Original Notice.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 08-15-006.

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: The department is amending WAC 388-416-0015 Certification periods for categorically needy (CN) scope of care medical assistance programs, 388-418-0025 Effect of changes on medical program eligibility, 388-478-0075 Medical programs -- Monthly income standards based on the federal poverty level (FPL), 388-505-0210 Children's medical programs, 388-505-0211 Premium requirements for the premium-based, 388-542-0010 Purpose and scope of premium-based apple health for kids, 388-542-0020 Other rules that apply to the premium-based apple health for kids program, 388-542-0050 Definitions for the premium-based apple health for kids program, and 388-542-0300 Waiting period for the premium-based apple health for kids program.

     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) 664-6094), on November 25, 2008, at 10:00 a.m.

     Date of Intended Adoption: Not sooner than November 26, 2008.

     Submit Written Comments to: DSHS Rules Coordinator, P.O. Box 45850, Olympia, WA 98504-5850, delivery 4500 10th Avenue S.E., Lacey, WA 98503, e-mail DSHSRPAURulesCoordinator@dshs.wa.gov, fax (360) 664-6185, by 5 p.m. on November 25, 2008.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Jennisha Johnson, DSHS rules consultant, by November 18, 2008, TTY (360) 664-6178 or (360) 664-6094 or by e-mail at johnsjl4@dshs.wa.gov.

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: Legislation passed approving expansion of the premium-based children's healthcare for children in households with incomes up to and including 300% of FPL. The program name is changed from "Children's Healthcare for Children" to "Apple Health for Kids." This rule will increase the number of children who qualify for medical coverage.

     WAC 388-416-0015, 388-418-0025, 388-542-0020, and 388-542-0050 were not cited on the preproposal statement of inquiry filed as WSR 08-15-006. The department is including these sections in this proposal to update the program name to "Apple Health for Kids."

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

     Statute Being Implemented: RCW 74.09.402 and 74.09.470.

     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: Jonell Blatt, P.O. Box 45504, Olympia, WA 98504-5504, (360) 725-1571; Implementation and Enforcement: Kevin Cornell, P.O. Box 45534, Olympia, WA 98504-5534, (360) 725-1423.

     No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. These rules do not impact small profit and nonprofit business organizations.

     A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. According to RCW 34.05.038 [34.05.328](5) a cost-benefit analysis is exempt according to the following citations: RCW 34.05.038 (5)(iv) [34.05.328 (5)(b)(iv)] Rules that only correct typographical errors, make address or name changes, or clarify language of a rule without changing its effect; and RCW 34.05.038 (5)(vii) [34.05.328 (5)(b)(vii)] Rules of the department of social and health services relating only to client medical or financial eligibility and rules concerning liability for care of dependents.

October 13, 2008

Stephanie E. Schiller

Rules Coordinator

     (2) For a child eligible for the newborn medical program, the certification period begins on the child's date of birth and continues through the end of the month of the child's first birthday.

     (3) For a woman eligible for a medical program based on pregnancy, the certification period ends the last day of the month that includes the sixtieth day from the day the pregnancy ends.

     (4) For families the certification period is twelve months with a six-month report required as a condition of eligibility as described in WAC 388-418-0011.

     (5) For children, the certification period is twelve months. Eligibility is continuous without regard to changes in circumstances other than aging out of the program, moving out-of-state, failing to pay a required premium(s), incarceration or death.

     (6) When the child turns nineteen the certification period ends even if the twelve-month period is not over. The certification period may be extended past the end of the month the child turns nineteen when:

     (a) The child is receiving inpatient services (see WAC 388-505-0230) on the last day of the month the child turns nineteen;

     (b) The inpatient stay continues into the following month or months; and

     (c) The child remains eligible except for exceeding age nineteen.

     (7) For an SSI-related person the certification period is twelve months.

     (8) When the medical assistance unit is also receiving benefits under a cash or food assistance program, the medical certification period is updated to begin anew at each:

     (a) Approved application for cash or food assistance; or

     (b) Completed eligibility review.

