Category 60 - Excess Maintenance Payments (EMP) 623-05-30-30

(Revised 1/15/12 ML #3306)

View Archives

PI 15-05

 

 

All Excess Maintenance Payments (EMPs) must be discussed at Child and Family Team meetings and approved in advance by the regional supervisor. Retroactive payments are inconsistent with state policy.

 

The Specialized Family Foster Care/Adoption Assistance Level of Care Evaluation Form (SFN 1865) is to be completed by the case manager when an Excess Maintenance Payment (EMP) is being considered. The child's behavior/needs must be carefully assessed prior to completing the rating form. The total score will assist in determining the appropriate EMP level of care. The level will be reviewed at every foster care child and family team meeting.

 

A family foster care rate may be negotiated in excess of the standard rate in special circumstances when the child has special needs or difficulty of care which significantly affects her/his adjustment or cost of care. There are two types of excess maintenance payments:

  1. Levels I, II, and III.

Specialized Family Foster Care where an excess maintenance payment is included as part of the total maintenance payment.  For payment purposes, this is a Level I, II or III excess payment.

 

       

 

Category 60

 

Level I

Code 61

$1.67/day

 

Level II

Code 62

$3.33/day

 

Level III

Code 63

$5.00/day

 

Refer to CCWIPS User Manual for technical assistance related to entering irregular foster care payments on the CCWIPS system.

 

Procedure:

The regional supervisor will send a copy of the signed “Agreement to Furnish Specialized Family Foster Care Services,” SFN 904, to Children and Family Services, North Dakota Department of Human Services.

 

  1. Level IV (Category 60)

The regional supervisor discusses the Level IV excess payment (EMP) request with the Foster Care Administrator prior to approval. A determination will be made based upon the pertinent facts surrounding the request for increased compensation. It must involve a substantial physical, emotional, or behavioral problem, which has also been thoroughly discussed during the permanency planning process. The approval from the regional supervisor must include the amount of the Level IV, start and stop dates and the name of the family foster care provider. The stop date should not exceed the court order date or the end of the biennium, whichever is earlier. The EMP must be approved in writing by the regional supervisor and state office prior to making payment.

 

The CCWIPS payment system will allow only one EMP payment for the same service dates. For example, a foster family receiving a Level I EMP payment cannot receive a Level IV payment for the same service dates. In these instances, call the Help Desk 1-800-429-8829.

 

Foster parents are entitled to payment of a full day for the first day and the last day for which they provide care.

 

Regional supervisor will send a copy of the regional approval for the increased compensation to Administrator, Foster Care Program, Children and Family Services, North Dakota Department of Human Services.

 

Enter the information on the appropriate CCWIPS screen. Level IV payments are Category 60, code 64.

 

Refer to CCWIPS User Manual for technical assistance related to entering irregular foster care payments on the CCWIPS system.