§ 3020c. Contracting and grant authority; private pay relationships; appropriate use of funds

(a) In general

Subject to subsection (b), this chapter shall not be construed to prevent a recipient of a grant or a contract under this chapter (other than subchapter IX) from entering into an agreement with a profitmaking organization for the recipient to provide services to individuals or entities not otherwise receiving services under this chapter, provided that—

(1) if funds provided under this chapter to such recipient are initially used by the recipient to pay part or all of a cost incurred by the recipient in developing and carrying out such agreement, such agreement guarantees that the cost is reimbursed to the recipient;

(2) if such agreement provides for the provision of 1 or more services, of the type provided under this chapter by or on behalf of such recipient, to an individual or entity seeking to receive such services—

(A) the individuals and entities may only purchase such services at their fair market rate;

(B) all costs incurred by the recipient in providing such services (and not otherwise reimbursed under paragraph (1)), are reimbursed to such recipient; and

(C) the recipient reports the rates for providing such services under such agreement in accordance with subsection (c) and the rates are consistent with the prevailing market rate for provision of such services in the relevant geographic area as determined by the State agency or area agency on aging (as applicable); and

(3) any amount of payment to the recipient under the agreement that exceeds reimbursement under this subsection of the recipient’s costs is used to provide, or support the provision of, services under this chapter.

(b) Ensuring appropriate use of funds

An agreement described in subsection (a) may not—

(1) be made without the prior approval of the State agency (or, in the case of a grantee under subchapter X, without the prior recommendation of the Director of the Office for American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Aging and the prior approval of the Assistant Secretary), after timely submission of all relevant documents related to the agreement including information on all costs incurred;

(2) directly or indirectly provide for, or have the effect of, paying, reimbursing, subsidizing, or otherwise compensating an individual or entity in an amount that exceeds the fair market value of the services subject to such agreement;

(3) result in the displacement of services otherwise available to an older individual with greatest social need, an older individual with greatest economic need, or an older individual who is at risk for institutional placement; or

(4) in any other way compromise, undermine, or be inconsistent with the objective of serving the needs of older individuals, as determined by the Assistant Secretary.

To ensure that any agreement described in subsection (a) complies with the requirements of this section and other applicable provisions of this chapter, the Assistant Secretary shall develop and implement uniform monitoring procedures and reporting requirements consistent with the provisions of subparagraphs (A) through (E) of section 3026 (a)(13) of this title in consultation with the State agencies and area agencies on aging. The Assistant Secretary shall annually prepare and submit to the chairpersons and ranking members of the appropriate committees of Congress a report analyzing all such agreements, and the costs incurred and services provided under the agreements. This report shall contain information on the number of the agreements per State, summaries of all the agreements, and information on the type of organizations participating in the agreements, types of services provided under the agreements, and the net proceeds from, and documentation of funds spent and reimbursed, under the agreements.

(d) Timely reimbursement

All reimbursements made under this section shall be made in a timely manner, according to standards specified by the Assistant Secretary.

(e) Cost

In this section, the term “cost” means an expense, including an administrative expense, incurred by a recipient in developing or carrying out an agreement described in subsection (a), whether the recipient contributed funds, staff time, or other plant, equipment, or services to meet the expense.

U.S. Code

§ 3020c. Contracting and grant authority; private pay relationships; appropriate use of funds