# Provider Rate for Family Co-Payment - Alternative Payment Programs (a) A family may choose a child care provider regardless of the provider's rate. (b) When a provider's rate and other allowable charges exceed the maximum subsidy amount, the family shall be responsible for paying the provider the difference between the provider's rate and the maximum subsidy amount. This shall be considered the family's co-payment. The contractor shall not be responsible for collecting the family's co-payment. > NOTE: Authority cited: Sections 8265 and 8269, Education Code. Reference: Section 8265 and 8269, Education Code. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://title5.caqualityearlylearning.org/alternative-payment-program/provider-rate-for-family-co-payment-alternative-payment-programs.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.