     (9) A retroactive certification period can begin up to three months immediately before the month of application when:

     (a) The client would have been eligible for medical assistance if the client had applied; and

     (b) The client received covered medical services as described in WAC 388-501-0060 and 388-501-0065.

     (10) If the client is eligible only during the three-month retroactive period, that period is the only period of certification.

     (11) Any months of a retroactive certification period are added to the designated certification periods described in this section.

     (12) There is no retroactive eligibility for premium-based ((children's healthcare)) apple health for kids coverage as described in WAC 388-505-0210 and chapter 388-542 WAC. If creditable coverage exists at the time of application, the certification period begins no sooner than the month after creditable coverage ends.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.09.530, 74.09.700, and 2007 c 5. 08-05-018, § 388-416-0015, filed 2/12/08, effective 3/14/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.08.090, 74.09.530, and 74.09.700. 06-24-036, § 388-416-0015, filed 11/30/06, effective 1/1/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.530, and 74.09.415. 05-19-031, § 388-416-0015, filed 9/12/05, effective 10/13/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, and 2004 c 54. 04-21-064, § 388-416-0015, filed 10/18/04, effective 11/18/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.530, and 2003 c 10. 04-03-019, § 388-416-0015, filed 1/12/04, effective 2/12/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090 and 74.09.450. 00-08-002, § 388-416-0015, filed 3/22/00, effective 5/1/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. 98-16-044, § 388-416-0015, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98. Formerly 388-509-0970, 388-521-2105, 388-522-2210 and 388-522-2230.]

     (a) A CN Medicaid program;

     (b) A ((children's healthcare)) apple health for kids program; or

     (c) Any of the following cash grants:

     (i) TANF;

     (ii) SSI; or

     (iii) GA-X. See WAC 388-434-0005 for changes reported during eligibility review.

     (2) If you become ineligible for refugee cash assistance, refugee medical assistance can be continued through the eight-month limit, as described in WAC 388-400-0035(4).

     (3) If you receive a TANF cash grant or family medical, you are eligible for a medical extension, as described under WAC 388-523-0100, when your cash grant or family medical program is terminated as a result of:

     (a) Earned income; or

     (b) Collection of child or spousal support.

     (4) A change in income during a certification period does affect eligibility for all medical programs except:

     (a) Pregnant women's medical programs;

     (b) ((Children's healthcare)) Apple health for kids program((s)), except as specified in subsection (5); or

     (c) The first six months of the medical extension benefits.

     (5) For a child receiving benefits under the premium-based ((children's healthcare)) apple health for kids program((s)) as described in WAC 388-505-0210 and chapter 388-542 WAC, the department must redetermine eligibility for a nonpremium-based medical program when the family reports:

     (a) Family income has decreased to less than two hundred percent federal poverty level (FPL);

     (b) The child becomes pregnant;

     (c) A change in family size; or

     (d) The child receives SSI.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.09.530, 74.09.700, and 2007 c 5. 08-05-018, § 388-418-0025, filed 2/12/08, effective 3/14/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.530, and 74.09.415. 05-23-013, § 388-418-0025, filed 11/4/05, effective 1/1/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.530, and 2003 c 10. 04-03-019, § 388-418-0025, filed 1/12/04, effective 2/12/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.08A.100, 74.09.080, and 74.09.415. 02-17-030, § 388-418-0025, filed 8/12/02, effective 9/12/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090 and 74.09.450. 00-08-002, § 388-418-0025, filed 3/22/00, effective 5/1/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057 and Section 4731 of the BBA (Public Law 105-33). 99-10-064, § 388-418-0025, filed 5/3/99, effective 6/3/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. 98-16-044, § 388-418-0025, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98. Formerly WAC 388-508-0840, 388-509-0920, 388-509-0960, 388-522-2205 and 388-522-2210.]

