WSR 09-06-035

EMERGENCY RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Health and Recovery Services Administration)

[ Filed February 24, 2009, 3:13 p.m. , effective February 24, 2009, 3:13 p.m. ]


     Effective Date of Rule: Immediately.

     Purpose: RCW 74.09.470 (5)(b) requires expansion of the premium-based children's healthcare for households with incomes up to and including 300% of FPL. The program name is changed from "children's healthcare" to "apple health for kids." This rule will increase the number of children who qualify for medical coverage.

     Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 388-416-0015, 388-418-0025, 388-478-0075, 388-505-0210, 388-505-0211, 388-542-0010, 388-542-0020, 388-542-0050, and 388-542-0300.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, and 74.08.090.

     Other Authority: RCW 74.09.402.

     Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfare, and that observing the time requirements of notice and opportunity to comment upon adoption of a permanent rule would be contrary to the public interest; and that state or federal law or federal rule or a federal deadline for state receipt of federal funds requires immediate adoption of a rule.

     Reasons for this Finding: The department is filing this emergency to meet a legislatively-mandated implementation date of January 1, 2009. The preproposal notice for the permanent rule adoption was filed as WSR 08-15-006; proposed rules are filed as WSR 08-21-105; and the public hearing was held on November 25, 2008. The department anticipates filing the permanent rule in March 2009.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 9, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 9, Repealed 0.

     Date Adopted: February 20, 2009.

Stephanie E. Schiller

Rules Coordinator

4027.4
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 08-05-018, filed 2/12/08, effective 3/14/08)

WAC 388-416-0015   Certification periods for categorically needy (CN) scope of care medical assistance programs.   (1) A certification period is the period of time a person is determined eligible for a categorically needy (CN) scope of care medical program. Unless otherwise stated in this section, the certification period begins on the first day of the month of application and continues to the last day of the last month of the certification period.

     (2) For a child eligible for the newborn medical program, the certification period begins on the child's date of birth and continues through the end of the month of the child's first birthday.

     (3) For a woman eligible for a medical program based on pregnancy, the certification period ends the last day of the month that includes the sixtieth day from the day the pregnancy ends.

     (4) For families the certification period is twelve months with a six-month report required as a condition of eligibility as described in WAC 388-418-0011.

     (5) For children, the certification period is twelve months. Eligibility is continuous without regard to changes in circumstances other than aging out of the program, moving out-of-state, failing to pay a required premium(s), incarceration or death.

     (6) When the child turns nineteen the certification period ends even if the twelve-month period is not over. The certification period may be extended past the end of the month the child turns nineteen when:

     (a) The child is receiving inpatient services (see WAC 388-505-0230) on the last day of the month the child turns nineteen;

     (b) The inpatient stay continues into the following month or months; and

     (c) The child remains eligible except for exceeding age nineteen.

     (7) For an SSI-related person the certification period is twelve months.

     (8) When the medical assistance unit is also receiving benefits under a cash or food assistance program, the medical certification period is updated to begin anew at each:

     (a) Approved application for cash or food assistance; or

     (b) Completed eligibility review.

     (9) A retroactive certification period can begin up to three months immediately before the month of application when:

     (a) The client would have been eligible for medical assistance if the client had applied; and

     (b) The client received covered medical services as described in WAC 388-501-0060 and 388-501-0065.

     (10) If the client is eligible only during the three-month retroactive period, that period is the only period of certification, except when:

     (a) A pregnant woman is eligible in one of the three months preceding the month of application, but no earlier than the month of conception. Eligibility continues as described in subsection (3);

     (b) A child is eligible for a CN medical program as described in WAC 388-505-0210 (1) through (4) and (6) in one of the three months preceding the month of application. Eligibility continues for twelve months from the earliest month that the child is determined eligible.

     (11) Any months of a retroactive certification period are added to the designated certification periods described in this section.

