WSR 01-20-075

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF

SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Medical Assistance Administration)

[ Filed October 1, 2001, 3:31 p.m. ]

     Subject of Possible Rule Making: New WAC 388-550-2598 Critical access hospital (CAH) program.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.08.090, 74.04.050, 74.09.5225 as required by HB 1162, section 2, Laws of 2001 2nd sp.s.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The new rule complies with HB 1162, Laws of 2001 2nd sp.s., that requires DSHS to establish an inpatient cost reimbursement system for rural hospitals that are designated as critical access hospitals (CAHs). The rule will establish a uniform set of procedures that will apply to all CAH reimbursement procedures for inpatient services.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The new rule coordinates with other CAH rules that regulate parts of the CAH program that have been established by Department of Health, Aging and Adult Services Administration of Department of Social and Health Services, and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

     Process for Developing New Rule: The department invites the interested public to review and provide input on the draft language of this proposed WAC amendment. Draft material and information about how to participate are available by contacting the DSHS representative identified below.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Kathy Sayre, Medical Assistance Administration, P.O. Box 45533, Olympia, WA 98504-5533, phone (360) 725-1342, e-mail sayrek@dshs.wa.gov, fax (360) 586-9727, TDD 1-800-848-5429.

September 27, 2001

Brian H. Lindgren, Manager

Rules and Policies Assistance Unit

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