Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 388-550-2800 Inpatient payment methods and limits and 388-550-2900 Payment limits -- Inpatient hospital services.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.08.090, 74.04.050.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The amendment incorporates into rule that the department is adding certain newborn screening tests to the newborn metabolic screening panel and lists the specific disorders the screening tests can detect. These newborn screening tests were approved through legislative direction and are to be performed for medical assistance clients in conjunction with the Department of Health. The rule amendment clarifies that the department pay hospitals an additional flat fee to cover the cost of the tests.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Department of Health (DOH), the department is coordinating this rule with DOH's chapter 246-650 WAC.

     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, Rules Program Manager, Medical Assistance Administration, Mailstop 45533, Olympia, WA 98504-5533, phone (360) 725-1342, fax (360) 586-9727, e-mail sayrek@dshs.wa.gov, TDD 1-800-848-5429.

January 20, 2004

Brian H. Lindgren, Manager

Rules and Policies Assistance Unit

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