Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 388-551 WAC, Alternatives to hospital services.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.09.520 and 74.08.090; 42 C.F.R. 418.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The Medical Assistance Administration is incorporating language from current written agreements with hospice care centers into the hospice services WAC; the pediatric palliative care program is being incorporated into rule; also, the proposed rules are being reviewed to clarify and update current sections relating to hospice services rules in chapter 388-551 WAC.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

     Process for Developing New Rule: The department invites the interested public to review and provide input on the draft language of the WACs. Draft material and information about how to participate are available by contacting the DSHS representative identified below.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Kathy Sayre, Rules Program Manager, Medical Assistance Administration, Olympia, Washington 98504-5533, phone (360) 725-1342, fax (360) 586-9727, TTY 1-800-848-5429, e-mail sayrek@dshs.wa.gov.

March 18, 2004

Brian H. Lindgren, Manager

Rules and Policies Assistance Unit