Section 1120.140  Economic Feasibility − Review Criteria

a)         The applicant shall document the reasonableness of financing arrangements by submitting a notarized statement signed by an authorized representative that attests to one of the following:

1)         That the total estimated project costs and related costs will be funded in total with cash and equivalents, including investment securities, unrestricted funds, received pledge receipts and funded depreciation; or

2)         That the total estimated project costs and related costs will be funded in total or in part by borrowing because:

A)        A portion or all of the cash and equivalents must be retained in the balance sheet asset accounts in order to maintain a current ratio of at least 2.0 times for hospitals and 1.5 times for all other facilities; or

B)        Borrowing is less costly than the liquidation of existing investments, and the existing investments being retained may be converted to cash or used to retire debt within a 60-day period.

b)         Conditions of Debt Financing – Review Criterion

Applicants with projects involving debt financing shall document that the conditions of debt financing are reasonable by submitting a notarized statement signed by an authorized representative that attests to the following, as applicable:

1)         That the selected form of debt financing for the project will be at the lowest net cost available;

2)         That the selected form of debt financing will not be at the lowest net cost available, but is more advantageous due to such terms as prepayment privileges, no required mortgage, access to additional indebtedness, term (years), financing costs and other factors;

3)         That the project involves (in total or in part) the leasing of equipment or facilities and that the expenses incurred with leasing a facility or equipment are less costly than constructing a new facility or purchasing new equipment.

c)         Reasonableness of Project and Related Costs − Review Criterion

The applicant shall document that the estimated project costs are reasonable and shall document compliance with the following:

1)         Preplanning costs shall not exceed the standards detailed in Appendix A.

2)         Total costs for site survey, soil investigation fees and site preparation shall not exceed the standards detailed in Appendix A unless the applicant documents site constraints or complexities, and provides evidence that the costs are similar to or consistent with other projects that have experienced similar constraints or complexities.

3)         Construction and modernization costs per square foot shall not exceed the standards detailed in Appendix A unless the applicant documents construction constraints or other design complexities and provides evidence that the costs are similar to or consistent with other projects that have experienced similar constraints or complexities.

HFSRB NOTE: Construction and modernization costs (i.e., all costs contained in construction and modernization contracts) plus contingencies shall be evaluated for conformance with the standards detailed in Appendix A.

4)         Contingencies (stated as a percentage of construction costs for the project's stage of architectural development) shall not exceed the standards detailed in Appendix A unless the applicant documents construction constraints or other design complexities and provides evidence that the costs are similar to or consistent with other projects that have experienced similar constraints or complexities.

HFSRB NOTE: Contingencies shall be limited in use for construction or modernization (line item) costs only and shall be included in construction and modernization cost per square foot calculations and evaluated for conformance with the standards detailed in Appendix A.  If, subsequent to permit issuance, contingencies are proposed to be used for other component (line item) costs, an alteration to the permit (as detailed in 77 Ill. Adm. Code 1130.750) must be approved by HFSRB prior to that use.

5)         New construction or modernization fees and architectural/engineering fees shall not exceed the fee schedule standards detailed in Appendix A unless the applicant documents construction constraints or other design complexities and provides evidence that the costs are similar to or consistent with other projects that have experienced similar constraints or complexities.

6)         The costs of all capitalized equipment not included in construction contracts shall not exceed the standards for equipment as detailed in Appendix A unless the applicant documents the need for additional or specialized equipment due to the scope or complexities of the services to be provided.  As documentation, the applicant shall provide evidence that the costs are similar to or consistent with other projects of similar scope and complexity, and attest that the equipment will be acquired at the lowest net cost available, or that the choice of higher cost equipment is justified due to such factors as, but not limited to, maintenance agreements, options to purchase, or greater diagnostic or therapeutic capabilities.

7)         Building acquisition, net interest expense, and other estimated costs shall not exceed the standards detailed in Appendix A.  If Appendix A does not specify a standard for the cost component, the applicant shall provide documentation that the costs are consistent with industry norms based upon a comparison with previously approved projects of similar scope and complexity.

d)         Projected Operating Costs

The applicant shall provide the projected direct annual operating costs (in current dollars per equivalent patient day or unit of service) for the first full fiscal year at target utilization but no more than two years following project completion. Direct costs means the fully allocated costs of salaries, benefits and supplies for the service.

e)         Total Effect of the Project on Capital Costs

The applicant shall provide the total projected annual capital costs (in current dollars per equivalent patient day) for the first full fiscal year at target utilization but no more than two years following project completion.

(Source:  Amended at 40 Ill. Reg. 14067, effective September 27, 2016)