2012 New York Consolidated Laws
PBH - Public Health
Article 28 - (2800 - 2823) HOSPITALS
2808-C - Reimbursement of general hospital inpatient services.


NY Pub Health L § 2808-C (2012) What's This?
 
    *  §  2808-c. Reimbursement of general hospital inpatient services. 1.
  General  hospital  rates  and  inpatient  revenue  cap.  In  determining
  payments  from  all  sources for general hospital inpatient services for
  the rate year commencing on January first, nineteen hundred eighty-three
  and ending on December thirty-first, nineteen hundred eighty-three,  the
  allowances  set  forth  in  subdivision  four  of  this section shall be
  included. Effective January first,  nineteen  hundred  eighty-four,  the
  commissioner  shall establish, in accordance with regulations adopted by
  the council and approved by the  commissioner,  the  maximum  amount  of
  inpatient  revenue  a general hospital will be authorized to receive for
  services during a designated period not to exceed twelve months from all
  payors for the provision of inpatient services. This maximum amount will
  be known as the inpatient revenue cap and shall be established for  each
  general   hospital  possessing  a  valid  operating  certificate  issued
  pursuant to section twenty-eight  hundred  five  of  this  article.  The
  inpatient  revenue cap shall be established by projecting to anticipated
  expense  levels  the  reimbursable  historical  inpatient  expenses  and
  financial  needs  as  defined  in subdivision four of this section, of a
  general  hospital  approved  for  financing  through  inpatient  service
  revenues.  Expenses  included  in  the  inpatient  revenue cap are those
  determined to be allowable and reasonable in the provision of authorized
  inpatient services.
    The inpatient  revenue  caps  for  the  rate  years  nineteen  hundred
  eighty-four  and  nineteen  hundred  eighty-five  shall be determined by
  computing an imputed revenue cap for the period beginning January first,
  nineteen hundred eighty-three and ending December thirty-first, nineteen
  hundred eighty-three, which has been based on the cost analysis pursuant
  to paragraphs (a) and  (b)  of  subdivision  two  of  this  section  and
  adjusted each year to reflect the trend factors developed and applied in
  accordance  with  paragraph  (e)  of  subdivision  two  of this section,
  capital related expenses in accordance with paragraph (c) of subdivision
  two of this section, redetermination of additional  financial  needs  or
  revenue requirements in accordance with paragraph (d) of subdivision two
  of this section, adjustments made in accordance with subdivision five of
  this section and adjustments to reflect audit findings.
    Hospital  inpatient  services to patients who are not beneficiaries or
  subscribers of corporations organized and operating in  accordance  with
  article  forty-three  of  the  insurance  law,  subchapter  XVIII of the
  federal social security act (medicare), eligible for  payments  made  by
  state  governmental  agencies,  enrolled  in  organizations operating in
  accordance with the provisions of article forty-four of this chapter, or
  enrolled in a self-insured and self administered group covered under the
  provisions of subdivision six  of  this  section  shall  be  at  charges
  established  by  the  hospital  in  accordance  with  the  provisions of
  subdivision six of this section with the exception that for  the  period
  from  January  first,  nineteen  hundred  eighty-three  through December
  thirty-first, nineteen hundred eighty-three rates of payment pursuant to
  the provisions of the workers' compensation law, the volunteer firemen's
  benefit law and the comprehensive automobile insurance  reparations  act
  shall  be  established  at one hundred twelve percent of trended average
  per  diem  reimbursable  cost  including  allowances  as  specified   in
  subdivision four of this section.
    Amounts  prospectively  established  for payments for general hospital
  inpatient services provided in rate years subsequent to nineteen hundred
  eighty-three made on behalf of subscribers of corporations organized and
  operating in accordance with article forty-three of the  insurance  law,
  beneficiaries  of  subchapter  XVIII  of the federal social security act
  (medicare), eligibles for payments made by state  governmental  agencies

  and  those  enrolled  in  organizations operating in accordance with the
  provisions of article forty-four of this chapter shall be based on  that
  portion  of  the prospectively established inpatient revenue cap that is
  related  to the utilization of inpatient services by the above programs,
  provided, however, that that share of the cost of bad debt  and  charity
  care  to  be  paid under subchapter XVIII of the federal social security
  act shall be based upon the ratio of subchapter XVIII inpatient  charges
  to total inpatient and outpatient charges, except for hospitals using an
  all  inclusive  rate,  in which case the subchapter XVIII share shall be
  based upon the  ratio  of  subchapter  XVIII  inpatient  cost  to  total
  inpatient  and  outpatient  hospital  costs.  After  reducing the dollar
  amount  liability  of  all  payors  by  subtracting  the  dollar  amount
  liability  of the subchapter XVIII payor, all other payors shall pay the
  remaining liability  in  proportion  to  the  ratio  of  their  hospital
  inpatient   charges   to  total  hospital  inpatient  charges  less  the
  subchapter XVIII inpatient charges. These proportions shall be  computed
  on the basis of costs for hospitals using an all inclusive rate.
