Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 41.05.021, 41.05.160; ESSB 6168, section 215 (24)(b), chapter 357, Laws of 2020.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: This rule is being amended to increase psychiatric per diem rates for community hospitals that serve patients in long-term inpatient psychiatric care. 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: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

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 Valerie Freudenstein (Rulemaking Questions), P.O. Box 42716, Olympia, WA 98504-2716, phone 360-725-1344, fax 360-586-9727, telecommunication[s] relay service (TRS) 711, email valerie.freudenstein@hca.wa.gov, website www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/rulemaking; or Abigail Cole (Program Questions), P.O. Box 45510, Olympia, WA 98504-5510, phone 360-725-1835, fax 360-586-9727, TRS 711, email Abigail.cole@hca.wa.gov, website www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/rulemaking.