WSR 14-04-112

[Filed February 4, 2014, 11:32 a.m.]

Title or Subject: Apple Health Managed Care 1915(b) waiver renewal.

Effective Date: July 1, 2014.

Description: Renewal of Washington state's 1915(b) waiver.

The health care authority (the agency) intends to submit an amendment to the current 1915(b) waiver that allows the agency to mandatorily enroll categorically needy SSI blind and disabled adults and children into the apple health (formerly healthy options) managed care program. This waiver will extend the current waiver from July 1, 2014 - June 30, 2016. The waiver expands the population with access to guaranteed health care services to include SSI-eligible blind and disabled enrollees, in addition to the families and children traditionally served by Washington's managed care program.

The apple health managed care (AHMC) program offers many benefits, including guaranteed access to primary care, care coordination and care management services, and access to health home services for those who qualify. For beneficiaries who do not have access to health care services, AHMC can provide an avenue to improved health outcomes, especially for beneficiaries with multiple chronic health conditions.

The agency intends to submit this waiver renewal to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on or before March 31, 2014.

For additional information, contact Alison Robbins, Division of Health Care Services, Quality and Care Management Section, 626 8th Avenue, P.O. Box 45530, Olympia, WA 98504, phone (360) 725-1634, TDD/TTY 1-800-848-5429, fax (360) 753-7315, e-mail Alison.Robbins@hca.wa.gov.