Virginia Law

In accordance with Title 42 §§ 447.250 through 447.272 of the Code of Federal Regulations which implements § 1902(a)(13)(A) of the Social Security Act, the Department of Medical Assistance Services ("DMAS") establishes payment rates for services that are reasonable and adequate to meet the costs that must be incurred by efficiently and economically operated facilities to provide services in conformity with state and federal laws, regulations, and quality and safety standards. To establish these rates Virginia uses the Medicare principles of cost reimbursement in determining the allowable costs for Virginia's prospective payment system. Allowable costs will be determined from the filing of a uniform cost report by participating providers. The cost reports are due not later than 90 days after the provider's fiscal year end. If a complete cost report is not received within 90 days after the end of the provider's fiscal year, the Program shall take action in accordance with its policies to assure that an overpayment is not being made. The cost report will be judged complete when DMAS has all of the following:

1. Completed cost reporting form(s) provided by DMAS, with signed certification(s);

2. The provider's trial balance showing adjusting journal entries;

3. The provider's financial statements including, but not limited to, a balance sheet, a statement of income and expenses, a statement of retained earnings (or fund balance), a statement of charges in financial position, and footnotes to the financial statements;

4. Schedules which reconcile financial statements and trial balance to expenses claimed in the cost report;

5. Home office cost report, if applicable; and

6. Such other analytical information or supporting documents requested by DMAS when the cost reporting forms are sent to the provider.

Although utilizing the cost apportionment and cost finding methods of the Medicare Program, Virginia does not adopt the prospective payment system of the Medicare Program enacted October 1, 1983.