Purpose: To continue the emergency rule that has been in place since April 1, 2004, while the permanent rule-making process is completed (permanent rule proposed under WSR 04-13-135). The emergency rule reflects the April 1, 2004, federal increase in the federal poverty level (FPL).

     Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 388-478-0085.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, and 74.09.530.

     Other Authority: 42 U.S.C. 9902(2).

     Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that state or federal law or federal rule or a federal deadline for state receipt of federal funds requires immediate adoption of a rule.

     Reasons for this Finding: Federal statute (42 U.S.C., chapter 7) requires states to use the annually adjusted federal poverty level (FPL) guidelines as the basis for determining financial eligibility standards for certain medical assistance programs. The immediate effective date is needed to prevent a lapse in the applicable FPL that could result in incorrect eligibility determinations for individuals and families in need of medical assistance.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.

     Date Adopted: August 3, 2004.

Brian H. Lindgren, Manager

Rules and Policies Assistance Unit

(a) One person	$((716)) 776
(b) Two persons	$((968)) 1041

     (2) The special low-income Medicare beneficiary (SLMB) program income standard is over one hundred percent of FPL, but ((under)) not more than one hundred twenty percent of FPL. Beginning April 1, ((2001)) 2004, the SLMB program's income standards are:

	Minimum	Maximum
(a) One person	$((716.01)) 776.01	$((859)) 931
(b) Two persons	$((968.01)) 1041.01	$((1161)) 1249

     (3) The ((expanded special low-income Medicare beneficiary (ESLMB))) qualified individual (QI-1) program income standard is over one hundred twenty percent of FPL, but ((under)) not more than one hundred thirty-five percent of FPL. Beginning April 1, ((2001)) 2004, the ((ESLMB)) QI-1 program's income standards are:

	Minimum	Maximum
(a) One person	$((859.01)) 931.01	$((967)) 1048
(b) Two persons	$((1161.01)) 1249.01	$((1307)) 1406

     (4) The qualified disabled working individual (QDWI) program income standard is ((up to)) two hundred percent of FPL. Beginning April 1, ((2001)) 2004, the QDWI program's income standards are:

(a) One person	$((1432)) 1552
(b) Two persons	$((1935)) 2082

     (5) ((The qualified individual (QI) program income standard is over one hundred thirty-five percent of FPL, but under one hundred seventy-five percent of FPL. Beginning April 1, 2001, the QI program's income standards are:

	Minimum	Maximum
(a) One person	$967.01	$1253
(b) Two persons	$1307.01	$1694

     (6))) The resource standard for the Medicare ((cost sharing)) savings programs in this section is:

(a) One person	$4000
(b) Two persons	$6000

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.09.530, and Section 673(2) (42 U.S.C. 9902(2)). 01-18-056, § 388-478-0085, filed 8/30/01, effective 9/30/01; 00-17-085, § 388-478-0085, filed 8/14/00, effective 9/14/00; 99-19-005, § 388-478-0085, filed 9/3/99, effective 10/4/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. 98-16-044, § 388-478-0085, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98. Formerly WAC 388-517-1715, 388-517-1730, 388-517-1750 and 388-517-1770.]

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