Abeyance Reduction Program

   Abeyance Due Dates 2008     Abeyance Due Dates 2009   

   Budget Form     Mid-Year Form        Year-End Form   

The Authority is currently holding penalties in abeyance for several acute care hospitals. The Authority considers these penalties a debt that is owed by the hospitals to the communities they serve. As such, the Authority is making an effort to ensure that the communities are reimbursed for the penalties that have been incurred by the hospitals..

Previously, the only method for eliminating penalties in abeyance was to apply the penalties as reductions to the hospital’s requested rates, thus reducing the amount the hospital can charge in the upcoming fiscal year. However, some hospitals with penalties held in abeyance were financially vulnerable and could not withstand a reduction in rates. Therefore, the Authority initiated the Abeyance Reduction Program.

The following are guidelines for participation in this program:

  1. 1. Hospitals must use the “Budget Form” above to submit each of the budgeted community service projects;
  2. 2. After approval of the plan by the Authority, the hospital must submit a 6 month progress report and then the final year ending report using the “Mid-Year Form” and “Year-End Form”, respectively;
  3. 3. The plan may contain community services that are already being provided on a regular basis, and any new community service projects; and,
  4. 4. Projects must be directly related to health care and available to all citizens in the hospital’s service area. Examples of acceptable projects are: health fairs, educational programs, free or reduced health exams or tests. Examples of projects or activities which are not acceptable: services provided under charity care policies, providing a room in the hospital for meetings, donation of food to local food banks, participation by employees in charity events, hospital tours, training students and staff, preceptorship, administering charitable funds/serving on charitable boards, birth announcements in newspapers and on internet, or OSHA requirements.

For additional information contact: Barbara Skeen, Director of Rate Review Division.