PROPOSED RULES
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Health and Recovery Services Administration)
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 09-14-041.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: The department is amending WAC 388-543-2900 Medical supplies and nondurable medical equipment (MSE) -- Reimbursement methodology.
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://www.dshs.wa.gov/msa/rpau/docket.html or by calling (360) 664-6094), on November 10, 2009, at 10:00 a.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: Not earlier than November 11, 2009.
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 10, 2009.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Jennisha Johnson, DSHS rules consultant, by October 27, 2009, 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: This amendment is necessary to describe the payment methodology the department will use to meet the legislature's intent that the department continue to meet federal payment standards for durable medical equipment (DME) with a lower overall level of appropriation.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: These amendments are necessary for the department to fully meet the legislative mandate as required under sections 201 and 209 of the state operating budget for the 2009-2011 fiscal years. This will replace the emergency rule which was filed effective August 1, 2009.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: Section 1109, chapter 564, Laws of 2009 (ESHB 1244); RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.08.090.
Statute Being Implemented: Section 1109, chapter 564, Laws of 2009 (ESHB 1244).
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: Wendy Boedigheimer, P.O. Box 45504, Olympia, WA 98504-5504, (360) 725-1306; Implementation and Enforcement: Melissa Usitallo [Usitalo], P.O. Box 45564, Olympia, WA 98504-5564, (360) 725-1853.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. The department analyzed the proposed rule amendments and concludes that they will impose no new costs on small businesses. The preparation of a comprehensive small business economic impact statement is not required.
A cost-benefit analysis is required under RCW 34.05.328. A preliminary cost-benefit analysis may be obtained by contacting Melissa Usitalo, DME Rates Program Manager, P.O. Box 45500, Olympia, WA 98504-5500, phone (360) 725-1853, fax (360) 586-9727, e-mail Melissa.Usitalo@dshs.wa.gov.
September 30, 2009
Stephanie E. Vaughn
Rules Coordinator
4106.5 (a) ((Medicare fee schedule; or
(b) Manufacturers' catalogs and commercial data bases for price comparisons)) The medicare fee schedule, for those items that are included in the fee schedule for the medicare program, as established by the federal centers for medicare and medicaid services (CMS).
(b) For those items not included in the medicare fee schedule, the department uses manufacturers' catalogs and commercial data bases to identify brands to comprise the department's pricing cluster. When establishing the fee for products in a pricing cluster, the maximum allowable fee is the lesser of either:
(i) Eighty-five percent of the average manufacturer's list price; or
(ii) One hundred twenty-five percent of the average dealer cost.
(c) Input from stakeholders or other relevant sources that the department determines to be reliable and appropriate.
(2) ((MAA evaluates and updates the maximum allowable
fees for MSE as follows)) The department's pricing cluster is
made up of all the brands for which the department obtains
pricing information. However, the department may limit the
number of brands included in the pricing cluster if doing so
is in the best interests of its clients as determined by the
department. The department considers all of the following
when establishing the pricing cluster:
(a) ((MAA sets the maximum allowable fees for new MSE
using one of the following:
(i) Medicare's fee schedule; or
(ii) For those items without a medicare fee, commercial data bases to identify brands to make up MAA's pricing cluster. MAA establishes the fee for products in the pricing cluster by using the lesser of either:
(A) Eighty-five percent of the average manufacturer's list price; or
(B) One hundred twenty-five percent of the average dealer cost.
(b) All the brands for which MAA obtains pricing information make up MAA's pricing cluster. However, MAA may limit the number of brands included in the pricing cluster if doing so is in the best interests of its clients. MAA considers all of the following:
(i) A client's medical needs;
(ii) Product quality;
(iii) Cost; and
(iv) Available alternatives)) A client's medical needs;
(b) Product quality;
(c) Cost; and
(d) Available alternatives.
(3) ((MAA's)) The department's nursing facility per diem
rate, established per chapter 74.46 RCW and chapter 388-96 WAC, includes any reusable and disposable medical supplies
that may be required for a nursing facility client. ((MAA))
The department may reimburse the following medical supplies
separately for a client in a nursing facility:
(a) Medical supplies or services that replace all or parts of the function of a permanently impaired or malfunctioning internal body organ. This includes, but is not limited to the following:
(i) Colostomy and other ostomy bags and necessary supplies; and
(ii) Urinary retention catheters, tubes, and bags, excluding irrigation supplies;
(b) Supplies for intermittent catheterization programs, for the following purposes:
(i) Long term treatment of atonic bladder with a large capacity; and
(ii) Short term management for temporary bladder atony; and
(c) Surgical dressings required as a result of a surgical procedure, for up to six weeks after surgery.
(4) ((MAA)) The department considers decubitus care
products to be included in the nursing facility per diem rate
and does not reimburse for these separately.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, and Public Law 104-191. 03-19-083, § 388-543-2900, filed 9/12/03, effective 10/13/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.530. 01-01-078, § 388-543-2900, filed 12/13/00, effective 1/13/01.]