PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Medical Assistance Administration)
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Transportation services sections and possible new sections in chapter 388-546 WAC.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.500, 74.04.050, 74.04.055, and 74.04.057; and 42 C.F.R. 414.601 through 414.625.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: To update and clarify existing policy regarding emergency transportation services, including aligning policy with Medicare's policy; to clarify client eligibility and scope of coverage; to incorporate policy changes related to cost savings; to clarify general payment limitations; and to add new sections regarding trauma supplemental payment and emergency transportation of Involuntary Treatment Act (ITA) clients. (MAA intends to file a separate CR-101 for changes to the brokered transportation portion of chapter 388-546 WAC.)
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), MAA will be drafting Medicaid standards and articulating the differences to CMS Medicare rules.
Process for Developing New Rule: The department invites the interested public to review and provide input on the draft language of this rule. Draft material and information about how to participate may be obtained from the department representative listed below.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Wendy Boedigheimer, Rules Program Manager, P.O. Box 45533, Olympia, WA 98504-5533, phone (360) 725-1036, fax (360) 586-9727, e-mail boediwl@dshs.wa.gov, TDD 1-800-848-5429.
January 6, 2004
Susan Bush
for Brian H. Lindgren, Manager
Rules and Policies Assistance Unit