining agent. Upon receipt of the letter of acceptance, the provider shall be deemed to
have met all the requirements of this section relating to the members of the bargaining unit.
Upon request, the provider shall produce the letter of acceptance to the commissioner.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin State grant contracts. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall amend state grant contracts
that include direct personnel-related grant expenditures to include the allocation for the
portion of the contract related to employee compensation. Grant contracts for
compensation-related services must be amended to pass through these adjustments within
60 days of the effective date of each rate adjustment under subdivision 1 and must be
retroactive to the effective date of each rate adjustment under subdivision 1.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 10. new text end

new text begin Board on Aging; area agencies on aging. new text end

new text begin The Board on Aging and its area
agencies on aging shall amend their grants that include direct personnel-related grant
expenditures to include the rate adjustments for the portion of the grant related to employee
compensation. Grants for compensation-related services must be amended to apply these
adjustments within 60 days of the effective date of each rate adjustment under subdivision
1 and must be retroactive to the effective date of each rate adjustment under subdivision 1.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 11. new text end

new text begin Distribution plan. new text end

new text begin (a) A provider that receives a rate adjustment under
subdivision 1 that is subject to subdivision 5 shall prepare and, upon request, submit to the
commissioner a distribution plan that specifies the amount of money the provider expects
to receive that is subject to the requirements of subdivision 5, including how that money
will be distributed to increase compensation for employees.
new text end

new text begin (b) Within six months of the effective date of each rate adjustment, the provider shall
post the distribution plan required under paragraph (a) for a period of at least six weeks in
an area of the provider's operation to which all eligible employees have access and shall
provide instructions for employees who do not believe they received the wage and other
compensation-related increases specified in the distribution plan. The instructions must
include a mailing address, e-mail address, and telephone number that the employee may
use to contact the commissioner or the commissioner's representative.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 12. new text end

new text begin Quality component. new text end

new text begin To receive the quality component of the rate increase
under subdivision 1, a provider must submit to the commissioner documentation that
identifies a quality improvement project that the provider must implement by June 30 of
the calendar year following the year in which the rate adjustment under subdivision 1 is
implemented. The project may be a continuation or enhancement of projects developed
under Laws 2014, chapter 312, article 27, section 75, paragraph (e). Documentation must
be provided in a format specified by the commissioner. Projects must:
new text end

new text begin (1) improve the quality of life of home and community-based services recipients in a
meaningful way;
new text end

new text begin (2) improve the quality of services in a meaningful way; or
new text end

new text begin (3) deliver good-quality service more efficiently while using the savings to enhance the
services for recipients served.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 13. new text end

new text begin Person-centered component. new text end

new text begin To receive the person-centered component of
the rate increase under subdivision 1, a provider must submit to the commissioner
documentation that identifies a community integration improvement project that the provider
must implement by June 30 of the calendar year following the year in which the rate
adjustment under subdivision 1 is implemented. Documentation must be provided in a
format specified by the commissioner. Projects must:
new text end

new text begin (1) incorporate person-centered thinking into the provision of services;
new text end

new text begin (2) advance one or more of the goals adopted in the state's Olmstead plan; or
new text end

new text begin (3) for providers listed in subdivision 2, clause (5) or (12), meet the requirements of
subdivision 12.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 14. new text end

new text begin Exemptions. new text end

new text begin (a) A provider listed in subdivision 2, clauses (6) to (10) and
(13) to (26), is not subject to the requirements of subdivisions 12 and 13.
new text end

new text begin (b) A provider of home-delivered meals and congregate dining services is not subject
to the requirements of subdivisions 5, 12, and 13.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 4. new text begin REPEALER.
new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 256B.5012, subdivisions 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and
14, new text end new text begin are repealed.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

APPENDIX

Repealed Minnesota Statutes: 17-2311

256B.5012 ICF/DD PAYMENT SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION.

Subd. 4.

ICF/DD rate increases beginning July 1, 2001, and July 1, 2002.

