WSR 18-03-132

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed January 22, 2018, 9:36 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: New section in chapter 182-535 WAC, Dental-related services; and other rules as appropriate.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 41.05.021, 41.05.160, SSB 5883 (section 213 (1)(nn), chapter 1, Laws of 2017, 65th legislature, 2017 3rd sp. sess.).

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: This rule making is necessary to implement SSB 5883 which directs the agency to develop and implement a three-year pilot program to test the effect that enhanced dental benefits for adult medicaid clients with diabetes and pregnant medicaid clients have on access to dental care, health outcomes, and medical care costs. The pilot program must include enhanced reimbursement rates for specific current dental terminology codes for participating providers and an increase in the allowable number of periodontal treatments to up to four per calendar year. During the course of this review, the agency may identify additional related 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: None.

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 Amy Emerson, P.O. Box 42716, Olympia, WA 98504-2716, phone 360-725-1348, fax 360-586-9727, TTY 1-800-848-5429, email amy.emerson@hca.wa.gov, web site www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/rulemaking.

January 22, 2018

Wendy Barcus

Rules Coordinator