Alabama Administrative Code › Title 560 - ALABAMA MEDICAID AGENCY › Chapter 560-X-22 - NURSING FACILITY REIMBURSEMENT › Section 560-X-22-.13 - Travel Expense

Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 9, June 28, 2024
(1)
			 Travel that is necessary and that is directly related to the operation of the
			 nursing facility claiming reimbursement for the expense will be an allowable
			 cost for reimbursement purposes pursuant to the following specific provisions:
(a) Automobile:
1. Since the form of vehicle ownership, the
			 type, and the number of vehicles utilized will vary depending on a facility's
			 specific needs, reimbursement will be based on a standard mileage rate and will
			 be limited to mileage which is documented by log entries prepared in accordance
			 with either of the attached sample logs. (See Schedules 13-A and 13-B at end of
			 chapter.) Reimbursement to employees for the use of their personal vehicles
			 will be limited to the lesser of the actual reimbursement to the employee or
			 the standard mileage rate per section (1) (a)3. of this rule.
All log entries must be made at the time of travel, and log
				entries will be subject to verification during audit. Failure to timely and
				accurately account for travel mileage will result in a disallowance of this
				cost.
2. Commuting mileage
			 between the commuter's residence and the nursing facility is not allowable
			 mileage for reimbursement purposes. (See Schedule 13-A at end of
			 chapter.)
3. The standard mileage
			 rate is as follows: The IRS mileage rates in effect on January 1 of the
			 calendar year in which the cost report is filed (January 1, 1990, for cost
			 reports filed as of June 30, 1990). These rates will be applied on a per
			 provider basis regardless of the number or type of vehicles used. (See Schedule
			 13B at end of chapter.) In addition to the mileage rate listed above, up to
			 $1,000 in actual operating costs (i.e., gas, oil, upkeep) of one automobile per
			 nursing facility may be reimbursable. There will be no additional reimbursement
			 in those instances in which the facility auto is used for commuting purposes of
			 the administrator or nonpatient care related activities. To qualify for this
			 additional allowance, the facility must
own
or
lease
a vehicle, the vehicle must be used only for
			 purposes of patient care, and actual operating expenses must exceed the
			 computed mileage allowances. In no instance will the facility be allowed to
			 claim more than the standard allowance plus the $1,000 (if computed allowance
			 is less than operating cost) or actual operating costs, whichever is less.
Examples:
Facility Owns Vehicle
Medicaid Mileage Allowance
Actual Operating Expense
Allowance
Yes
$ 2,325
$ 2,115
$ 2,325
Yes
$ 2,325
$ 4,125
3,325
Yes
$ 2,325
$ 2,765
2,765
If the facility does not own a vehicle, reimbursement will be
				limited to actual payments to employees for use of their personal automobiles
				for documented facility business, provided that such reimbursements do not
				exceed the allowable rates. (IRS guideline)
4. No additional reimbursement in excess of
			 $1,000 will be recognized for any other automotive-related cost. Those
			 additional costs which will not be recognized include, but are not limited to:
(i) Depreciation.
(ii) Interest on automotive loans.
(iii) Lease/rental expense.
(iv) Taxes, tags and insurance.
(v) Return on equity.
5. No reimbursement will be made or
			 considered for unusual or impractical vehicles, which include but are not
			 limited to aircraft, motorcycles, farm equipment and other vehicles not
			 necessary to the efficient operation of the facility.