WSR 16-06-099

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed March 1, 2016, 9:40 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 182-551-1510 Rates methodology and payment method for hospice agencies, and other related sections, as appropriate.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 41.05.021, 41.05.160, 42 C.F.R. 418 Subpart G Payment for Hospice Care.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Revisions to the hospice rules are necessary to implement new Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requirements for routine home care (RHC) rates. The current single RHC per diem payment rate will be replaced with a two-tiered payment model for RHC days. A service intensity add-on payment is also being added as required by CMS. During the course of this review, the agency may identify additional changes that are required in order to improve clarity or update policy.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: CMS.

Process for Developing New Rule: The agency 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, the agency 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 Katie Pounds, Rules and Publications Program Manager, P.O. Box 42716, Olympia, WA 98504-2716, fax (360) 586-9727, TTY 1-800-848-5429, e-mail katherine.pounds@hca.wa.gov.

March 1, 2016

Wendy Barcus

Rules Coordinator