     (12) ((There is no retroactive eligibility for)) Coverage under premium-based ((children's healthcare)) programs included in apple health for kids coverage as described in WAC 388-505-0210 and chapter 388-542 WAC((. If creditable coverage exists at the time of application, the certification period)) begins no sooner than the month after creditable coverage ends.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.09.530, 74.09.700, and 2007 c 5. 08-05-018, § 388-416-0015, filed 2/12/08, effective 3/14/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.08.090, 74.09.530, and 74.09.700. 06-24-036, § 388-416-0015, filed 11/30/06, effective 1/1/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.530, and 74.09.415. 05-19-031, § 388-416-0015, filed 9/12/05, effective 10/13/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, and 2004 c 54. 04-21-064, § 388-416-0015, filed 10/18/04, effective 11/18/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.530, and 2003 c 10. 04-03-019, § 388-416-0015, filed 1/12/04, effective 2/12/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090 and 74.09.450. 00-08-002, § 388-416-0015, filed 3/22/00, effective 5/1/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. 98-16-044, § 388-416-0015, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98. Formerly 388-509-0970, 388-521-2105, 388-522-2210 and 388-522-2230.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 08-05-018, filed 2/12/08, effective 3/14/08)

WAC 388-418-0025   Effect of changes on medical program eligibility.   (1) You continue to be eligible for medical assistance until the department determines your ineligibility or eligibility for another medical program. This applies to you if, during a certification period, you become ineligible for, or are terminated from, or request termination from:

     (a) A CN Medicaid program;

     (b) A ((children's healthcare)) program included in apple health for kids; or

     (c) Any of the following cash grants:

     (i) TANF;

     (ii) SSI; or

     (iii) GA-X. See WAC 388-434-0005 for changes reported during eligibility review.

     (2) If you become ineligible for refugee cash assistance, refugee medical assistance can be continued through the eight-month limit, as described in WAC 388-400-0035(4).

     (3) If you receive a TANF cash grant or family medical, you are eligible for a medical extension, as described under WAC 388-523-0100, when your cash grant or family medical program is terminated as a result of:

     (a) Earned income; or

     (b) Collection of child or spousal support.

     (4) A change in income during a certification period does affect eligibility for all medical programs except:

     (a) Pregnant women's medical programs;

     (b) ((Children's healthcare programs,)) A program included in apple health for kids, except as specified in subsection (5); or

     (c) The first six months of the medical extension benefits.

     (5) For a child receiving ((benefits)) premium-based coverage under ((the premium-based children's healthcare programs)) a program included in apple health for kids as described in WAC 388-505-0210 and chapter 388-542 WAC, the department must redetermine eligibility for ((a)) nonpremium-based ((medical program)) coverage when the family reports:

     (a) Family income has decreased to less than two hundred percent federal poverty level (FPL);

     (b) The child becomes pregnant;

     (c) A change in family size; or

     (d) The child receives SSI.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.09.530, 74.09.700, and 2007 c 5. 08-05-018, § 388-418-0025, filed 2/12/08, effective 3/14/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.530, and 74.09.415. 05-23-013, § 388-418-0025, filed 11/4/05, effective 1/1/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.530, and 2003 c 10. 04-03-019, § 388-418-0025, filed 1/12/04, effective 2/12/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.08A.100, 74.09.080, and 74.09.415. 02-17-030, § 388-418-0025, filed 8/12/02, effective 9/12/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090 and 74.09.450. 00-08-002, § 388-418-0025, filed 3/22/00, effective 5/1/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057 and Section 4731 of the BBA (Public Law 105-33). 99-10-064, § 388-418-0025, filed 5/3/99, effective 6/3/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. 98-16-044, § 388-418-0025, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98. Formerly WAC 388-508-0840, 388-509-0920, 388-509-0960, 388-522-2205 and 388-522-2210.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 08-05-018, filed 2/12/08, effective 3/14/08)

WAC 388-478-0075   Medical programs--Monthly income standards based on the federal poverty level (FPL).   (1) Each year, the federal government publishes new federal poverty level (FPL) income standards in the Federal Register found at http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/index.shtml. The income standards for the following medical programs change on the first day of April every year based on the new FPL:

     (a) Pregnant women's program up to one hundred eighty-five percent of FPL;

     (b) ((Children's healthcare programs)) A program included in apple health for kids up to two hundred percent of FPL;

     (c) Healthcare for workers with disabilities (HWD) up to two hundred twenty percent of FPL; and

     (d) Premium-based coverage under ((the children's healthcare programs)) a program included in apple health for kids over two hundred percent of FPL, but not over ((two hundred fifty)) three hundred percent of FPL.

     (2) The department uses the FPL income standards to determine:

     (a) The mandatory or optional Medicaid status of an individual; and

     (b) Premium amount, if any, for a child.