    Any  adjustments  in  the  overall  revenue  cap  in  accordance  with
  subdivision five of this section shall be reflected  in  an  appropriate
  adjustment  to  this  portion  of  the revenue cap and payment levels by
  these programs. The year end adjustment as provided for in paragraph (d)
  of subdivision five of this section which is based on data contained  in
  the financial and statistical report filed for the effective year of the
  revenue  cap  may be further adjusted within the revenue cap when actual
  data indicates a change in  payor  utilization  and  cost  apportionment
  between  and  among  the  above specified programs and all other payors.
  After  such  adjustments  the  portion  of  the  revenue  cap  initially
  established,  or  as adjusted, that is related to the actual utilization
  of covered inpatient services of the  above  programs  shall  constitute
  guaranteed  revenue  to  the  general  hospital. Nothing in this section
  shall prohibit  the  negotiation  by  health  maintenance  organizations
  operating  in  accordance  with the provisions of article forty-three of
  the insurance law or article forty-four of this chapter,  of  agreements
  with  general  hospitals  for rates of payment other than those provided
  herein. Such contracts shall require approval by  the  commissioner  and
  must  include provision for special benefit packages or arrangements for
  providing inpatient services to encourage  patient  management  behavior
  that will minimize the length of patient stay, such as special admission
  arrangements, bed leasing or other inpatient capitation arrangements.
    2. The inpatient revenue cap established shall include:
    (a)  allowable  historical  inpatient  operational  expenses which are
  comparable in nature and can reasonably be expected to be comparable  in
  amount   to  other  general  hospitals  with  similar  cost  influencing
  characteristics (adjusted for comparison  purposes  for  differences  in
  wage  and  fringe  benefit  levels)  and which are equal to or less than
  reasonable reimbursable operational cost  ceilings  developed  from  the
  average   allowable  cost  per  unadjusted  (except  for  newborn  days)
  appropriate unit of service of all hospitals in  the  comparison  group.
  The  comparison group shall consist of general hospitals sharing similar
  cost influencing  characteristics  and  classified  in  accordance  with
  variables defined in regulation;
    (b)  allowable  historical  inpatient operational expenses, other than
  capital related  expenses  as  defined  in  subdivision  three  of  this
  section,  and  other  than costs included in paragraph (a) hereof, which
  may be subject to reasonable reimbursable cost standards adopted by  the
  council and approved by the commissioner;
    (c) capital related expenses determined in accordance with subdivision
  three of this section;

    (d)  additional  financial needs or revenue requirements in accordance
  with subdivision four of this section;
    (e)   projection  of  reimbursable  expenses  identified  through  the
  application of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this  subdivision  by  a  trend
  factor   established  by  the  panel  of  economists  as  set  forth  in
  subdivision eight of this section; and
    (f) an amount to reflect  anticipated  additional  revenues  resulting
  from  the  implementation  of  the  gross  charge  determination formula
  provided by the commissioner in accordance with subdivision six of  this
  section.
    The  establishment  of  separate  rates  of  payment  for patients who
  require different levels or types of care shall require  a  reallocation
  of  costs to insure that the total hospital inpatient revenue cap (or in
  the case of the period January one,  nineteen  hundred  eighty-three  to
  December  thirty-one,  nineteen hundred eighty-three the imputed revenue
  cap), which shall include the revenue for different levels or  types  of
  care,  established  under this subdivision remains unchanged except that
  adjustments  may  be  made  based  on  the  cost  analysis  pursuant  to
  paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subdivision.
    Effective   January   first,  nineteen  hundred  eighty-three  through
  December  thirty-first,   nineteen   hundred   eighty-five,   the   cost
  limitations,  utilization standards and limits on disallowances shall be
  computed in accordance with the  methodology  approved  by  the  federal
  government  to  permit  the  determination of all payments for inpatient
  services provided by general hospitals to be made in accordance with the
  amendments made to sections twenty-eight hundred seven and  twenty-eight
  hundred  seven-a of this chapter by sections three and four of a chapter
  of the laws of nineteen hundred eighty-two.  Specialty  hospitals  shall
  not   be   included  in  any  computations  relating  to  disallowances,
  limitations or ceilings pursuant to this  paragraph  but  shall  receive
  reimbursement  in  accordance  with rules and regulations adopted by the
  state  hospital  review  and  planning  council  and  approved  by   the
  commissioner.  In  order  to  provide  for  a  transition period for the
  application of reimbursable  cost  limitations  to  payments  authorized
  under  subchapter XVIII of the federal social security act, a reasonable
  phase-in over a three year period is to be implemented.
