Under IC-4-22-2-24, notice is hereby given that on January 29, 2009, at 9:00 a.m., at the Indiana Government Center South, 402 West Washington Street, Conference Center Room 6, Indianapolis, Indiana, the Office of the Secretary of Family and Social Services will hold a public hearing on a proposed rule to amend 405 IAC 1-14.6-7 to describe the institutions that qualify for a capital component rate add-on, the calculation of a capital component rate add-on, and the funding exemptions that apply to the capital component rate add-on.

In accordance with public notice requirements established at 42 CFR 447.205 and IC 4-22-2-24(d), the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning publishes this notice of proposed changes to the reimbursement methodology for payment of a capital component rate add-on. The agency is promulgating this rule due to the need for modernized pediatric long-term care facilities in the state. This rule amendment to 405 IAC 1-14.6-7 describes nursing facilities that qualify for the capital rate add-on as being facilities that house a population of which at least one-quarter is under 21 years of age on December 31, 2006, that have certain maximum room occupancies, and that have certain minimum room sizes. Related exemptions from the capital component overall rate ceiling and the maximum allowable increase respectively in 405 IAC 1-14.6-9(c)(4) and 405 IAC 1-14.6-23 are described. It is estimated that the fiscal impact of these changes will result in an annual increase of expenditures of state and federal dollars of approximately $442,971.

All parties interested in the rule are invited to attend the hearing and offer public comments. In lieu of attendance at the hearing, written comments may be directed to IFSSA, Attention: Scott Linneweber, 402 West Washington Street, Room W451, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204. Correspondence should be identified in the following manner: "COMMENT RE: LSA DOCUMENT #08-602 PROPOSED CAPITAL COMPONENT RATE ADD-ON RULE AMENDMENT. Written comments received will be made available for public display at the Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning, 402 West Washington Street, Room W382, Indianapolis, IN 46204.

If an accommodation is required to allow an individual with a disability to participate in this public meeting, please contact Scott Linneweber (317) 233-0024 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.

Copies of proposed amendments to the rule (405 IAC 1-14.6-7) are now available (along with copies of this public notice) and may be inspected by contacting the local County Division of Family Resources office, except in Marion County, where public inspection may be made at 402 West Washington Street, Room W382, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Copies of these rules are now on file at the Indiana Government Center-South, 402 West Washington Street, Room W451 and Legislative Services Agency, One North Capitol, Suite 325, Indianapolis, Indiana and are open for public inspection.