Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 182-531-1400 Psychiatric physician-related services and other professional mental health services; other related rules as appropriate.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 41.05.021, 41.05.160; 2SHB 1325, section (2)(11), chapter 126, Laws of 2021.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The health care authority (HCA) is amending WAC 182-531-1400 to implement changes directed by the legislature in 2SHB 1325, section (2)(11), chapter 126, Laws of 2021. For mental health diagnostic assessment of children birth through age five, HCA is directed to reimburse providers for up to five sessions per assessment and for travel costs when a session is conducted in a home or community setting. 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: Department of health.

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 Jason Crabbe, Rulemaking Questions, P.O. Box 42716, Olympia, WA 98504-2716, phone 360-725-9563, fax 360-586-9727, telecommunication[s] relay service (TRS) 711, email jason.crabbe@hca.wa.gov, website www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/rulemaking; or Christine Cole, Program Questions, P.O. Box 45506, Olympia, WA 98504-5506, phone 360-725-1368, fax 360-586-9727, TRS 711, email christine.cole@hca.wa.gov, website www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/rulemaking.