    3.  Capital  related  inpatient  expenses.  Effective  for  the   year
  beginning  January  first,  nineteen hundred eighty-four and thereafter,
  capital  related  inpatient  expenses  including  but  not  limited   to
  depreciation,  rentals  and  interest  on capital debt (or for hospitals
  financed pursuant  to  article  twenty-eight-B  of  this  chapter,  such
  expenses,  including amortization in lieu of depreciation, as determined
  pursuant to the reimbursement regulations promulgated pursuant  to  that
  article  and  article  twenty-eight  of  this  chapter,  in  the case of
  payments on behalf of other than beneficiaries under subchapter XVIII of
  the federal social security act), shall be included in the  revenue  cap
  on  a  budget  basis,  and  subsequently  reconciled  to actual expenses
  through appropriate audit procedures. General hospitals shall submit  to
  the  commissioner,  at  least  one  hundred  twenty  days  prior  to the
  commencement of each revenue cap year, a  schedule  of  capital  related
  inpatient  expenses  for  the  forthcoming  year.  Any  capital  related
  inpatient expense generated by a capital expenditure which  requires  or
  required  approval  pursuant  to  this  article, must have received such
  approval for the capital related expense to be included in  the  revenue
  cap.  The  submitted  budget  may  include the capital related inpatient
  expenses of all existing capital assets as well as estimates of  capital
  related  inpatient  expenses for capital assets to be acquired or placed
  in use prior to the commencement of the revenue cap  year.  Any  capital

  related  expense  generated by a capital asset acquired or placed in use
  during a revenue cap year, provided all required approvals  pursuant  to
  this  article  have  been  obtained,  shall  be  carried  forward to the
  subsequent  revenue  cap  year.   In instances where such approvals have
  been obtained, the budget may  include  estimates  for  capital  related
  inpatient  expenses. The basis for determining capital related inpatient
  expenses shall be  the  lesser  of  actual  cost  or  the  final  amount
  specifically  approved  for  the  construction of the capital asset. The
  council shall adopt, with the approval of the commissioner,  regulations
  to:
    (a) identify by type the eligible capital related inpatient expenses;
    (b)  safeguard the future financial viability of voluntary, non-profit
  general hospitals by requiring  funding  of  inpatient  depreciation  on
  building and fixed and movable equipment;
    (c)  provide  authorization  to  adjust  the  inpatient revenue cap by
  advancing payment of depreciation as needed,  in  instances  of  capital
  debt  related  financial  distress  of  a  voluntary, non-profit general
  hospital; and
    (d) provide a methodology for the reimbursement treatment of sales.
    4. Allowances.  Inpatient  revenue  caps  established,  or  rates  for
  general  hospital  inpatient services, shall include for the three years
  commencing  on  January  first,  nineteen  hundred   eighty-three,   the
  allowances  specified  below in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) of
  this subdivision. For the period from January  first,  nineteen  hundred
  eighty-three    through    December   thirty-first,   nineteen   hundred
  eighty-three the allowances shall  be  computed  on  the  basis  of  the
  general hospital's reimbursable inpatient costs after application of the
  trend  factor.  Any additional allowances for the periods January first,
  nineteen hundred eighty-four  through  December  thirty-first,  nineteen
  hundred eighty-four and from January first, nineteen hundred eighty-five
  through  December  thirty-first,  nineteen  hundred eighty-five shall be
  included in the certified inpatient revenue caps  after  application  of
  the  trend factor and such adjustments as may be appropriate pursuant to
  subdivision two of this section. For the purposes  of  this  subdivision
  and subdivision nine of this section, major public general hospitals are
  defined  as  all state operated general hospitals, all general hospitals
  operated by the New  York  city  health  and  hospitals  corporation  as
  established  by  chapter  one  thousand  sixteen of the laws of nineteen
  hundred sixty-nine, as amended and all other  public  general  hospitals
  having annual inpatient operating costs in excess of twenty-five million
  dollars.
    (a)  For  the period from January first, nineteen hundred eighty-three
  through December thirty-first, nineteen hundred eighty-five an allowance
  of one percent of the general hospital's reimbursable inpatient costs to
  provide funds to be used at the discretion of hospital governing boards.
    (b) For public general hospitals an additional allowance of up to  one
  percent  for  the second year and up to a further additional one percent
  in the third year of the three year  period  commencing  January  first,
  nineteen hundred eighty-three subject to the provisions of paragraph (d)
  of this subdivision.
    (c) For voluntary non-profit and private proprietary general hospitals
  an  additional allowance of up to one percent for the second year of the
  three  year  period   commencing   January   first,   nineteen   hundred
  eighty-three  and  continued for the third year of the three year period
  subject to the provisions of paragraph (d) of this subdivision.