     (a) Pregnant women's program up to one hundred eighty-five percent of FPL;

     (b) ((Children's healthcare)) Apple health for kids program((s)) up to two hundred percent of FPL;

     (c) Healthcare for workers with disabilities (HWD) up to two hundred twenty percent of FPL; and

     (d) Premium-based ((coverage under the children's healthcare programs)) apple health for kids over two hundred percent of FPL, but not over ((two hundred fifty)) three hundred percent of FPL.

     (2) The department uses the FPL income standards to determine:

     (a) The mandatory or optional Medicaid status of an individual; and

     (b) Premium amount, if any, for a child.

     (3) There are no resource limits for the programs under this section.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.09.530, 74.09.700, and 2007 c 5. 08-05-018, § 388-478-0075, filed 2/12/08, effective 3/14/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.09.500 and 42 U.S.C. 9902(2). 06-16-026, § 388-478-0075, filed 7/24/06, effective 8/24/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.415, 74.09.530 and 2005 c 279. 06-03-080, § 388-478-0075, filed 1/12/06, effective 2/12/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.09.500, and 42 U.S.C. 9902(2). 05-17-157, § 388-478-0075, filed 8/22/05, effective 9/22/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.04.057, 74.04.050, and 74.09.530. 04-15-092, § 388-478-0075, filed 7/16/04, effective 8/16/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.09.530, and 42 U.S.C. 9902(2). 03-15-088, § 388-478-0075, filed 7/17/03, effective 7/17/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.08A.100, 74.09.080, and 74.09.415. 02-17-030, § 388-478-0075, filed 8/12/02, effective 9/12/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.08.090, 74.09.500, 74.09.510, and Section 1902 (a)(10)(A)(ii)(XV) and (XVI) of the Social Security Act. 02-07-090, § 388-478-0075, filed 3/19/02, effective 4/1/02. 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, § 388-478-0075, filed 8/30/01, effective 9/30/01; 00-17-085, § 388-478-0075, filed 8/14/00, effective 9/14/00; 99-19-005, § 388-478-0075, 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, § 388-478-0075, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98. Formerly WAC 388-507-0805, 388-508-0810, 388-509-0910, 388-509-0920, 388-509-0940 and 388-509-0960.]

     (1) Newborns are eligible for federally matched categorically needy (CN) coverage through their first birthday when:

     (a) The child's mother was eligible for and receiving medical assistance at the time of the child's birth; and

     (b) The child remains with the mother and resides in the state.

     (2) Children under the age of nineteen who are U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or qualified aliens as described in WAC 388-424-0001 and 388-424-0006 (1) and (4) are eligible for federally matched CN coverage under ((children's healthcare)) apple health for kids program((s)) when they meet the following criteria:

     (a) State residence as described in chapter 388-468 WAC;

     (b) A Social Security number or application as described in chapter 388-476 WAC;

     (c) Proof of citizenship or immigrant status and identity as required by WAC 388-490-0005(11);

     (d) Family income is at or below two hundred percent federal poverty level (FPL), as described in WAC 388-478-0075 at each application or review; or

     (e) They received supplemental security income (SSI) cash payments in August 1996 and would continue to be eligible for those payments except for the August 1996 passage of amendments to federal disability definitions; or

     (f) They are eligible for SSI-related CN or MN coverage.

     (3) Noncitizen children under the age of nineteen, who do not meet qualified alien status as described in WAC 388-424-0006 (1) or (4), or are ineligible due to the five-year ban as described in WAC 388-424-0006(3), are eligible for state-funded CN coverage under ((children's healthcare)) the apple health for kids program((s)) when they meet the following criteria:

     (a) State residence as described in chapter 388-468 WAC; and

     (b) Family income is at or below two hundred percent FPL at each application or review.

