If the start of service date shown in the FCD letter is, for example, September 25, bills dated on or after September 25th can be used. Use of full billing periods avoids the need to prorate any portion of a monthly bill including services rendered before the start date or after the termination date. The SLD has noted that some applicants are simply, but erroneously, transferring pre-discount and approved discount amounts from their FCD letter to their Form 472, essentially claiming a reimbursement for the full and exact amount of the commitment decision. Reimbursement claims made in a Form 472 must be based on the actual payments made for 1998 services, supported by bills or invoices, not simply on an estimate provided in the earlier filed Form 471. In some cases, actual and estimated amounts may match, but this is not always the case.
Applicants can choose check or credit for reimbursements.
Reimbursements for retroactive discounts can be received as a one-time payment or as a credit against future services. While most vendors have a preference of check or credit, the SLD has indicated that the ultimate choice should be made by the individual applicants. If a credit has been applied to a bill but the applicant would have rather had the check, the applicant should contact the provider and request that a check be mailed for the amount of credit on the account.