Conn. Agencies Regs. § 17b-653-4 - Standards and prohibited practices

The following practices and standards shall apply to every phase of the administration of the vocational rehabilitation program including the determination and certification of eligibility or ineligibility for vocational rehabilitation services:

(a) Creed, Race, Age, Color, Ancestry, National Origin, Gender or Physical or Mental Disability

The bureau shall not discriminate against an applicant or client on the grounds of creed, race, age, color, ancestry, national origin, gender or physical or mental disability.

(b) Native Americans

The bureau shall apply the same eligibility requirements to Native Americans as is applied to the rest of the client population.

(c) Standards of Reasonableness

Sections 17b-653-1 to 17b-653-24, inclusive, of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies will be governed by a standard of reasonableness and all interpretations shall be based on what is reasonably necessary and cost efficient when considering both the applicant or client and the entire client population. In such cases where an applicant or client chooses goods or services which are beyond those necessary to render the individual employable or which are at a higher cost to the bureau than necessary in providing a commensurate service, the bureau shall not be responsible for the additional cost.

(d) Payment for Experimental Procedures

The bureau shall not be responsible for the provision of procedures which are determined by the bureau to be experimental. In cases where the bureau has made such a determination, the applicant or client shall have the burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence that the procedure is not experimental.

(e) Preference for In-State Services

Preference shall be given to services provided within the state of Connecticut. Exceptions may be made when either:

(1) there are no commensurate services offered within the state of Connecticut, or

(2) out-of-state services can be provided at a lower total cost to the bureau. In such cases where a commensurate service is available to the client within the state of Connecticut at a lower cost than an out-of-state option, a client may choose to pay the additional cost of the out-of-state option.

(f) Authorization for Services

A written authorization shall be made before the provision of goods or services. Verbal authorization may be made before or at the time of the provision of goods or services with the approval of the director or his/her designee. The bureau shall not be responsible for retroactive authorization of goods or services unless it is determined by clear evidence that preauthorization of services was not made due to bureau error.

Notes

Conn. Agencies Regs. § 17b-653-4

Adopted effective June 6, 2000