Original Notice.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 06-11-102.

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 388-408-0055 Medical assistance units.

     Hearing Location(s): Blake Office Park East, Rose Room,

4500 10th Avenue S.E., Lacey, WA 98503 (one block north of the intersection of Pacific Avenue S.E. and Alhadeff Lane. A map or directions are available at http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/msa/rpau/docket.html or by calling (360) 664-6097), on April 10, 2007, at 10:00 a.m.

     Date of Intended Adoption: Not earlier than April 11, 2007.

     Submit Written Comments to: DSHS Rules Coordinator, P.O. Box 45850, Olympia, WA 98504, delivery 4500 10th Avenue S.E., Lacey, WA 98503, e-mail schilse@dshs.wa.gov, fax (360) 664-6185, by 5:00 p.m. on April 10, 2007.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Stephanie Schiller, DSHS Rules Consultant, by April 6, 2007, TTY (360) 664-6178 or (360) 664-6097 or by e-mail at schilse@dshs.wa.gov.

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The passage of SHB 2376 (chapter 24, Laws of 2006) eliminated the possibility of premiums for Medicaid children. This WAC is amended to allow families to be considered as one medical assistance unit when family members are found to be eligible as such.

     Other information is amended to clarify the intent of the department.

     Reasons Supporting Proposal: See above.

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

     Statute Being Implemented: RCW 74.09.055 as amended by chapter 24, Laws of 2006.

     Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

     Name of Proponent: Department of social and health services, governmental.

     Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: Joanie Scotson, P.O. Box 45531, Olympia, WA 98504-5531, (360) 725-1542.

     No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. This rule does not affect small businesses.

     A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. Client eligibility rules for medical assistance programs are exempt from this requirement under RCW 34.05.328 (5)[(b)](vii).

March 1, 2007

Jim Schnellman, Chief

Office of Administrative Resources

     (2) Financial responsibility applies only to spouses and to parents, as follows:

     (a) Married persons, living together are financially responsible for each other; and

     (b) Persons who meet the definition of a natural, adoptive, or step-parent described in WAC 388-454-0010 are financially responsible for their unmarried, minor children living in the same household((; and)).

     (((c))) (3) Minor children are not financially responsible for their parents or for their siblings.

     (((3))) (4) When determining eligibility for family, pregnancy, or children's medical programs, follow the income rules as described in WAC 388-450-0106 (1) through (7). Only one MAU is required when all family members are eligible for CN medical coverage.

     (5) If a family is not eligible as one MAU for a CN program, separate MAUs are required for family members living in the same household in the following situations:

     (a) A pregnant minor, regardless of whether she lives with her parent(s);

     (b) A child with earned or unearned income;

     (c) A child with resources which make another family member ineligible for medical assistance;

     (d) A child of unmarried parents when both parents reside with the child;

     (e) Each unmarried parent of a child in common, plus any of their children who are not in separate MAUs;

     (f) A caretaker relative that is not financially responsible for the support of the child;

     (((4))) (6) For a family with multiple MAUs established based on the criteria described in subsection (((3))) (5) of this section, a parent's:

     (a) Income up to one hundred percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) is allocated to the parent and other members of the parent's MAU. The excess is allocated to their children in separate MAUs.

     (b) Resources are allocated equally to the parent and all persons in the parent's household for whom the parent is financially responsible. This includes family members in separate MAUs.

     (((5))) (7) The exceptions to the income allocations described in subsection (((4))) (6) of this section are as follows:

     (a) Only the parent's income actually contributed to a pregnant minor is considered income to the minor.

     (b) A parent's financial responsibility is limited when the minor child is receiving inpatient chemical dependency or mental health treatment. Only the income a parent chooses to contribute to the child is considered available when:

     (i) The treatment is expected to last ninety days or more;

     (ii) The child is in court-ordered, out-of-home care in accordance with chapter 13.34 RCW; or

     (iii) The department determines the parents are not exercising responsibility for the care and control of the child.

     (((6))) (8) When determining eligibility for an SSI-related medical program, a separate MAU is required for:

     (a) SSI recipients;

     (b) An SSI-related person who has not been found eligible for family medical under this chapter; or

     (c) The purpose of applying medical income standards for an:

     (i) SSI-related applicant whose spouse is not relatable to SSI or is not applying for SSI-related medical; and

     (ii) Ineligible spouse of an SSI recipient.

     (((7))) (9) For a person in a separate MAU, based on the criteria described in subsection (((6))) (8) of this section, the income and resource allocations described in subsection (((4))) (6) of this section are not used. The SSI-related individual's eligibility is determined using the allocations or deeming rules in chapter 388-475 WAC.

     (((8))) (10) Countable income for medical programs:

     (a) For SSI individuals is described in chapter 388-475 WAC; or

     (b) For family medical, pregnancy medical, and children's medical is described in WAC 388-450-0210.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, and 74.09.530. 06-04-021, § 388-408-0055, filed 1/23/06, effective 2/23/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.08A.100, 74.09.080, and 74.09.415. 02-17-030, § 388-408-0055, filed 8/12/02, effective 9/12/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. 98-16-044, § 388-408-0055, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98. Formerly WAC 388-506-0610, 388-506-0630 and 388-507-0730.]

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