(a) This subpart establishes a classification system and process for a Medicaid-certified skilled nursing facility to differentiate, document, and report to the Department of Human Services:

1. (1) The facility’s resident rooms by private single occupancy or semi-private double occupancy status and by private, en suite, and communal bathroom facilities associated with each resident room; and
2. (2) Each facility's total number of bed licenses and the assignment of each bed license to Class A, B, or C as described in 20 CAR § 400-1102.

(b) The department will use information provided through reports submitted under this subpart to:

1. (1) Determine the property component of each Medicaid-certified skilled nursing facility’s Medicaid daily rate, consistent with the methodology established in the Arkansas Medicaid State Plan, 20 CAR pt. 570 (see Attachment 4.19-D of the State Plan);

2. (2) Quantify, monitor, and track changes over time in the:

   1. (A) Supply and distribution of resident rooms and bathroom facilities by type and key characteristics; and
   2. (B) Adoption of modern facility design practices in facility construction, renovations, and expansions;
3. (3) Help inform future policy decisions on building, resident room, and bathroom standards and help assess the impact of future changes in federal physical environment standards; and

4. (4) Help surveyors visualize and understand:

   1. (A) The physical layout of a Medicaid-certified skilled nursing facility;
   2. (B) The use of available bed licenses;
   3. (C) The types and locations of resident rooms and private, en suite, and communal bathrooms; and
   4. (D) Changes in room configurations.

(c) Nothing in this subpart affects:

1. (1) Minimum standards for resident rooms or bathrooms in a licensed skilled nursing facility, certified or noncertified;

2. (2)

   1. (A) Federal requirements for participation in Medicaid and Medicare under 42 C.F.R. pt. 483 subpt. B, including federal requirements under 42 C.F.R. § 483.90 for a certified facility’s physical environment, resident rooms, and bathroom facilities.
   2. (B) Federal regulations are enforced through the survey and certification process under 42 C.F.R. pt. 488 subpt. E and not under these department rules or the licensing process; and
3. (3) Requirements and processes of the Health Services Permit Agency under Arkansas Code § 20-8-101 et seq.