WSR 19-14-034
HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY
[Filed June 25, 2019, 2:17 p.m.]
NOTICE
Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 19-0022 Facility Rates.
Effective Date: July 1, 2019.
Description: The health care authority in conjunction with the aging and long-term support administration, department of social and health services (DSHS), intends to submit medicaid SPA 19-0022 in order to increase the medicaid rates for assisted living facilities, adult family homes, adult day health, agency providers, independent providers, enhanced service facilities, nursing facilities, and for nursing facility swing beds. These changes are due to an increase in appropriation from the state legislature. The department also intends to update language regarding the calculation of the swing bed rate in accordance with federal practice. The proposed effective date of these changes is July 1, 2019.
The annual combined total fiscal impact for state and federal dollars for SPA 19-0022 is $29,806,000 for federal fiscal year 2019 and $132,965,000 for federal fiscal year 2020.
The anticipated annual combined total fiscal impact for state and federal dollars per facility, service, or provider is as follows:
•For assisted living facilities by $6,968,000 for federal fiscal year 2019 and $27,646,000 for federal fiscal year 2020.
•For adult family homes by $3,361,000 for federal fiscal year 2019 and $14,612,000 for federal fiscal year 2020.
•For adult day health by $189,000 for federal fiscal year 2019 and $750,000 for federal fiscal year 2020.
•For agency providers by $4,917,000 for federal fiscal year 2019 and $23,609,869 for federal fiscal year 2020.
•For independent providers by $9,920,000 for federal fiscal year 2019 and $48,694,000 for federal fiscal year 2020.
•For enhanced service facilities by $110,000 for federal fiscal year 2019 and $438,000 for federal fiscal year 2020.
•For nursing facilities by $4,339,000 for federal fiscal year 2019 and $17,214,000 for federal fiscal year 2020.
•For nursing facility swing beds by $61,000 for federal fiscal year 2019 and $243,000 for federal fiscal year 2020.
A copy of proposed SPA 19-0022 is available for review. The health care authority and DSHS would appreciate any input or concerns regarding this SPA. To request a copy of the SPA or submit comments, please contact the person named below (please note that all comments are subject to public review and disclosure, as are the names of those who comment).
The proposed rates, methodologies, and justifications are as follows:
Proposed Rate
Proposed Methodology
Justification
The proposed budget dial rate for nursing facilities is $220.37. Thus, the industry as a whole will see an increase in the daily rate.
The methodology for rate calculation has not changed. This change is a result of increased state appropriation.
The state legislature increased appropriations to nursing facilities.
The proposed swing bed rate for nursing facilities is $207.64.
The methodology for the swing bed rate calculation has been adjusted to align with federal calculations. The proposed increase can be attributed to increased state appropriation.
The state legislature increased appropriations for swing beds. The average is calculated in alignment with federal calculations.
Interested parties may submit comments and concerns about the rates or the effects the changes may have on beneficiary access to care or continued service access. Please submit comments and concerns to Elizabeth Pashley with a courtesy copy to Ann Myers, state plan coordinator, at ann.myers@hca.wa.gov by July 30, 2019. Please note that all comments are subject to public review and disclosure, as are the names of those who comment.
Contact Elizabeth Pashley, Office of Rates Management, Aging and Long-Term Support, DSHS, P.O. Box 45600, Olympia, WA 98504-5600, phone 360-725-2447, TRS 711, fax 360-725-2641, email Elizabeth.Pashley@dshs.wa.gov, web site https://www.dshs.wa.gov/altsa/management-services-division/office-rates-management.