     (4) Children under the age of nineteen are eligible for premium-based CN coverage under ((children's healthcare)) apple health for kids program((s)) as described in chapter 388-542 WAC when they meet the following criteria:

     (a) State residence as described in chapter 388-468 WAC;

     (b) Family income is over two hundred percent FPL, as described in WAC 388-478-0075, but not over ((two hundred fifty)) three hundred percent FPL at each application or review;

     (c) They do not have other creditable health insurance as described in WAC 388-542-0050; and

     (d) They pay the required monthly premiums as described in WAC 388-505-0211

     (5) Children under age nineteen are eligible for the medically needy (MN) Medicaid program when they ((meet)):

     (a) Meet citizenship or immigrant status, state residence, and Social Security number requirements as described in subsection (2)(a), (b), and (c); ((and))

     (b) ((They)) Are ineligible for other federal Medicaid programs; and

     (c) Meet their spenddown obligation as described in WAC 388-519-0100 and 388-519-0110.

     (6) Children under the age of twenty-one who reside or expect to reside in a medical institution, intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded (ICF/MR), hospice care center, nursing home, or psychiatric facility may be eligible for medical coverage. See WAC 388-505-0230 "Family related institutional medical" and WAC 388-513-1320 "Determining institutional status for long-term care."

     (7) Children who are in foster care under the legal responsibility of the state, or a federally recognized tribe located within the state, are eligible for federally matched CN Medicaid coverage through the month of their:

     (a) Eighteenth birthday;

     (b) Twenty-first birthday if children's administration determines they remain eligible for continued foster care services; or

     (c) Twenty-first birthday if they were in foster care on their eighteenth birthday and that birthday was on or after July 22, 2007.

     (8) Children who receive subsidized adoption services are eligible for federally matched CN Medicaid coverage.

     (9) Children under age of nineteen may also be eligible for:

     (a) Family medical as described in WAC 388-505-0220;

     (b) Medical extensions as described in WAC 388-523-0100; or

     (c) SSI-related MN if they:

     (i) Meet the blind and/or disability criteria of the federal SSI program, or the condition of subsection (2)(e); and

     (ii) Have countable income above the level described in WAC 388-478-0070(1).

     (10) Children who are ineligible for other ((children's healthcare)) apple health for kids programs ((due to citizenship or immigrant status requirements)) may be eligible for the alien emergency medical program (AEM) if they meet the following criteria:

     (a) They have a documented emergent medical condition as defined in WAC 388-500-0005;

     (b) They meet the other AEM program requirements as described in WAC 388-438-0110; and

     (c) They have income that exceeds ((children's healthcare)) apple health for kids program standards; or

     (d) They are disqualified from receiving premium-based ((children's healthcare)) apple health for kids coverage as described in subsection (4) of this section because of creditable coverage or nonpayment of premiums.

     (11) Except for a client described in subsection (6), an inmate of a public institution, as defined in WAC 388-500-0005, is not eligible for ((children's healthcare)) the apple health for kids program((s)).

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.09.530, 74.09.700, and 2007 c 5. 08-05-018, § 388-505-0210, filed 2/12/08, effective 3/14/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.530, and 74.09.415. 05-23-013, § 388-505-0210, filed 11/4/05, effective 1/1/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090. 04-15-057, § 388-505-0210, filed 7/13/04, effective 8/13/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090 and 74.04.050. 03-14-107, § 388-505-0210, filed 6/30/03, effective 7/31/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.08A.100, 74.09.080, and 74.09.415. 02-17-030, § 388-505-0210, filed 8/12/02, effective 9/12/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.04.050, [74.04.]055, and [74.04.]057. 01-11-110, § 388-505-0210, filed 5/21/01, effective 6/21/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090 and 74.08A.100. 99-17-023, § 388-505-0210, filed 8/10/99, effective 9/10/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. 98-16-044, § 388-505-0210, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98. Formerly WAC 388-509-0905, 388-509-0910 and 388-509-0920.]

     (2) Payment of a premium is required as a condition of eligibility for premium-based ((children's healthcare)) apple health for kids coverage, as described in WAC 388-505-0210(4), unless the child is:

     (a) Pregnant; or

     (b) An American Indian or Alaska native.

     (3) The premium requirement begins the first of the month following the determination of eligibility. There is no premium requirement for medical coverage received in a month or months before the determination of eligibility.

