PROPOSED RULES
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Medical Assistance Administration)
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 03-15-124.
Title of Rule: Chapter 388-533 WAC, Maternity related services, amending WAC 388-533-0300 Enhanced benefits for pregnant women and repealing WAC 388-533-0350.
Maternity support services, new sections WAC 388-533-0310 Purpose, 388-533-0315 Definitions, 388-533-0320 Client eligibility, 388-533-0325 Provider requirements, 388-533-0330 Covered services, 388-533-0340 Noncovered services, and 388-533-0345 Reimbursement.
Infant case management, new sections WAC 388-533-0360 Purpose/scope, 388-533-0365 Definitions, 388-533-0370 Client eligibility, 388-533-0375 Provider requirements, 388-533-0380 Covered services, 388-533-0385 Noncovered services, and 388-533-0386 Reimbursement.
Childbirth education (CBE) classes, new section WAC 388-533-0390.
Purpose: The Medical Assistance Administration (MAA) is redesigning its maternity services and First Steps program to improve quality of services offered and to contain expenditure growth.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.08.090.
Statute Being Implemented: RCW 74.09.760 through 74.09.910 (Maternity Care Access Act of 1989).
Summary: The proposed changes will:
• Merge the maternity support services and maternity case management programs;
• Establish rules for infant case management;
• Establish rules for childbirth education classes; and
• Reduce staffing requirement barriers for tribes and rural counties.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: These rules are needed to meet the requirements in the Maternity Care Access Act of 1989, that requires the Medical Assistance Administration to evaluate the maternity care access system to determine effectiveness and need for modification.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Wendy Boedigheimer, MAA, P.O. Box 45533, Olympia, WA 98504-5533, (360) 725-1306; Implementation and Enforcement: Diane Tiffany, MAA, P.O. Box 45530, Olympia, WA 98504-5530, (360) 725-1655.
Name of Proponent: Department of Social and Health Services, governmental.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: See Purpose, Summary, and Reasons Supporting Proposal above.
Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: See Purpose, Summary, and Reasons Supporting Proposal above.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. The Medical Assistance Administration (MAA) has analyzed the proposed rule and concludes that the rule change does not impose additional costs or administrative burdens on MSS/ICM providers and will not place a more than minor impact on small businesses.
RCW 34.05.328 applies to this rule adoption. The proposed rule change meets the definition of a significant legislative rule. A determination of the probable costs and benefits is available from the person listed above.
Hearing Location: Blake Office Park (behind Goodyear Courtesy Tire), 4500 10th Avenue S.E., Rose Room, Lacey, WA 98503, on April 6, 2004, at 10:00 a.m.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Andy Fernando, DSHS Rules Coordinator, by April 2, 2004, phone (360) 664-6094, TTY (360) 664-6178, e-mail fernaax@dshs.wa.gov.
Submit Written Comments to: Identify WAC Numbers, DSHS Rules Coordinator, Rules and Policies Assistance Unit, mail to P.O. Box 45850, Olympia, WA 98504-5850, deliver to 4500 10th Avenue S.E., Lacey, WA, fax (360) 664-6185, e-mail fernaax@dshs.wa.gov, by 5:00 p.m., April 6, 2004.
Date of Intended Adoption: Not sooner than April 7, 2004.
February 11, 2004
Brian H. Lindgren, Manager
Rules and Policies Assistance Unit
Reviser's note: The material contained in this filing exceeded the page-count limitations of WAC 1-21-040 for appearance in this issue of the Register. It will appear in the 04-06 issue of the Register.