     (3) There are no resource limits for the programs under this section.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.09.530, 74.09.700, and 2007 c 5. 08-05-018, § 388-478-0075, filed 2/12/08, effective 3/14/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.09.500 and 42 U.S.C. 9902(2). 06-16-026, § 388-478-0075, filed 7/24/06, effective 8/24/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.415, 74.09.530 and 2005 c 279. 06-03-080, § 388-478-0075, filed 1/12/06, effective 2/12/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.09.500, and 42 U.S.C. 9902(2). 05-17-157, § 388-478-0075, filed 8/22/05, effective 9/22/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.04.057, 74.04.050, and 74.09.530. 04-15-092, § 388-478-0075, filed 7/16/04, effective 8/16/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.09.530, and 42 U.S.C. 9902(2). 03-15-088, § 388-478-0075, filed 7/17/03, effective 7/17/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.08A.100, 74.09.080, and 74.09.415. 02-17-030, § 388-478-0075, filed 8/12/02, effective 9/12/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.08.090, 74.09.500, 74.09.510, and Section 1902 (a)(10)(A)(ii)(XV) and (XVI) of the Social Security Act. 02-07-090, § 388-478-0075, filed 3/19/02, effective 4/1/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.09.530, and Section 673(2) (42 U.S.C. 9902(2)). 01-18-056, § 388-478-0075, filed 8/30/01, effective 9/30/01; 00-17-085, § 388-478-0075, filed 8/14/00, effective 9/14/00; 99-19-005, § 388-478-0075, filed 9/3/99, effective 10/4/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. 98-16-044, § 388-478-0075, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98. Formerly WAC 388-507-0805, 388-508-0810, 388-509-0910, 388-509-0920, 388-509-0940 and 388-509-0960.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 08-05-018, filed 2/12/08, effective 3/14/08)

WAC 388-505-0210   Children's healthcare programs.   Funding for children's healthcare coverage may come through Title XIX (medicaid) ((or)), Title XXI ((for the Social Security Act)) ((())SCHIP(())), or through state-funded programs. There are no resource limits for children's ((medical)) healthcare programs((, but children must meet the eligibility criteria below to qualify for these programs)). Children's healthcare programs that fall under the apple health for kids umbrella are described in subsections (1) through (4) below.

     (1) Newborns are eligible for federally matched categorically needy (CN) coverage through their first birthday when:

     (a) The child's mother was eligible for and receiving medical assistance at the time of the child's birth; and

     (b) The child remains with the mother and resides in the state.

     (2) Children under the age of nineteen who are U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or qualified aliens as described in WAC 388-424-0001 and 388-424-0006 (1) and (4) are eligible for federally matched CN coverage ((under children's healthcare programs)) when they meet the following criteria:

     (a) State residence as described in chapter 388-468 WAC;

     (b) A Social Security number or application as described in chapter 388-476 WAC;

     (c) Proof of citizenship or immigrant status and identity as required by WAC 388-490-0005(11);

     (d) Family income is at or below two hundred percent federal poverty level (FPL), as described in WAC 388-478-0075 at each application or review; or

     (e) They received supplemental security income (SSI) cash payments in August 1996 and would continue to be eligible for those payments except for the August 1996 passage of amendments to federal disability definitions; or

     (f) They are eligible for SSI-related CN or MN coverage.

     (3) Noncitizen children under the age of nineteen, who do not meet qualified alien status as described in WAC 388-424-0006 (1) or (4), or are ineligible due to the five-year ban as described in WAC 388-424-0006(3), are eligible for state-funded CN coverage ((under children's healthcare programs)) when they meet the following criteria:

     (a) State residence as described in chapter 388-468 WAC; and

     (b) Family income is at or below two hundred percent FPL at each application or review.

     (4) Children under the age of nineteen are eligible for premium-based CN coverage ((under children's healthcare programs)) as described in chapter 388-542 WAC when they meet the following criteria:

     (a) State residence as described in chapter 388-468 WAC;

     (b) Family income is over two hundred percent FPL, as described in WAC 388-478-0075, but not over ((two hundred fifty)) three hundred percent FPL at each application or review;

     (c) They do not have other creditable health insurance as described in WAC 388-542-0050; and

     (d) They pay the required monthly premiums as described in WAC 388-505-0211

     (5) Children under age nineteen are eligible for the medically needy (MN) medicaid program when they meet the following criteria:

     (a) Citizenship or immigrant status, state residence, and Social Security number requirements as described in subsection (2)(a), (b), and (c); ((and))

     (b) ((They)) Are ineligible for other federal Medicaid programs; and

     (c) Meet their spenddown obligation as described in WAC 388-519-0100 and 388-519-0110.

