APPENDIX C EXCEPTIONAL PAYMENTS

a) The purpose of an exceptional payment is to provide regions with a method of payment for items not otherwise covered under current payment procedure or for items which exceed the authorized rate. The following procedures apply to all special payments.

1) The Regional Administrator is responsible for approving all exceptional payment requests. Exceptional payments must be approved prior to obligation of funds for the purchase.

2) The Regional Administrator or designee may authorize exceptional payments up to a limit of $1,000.00 per incident.

3) The Regional Administrator may not grant approval of an exceptional payment unless payment is for an open child/family case and the requested purchase is in accordance with the goals and objectives of the service plan or in the best interests of the child.

4) The Regional Administrator may not grant approval of an exceptional payment for medical costs unless the child is a ward of the Department or subject to a CANTS investigation and the services/equipment are not available through the medical card.

5) The Regional Administrator may not grant approval of an exception to rates for providers such as foster parents, group homes, institutions, homemakers, advocates, etc. or any rate established by contract.

6) In cases where exceptions to the above (2), (3) and (4) paragraphs are needed, the Regional Administrator may recommend an exceptional payment which is subject to review and approval of the Executive Deputy Director.

b) Authorizations for exceptional payment approvals will be made on CFS 902, Exceptional Payment Request, and CFS 888-3, Case Action Form. The requestor shall complete the typed form in quadruplicate. When approved, one copy may be filed in the child's regional file, one copy will be submitted to the Supervisor, General Accounting and Reporting, 406 East Monroe, Station #450, Springfield, Illinois 62701, and one copy will be attached to the voucher/payment request when submitted to Central Office for payment.

c) Staff of the Office of Program Operations, Field Operations, Bureau of Program Support, and the Office of Audits will conduct periodic reviews regarding the necessity and validity of the exceptional payment approval process.