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reasonable access to quality patient care provided by an efficiently and economically managed facility, the facility may apply to the deputy commissioner for exceptional relief from the rate-setting methodology. (b) To apply for exceptional relief under (a) of this section, at a minimum the facility’s application must include

(1) the amount by which the facility estimates that the prospective payment rate should be increased to allow reasonable access to quality patient care provided by an efficiently managed facility;

(2) the reasons and the need for the exceptional relief requested, including any resolution by the facility’s governing body to support the reasons offered, and why such a rate increase cannot be obtained through the existing rate-setting regulations;

(3) the description of management actions taken by the facility to respond to the situation on which the exceptional relief request is based;

(4) the audited financial statement for the facility for the most recently completed facility fiscal year and financial data, including a statement of income and expenses, a statement of assets, liabilities, and equities, and a monthly facility cash flow analysis, for the fiscal year for which the exception is requested;

(5) a detailed description of recent efforts by the facility to offset the deficiency by securing revenue sharing, charity or foundation contributions, or local community support;

(6) an analysis of community needs for the service on which the exception request is based;

(7) a detailed analysis of the options of the facility if the exception is denied by the deputy commissioner;

(8) a plan for future action to respond to the problem; and

(9) an analysis of how many Medicaid patients will lose access to Medicaid services available to the general public in the same geographic area if exceptional relief is not granted. (c) The facility shall provide other information requested by the deputy commissioner to evaluate the request for exceptional relief. If a facility fails to supply the requested information within a reasonable period, the deputy commissioner may deny the request for exceptional relief. (d) The deputy commissioner may use any information available in department records to evaluate the request. The deputy commissioner shall provide copies of the additional material to the facility upon request of the facility. (e) The deputy commissioner may increase the prospective payment rate, by all or part of the facility’s request, if the deputy commissioner finds by clear and convincing evidence that the rate established under the methodology in 7 AAC 145.700 or 7 AAC 150.040 — 7 AAC 150.190 does not allow for reasonable access to quality patient care provided by an efficiently and