     (4) The premium amount for the assistance unit is based on the net ((available)) countable income as described in WAC ((388-450-0005)) 388-450-0210 and the number of children in the assistance unit. If the household includes more than one assistance unit, the premium amount billed for the assistance units may be different amounts.

     (5) The premium amount for ((each eligible child is fifteen dollars per month per child, up to a maximum of forty-five dollars per month, per household)) children shall be:

     (a) Twenty dollars per month per child for households with income above two hundred percent of the FPL, but not above two hundred and fifty percent FPL;

     (b) Thirty dollars per month per child for households with income above two hundred and fifty percent FPL, but not above three hundred percent FPL; and

     (c) Limited to a monthly maximum of two premiums for households with two or more children.

     (6) All children in an assistance unit are ineligible for medical coverage when the head of household fails to pay required premium payments for three consecutive months.

     (7) When the department terminates the medical coverage of a child due to nonpayment of premiums, the child has a three-month period of ineligibility beginning the first of the following month. The three-month period of ineligibility is rescinded only when the:

     (a) Past due premiums are paid in full prior to the begin date of the period of ineligibility; or

     (b) The child becomes eligible for a nonpremium-based medical program. The department will not rescind the three-month period of ineligibility for reasons other than the criteria described in this subsection.

     (8) The department writes off past-due premiums after twelve months.

     (9) When the designated three-month period of ineligibility is over, all past due premiums that are an obligation of the head of household must be paid or written off before a child can become eligible for the premium-based ((children's healthcare)) apple health for kids program.

     (10) A family cannot designate partial payment of the billed premium amount as payment for a specific child in the assistance unit. The full premium amount is the obligation of the head of household of the assistance unit. A family can decide to request medical coverage only for certain children in the assistance unit, if they want to reduce premium obligation.

     (11) A change that affects the premium amount is effective the month after the change is reported and processed.

     (12) A sponsor or other third party may pay the premium on behalf of the child or children in the assistance unit. The premium payment requirement remains the obligation of head of household of the assistance unit. The failure of a sponsor or other third party to pay the premium does not eliminate the:

     (a) Establishment of the period of ineligibility described in subsection (7) of this section; or

     (b) Obligation of the head of household to pay past-due premiums.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.09.530, 74.09.700, and 2007 c 5. 08-05-018, § 388-505-0211, filed 2/12/08, effective 3/14/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.510, 74.09.522, 74.09.450, and 2004 c 276. 04-16-064, § 388-505-0211, filed 7/30/04, effective 8/30/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.055, 2004 c 276. 04-08-125, § 388-505-0211, filed 4/7/04, effective 5/8/04.]

     (1) Federally matched healthcare coverage as authorized by Title XXI of the Social Security Act (SCHIP) and RCW 74.09.450 for citizen and federally qualified immigrant children whose family income is above two hundred percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) but is not above ((two hundred fifty)) three hundred percent of the FPL.

     (2) State funded healthcare coverage for noncitizen children with family income above two hundred percent FPL, but not above ((two hundred fifty)) three hundred percent FPL, who are ineligible for Title XXI federally matched children's healthcare coverage due to immigration issues.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.09.530, 74.09.700, and 2007 c 5. 08-05-018, § 388-542-0010, filed 2/12/08, effective 3/14/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.050, and Title XXI of the Social Security Act. 06-15-134, § 388-542-0010, filed 7/19/06, effective 8/19/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.510, 74.09.522, 74.09.450, and 2004 c 276. 04-16-064, § 388-542-0010, filed 7/30/04, effective 8/30/04.]

