(1) This section applies to all child care providers.
(2) Providers must submit a billing invoice for payment within three months of the date child care services are provided. Any invoice submitted more than three months from date child care services are provided will not be processed.
(3) For purposes of correcting payment errors based on correctly submitted invoices under the provisions of subsection (2) of this section, the following time limits apply:
(a) For underpayments:
(i) Two years back from the date the payment was issued if the error was based on rates paid by age or region, except as provided in (a)(iii) of this subsection; or
(ii) Three years back from the date payment was issued if the error was based on any issue other than rates paid by age or region; and
(iii) Three years back from the date the payment was issued for any underpayment identified by a federal or state audit.
(b) For overpayments:
(i) Two years back from the date payment was issued if the error was based on rates paid by age or region, except as provided in (b)(iii) of this subsection; and DCYF must notify the provider of the overpayment by personal service or by certified mail, return receipt requested, within two years of the date the payment was issued; or
(ii) Three years back from the date payment was issued if the error was based on any issue other than rates paid by age or region; DSHS or DCYF must notify the provider of the overpayment by personal service or by certified mail, return receipt requested, within three years of the date the payment was issued; and
(iii) Three years back from the date the payment was issued for any overpayment identified by a federal or state audit; DCYF must notify the provider of the overpayment by personal service or by certified mail, return receipt requested, within three years of the date the payment was issued.
(4) For in-home/relative and family home child care providers, disputes regarding underpayments may be addressed through the grievance process provided for in the collective bargaining agreement.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
43.216.055 and
43.216.065. WSR 22-05-007, § 110-15-0275, filed 2/3/22, effective 3/6/22; WSR 19-12-058, § 110-15-0275, filed 5/31/19, effective 7/1/19. WSR 18-14-078, recodified as § 110-15-0275, filed 6/29/18, effective 7/1/18. Statutory Authority: RCW
43.215.060,
43.215.070 and 2017 3rd sp.s. c 1 § 615. WSR 17-23-033, § 170-290-0275, filed 11/7/17, effective 12/8/17. Statutory Authority: RCW
43.215.060,
43.215.070, 2006 c 265, and chapter
43.215 RCW. WSR 09-22-043, § 170-290-0275, filed 10/28/09, effective 12/1/09.]