    (d) The additional allowances  in  paragraphs  (b)  and  (c)  of  this
  subdivision  shall  be available to general hospitals receiving approval
  from the commissioner as to the acceptable use of  the  allowance  which

  uses  shall  include  but  be  not  limited  to retirement of short term
  non-capital debt, meeting costs related to bad debts  and  charity  care
  not  met  by the regional pool distributions as specified in subdivision
  nine  of  this  section,  offsetting  reductions  in anticipated revenue
  resulting from charge limits substantially below those applicable to the
  particular hospital immediately prior to the  enactment  of  subdivision
  six  of this section and needed improvement of current ratio. Allowances
  authorized in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this subdivision are not  to  be
  considered  as  a  substitute  for  operational funds that are otherwise
  reimbursable or subject to appeal.
    (e) A percentage to reflect the needs  for  the  financing  of  losses
  resulting  from  bad  debts  and  the  costs  of charity care of general
  hospitals within article forty-three  insurance  law  regions,  or  such
  other  regions  as adopted pursuant to subdivision nine of this section,
  and within a  statewide  determination  of  financial  resources  to  be
  committed  for  this purpose. Regional needs shall be equal to the total
  of inpatient losses from bad debts reduced to  cost  and  the  inpatient
  costs of charity care increased by any deficit of general hospitals from
  providing  ambulatory  services,  excluding  any portion of such deficit
  resulting from governmental  payments  below  average  visit  costs  and
  revenues  and  expenses  related to the provision of referred ambulatory
  services. The regional amount to be included in rates approved  for  the
  year  commencing January first, nineteen hundred eighty-three and in the
  inpatient revenue caps established in subsequent years for each  general
  hospital in the region will be equal to the result of the application of
  the  percentage  of  statewide  need  for  voluntary non-profit, private
  proprietary and  public  general  hospitals,  other  than  major  public
  general  hospitals  that  can  be  met from available resources computed
  without consideration of inpatient uncollectible amounts to the regional
  need for voluntary non-profit, private proprietary  and  public  general
  hospitals,  other  than  major  public  general  hospitals  expressed in
  dollars plus the dollar amount resulting from  the  application  of  the
  ratio  of  major  public  general hospitals inpatient reimbursable costs
  within the region to total statewide general inpatient reimbursable cost
  (as computed on the basis of nineteen hundred eighty-one  financial  and
  statistical  reports)  to  the  statewide  resources  committed for this
  purpose  computed  without  consideration  of  inpatient   uncollectible
  amounts  and  the  ratio  of  these  total dollars to the total regional
  reimbursable inpatient cost after application of the trend  factor.  For
  the  three  year  period  commencing  on January first, nineteen hundred
  eighty-three and  ending  on  December  thirty-first,  nineteen  hundred
  eighty-five,  the  percentage  allowances  for this purpose shall not be
  less than an average  three  percent  of  the  total  statewide  general
  hospital  reimbursable  inpatient  cost  after  application of the trend
  factor. The allocation of resources made available under this paragraph,
  as specified in subdivision nine of this section, may be changed only as
  follows: An annual review shall  be  conducted  pursuant  to  rules  and
  regulations adopted by the council and approved by the commissioner with
  respect   to  bad  debt  and  charity  care  need  within  each  article
  forty-three insurance law region or such other regions  as  are  adopted
  pursuant  to  subdivision  nine of this section. If within such a region
  there is a definitive finding as a result of such review that there  has
  been  a change in the proportional amounts of bad debts and charity care
  provided by (i)  major  public  general  hospitals  and  (ii)  voluntary
  non-profit, private proprietary and public general hospitals, other than
  major  public  general  hospitals,  the  allocation  of  resources  made
  available under this paragraph shall be adjusted pursuant to  the  rules

  and regulations adopted pursuant to this paragraph so as to reflect this
  change.
    (f)  An  additional  allowance  of  one-fourth of one percent shall be
  included in each rate or revenue  cap  established  for  each  voluntary
  non-profit  and private proprietary general hospital to be returned to a
  regional pool and  distributed  in  accordance  with  paragraph  (c)  of
  subdivision nine of this section.
    (g)  An  additional  allowance  of  one-third  of one percent shall be
  included  in  each  rate  or  revenue  cap  established  for   voluntary
  non-profit and private proprietary general hospitals to be returned to a
  regional  pool  and  distributed  in  accordance  with  paragraph (d) of
  subdivision nine of this section.
    5. Adjustments. (a) The commissioner shall, on his own initiative,  or
  on the basis of a request from a general hospital, adjust an established
  inpatient revenue cap to reflect:
    (i)  the  reduction  of  costs related to the elimination of a general
  hospital inpatient service in instances where the costs of such  service
  were included in the basis of the inpatient revenue cap established; and
    (ii) the correction of errors or omissions of data or in computations.
