Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 182-550-3800 Rebasing, 182-550-3830 Adjustments to inpatient rates, and 182-550-7500 OPPS rate; other related rules as appropriate.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The health care authority (HCA) is amending these sections to add qualifying criteria for and reflect an extension of the current rate increase for sole community hospitals. ESSB 5092, section 211(46) extends the rate increase through June of 2023. HCA also plans to implement ESSB 5092, section 215(66) to adjust rates paid for long-term civil commitments. Hospitals may now submit costs not included in their medicare cost report to be evaluated by the agency for a potential rate increase. During the course of this review, HCA 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: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services via state plan amendment.

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 Michael Williams, Rulemaking Questions, P.O. Box 42716, Olympia, WA 98504-2716, phone 360-725-1346, fax 360-586-9727, telecommunication[s] relay service 711, email michael.williams@hca.wa.gov, website www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/rulemaking; or Sarah Cook, Program Questions, P.O. Box 42716, Olympia, WA 98504-2716, phone 360-725-1577, fax 360-586-9727, TRS 711, email sarah.cook@hca.wa.gov, website www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/rulemaking.