     (1) Chapter 388-538 WAC, Managed care (except WAC 388-538-061, 388-538-063, and 388-538-065) if the child is covered under federally matched CN coverage;

     (2) WAC 388-505-0210(4), ((Children's healthcare)) apple health for kids program eligibility;

     (3) WAC 388-505-0211, Premium requirements for the premium-based ((children's healthcare)) apple health for kids program((s));

     (4) WAC 388-416-0015(12), Certification periods for categorically needy (CN) scope of care medical assistance programs; and

     (5) WAC 388-418-0025, Effect of changes on medical program eligibility.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.09.530, 74.09.700, and 2007 c 5. 08-05-018, § 388-542-0020, filed 2/12/08, effective 3/14/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090 and 74.09.522. 06-07-014, § 388-542-0020, filed 3/3/06, effective 4/3/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.510, 74.09.522, 74.09.450, and 2004 c 276. 04-16-064, § 388-542-0020, filed 7/30/04, effective 8/30/04.]

     "Creditable coverage" means most types of public and private health coverage, except Indian health services, that provides access to physicians, hospitals, laboratory services, and radiology services. This term applies to the coverage whether or not the coverage is equivalent to that offered under premium-based children's healthcare programs. "Creditable coverage" is described in 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1397jj.

     "Employer-sponsored dependent coverage" means creditable health coverage for dependents offered by a family member's employer or union, for which the employer or union may contribute in whole or part towards the premium. Extensions of such coverage (e.g., COBRA extensions) also qualify as employer-sponsored dependent coverage as long as there remains a contribution toward the premiums by the employer or union.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.09.530, 74.09.700, and 2007 c 5. 08-05-018, § 388-542-0050, filed 2/12/08, effective 3/14/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.510, 74.09.522, 74.09.450, and 2004 c 276. 04-16-064, § 388-542-0050, filed 7/30/04, effective 8/30/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.09.080, 74.08.510, [74.08.]522, 74.09.450, 1115 Waiver, 42 U.S.C. 1396. 02-01-075, § 388-542-0050, filed 12/14/01, effective 1/14/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.450. 00-07-103, § 388-542-0050, filed 3/17/00, effective 4/17/00.]

     (a) Chooses to end employer sponsored dependent coverage. The waiting period begins the day after the employment-based coverage ends; or

     (b) Fails to exercise an optional coverage extension (e.g., COBRA) that meets the following conditions. The waiting period begins on the day there is a documented refusal of the coverage extension when the extended coverage is:

     (i) Subsidized in part or in whole by the employer or union;

     (ii) Available and accessible to the applicant or family; and

     (iii) At a monthly cost to the family meeting the limitation of subsection (2)(b)(iv).

     (2) The department does not require a waiting period prior to coverage under the premium-based ((children's healthcare)) apple health for kids program((s)) when:

     (a) The client or family member has a medical condition that, without treatment, would be life-threatening or cause serious disability or loss of function; or

     (b) The loss of employer-sponsored dependent coverage is due to any of the following:

     (i) Loss of employment with no post-employment subsidized coverage as described in subsection (1)(b);

     (ii) Death of the employee;

     (iii) The employer discontinues employer-sponsored dependent coverage;

     (iv) The family's total out-of-pocket maximum cost for employer-sponsored dependent coverage is ((fifty dollars per month or more)) two and one-half percent or more of the family's monthly income;

     (v) The plan terminates employer-sponsored dependent coverage for the client because the client reached the maximum lifetime coverage amount;

     (vi) Coverage under a COBRA extension period expired;

     (vii) Employer-sponsored dependent coverage is not reasonably available (e.g., client would have to travel to another city or state to access care); or

     (viii) Domestic violence caused the loss of coverage for the victim.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.09.530, 74.09.700, and 2007 c 5. 08-05-018, § 388-542-0300, filed 2/12/08, effective 3/14/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.510, 74.09.522, 74.09.450, and 2004 c 276. 04-16-064, § 388-542-0300, filed 7/30/04, effective 8/30/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.09.080, 74.08.510, [74.08.]522, 74.09.450, 1115 Waiver, 42 U.S.C. 1396. 02-01-075, § 388-542-0300, filed 12/14/01, effective 1/14/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.450. 00-07-103, § 388-542-0300, filed 3/17/00, effective 4/17/00.]

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