    (b)  General hospitals may request and the commissioner shall consider
  an adjustment  to  an  established  revenue  cap  to  reflect  increased
  expenses or reconsideration of disallowed expenses based on:
    (i)  justification of all or a portion of expenses not included in the
  inpatient revenue cap resulting from the cost analysis process contained
  in subparagraph (i) of paragraph (a) of this subdivision;
    (ii)  additional  operational  expenses  related  to  construction  or
  service  changes.  These  changes  if  applicable must be approved under
  section twenty-eight hundred two of this article;
    (iii) the addition  of  costs  related  to  a  state  requirement  for
  additional services to be provided or additional costs to be incurred in
  meeting state or federal requirements;
    (iv)  additional  expenses  to  permit a more efficient and economical
  method of delivering a service; and
    (v) increased costs for compensation of employees.
    (c)  In  determining  the  reasonableness  or  justification   of   an
  adjustment  to  an  established inpatient revenue cap based on a request
  related to subparagraph (v) of paragraph (b)  of  this  subdivision  the
  commissioner shall consider:
    (i)  the  fiscal  capability  of  the general hospital to finance such
  increases from its own resources;
    (ii) the  past  history  of  the  general  hospital  with  respect  to
  compensation increases and allowed compensation trend factors; and
    (iii)  the  economy  in  the  area  in  which  the general hospital is
  located.
    (d)  The  commissioner  shall  adjust  a   prospectively   established
  inpatient  revenue cap on the basis of subsequent data that demonstrates
  a significant cost influencing  change  in  patient  mix  or  volume  of
  service.    Such  adjustment will be made in conformity with regulations
  adopted by the council as approved by the commissioner.
    (e) All appeals shall be submitted to the commissioner, who may submit
  a copy of the appeal to interested parties for the purpose of  providing
  an opportunity for comment within a specified time period.
    (f)  The  commissioner  shall act upon all properly documented appeals
  for adjustments concerning base year costs  by  November  first  of  the
  calendar  year  for which the revenue cap is effective provided that all
  information necessary to determine whether an adjustment is justified is
  submitted by the facility prior to May first of such year. In the  event
  such  an  appeal  is  filed  by  May first, but information necessary to

  determine whether an adjustment is justified  is  submitted  after  such
  date,  the  commissioner shall act on the appeal within six months after
  receiving the necessary information.
    (g)  The  commissioner  shall  consider  an adjustment to a hospital's
  reported base year costs in instances  where  it  is  demonstrated  that
  recurring  costs resulting from multi-year commitments beginning late in
  a base year should be calculated on an annual basis  in  establishing  a
  revenue  cap in order to avoid a significant inequity. In making such an
  adjustment the commissioner shall consider the offset  of  non-recurring
  base year costs.
    6. Hospital charge schedules. Effective for the year beginning January
  first,   nineteen  hundred  eighty-four  and  thereafter,  each  general
  hospital shall establish a charge schedule for available and  authorized
  services  in  accordance  with  a  gross  charge  determination  formula
  provided by the commissioner which shall:
    (a) Establish gross  charges  sufficient  to  generate  the  inpatient
  revenue authorized by the revenue cap; and
    (b)  Establish gross charges such that (i) the payment rate to be made
  on behalf of subscribers of  corporations  organized  and  operating  in
  accordance  with  article forty-three of the insurance law, adjusted for
  uncovered services, shall be at a  specified  discount  from  the  gross
  charge  rate  billed  to  or  on  behalf of charge paying patients; (ii)
  permit the continuation of negotiated payment rate determination systems
  between self-insured and self-administered groups  and  hospitals  which
  were  in effect on May first, nineteen hundred eighty-two; and (iii) for
  general hospitals subject to the provisions of paragraph (a) or  (b)  of
  subdivision  twelve of this section, the costs (including all allowances
  specified in subdivision four of this section) of services  provided  to
  charge  paying  patients shall be at a specified discount from the gross
  charge rate billed to or on behalf of charge paying patients.
    During the period January first, nineteen hundred eighty-four  through
  December   thirty-first,  nineteen  hundred  eighty-five,  the  discount
  referred to in subparagraphs (i) and (iii)  of  paragraph  (b)  of  this
  subdivision  shall  not  exceed twelve percent for those hospitals which
  had a discount of less than twelve percent  during  the  previous  year,
  shall be no greater than the discount in effect during the previous year
  for  those  hospitals  whose previous year's discount was between twelve
  and fifteen percent and shall not exceed fifteen percent for all others.