     (6) Children under the age of twenty-one who reside or expect to reside in a medical institution, intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded (ICF/MR), hospice care center, nursing home, or psychiatric facility may be eligible for medical coverage. See WAC 388-505-0230 "Family related institutional medical" and WAC 388-513-1320 "Determining institutional status for long-term care."

     (7) Children who are in foster care under the legal responsibility of the state, or a federally recognized tribe located within the state, are eligible for federally matched CN Medicaid coverage through the month of their:

     (a) Eighteenth birthday;

     (b) Twenty-first birthday if children's administration determines they remain eligible for continued foster care services; or

     (c) Twenty-first birthday if they were in foster care on their eighteenth birthday and that birthday was on or after July 22, 2007.

     (8) Children who receive subsidized adoption services are eligible for federally matched CN Medicaid coverage.

     (9) Children under age of nineteen may also be eligible for:

     (a) Family medical as described in WAC 388-505-0220;

     (b) Medical extensions as described in WAC 388-523-0100; or

     (c) SSI-related MN if they:

     (i) Meet the blind and/or disability criteria of the federal SSI program, or the condition of subsection (2)(e); and

     (ii) Have countable income above the level described in WAC 388-478-0070(1).

     (10) Children who are ineligible for other ((children's healthcare)) programs ((due to citizenship or immigrant status requirements)) included in apple health for kids may be eligible for the alien emergency medical program (AEM) if they meet the following criteria:

     (a) They have a documented emergent medical condition as defined in WAC 388-500-0005;

     (b) They meet the other AEM program requirements as described in WAC 388-438-0110; and

     (c) They have income that exceeds ((children's healthcare program standards)) three hundred percent FPL; or

     (d) They are disqualified from receiving coverage under a premium-based ((children's healthcare coverage)) apple health for kids as described in subsection (4) of this section because of creditable coverage or nonpayment of premiums.

     (11) Except for a client described in subsection (6), an inmate of a public institution, as defined in WAC 388-500-0005, is not eligible for any children's healthcare program((s)).

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.09.530, 74.09.700, and 2007 c 5. 08-05-018, § 388-505-0210, filed 2/12/08, effective 3/14/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.530, and 74.09.415. 05-23-013, § 388-505-0210, filed 11/4/05, effective 1/1/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090. 04-15-057, § 388-505-0210, filed 7/13/04, effective 8/13/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090 and 74.04.050. 03-14-107, § 388-505-0210, filed 6/30/03, effective 7/31/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.08A.100, 74.09.080, and 74.09.415. 02-17-030, § 388-505-0210, filed 8/12/02, effective 9/12/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.04.050, [74.04.]055, and [74.04.]057. 01-11-110, § 388-505-0210, filed 5/21/01, effective 6/21/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090 and 74.08A.100. 99-17-023, § 388-505-0210, filed 8/10/99, effective 9/10/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. 98-16-044, § 388-505-0210, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98. Formerly WAC 388-509-0905, 388-509-0910 and 388-509-0920.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 08-05-018, filed 2/12/08, effective 3/14/08)

WAC 388-505-0211   Premium requirements for premium-based ((children's healthcare programs)) coverage under programs included in apple health for kids.   (1) For the purposes of this chapter, "premium" means an amount paid for ((medical)) coverage under programs included in apple health for kids.

     (2) Payment of a premium is required as a condition of eligibility for premium-based ((children's healthcare)) coverage under programs included in apple health for kids, as described in WAC 388-505-0210(4), unless the child is:

     (a) Pregnant; or

     (b) An American Indian or Alaska native.

     (3) The premium requirement begins the first of the month following the determination of eligibility. There is no premium requirement for medical coverage received in a month or months before the determination of eligibility.

     (4) The premium amount for the assistance unit is based on the net ((available)) countable income as described in WAC ((388-450-0005)) 388-450-0210 and the number of children in the assistance unit. If the household includes more than one assistance unit, the premium amount billed for the assistance units may be different amounts.

     (5) The premium amount for each eligible child ((is fifteen dollars per month per child, up to a maximum of forty-five dollars per month, per household)) shall be:

     (a) Twenty dollars per month per child for households with income above two hundred percent FPL, but not above two hundred and fifty percent FPL;

     (b) Thirty dollars per month per child for households with income above two hundred and fifty percent FPL, but not above three hundred percent FPL; and

     (c) Limited to a monthly maximum of two premiums for households with two or more children.

