Description: The health care authority (HCA) and the aging and long-term support administration (ALTSA) in the department of social and health services (DSHS) intend to submit medicaid SPA 21-0004 in order to add language regarding the COVID-related add-on rate for nursing facilities. The state has not previously claimed enhanced federal matching funds for the add-on rate. Therefore it is necessary to add language to the medicaid state plan so the state may receive matching funds, which will be used along with state medicaid funds to pay the add-on rate. This SPA will not affect the current add-on rate paid to nursing facilities. The SPA is being submitted to allow the state to claim enhanced federal matching funds.

A copy of proposed SPA 21-0004 is available upon request. HCA 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).

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 at Elizabeth.Pashley@dshs.wa.gov with a courtesy copy to Ann Myers, state plan coordinator, at ann.myers@hca.wa.gov. 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, ALTSA, DSHS, P.O. Box 45600, Olympia, WA 98504-5600, TRS (TDD/TTY) 711, fax 360-725-2641, email Elizabeth.Pashley@dshs.wa.gov, website https://www.dshs.wa.gov/altsa/management-services-division/office-rates-management.