WSR 98-11-031
PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
DEPARTMENT OF
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Aging and Adult Services Administration)
[Filed May 14, 1998, 2:40 p.m.]
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Amending WAC 388-15-202 Definitions, 388-15-207 Chore personal care services for adults--Legal basis--Purpose--Goals, 388-15-214 Chore personal care services--Budget control, 388-15-215 Chore personal care services--Program limitations, 388-15-219 Chore personal care service--Payment and client participation, 388-15-600 Community options program entry system (COPES)--Purpose--Legal basis, 388-15-620 COPES--Services, 388-15-630 COPES--Payment procedures, 388-15-880 Medicaid personal care--Payment procedures, and 388-15-890 Medicaid personal care--Program limitations.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.39A.030, 74.09.035, 74.09.520, 74.09.530, and section 206(3), chapter 346, Laws of 1998.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Developing a waiting list or a methodology for limiting the number of COPES clients served by region; amending payment procedures for COPES service providers, and specifying conditions under which COPES services may be provided by informal supports or volunteers. Limiting circumstances under which relatives can be paid providers. The regulations will be reviewed to consider when COPES services could be reasonably and appropriately provided through available informal supports as required by section 206(3), chapter 346, Laws of 1998.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA). The Department of Social and Health Services will notify HCFA of required amendments to the state Medicaid plan or home and community-based waiver (i.e. COPES).
Process for Developing New Rule: Interested parties may submit verbal or written comments, concerns, and recommendations to Aging and Adult Services Administration at any time prior to filing the notice of proposed rule making. Public meetings will be widely publicized in advance in order to promote maximum attendance and participation in the rule development process by interested parties. Interested parties will be invited to attend informal meetings, and/or provide oral or written suggestions to the department. At the time the notice of proposed rule making is filed, interested parties will be notified of the scheduled hearing to adopt rules and how to submit comments.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Interested parties can attend announced informational meetings or provide written comments to Chris Toombs, Home and Community Programs, Aging and Adult Services Administration, P.O. Box 45600, Mailstop 45600, Olympia, WA 98504-5600, phone (360) 493-2536, FAX (360) 438-8633, TDD (360) 493-2537, e-mail ctoombs@dshs.wa.gov.
May 13, 1998
Marie Myerchin-Redifer, Manager
Rules and Policies Assistance Unit