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1. Statewide Rate Increases
Statewide rate increases are effective for all eligible providers at the same time, unless directed otherwise.
SSPS will run a transaction generator (TG) to increase rates at the same time on current authorizations based on rates provided by DEL. Any authorizations not captured by the TG will be manually changed by DSHS.
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EXAMPLE 1
A State wide rate increase is effective September 1st. All care prior to September 1st should remain unchanged. The current authorized rates are increased effective September 1st by either a TG or by the authorizing worker.
For example, a case is authorized - July-December. The new rates should be implemented for this case effective September 1st. |
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EXAMPLE 2
A rate change is effective January 1st. Jack applies for WCCC on December 12th and is approved on the 20th. His provider does not start care until January 15th. Apply the January 1st rates as care began after the new rates were effective. |
2. Provider Requested Rate Increases
It is the responsibility of providers to report any increases to their daily or hourly child care rates at any point during a consumer's authorization period. A provider can report the increase either by phone or by submitting a Provider Information Part 2 (DSHS 14-417) See Provider Information - Part 2 of the Application for instructions. When a provider reports the increase:
Record the new information and update the new information in WCAP in the Provider Detail Screen. Always review and update as needed the rates for all children in the household at the same time. Continue to compare the provider's rate to the State maximum rate and authorize whichever is less. Refer to section Provider Rate Structure for directions on how to compare rates and what to authorize for Family Home and In-Home/Relative providers. Make rate adjustments for all families the provider is currently authorized for care. Apply the new rates effective the date the provider reports the change.
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EXAMPLE
A child care authorization is for Jan 1-June 30. On Feb 15th, the provider calls and reports rate increases effective Feb. 1st. Compare the providers new rates to the state rate and authorize the lower rate effective Feb 15th, the date the provider reported. Check all other families currently authorized with that provider and adjust the rates. |
3. Service Line Begin Dates
Do not change the begin date of a service line unless you are extending both the service begin and end dates. Per the SSPS Basic Manual changing the begin date may be treated as a corrected begin date and stop payment for services prior to the new begin date.
The WCAP recognizes the highest possible rate allowed based on the begin date for the individual service lines. Because of this you may need to terminate the service line and open a new service line with the new begin date if the existing begin date is prior to the rate effective date. Be sure to move the copayment to a new authorization if necessary. **Please see note below for temporary change to WCAP.
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EXAMPLE
A rate change is effective August 1. The authorization was not changed by the TG. You confirm the provider's rates for all children are higher than the State maximum rate; therefore all rates must be updated. You should not change the begin date on the service lines per the SSPS manual.
Terminate all service lines effective July 31st. Open a new authorization with a begin date of August 1st using the original end date. Be sure to include the copayment with a begin date of August 1st. Document in WCAP you made a rate comparison and the provider's rates are higher than the State maximum (include either the provider's rates in your notes or indicate where the rate information can be found such as in DMS, the provider file notes, or another note entry).
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**TEMPORARY CHANGE TO WCAP: WCAP has an edit that minimizes the ability to authorize incorrect rates when there is an increase to the maximum state rates. Because the rate increases are not phased in due to the CBA, the edit could force workers to terminate and re-authorize the majority of the current authorizations. To avoid workers having to terminate and re-create many authorizations this edit will be temporarily removed.
Without the edit it will be possible to authorize incorrect rates for care occurring before July 1, 2008 when:
Opening a new authorization covering care provided before July 1, 2008, or Changing a current authorization with a change effective date before July 1, 2008.
Workers can either:
Open the authorization for before July 2008 at the old rates and set a tickle to change the rates to the new rates for July, or Open authorization lines for care before July 2008 with the old rates separately from care provided after July 2008 with the new rates. In this case, the before July 2008 care must be terminated for an invoice to print for the provider.
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