(1) Allowable costs will be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles as defined by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Such definition of allowable costs is further defined in accordance with the Medicare Provider Reimbursement Manual, CMS Publication 15 Transmittal 17 last updated May 2007, subject to the exceptions and limitations provided in the department's administrative rules. The department adopts and incorporates by reference Pub. 15, which is a manual published by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which provides guidelines and policies to implement Medicare regulations which set forth principles for determining the reasonable cost of provider services furnished under the Health Insurance for Aged Act of 1965, as amended. A copy of Pub. 15 may be obtained through the Department of Public Health and Human Services, Health Resources Division, 1400 Broadway, P.O. Box 202951, Helena, MT 59620-2951.

(a) For cost report periods ending on or after July 1, 2003, for each hospital which is not a sole community hospital, critical access hospital or exempt hospital as defined in ARM 37.86.2901, reimbursement for reasonable costs of outpatient hospital services, other than the capital-related costs of such services, shall be limited to allowable costs, as determined in accordance with (1).

(b) For cost report periods ending on or after July 1, 2003, for each hospital which is a sole community hospital, as defined in ARM 37.86.2901, reimbursement for reasonable costs of outpatient hospital services, other than the capital-related costs of such services, shall be limited to allowable costs, as determined in accordance with (1).

(c) For cost report periods ending on or after January 1, 2006, for each hospital which is a critical access or exempt hospital, as defined in ARM 37.86.2901, reimbursement for reasonable costs of hospital services shall be limited to 101% of allowable costs, as determined in accordance with (1).

(d) For cost report periods ending on or after January 1, 2007 through September 30, 2008, for each hospital which is a preferred out-of-state hospital, as defined in ARM 37.86.2901, reimbursement for reasonable costs of inpatient hospital services shall be limited to 100% of allowable costs, as determined in accordance with (1).

(2) All hospitals reimbursed under ARM 37.86.2806, 37.86.2905, 37.86.2907, 37.86.2910, 37.86.2912, 37.86.2916, 37.86.2918, 37.86.2920, 37.86.2924, 37.86.2925, 37.86.2928, 37.86.2943, 37.86.2947, 37.86.3005, 37.86.3006, 37.86.3007, 37.86.3009, 37.86.3014, 37.86.3016, 37.86.3018, 37.86.3020, 37.86.3022, 37.86.3025, 37.86.3037, or 37.86.3109 must submit, as provided in (3), an annual Medicare cost report in which costs have been allocated to the Medicaid program as they relate to charges. The facility shall maintain appropriate accounting records which will enable the facility to fully complete the cost report.

(3) All hospitals reimbursed under ARM 37.86.2806, 37.86.2905, 37.86.2907, 37.86.2910, 37.86.2912, 37.86.2916, 37.86.2918, 37.86.2920, 37.86.2924, 37.86.2925, 37.86.2928, 37.86.2943, 37.86.2947, 37.86.3005, 37.86.3006, 37.86.3007, 37.86.3009, 37.86.3014, 37.86.3016, 37.86.3018, 37.86.3020, 37.86.3022, 37.86.3025, 37.86.3037, or 37.86.3109 or must file the cost report with the Montana Medicare intermediary and the department on or before the last day of the fifth calendar month following the close of the period covered by the report. For fiscal periods ending on a day other than the last day of the month, cost reports are due 150 days after the last day of the cost reporting period.

(a) Extensions of the due date for filing a cost report may be granted by the intermediary only when a provider's operations are significantly adversely affected due to extraordinary circumstances over which the provider has no control, such as flood or fire.

(b) In the event a provider does not file a cost report within the time limit or files an incomplete cost report, the provider's total reimbursement will be withheld. All amounts so withheld will be payable to the provider upon submission of a complete and accurate cost report.

(4) For distinct part rehabilitation units identified in ARM 37.86.2901 and 37.86.2916, the base year is the facility's cost report for the first cost reporting period ending after June 30, 1985 that both covers 12 months and includes Montana Medicaid inpatient hospital costs. Exceptions will be granted only as permitted by the applicable provisions of 42 CFR 413.30 or 413.40 (2002).