WSR 07-21-058

PROPOSED RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Economic Services Administration)

[ Filed October 12, 2007, 8:37 a.m. ]

     Original Notice.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 07-14-098.

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: The department is amending WAC 388-406-0005 Can I apply for cash, medical, or Basic Food?

     Hearing Location(s): Blake Office Park East, Rose Room, 4500 10th Avenue S.E., Lacey, WA 98503 (one block north of the intersection of Pacific Avenue S.E. and Alhadeff Lane. A map or directions are available at http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/msa/rpau/docket.html or by calling (360) 664-6097), on November 27, 2007, at 10:00 a.m.

     Date of Intended Adoption: Not earlier than November 28, 2007.

     Submit Written Comments to: DSHS Rules Coordinator, P.O. Box 45850, Olympia, WA 98504, delivery 4500 10th Avenue S.E., Lacey, WA 98503, e-mail schilse@dshs.wa.gov, fax (360) 664-6185, by 5 p.m. on November 27, 2007.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Jennisha Johnson, DSHS Rules Consultant, by November 20, 2007, TTY (360) 664-6178 or (360) 664-6097 or by e-mail at johnsjl4@dshs.wa.gov.

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: This change would allow youth confined in juvenile rehabilitation administration (JRA) and county juvenile detention facilities to apply for medical assistance forty-five days prior to release from confinement. The change is noted in subsection (9) of WAC 388-406-0005. The proposal also clarifies language in subsection (8) to reflect current policies and practice. Subsection (8) was revised to more accurately mirror the language in subsection (7).

     Reasons Supporting Proposal: The additional language in subsection (9) is necessary to allow applications for youth prior to release from confinement as required by chapter 359, Laws of 2007, signed by Governor Christine O. Gregoire on May 8, 2007. The revision in subsection (8) is necessary to more accurately mirror the policy in subsection (7).

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.060, 74.08.090, 74.09.555.

     Statute Being Implemented: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.060, 74.08.090, 74.09.555.

     Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

     Name of Proponent: Department of social and health services, governmental.

     Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Logan MacGregor, 1009 College S.E., Lacey, WA 98504, (360) 725-4605; Implementation and Enforcement: Sharon Fedder, 1009 College S.E., Lacey, WA 98504, (360) 725-4517.

     No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. These proposed rules do not have an economic impact on small businesses. The proposed amendments only affect DSHS clients by allowing youth confined in JRA facilities and county detention facilities to apply for expedited medical benefits upon release.

     A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. These amendments are exempt as allowed under RCW 34.05.328 (5)(b)(vii) which states in-part, "[t]his section does not apply to... rules of the department of social and health services relating only to client medical or financial eligibility and rules concerning liability for care of dependents."

October 8, 2007

Stephanie E. Schiller

Rules Coordinator

3916.2
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 06-08-047, filed 3/30/06, effective 4/30/06)

WAC 388-406-0005   Can I apply for cash, medical, or Basic Food?   (1) You can apply for any benefit the department offers, including cash assistance, medical assistance, or Basic Food.

     (2) You must meet certain eligibility requirements in order to receive a program benefit.

     (3) You can apply for someone else if you are:

     (a) A legal guardian, caretaker, or authorized representative applying for:

     (i) A dependent child;

     (ii) An incapacitated person; or

     (iii) Someone who is deceased.

     (b) Applying for someone who cannot apply for some other reason. We may ask why the applicant is unable to apply on their own behalf.

     (4) If you get Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you do not need to apply for medical benefits. We automatically open medical benefits for you.

     (5) A person or agency may apply for GAU or medical assistance for you if:

     (a) You temporarily live out-of-state; and

     (b) You are a Washington state resident.

     (6) When you are confined or incarcerated in a Washington state public institution, you may apply for cash or medical assistance within forty-five days prior to your expected release date if you meet the following criteria:

     (a) You are confined by or in the following public institutions:

     (i) Department of corrections;

     (ii) City or county jail; or

     (iii) Institution for mental diseases (IMD).

     (b) Staff at the public institution provide medical records including diagnosis by a mental health professional that you have a mental disorder (as defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Psychiatric Disorders, most recent edition) that affects your thoughts, mood or behavior so severely that it prevents you from performing any kind of work.

     (7) ((The department)) We will make an eligibility determination for medical assistance prior to your release from confinement and will authorize medical benefits upon your release from confinement when you:

     (a) Meet the criteria of subsection (6) in this section; and

     (b) Were receiving Medicaid or general assistance benefits immediately before confinement or within the five years prior to confinement.

     (8) If you meet the criteria in subsection (6) but did not receive Medicaid or general assistance benefits within the ((past)) five years prior to confinement, the department will process your request for medical assistance within the time frames in WAC 388-406-0035.

     (9) If you are applying for assistance for a youth leaving incarceration in a Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration or county juvenile detention facility, you may apply for assistance within forty-five days prior to release. We will process your application for medical assistance when we receive it, and if eligible, we will authorize medical benefits upon your release from confinement.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.09.555. 06-08-047, § 388-406-0005, filed 3/30/06, effective 4/30/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510. 03-22-039, § 388-406-0005, filed 10/28/03, effective 12/1/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, and 74.08.090. 02-11-137, § 388-406-0005, filed 5/21/02, effective 7/1/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. 98-16-044, § 388-406-0005, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98. Formerly WAC 388-504-0405 and 388-504-0410.]

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