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(a) Except as provided in (b) of this section, the department will pay for reserving a bed during a planned temporary absence of a recipient from an ICF/IID if

(1) the absence is not more than 12 consecutive days;

(2) the time of departure and return of the recipient are recorded in the facility’s records; and

(3) the absence is for a visit with relatives or friends. (b) The department will not pay for reserving a bed during a temporary absence of more than 12 consecutive days, unless the department gives prior authorization for the absence. The department will not pay for reserving a bed if the recipient has total absences in excess of 12 days during a 12-month period, unless the department gives prior authorization for the absence. The ICF/IID must submit a request in writing to the department for any absence in excess of 12 days and receive written approval from the department before the recipient leaves the facility. The department will authorize leaves of any duration to participate in therapeutic or rehabilitative programs that include

(1) trial visits to alternative care settings to determine if permanent placement is feasible;

(2) gradually increasing lengths of visits to prepare recipients for return to their home or community; and

(3) extended absence to participate in workshop evaluation for rehabilitative programs. (c) In the recipient’s plan of care, the ICF/IID shall document the purpose and plan of a therapeutic or rehabilitative absence. (d) A recipient temporarily absent overnight or longer from the facility on activities paid for and supervised by the facility will be considered as remaining in the facility. In this subsection, “activities” includes specific trips of an educational or training nature and recreational activities, including camping, fishing, and hiking. (e) If a recipient leaves an ICF/IID for hospitalization, the department will not pay to reserve the recipient’s bed at the ICF/IID. (Eff. 2/1/2010, Register 193) Statutory Authority: Authority: AS 47.05.010 AS 47.07.030 AS 47.07.040 Editor’s note: