INTERPRETIVE OR POLICY STATEMENT
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
In accordance with RCW 34.05.230, following is a list of
policy and interpretive statements issued by the department of
social and health services.
Division of Management Services
Subject: Intended state plan amendment (SPA).
Effective Date: July 1, 2012.
Document Description: The department intends notice to submit a medicaid SPA. Two bills now before the Washington state legislature relate, in part, to rates paid to nursing facilities under the Washington medicaid program. The bills, which are the house and senate versions of the 2012 supplemental operating budget, are:
HB 2127 - The house budget does not change the maximum weighted average nursing facility payment rates. For state fiscal year (SFY) 2012 it remains at $170.37 per resident day, and for SFY 2013 it remains at $171.43 per resident day. However, the house budget would result in an increase to the higher level of the safety net assessment fee, raising it from $15.60 to $19.00 for SFY 2013. In addition, the house budget would reduce the values given to the ten lowest RUG groups, eliminate the low wage worker add-on, and freeze the acuity add-on at March 10, 2012, levels.
SB 5967 - The senate budget likewise would not change the maximum weighted average nursing facility payment rates for SFY 2012 or 2013. The higher level of the safety net assessment would change to $13.00 for SFY 2013, an amount estimated to raise sufficient revenue to fund the maximum weighted average nursing facility rate of $171.43 per resident day. The senate budget would also add clarifying language about the comparative analysis add-on.
The house passed HB 2127, its version of the budget, on February 29. In the senate, a coalition passed SB 5967, its version of the budget, on March 3. That bill was sent to the house, where it was significantly amended but then passed and sent back to the senate on March 8. The senate did not act on that amended version before the legislature adjourned its regular session on March 8.
The governor called the legislature into special session on March 12. It is not possible to predict which - if either - version of the budget will ultimately be adopted, or how it may be amended before it is passed. The bills can be monitored by visiting the legislature's web site at http://www.leg.wa.gov, clicking on Bill Information in the left-hand column, and then entering the bill number in the appropriate search box.
To receive a copy of the interpretive or policy statements, contact Ken Callaghan, Office of Rate Management, P.O. Box 45600, phone (360) 725-2499, TDD/TTY (360) 438-2637, fax (360) 725-2641, e-mail callakd@dshs.wa.gov, web site www.adsa.dshs.wa.gov.