Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 182-551 WAC, Alternatives to hospital services, Subchapter II—Home health services; other related rules as appropriate.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The 2021-2023 operating budget included a proviso (section 211(65), chapter 334, Laws of 2021) specifying that certain appropriated funds are provided to reimburse social workers as part of the medical assistance home health benefit. The agency is amending home health rules in chapter 182-551 WAC, subchapter II, to include medical social services within the home health program. During the course of this review, health care authority 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: Department of health, 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 Brian Jensen, Rulemaking Questions, P.O. Box 42716, Olympia, WA 98504-2716, phone 360-725-0815, fax 360-586-9727, telecommunication[s] relay service (TRS) 711, email brian.jensen@hca.wa.gov, website www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/rulemaking; or Cynthia Rivers, Program Questions, P.O. Box 45502, Olympia, WA 98504-5502, phone 360-725-5282, fax 360-586-9727, TRS 711, email Cynthia.rivers@hca.wa.gov, website www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/rulemaking.