PROPOSED RULES
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Medical Assistance Administration)
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 04-02-060.
Title of Rule: Chapter 388-546 WAC, Transportation services.
Purpose: To improve readability, clarify policy regarding emergency transportation services, and streamline program administration by making policies more consistent with Medicare's policy where practicable.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.08.090, 74.04.057, 74.09.510.
Statute Being Implemented: RCW 74.08.090, 74.04.057.
Summary: The proposed changes will:
| • | Update and clarify existing policy regarding emergency transportation services, including aligning with Medicare's policy where practicable; |
| • | Clarify client eligibility and scope of coverage for ambulance services; |
| • | Clarify payment limitations and incorporate policy changes related to cost savings; and |
| • | Add new sections relating to ambulance coverage during inpatient hospital stays, coverage for ambulance services out-of-country; ambulance coverage for nonemergency air ambulance transportation, coverage for ambulance services to out-of-state treatment facilities when client has other insurance, transporting qualified trauma cases - trauma care fund (TCF), and coverage for transportation services under the Involuntary Treatment Act (ITA). |
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Wendy Boedigheimer, MAA, P.O. Box 45533, Olympia, WA 98504-5533, (360) 725-1306; Implementation and Enforcement: Ayuni Hautea-Wimpee, MAA, P.O. Box 45510, Olympia, WA 98504-5510, (360) 725-1835.
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 and Summary above.
Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: See Summary 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 ground and air ambulance 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 persons listed above.
Hearing Location: Blake Office Park East (behind Goodyear Courtesy Tire), Rose Room, 4500 10th Avenue S.E., Lacey, WA, on July 27, 2004, at 10:00 a.m.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Andy Fernando, DSHS Rules Coordinator, by July 23, 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., July 27, 2004.
Date of Intended Adoption: Not sooner than August 1, 2004.
May 28, 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 04-13 issue of the Register.