(a) For the rate years beginning July 1, 2001, and July 1, 2002, the commissioner shall make available to each facility reimbursed under this section an adjustment to the total operating payment rate of 3.5 percent. Of this adjustment, two-thirds must be used as provided under paragraph (b) and one-third must be used for operating costs.

(b) The adjustment under this paragraph must be used to increase the wages and benefits and pay associated costs of all employees except administrative and central office employees, provided that this increase must be used only for wage and benefit increases implemented on or after the first day of the rate year and must not be used for increases implemented prior to that date.

(c) For each facility, the commissioner shall make available an adjustment using the percentage specified in paragraph (a) multiplied by the total payment rate, excluding the property-related payment rate, in effect on the preceding June 30. The total payment rate shall include the adjustment provided in section 256B.501, subdivision 12.

(d) A facility whose payment rates are governed by closure agreements, receivership agreements, or Minnesota Rules, part 9553.0075, is not eligible for an adjustment otherwise granted under this subdivision.

(e) A facility may apply for the payment rate adjustment provided under paragraph (b). The application must be made to the commissioner and contain a plan by which the facility will distribute the adjustment in paragraph (b) to employees of the facility. For facilities in which the employees are represented by an exclusive bargaining representative, an agreement negotiated and agreed to by the employer and the exclusive bargaining representative constitutes the plan. A negotiated agreement may constitute the plan only if the agreement is finalized after the date of enactment of all rate increases for the rate year. The commissioner shall review the plan to ensure that the payment rate adjustment per diem is used as provided in this subdivision. To be eligible, a facility must submit its plan by March 31, 2002, and March 31, 2003, respectively. If a facility's plan is effective for its employees after the first day of the applicable rate year that the funds are available, the payment rate adjustment per diem is effective the same date as its plan.

(f) A copy of the approved distribution plan must be made available to all employees by giving each employee a copy or by posting it in an area of the facility to which all employees have access. If an employee does not receive the wage and benefit adjustment described in the facility's approved plan and is unable to resolve the problem with the facility's management or through the employee's union representative, the employee may contact the commissioner at an address or telephone number provided by the commissioner and included in the approved plan.

Subd. 5.

Rate increase effective June 1, 2003.

For rate periods beginning on or after June 1, 2003, the commissioner shall increase the total operating payment rate for each facility reimbursed under this section by $3 per day. The increase shall not be subject to any annual percentage increase.

Subd. 6.

ICF/DD rate increases October 1, 2005, and October 1, 2006.

(a) For the rate periods beginning October 1, 2005, and October 1, 2006, the commissioner shall make available to each facility reimbursed under this section an adjustment to the total operating payment rate of 2.2553 percent.

(b) 75 percent of the money resulting from the rate adjustment under paragraph (a) must be used to increase wages and benefits and pay associated costs for employees, except for administrative and central office employees. 75 percent of the money received by a facility as a result of the rate adjustment provided in paragraph (a) must be used only for wage, benefit, and staff increases implemented on or after the effective date of the rate increase each year, and must not be used for increases implemented prior to that date. The wage adjustment eligible employees may receive may vary based on merit, seniority, or other factors determined by the provider.

(c) For each facility, the commissioner shall make available an adjustment, based on occupied beds, using the percentage specified in paragraph (a) multiplied by the total payment rate, including variable rate but excluding the property-related payment rate, in effect on the preceding day. The total payment rate shall include the adjustment provided in section 256B.501, subdivision 12.

(d) A facility whose payment rates are governed by closure agreements or receivership agreements is not eligible for an adjustment otherwise granted under this subdivision.

(e) A facility may apply for the portion of the payment rate adjustment provided under paragraph (a) for employee wages and benefits and associated costs. The application must be made to the commissioner and contain a plan by which the facility will distribute the funds according to paragraph (b). For facilities in which the employees are represented by an exclusive bargaining representative, an agreement negotiated and agreed to by the employer and the exclusive bargaining representative constitutes the plan. A negotiated agreement may constitute the plan only if the agreement is finalized after the date of enactment of all rate increases for the rate year. The commissioner shall review the plan to ensure that the payment rate adjustment per diem is used as provided in this subdivision. To be eligible, a facility must submit its plan by March 31, 2006, and December 31, 2006, respectively. If a facility's plan is effective for its employees after the first day of the applicable rate period that the funds are available, the payment rate adjustment per diem is effective the same date as its plan.

