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information regarding provider payment policies, including rates, schedules, any fees charged to providers, and the dispute-resolution process. Describe: At the time of enrollment, providers sign an agreement with the Lead Agency that covers all provider policies, payments, and general standards required to be a provider. Current regulations can be found in 392 NAC Chapter 5.

Amendment - Temporary COVID-19 Policy/Procedure - 4.5.1 d): Child care subsidy regulations were suspended temporarily by Executive Order 20-18, April 15, 2020. Temporary suspension of regulations permit an open, staffed, and licensed child care provider to be paid when an eligible child is not receiving care from the provider because the child's parent or legal caretaker, due to the COVID-19 emergency, either chooses to keep the child home or is unable to utilize care. Providers can bill absent days up to the authorized hours the child typically attends their program. Providers must sign and submit an addendum to their existing subsidy agreement. The addendum to the agreement can be found at http://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Child-Care-Providers.aspx . The amendment is in effect until 30 days after the state of emergency ends. At that time, the child care subsidy regulations payment practices for child care return to normal operations.

e) The Lead Agency provides prompt notice to providers regarding any changes to the family's eligibility status that could impact payments, and such a notice is sent no later than the day that the Lead Agency becomes aware that such a change will occur. Describe: Providers receive updated authorizations overnight via our online system any time there is a change in the authorization (i.e. change in parent's work schedules or need for service, change in the family fee). Providers also receive a discontinuation of service if the case is closed and authorizations end. Online billing is required, however, exceptions are reviewed and granted for providers who do not have computer/internet access, which in that case, communication regarding authorizations are sent via mail.

f) The Lead Agency has a timely appeal and resolution process for payment inaccuracies and disputes. Describe: The Lead Agency will send a letter to the provider informing them that there is an overpayment, giving the provider the opportunity to discuss the overpayment with a DHHS representative, and informing the provider of their right to appeal the existence or Nebraska Page 127 of 314