  Self-insured and self-administered negotiated systems  as  described  in
  subparagraph  (ii)  of  paragraph  (b) of this subdivision may remain in
  effect  for  the  period  commencing  January  first,  nineteen  hundred
  eighty-three  and  ending  on  December  thirty-first,  nineteen hundred
  eighty-five  and  shall  be  incorporated  in  the  formula  methodology
  provided by the commissioner.
    The  commissioner shall effectuate direct repayment or adjustment of a
  subsequent inpatient revenue cap to reflect  actual  inpatient  revenues
  received  for  inpatient  services  provided  by a general hospital that
  exceed the inpatient revenue cap initially established  or  adjusted  in
  accordance  with  provisions of this section. Revenue received in excess
  of the revenue cap established  as  the  result  of  the  provisions  of
  subchapter  XVIII of the federal social security act (medicare) phase-in
  policies or from charges authorized  under  subdivision  seven  of  this
  section shall not be included in the adjustment.
    7.  Working  capital.  General hospitals may include as a financing or
  working capital charge an addition of two percent of any valid claim not
  paid  within  thirty  days  of  submission  or  determination  of  payor
  liability,  whichever  is  later,  and one percent per month thereafter.
  Revenues received from such financing or working capital  charges  shall

  not  be  included  in  a revenue cap established or considered as a cost
  offset. Financing or working capital charges shall  not  be  applied  to
  hospital  billings  to  third  party  payors participating in a periodic
  interim payment system.
    8.  Trend  factor. (a) The commissioner in accordance with the method-
  ology developed by the consultants pursuant to  paragraph  (b)  of  this
  subdivision  shall establish trend factors to project for the effects of
  inflation. The factors shall be applied to the  appropriate  portion  of
  charge   levels   and  reimbursement  rates  in  effect  until  December
  thirty-first, nineteen hundred eighty-three and the appropriate  portion
  of  the  inpatient  revenue cap in subsequent years. The methodology for
  developing the trend factor shall include the appropriate external price
  indicators and  shall  also  include  the  data  from  major  collective
  bargaining agreements as reported quarterly by the federal department of
  labor, bureau of labor statistics, for non-supervisory employees.
    (b) The methodology shall be developed by four independent consultants
  with  expertise  in  health economics appointed by the commissioner. Not
  later than September first of each year, the consultants  shall  provide
  to  the  commissioner  and  the  council,  the methodology to be used to
  determine the trend factors  for  the  subsequent  twelve  month  period
  commencing  January  first.  The  commissioner  shall monitor the actual
  price movement during this twelve month period  of  the  external  price
  indicators  used  in  the  methodology,  shall report the results of the
  monitoring to the consultants, and shall implement,  semi-annually,  the
  recommendations  of  the consultants for adjustments to the trend factor
  provided, however, that adjustments, except for the final adjustment  in
  the  trend  factor  shall  not  be required unless such adjustment would
  result in the weighted average of the operating cost  component  of  the
  rates  or  charge  limits differing by more than one-half of one percent
  from that which was previously determined.
    9.  Bad  debt,  charity  care  and  transition  pool.  Regional  pools
  consisting  of  funds  made  available  within  each  region through the
  allowances specified in paragraphs (e), (f) and (g) of subdivision  four
  of  this  section  shall  be created. The regions are established as the
  article forty-three insurance law plan regions, with the exception  that
  the southern sixteen counties will be divided into three regions for the
  purposes  of  this subdivision and subdivision four of this section with
  separate regions consisting of Richmond, Manhattan,  Bronx,  Queens  and
  Kings  counties;  Nassau  and  Suffolk counties; and Delaware, Columbia,
  Ulster, Sullivan, Orange, Dutchess,  Putnam,  Rockland  and  Westchester
  counties.  The council with the approval of the commissioner may combine
  regions, with the exception of  the  above  specified  regions  for  the
  southern  sixteen  counties, upon application of the article forty-three
  insurance law  plans  involved  and  a  demonstration  that  significant
  inequities  would  not occur. The commissioner is authorized to contract
  with the article forty-three insurance law plans to  receive  funds  for
  the  pools  and  distribute  such funds. In the event contracts with the
  article  forty-three  insurance   law   plans   are   effectuated,   the
  commissioner shall conduct annual audits of the receipt and distribution
  of  pooled  funds  and  issue  an  annual  report  on  the  receipt  and
  distribution of the pooled funds. In  order  for  general  hospitals  to
  participate  in  the  distribution  of  funds  from the pool the general
  hospital must implement collection policies and procedures  approved  by
  the  commissioner.  Funds  available  in  each  regional  pool  shall be
  distributed or retained in the following sequence:
    (a)  Each  eligible  major  public  general  hospital  as  defined  in
  subdivision  four  of  this section shall receive from its regional pool
  created by the allowance in paragraph (e) of subdivision  four  of  this

  section  a  portion  of  its bad debt and charity care need equal to the
  result of the application  of  its  percentage  of  statewide  inpatient
  reimbursable costs developed on the basis of nineteen hundred eighty-one
  financial and statistical reports to the total of all regional pools.
