(1) A provider's per diem rate effective for the rate period July 1, 2001 through June 30, 2002 and in subsequent rate years, shall be determined in accordance with ARM 37.40.307.

(2) Except as specifically provided in these rules, per diem rates and interim rates are set no more than once a year, effective July 1, and remain in effect at least through June 30 of the following year.

(a) Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to require that the department apply any inflation adjustment, recalculate the Medicaid case mix index or the statewide price, or otherwise adjust or recalculate per diem rates or interim rates on July 1 of a rate year, unless the department adopts further rules or rule amendments providing specifically for a rate methodology for the rate year.

(3) A provider's rate established July 1 of the rate year shall remain in effect throughout the rate year and throughout subsequent rate years, regardless of any other provision in this subchapter, until the effective date of a new rate established in accordance with a new rule or amendment to these rules, adopted after the establishment of the current rate, which specifically provides a rate methodology for the new or subsequent rate year.