(f) A copy of the approved distribution plan must be made available to all employees by giving each employee a copy or by posting it in an area of the facility to which all employees have access. If an employee does not receive the wage and benefit adjustment described in the facility's approved plan and is unable to resolve the problem with the facility's management or through the employee's union representative, the employee may contact the commissioner at an address or telephone number provided by the commissioner and included in the approved plan.

Subd. 7.

ICF/DD rate increases effective October 1, 2007, and October 1, 2008.

(a) For the rate year beginning October 1, 2007, the commissioner shall make available to each facility reimbursed under this section operating payment rate adjustments equal to 2.0 percent of the operating payment rates in effect on September 30, 2007. For the rate year beginning October 1, 2008, the commissioner shall make available to each facility reimbursed under this section operating payment rate adjustments equal to 2.0 percent of the operating payment rates in effect on September 30, 2008. For each facility, the commissioner shall make available an adjustment, based on occupied beds, using the percentage specified in this paragraph multiplied by the total payment rate, including the variable rate but excluding the property-related payment rate, in effect on the preceding day. The total payment rate shall include the adjustment provided in section 256B.501, subdivision 12. A facility whose payment rates are governed by closure agreements or receivership agreements is not eligible for an adjustment otherwise granted under this subdivision.

(b) Seventy-five percent of the money resulting from the rate adjustments under paragraph (a) must be used for increases in compensation-related costs for employees directly employed by the facility on or after the effective date of the rate adjustments, except:

(1) the administrator;

(2) persons employed in the central office of a corporation that has an ownership interest in the facility or exercises control over the facility; and

(3) persons paid by the facility under a management contract.

(c) Two-thirds of the money available under paragraph (b) must be used for wage increases for all employees directly employed by the facility on or after the effective date of the rate adjustments, except those listed in paragraph (b), clauses (1) to (3). The wage adjustment that employees receive under this paragraph must be paid as an equal hourly percentage wage increase for all eligible employees. All wage increases under this paragraph must be effective on the same date. Only costs associated with the portion of the equal hourly percentage wage increase that goes to all employees shall qualify under this paragraph. Costs associated with wage increases in excess of the amount of the equal hourly percentage wage increase provided to all employees shall be allowed only for meeting the requirements in paragraph (b). This paragraph shall not apply to employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

(d) The commissioner shall allow as compensation-related costs all costs for:

(1) wages and salaries;

(2) FICA taxes, Medicare taxes, state and federal unemployment taxes, and workers' compensation;

(3) the employer's share of health and dental insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, long-term care insurance, uniform allowance, and pensions; and

(4) other benefits provided, subject to the approval of the commissioner.

(e) The portion of the rate adjustments under paragraph (a) that is not subject to the requirements in paragraphs (b) and (c) shall be provided to facilities effective October 1 of each year.

(f) Facilities may apply for the portion of the rate adjustments under paragraph (a) that is subject to the requirements in paragraphs (b) and (c). The application must be submitted to the commissioner within six months of the effective date of the rate adjustments, and the facility must provide additional information required by the commissioner within nine months of the effective date of the rate adjustments. The commissioner must respond to all applications within three weeks of receipt. The commissioner may waive the deadlines in this paragraph under extraordinary circumstances, to be determined at the sole discretion of the commissioner. The application must contain:

(1) an estimate of the amounts of money that must be used as specified in paragraphs (b) and (c);

(2) a detailed distribution plan specifying the allowable compensation-related and wage increases the facility will implement to use the funds available in clause (1);

(3) a description of how the facility will notify eligible employees of the contents of the approved application, which must provide for giving each eligible employee a copy of the approved application, excluding the information required in clause (1), or posting a copy of the approved application, excluding the information required in clause (1), for a period of at least six weeks in an area of the facility to which all eligible employees have access; and

(4) instructions for employees who believe they have not received the compensation-related or wage increases specified in clause (2), as approved by the commissioner, and which must include a mailing address, e-mail address, and the telephone number that may be used by the employee to contact the commissioner or the commissioner's representative.

