4681.1. (Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 144, Sec. 83.)

(a) The department shall adopt regulations that specify rates for community care facilities serving persons with developmental disabilities. The implementation of the regulations shall be contingent upon an appropriation in the annual Budget Act for this purpose. These rates shall be calculated on the basis of a cost model designed by the department that ensures that aggregate facility payments support the provision of services to each person in accordance with his or her individual program plan and applicable program requirements. The cost model shall reflect cost elements that shall include, but are not limited to, all of the following:

(1) “Basic living needs” include utilities, furnishings, food, supplies, incidental transportation, housekeeping, personal care items, and other items necessary to ensure a quality environment for persons with developmental disabilities. The amount identified for the basic living needs element of the rate shall be calculated as the average projected cost of these items in an economically and efficiently operated community care facility.

(2) “Direct care” includes salaries, wages, benefits, and other expenses necessary to supervise or support the person’s functioning in the areas of self-care and daily living skills, physical coordination mobility, and behavioral self-control, choice making, and integration. The amount identified for direct care shall be calculated as the average projected cost of providing the level of service required to meet each person’s functional needs in an economically and efficiently operated community care facility. The direct care portion of the rate shall reflect specific service levels defined by the department on the basis of relative resident need and the individual program plan.

(3) “Special services” include specialized training, treatment, supervision, or other services that a person’s individual program plan requires to be provided by the residential facility in addition to the direct care provided under paragraph (2). The amount identified for special services shall be calculated for each individual based on the additional services specified in the person’s individual program plan and the prevailing rates paid for similar services in the area. The special services portion of the rate shall reflect a negotiated agreement between the facility and the regional center in accordance with Section 4648.

(4) “Indirect costs” include managerial personnel, facility operation, maintenance and repair, other nondirect care, employee benefits, contracts, training, travel, licenses, taxes, interest, insurance, depreciation, and general administrative expenses. The amount identified for indirect costs shall be calculated as the average projected cost for these expenses in an economically and efficiently operated community care facility.

(5) “Property costs” include mortgages, leases, rent, taxes, capital or leasehold improvements, depreciation, and other expenses related to the physical structure. The amount identified for property costs shall be based on the fair rental value of a model facility that is adequately designed, constructed, and maintained to meet the needs of persons with developmental disabilities. The amount identified for property costs shall be calculated as the average projected fair rental value of an economically and efficiently operated community care facility.

(b) The cost model shall take into account factors that include, but are not limited to, all of the following:

(1) Facility size, as defined by the department on the basis of the number of facility beds licensed by the State Department of Social Services and vendorized by the regional center.

(2) Specific geographic areas, as defined by the department on the basis of cost of living and other pertinent economic indicators.

(3) Common levels of direct care, as defined by the department on the basis of services specific to an identifiable group of persons as determined through the individual program plan.

(4) Positive outcomes, as defined by the department on the basis of increased integration, independence, and productivity at the aggregate facility and individual consumer level.

(5) Owner-operated and staff-operated reimbursement, which shall not differ for facilities that are required to comply with the same program requirements.

(c) The rates established for individual community care facilities serving persons with developmental disabilities shall reflect all of the model cost elements and rate development factors described in this section. The cost model design shall include a process for updating the cost model elements that address variables, including, but not limited to, all of the following:

(1) Economic trends in California.

(2) New state or federal program requirements.

(3) Changes in the state or federal minimum wage.

(4) Increases in fees, taxes, or other business costs.

(5) Increases in federal supplemental security income/state supplementary program for the aged, blind, and disabled payments.

(e) By January 1, 2001, the department shall prepare proposed regulations to implement the changes outlined in this section. The department may use a private firm to assist in the development of these changes and shall confer with consumers, providers, and other interested parties concerning the proposed regulations. By May 15, 2001, and each year thereafter, the department shall provide the Legislature with annual community care facility rates, including any draft amendments to the regulations as required. By July 1, 2001, and each year thereafter, contingent upon an appropriation in the annual Budget Act for this purpose, the department shall adopt emergency regulations that establish the annual rates for community care facilities serving persons with developmental disabilities for each fiscal year.

(f) During the first year of operation under the revised rate model, individual facilities shall be held harmless for any reduction in aggregate facility payments caused solely by the change in reimbursement methodology.