WSR 09-09-014

DEPARTMENT OF

SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES

[ Filed April 3, 2009, 11:03 a.m. ]


FINAL NOTICE OF CHANGES TO STATE OF WASHINGTON

NURSING FACILITY MEDICAID PAYMENT RATE METHODOLOGY



     The 2009 state legislature has passed changes to the method for determining facility-specific, per resident day medicaid payment rates for nursing facility care in Washington. The changes are effective February 18, 2009. This notice includes a justification, description, and estimated rate impact of the changes.

     These changes were the subject of a notice published in Issue 09-06 of the Washington state register, distributed on March 18, 2009. No comments were received in response to the notice.


JUSTIFICATION


     The changes are mandated by the 2009 Washington state legislature in the amended State Operating Budget Supplemental Appropriations Act; see section 205, chapter 4, Laws of 2009. It was passed by the legislature on February 18, 2009, and signed by the governor the same day; it included an emergency clause making it effective immediately.


NEW RATES AND PROPOSED CHANGES TO RATE METHODOLOGY


     In combination with a variety of other factors, including changes in the allowed costs of care, the methodological changes are estimated to result in a statewide average nursing facility medicaid payment rate of $163.72 per resident day, at a maximum, for state fiscal year 2009, running from July 1, 2008, to June 30, 2009. However, because rate changes made to comply with the statewide average nursing facility payment rate can be made only prospectively, and because of legal notice requirements, the change in the statute did not affect the actual rates paid to nursing facilities under medicaid until April 1, 2009.
© Washington State Code Reviser's Office