Section 17-1739-68 - Adjustment to base year costs for inflation(a) Cost increases due to varying fiscal year ends and inflation shall be recognized for purposes of establishing prospective payment rates in accordance with the following general methodology.(b) Base year facility-specific costs shall be standardized to remove the effects caused by varying fiscal year ends of the facility. This shall be accomplished by dividing the inflation factor for the base year, as determined in accordance with section 17-1739-57 by twelve and multiplying this result by the number of months between the hospital's base year fiscal year end and June 30 of each year. This result shall be added to 1.00 to yield an inflation adjustment or which shall then be multiplied by the facility-specific costs.(c) Cost increases due to inflation which occurred from the base year shall utilize the inflation factor specified in section 17-1739-57(c): (1) For years during which the department does not recalculate the rates by reference to a new base year, cost increases due to inflation for state fiscal years 1987 and beyond shall be recognized by multiplying the prospective payment rate (excluding rate reconsideration relief) in effect on June 30 of the fiscal year by one plus the inflation factor for the following fiscal year. To insure the prospective nature of the PPS, the inflation factor shall not be retroactively adjusted nor modified except as noted below;(2) For each year in which the department does recalculate the rates by reference to a new base year, cost increases due to inflation shall be recognized by multiplying the base year rates by one plus the inflation factor for each subsequent year, using the most current and accurate inflation data then available from Data Resources, Inc. (DRI). To insure the prospective nature of the PPS, that data shall not be retroactively adjusted nor modified; and(3) For years in which the department does not recalculate the rates by reference to a new base year and in which the inflation factor for the prior year was reduced pursuant to subsection (d), then the average rates for the prior fiscal year shall be deemed to be the rates in effect on June 30.(d) Absent circumstances beyond the control of the department, before the expiration of six months in each fiscal year the department shall determine whether the aggregate amount of reimbursement for that state fiscal year is projected to exceed the amount that would be paid for the same services under Medicare principles of reimbursement. In making that determination, the department shall exclude sums paid pursuant to section 17-1739-77(c) or any exception to or exemption from the inpatient operating cost limits as defined pursuant to 42 C.F.R. Part 413. In making its determination, the department shall use the most current information available, including the most recent cost reports filed by the facilities. If the projected aggregate amount of reimbursement is reasonably anticipated to exceed the amount that would be paid under Medicare principles of reimbursement, then the department shall reduce the inflation factor used to calculate the rates for the remainder of the fiscal year so that the aggregate payments for the entire fiscal year (excluding the disproportionate share adjustments) are reasonably projected to be no more than that which would be paid under Medicare principles of reimbursement.Haw. Code R. § 17-1739-68
[Eff 11/13/95] (Auth: HRS § 346-59) (Imp: 42 C.F.R. §447.252 )