(g) The commissioner shall ensure that cost increases in distribution plans under paragraph (f), clause (2), that may be included in approved applications, comply with requirements in clauses (1) to (4):

(1) costs to be incurred during the applicable rate year resulting from wage and salary increases effective after October 1, 2006, and prior to the first day of the facility's payroll period that includes October 1 of each year shall be allowed if they were not used in the prior year's application and they meet the requirements of paragraphs (b) and (c);

(2) a portion of the costs resulting from tenure-related wage or salary increases may be considered to be allowable wage increases, according to formulas that the commissioner shall provide, where employee retention is above the average statewide rate of retention of direct care employees;

(3) the annualized amount of increases in costs for the employer's share of health and dental insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, and workers' compensation shall be allowable compensation-related increases if they are effective on or after April 1 of the year in which the rate adjustments are effective and prior to April 1 of the following year; and

(4) for facilities in which employees are represented by an exclusive bargaining representative, the commissioner shall approve the application only upon receipt of a letter of acceptance of the distribution plan, as regards members of the bargaining unit, signed by the exclusive bargaining agent and dated after May 25, 2007. Upon receipt of the letter of acceptance, the commissioner shall deem all requirements of this section as having been met in regard to the members of the bargaining unit.

(h) The commissioner shall review applications received under paragraph (f) and shall provide the portion of the rate adjustments under paragraphs (b) and (c) if the requirements of this subdivision have been met. The rate adjustments shall be effective October 1 of each year. Notwithstanding paragraph (a), if the approved application distributes less money than is available, the amount of the rate adjustment shall be reduced so that the amount of money made available is equal to the amount to be distributed.

Subd. 8.

ICF/DD rate decreases effective July 1, 2009.

Effective July 1, 2009, the commissioner shall decrease each facility reimbursed under this section operating payment adjustments equal to 2.58 percent of the operating payment rates in effect on June 30, 2009. For each facility, the commissioner shall implement the rate reduction, based on occupied beds, using the percentage specified in this subdivision multiplied by the total payment rate, including the variable rate but excluding the property-related payment rate, in effect on the preceding date. The total rate reduction shall include the adjustment provided in subdivision 7.

Subd. 9.

ICF/DD rate increase effective July 1, 2011; Clearwater County.

Effective July 1, 2011, the commissioner shall increase the daily rate to $138.23 at an intermediate care facility for the developmentally disabled located in Clearwater County and classified as a class A facility with 15 beds.

Subd. 10.

ICF/DD rate decrease effective July 1, 2011; exception for Clearwater County.

For each facility reimbursed under this section, except for a facility located in Clearwater County and classified as a class A facility with 15 beds, the commissioner shall decrease operating payment rates equal to 0.095 percent of the operating payment rates in effect on June 30, 2011. For each facility, the commissioner shall apply the rate reduction, based on occupied beds, using the percentage specified in this subdivision multiplied by the total payment rate, including the variable rate but excluding the property-related payment rate, in effect on the preceding date. The total rate reduction shall include the adjustment provided in section 256B.501, subdivision 12.

Subd. 11.

ICF/DD rate decrease effective July 1, 2011.

For each facility reimbursed under this section, the commissioner shall decrease operating payments equal to 1.5 percent of the operating payment rates in effect on June 30, 2011. For each facility, the commissioner shall apply the rate reduction, based on occupied beds, using the percentage specified in this subdivision multiplied by the total payment rate, including the variable rate but excluding the property-related payment rate, in effect on the preceding date. The total rate reduction shall include the adjustment provided in section 256B.501, subdivision 12.

Subd. 14.

Rate increase effective June 1, 2013.

For rate periods beginning on or after June 1, 2013, the commissioner shall increase the total operating payment rate for each facility reimbursed under this section by $7.81 per day. The increase shall not be subject to any annual percentage increase.