     (6) All children in an assistance unit are ineligible for medical coverage when the head of household fails to pay required premium payments for three consecutive months.

     (7) When the department terminates the medical coverage of a child due to nonpayment of premiums, the child has a three-month period of ineligibility beginning the first of the following month. The three-month period of ineligibility is rescinded only when the:

     (a) Past due premiums are paid in full prior to the begin date of the period of ineligibility; or

     (b) The child becomes eligible for coverage under a nonpremium-based medical program. The department will not rescind the three-month period of ineligibility for reasons other than the criteria described in this subsection.

     (8) The department writes off past-due premiums after twelve months.

     (9) When the designated three-month period of ineligibility is over, all past due premiums that are an obligation of the head of household must be paid or written off before a child can become eligible for premium-based ((children's healthcare)) coverage under a program included in apple health for kids.

     (10) A family cannot designate partial payment of the billed premium amount as payment for a specific child in the assistance unit. The full premium amount is the obligation of the head of household of the assistance unit. A family can decide to request medical coverage only for certain children in the assistance unit, if they want to reduce premium obligation.

     (11) A change that affects the premium amount is effective the month after the change is reported and processed.

     (12) A sponsor or other third party may pay the premium on behalf of the child or children in the assistance unit. The premium payment requirement remains the obligation of head of household of the assistance unit. The failure of a sponsor or other third party to pay the premium does not eliminate the:

     (a) Establishment of the period of ineligibility described in subsection (7) of this section; or

     (b) Obligation of the head of household to pay past-due premiums.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.09.530, 74.09.700, and 2007 c 5. 08-05-018, § 388-505-0211, filed 2/12/08, effective 3/14/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.510, 74.09.522, 74.09.450, and 2004 c 276. 04-16-064, § 388-505-0211, filed 7/30/04, effective 8/30/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.055, 2004 c 276. 04-08-125, § 388-505-0211, filed 4/7/04, effective 5/8/04.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 08-05-018, filed 2/12/08, effective 3/14/08)

WAC 388-542-0010   Purpose and scope of premium-based ((children's healthcare programs)) coverage under programs included in apple health for kids.   The department administers the programs included in apple health for kids that provide premium-based ((children's healthcare)) coverage through a combination of state and federal funding sources as described below:

     (1) Federally matched healthcare coverage as authorized by Title XXI of the Social Security Act state children's health insurance program (SCHIP) and RCW 74.09.450 for citizen and federally qualified immigrant children whose family income is above two hundred percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) but is not above ((two hundred fifty)) three hundred percent ((of the)) FPL.

     (2) State funded healthcare coverage for ((noncitizen)) children with family income above two hundred percent FPL, but not above ((two hundred fifty)) three hundred percent FPL, who are ineligible for Title XXI federally matched children's healthcare coverage due to immigration issues.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.09.530, 74.09.700, and 2007 c 5. 08-05-018, § 388-542-0010, filed 2/12/08, effective 3/14/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.050, and Title XXI of the Social Security Act. 06-15-134, § 388-542-0010, filed 7/19/06, effective 8/19/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.510, 74.09.522, 74.09.450, and 2004 c 276. 04-16-064, § 388-542-0010, filed 7/30/04, effective 8/30/04.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 08-05-018, filed 2/12/08, effective 3/14/08)

WAC 388-542-0020   Other rules that apply to premium-based ((children's healthcare programs)) coverage under programs included in apple health for kids.   In addition to the rules of this chapter, children receiving premium-based ((children's healthcare clients)) coverage under programs included in apple health for kids are subject to the following rules:

     (1) Chapter 388-538 WAC, Managed care (except WAC 388-538-061, 388-538-063, and 388-538-065) if the child is covered under federally matched CN coverage;

     (2) WAC 388-505-0210(4), Children's healthcare program eligibility;

     (3) WAC 388-505-0211, Premium requirements for premium-based ((children's healthcare programs)) coverage under programs included in apple health for kids;

     (4) WAC 388-416-0015(12), Certification periods for categorically needy (CN) scope of care medical assistance programs; and

     (5) WAC 388-418-0025, Effect of changes on medical program eligibility.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.09.530, 74.09.700, and 2007 c 5. 08-05-018, § 388-542-0020, filed 2/12/08, effective 3/14/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090 and 74.09.522. 06-07-014, § 388-542-0020, filed 3/3/06, effective 4/3/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.510, 74.09.522, 74.09.450, and 2004 c 276. 04-16-064, § 388-542-0020, filed 7/30/04, effective 8/30/04.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 08-05-018, filed 2/12/08, effective 3/14/08)

WAC 388-542-0050   Definitions for premium-based ((children's healthcare programs)) coverage under programs included in apple health for kids.   The following definitions, as well as those found in WAC 388-538-050 and in 388-500-0005 Medical definitions, apply to premium-based ((children's healthcare programs)) coverage under programs included in apple health for kids.