    (b)  Funds  remaining in the regional pool created by the allowance in
  paragraph (e) of subdivision four of this section, after distribution in
  accordance with paragraph (a) of this subdivision, shall be  distributed
  proportionately  to voluntary non-profit, private proprietary and public
  general hospitals, other than major  public  general  hospitals  on  the
  basis  of  need  within  the  region  as  determined  in accordance with
  paragraph (e) of subdivision four, with the exception that any funds  in
  a  regional  pool  that were allocated to major public general hospitals
  and not distributed shall be distributed to each major third party payor
  on the basis of its percentage of major third party payor liability  for
  bad  debt  and  charity  care  as  described  in subdivision one of this
  section,  in  the  specific  major  public  general  hospital  to  which
  distribution was not made.
    (c)  Funds in regional pools created by the allowance in paragraph (f)
  of subdivision four of this section shall not be available for immediate
  distribution from the regional pool but shall be retained  in  the  pool
  for distribution by the commissioner in accordance with rules adopted by
  the  state  hospital review and planning council to assist in offsetting
  losses from bad debts  and  the  costs  of  charity  care  of  voluntary
  non-profit and private proprietary general hospitals experiencing severe
  fiscal hardship because of insufficient resources to finance such losses
  or costs.
    (d)  Funds in regional pools created by the allowance in paragraph (g)
  of subdivision four of this section shall be  distributed  by  including
  one-fourth  of such funds with the funds to be distributed in accordance
  with paragraph (c) of this subdivision and three-quarters of such  funds
  to  be  distributed  to  voluntary  non-profit  and  private proprietary
  general  hospitals  within  the  region  that  are  severely  negatively
  impacted by the inclusion of title XVIII (medicare) patients, or changes
  in   the   determination   of   payor   liability,  resulting  from  the
  implementation of the reimbursement provisions in  this  section.  Rules
  for such distribution will be those adopted by the state hospital review
  and planning council and approved by the commissioner.
    (e)  Any  balance  in  the  portion  of  regional pools created by the
  allowance in paragraph (e) of subdivision four of  this  section,  after
  distribution  in  accordance  with  paragraph  (b)  of this subdivision,
  including income from invested funds, shall be distributed to  voluntary
  non-profit,  private proprietary and public general hospitals other than
  major public general hospitals within the region on a basis  related  to
  specific hospital need as defined for regional purposes in paragraph (e)
  of  subdivision  four  of  this  section.  Any balance in the portion of
  regional pools created by the allowance in paragraph (f) of  subdivision
  four  of this section and the distribution specified in paragraph (d) of
  this subdivision after distribution in accordance with paragraph (c)  of
  this  subdivision,  including  income  from  invested  funds,  shall  be
  distributed to voluntary  non-profit  and  private  proprietary  general
  hospitals within the region on a basis related to specific hospital need
  as defined for regional purposes in paragraph (e) of subdivision four of
  this  section.  Any  balance in the portion of regional pools created by
  the allowance in paragraph (g) of subdivision four of this section after
  distribution in accordance with this paragraph and paragraph (d) of this
  subdivision, including income from invested funds, shall be returned  to
  voluntary  non-profit  and  private proprietary general hospitals on the
  basis of the reimbursable costs of those hospitals within the region.

    10. Unit of service. The unit of general hospital inpatient service on
  which payment shall be based should be uniform for all payors and  shall
  best identify the cost of services provided.
    11.  The  commissioner  shall  provide  to  fiscal  intermediaries for
  subchapter XVIII of the  federal  social  security  act  (medicare)  and
  article forty-three of the insurance law plans, the information required
  to  effectuate  the provisions of this section, exclusive of adjustments
  for uncovered services.
    12. Provisions for article forty-three insurance law corporations  and
  article  forty-four of this chapter organizations. Except as provided in
  paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subdivision, general hospital charges for
  inpatient and outpatient services to  subscribers  or  beneficiaries  of
  contracts entered into pursuant to the provisions of article forty-three
  of  the  insurance  law or to members of a comprehensive health services
  plan operating pursuant to the provisions of article forty-four of  this
  chapter  for  patient  services  rendered  shall not exceed the rates of
  payment approved by the superintendent of financial services or approved
  or certified by the commissioner, whichever is applicable  and  required
  by  this section, for payments by such article forty-three insurance law
  corporations or article forty-four organizations.  No  general  hospital
  may  demand  or request any charge for such covered services in addition
  to the charges or rates authorized by this article.
