WSR 14-17-064

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed August 15, 2014, 12:31 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 182-547-0800 Hearing aids—Coverage—Clients twenty years of age and younger and 182-531-0375 Audiology services, and other related sections as necessary.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 41.05.021, 41.05.160.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The agency is adding bilateral cochlear implants as a covered benefit for clients twenty years of age and younger. The agency uses health technology assessment in determining coverage for new or existing technology when coverage is not mandated by federal or state law. This policy decision complies with a recent health technology assessment decision made by the health technology clinical committee.

Process for Developing New Rule: The health care authority (HCA) welcomes the public to take part in developing this rule. If interested, contact the person identified below to receive an early rule draft to review. After the early review, HCA will send a notice of proposed rule making (CR-102) to everyone receiving this notice and anyone who requests a copy.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Wendy Barcus, P.O. Box 42716, Olympia, WA 98504-2716, fax (360) 586-9727, TTY 1-800-848-5429, e-mail wendy.barcus@hca.wa.gov.

August 15, 2014

Kevin M. Sullivan

Rules Coordinator