     "Creditable coverage" means most types of public and private health coverage, except Indian health services, that provides access to physicians, hospitals, laboratory services, and radiology services. This term applies to the coverage whether or not the coverage is equivalent to that offered under premium-based ((children's healthcare)) programs included in apple health for kids. "Creditable coverage" is described in 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1397jj.

     "Employer-sponsored dependent coverage" means creditable health coverage for dependents offered by a family member's employer or union, for which the employer or union may contribute in whole or part towards the premium. Extensions of such coverage (e.g., COBRA extensions) also qualify as employer-sponsored dependent coverage as long as there remains a contribution toward the premiums by the employer or union.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.09.530, 74.09.700, and 2007 c 5. 08-05-018, § 388-542-0050, filed 2/12/08, effective 3/14/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.510, 74.09.522, 74.09.450, and 2004 c 276. 04-16-064, § 388-542-0050, filed 7/30/04, effective 8/30/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.09.080, 74.08.510, [74.08.]522, 74.09.450, 1115 Waiver, 42 U.S.C. 1396. 02-01-075, § 388-542-0050, filed 12/14/01, effective 1/14/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.450. 00-07-103, § 388-542-0050, filed 3/17/00, effective 4/17/00.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 08-05-018, filed 2/12/08, effective 3/14/08)

WAC 388-542-0300   Waiting period for premium-based ((healthcare)) coverage under programs ((coverage)) included in apple health for kids following employer coverage.   (1) The department requires applicants to serve a waiting period of four full consecutive months before receiving premium-based ((children's healthcare programs)) coverage under programs included in apple health for kids if the client or family:

     (a) Chooses to end employer sponsored dependent coverage. The waiting period begins the day after the employment-based coverage ends; or

     (b) Fails to exercise an optional coverage extension (e.g., COBRA) that meets the following conditions. The waiting period begins on the day there is a documented refusal of the coverage extension when the extended coverage is:

     (i) Subsidized in part or in whole by the employer or union;

     (ii) Available and accessible to the applicant or family; and

     (iii) At a monthly cost to the family meeting the limitation of subsection (2)(b)(iv).

     (2) The department does not require a waiting period prior to premium-based coverage under ((premium-based children's healthcare programs)) a program included in apple health for kids when:

     (a) The client or family member has a medical condition that, without treatment, would be life-threatening or cause serious disability or loss of function; or

     (b) The loss of employer-sponsored dependent coverage is due to any of the following:

     (i) Loss of employment with no post-employment subsidized coverage as described in subsection (1)(b);

     (ii) Death of the employee;

     (iii) The employer discontinues employer-sponsored dependent coverage;

     (iv) The family's total out-of-pocket maximum cost for employer-sponsored dependent coverage is ((fifty dollars per month or more)) two and one-half percent or more of the family's countable monthly income;

     (v) The plan terminates employer-sponsored dependent coverage for the client because the client reached the maximum lifetime coverage amount;

     (vi) Coverage under a COBRA extension period expired;

     (vii) Employer-sponsored dependent coverage is not reasonably available (e.g., client would have to travel to another city or state to access care); or

     (viii) Domestic violence caused the loss of coverage for the victim.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.09.530, 74.09.700, and 2007 c 5. 08-05-018, § 388-542-0300, filed 2/12/08, effective 3/14/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.510, 74.09.522, 74.09.450, and 2004 c 276. 04-16-064, § 388-542-0300, filed 7/30/04, effective 8/30/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.09.080, 74.08.510, [74.08.]522, 74.09.450, 1115 Waiver, 42 U.S.C. 1396. 02-01-075, § 388-542-0300, filed 12/14/01, effective 1/14/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.450. 00-07-103, § 388-542-0300, filed 3/17/00, effective 4/17/00.]

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