    (a) Any general hospital which terminated its contract with an article
  forty-three insurance law corporation or a comprehensive health services
  plan after October first, nineteen hundred seventy-six and prior to  May
  first,  nineteen  hundred  seventy-eight,  may not charge subscribers or
  beneficiaries of contracts entered into pursuant to  the  provisions  of
  article  forty-three of the insurance law, or members of a comprehensive
  health services plan operating pursuant to  the  provisions  of  article
  forty-four of this chapter, amounts in excess of the schedule of charges
  established  by  such  hospital  for  patient  services in effect on May
  first, nineteen  hundred  seventy-eight,  adjusted  for  the  rate  year
  nineteen  hundred  eighty-three  in  accordance  with  the provisions of
  subdivision thirteen of this section, and adjusted for  the  rate  years
  thereafter  in accordance with the provisions of subdivision six of this
  section.
    (b) Any general hospital which has  notified  in  writing  an  article
  forty-three corporation or a comprehensive health services plan prior to
  June first, nineteen hundred seventy-eight of its intention to terminate
  its  contract with such corporation or plan in accordance with the terms
  of such contract, except a general hospital subject to the provisions of
  paragraph (a) of  this  subdivision  may  not  charge  a  subscriber  or
  beneficiary  of  a  contract  entered into pursuant to the provisions of
  article forty-three of the insurance law, or a member of a comprehensive
  health services plan operating pursuant to  the  provisions  of  article
  forty-four  of  this chapter, after the effective date of termination of
  such contract, amounts in excess of the schedule of charges  established
  by  such  hospital for patient services in effect on May first, nineteen
  hundred seventy-eight, adjusted  for  the  rate  year  nineteen  hundred
  eighty-three  in  accordance with the provisions of subdivision thirteen
  of  this  section,  and  adjusted  for  the  rate  years  thereafter  in
  accordance with the provisions of subdivision six of this section.
    (c)  No  general  hospital shall refuse to provide patient services to
  such  subscribers  or  beneficiaries  solely  on  the  grounds  of  such
  subscription or membership.
    13.  Charge  control.  For  the period January first, nineteen hundred
  eighty-three, and until January first, nineteen hundred eighty-four:

    (a) No general hospital shall establish charges for inpatient services
  in excess of those permitted by law immediately prior to  the  effective
  date of this section adjusted by the applicable trend factor.
    (b)  The  commissioner  shall  establish  an  appeals board within the
  department to consider and recommend action in writing on an appeal by a
  general hospital of the inpatient charge limits established pursuant  to
  this  subdivision. The board and the commissioner may only consider, and
  appeals shall be limited to, changes in the base charge or the allowable
  limits because of the (i) establishment  of  an  approved  new  hospital
  service, (ii) substantial changes in the volume of services provided, or
  (iii)  substantial and adverse changes in the relationship between total
  accrued inpatient revenues and total inpatient costs due to such factors
  as significant increases in cost from labor settlements or increases  in
  bad debts. Expenditures resulting from such changes must be essential to
  assure  the  continuance  of  quality  medical  care.  In  the  event  a
  determination on such appeal is not  made  by  the  commissioner  within
  ninety  days  of  receipt  of  a  complete  request as determined by the
  commissioner,  the  hospital  may  increase  its  inpatient  charges  in
  conformance  with  such  request.  If  the  commissioner shall determine
  thereafter that all or a portion  of  such  increase  is  not  warranted
  hereunder,  the  hospital on notice of such determination shall promptly
  reduce its inpatient charges in conformance therewith. In no event shall
  the hospital bear any liability to any payor for such interim increase.
    (c) In any proceeding under this subdivision the recognized collective
  bargaining agent shall be entitled to submit any relevant data. All data
  submitted hereunder  shall  be  agency  records  under  the  freedom  of
  information law. All proceedings and appeals hereunder shall be meetings
  of public bodies under the open meetings law.
    (d)  No  provision  of  this subdivision or subdivision twelve of this
  section  shall  be  construed  to  prohibit  a  general  hospital   from
  continuing  the  amount  of  inpatient  charges  in effect on May first,
  nineteen hundred seventy-eight.
    14.  Restitution  authorization.  In  enforcing  the   provisions   of
  subdivisions  twelve and thirteen of this section, the commissioner may,
  in addition to the penalties and injunctions set forth in section twelve
  of this chapter, order that any general hospital provide restitution for
  any overpayments made by any party. Any hospital may  request  a  formal
  hearing  pursuant  to the provisions of section twelve-a of this chapter
  in the event  the  hospital  does  not  consent  to  any  order  of  the
  commissioner  hereunder. The commissioner may direct that such a hearing
  be held without any request by a hospital.
    * NB Expired January 1, 1986

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