WSR 22-14-061
HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY
[Filed June 29, 2022, 11:45 a.m.]
NOTICE
Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 22-0029 Provider and Facility July Rates.
Effective Date: July 1, 2022.
Description: The health care authority (HCA) in conjunction with the aging and long-term support administration (ALTSA) of the department of social and health services (DSHS) intend to submit medicaid SPA 22-0029 in order to increase daily rates for adult family homes, assisted living facilities, adult day health, agency providers, and individual providers. This amendment will also amend the private duty nursing methodology, nursing facility methodology, swing bed rate, and budget dial. SPA 22-0029 is expected to:
•Increase the daily rate for adult family homes on average by one percent. The weighted average increase is expected to be $1.39, though this amount will vary based on the CARE classification of each individual client.
•Increase the daily rate for assisted living facilities on average by 25 percent. The weighted average increase is expected to be $20.68, though this amount will vary based on the CARE classification of each individual client.
•Increase the daily rate for adult day health by $11.08.
•Increase the hourly rate of agency providers by four percent. The weighted average increase is expected to be $1.46.
•Increase the hourly rate of individual providers by three percent. The weighted average increase is expected to be $0.80.
•Increase the private duty nursing hourly rate for agency providers by 20 percent.
•Increase the nursing facility swing bed rate by $22.03, to $254.61.
•Increase the nursing facility budget dial by $59.98, to $319.82.
•Adjust the direct care median and indirect care median in accordance with ESSB 5693, section 204(53). The direct care median will be raised to 111 percent and the indirect care median will be raised to 92 percent. These adjustments are specifically to raise wages for certain low wage employees of the nursing facilities. The department will review spending of this additional money to verify compliance.
SPA 22-0029 is in the development process; therefore, a copy is not yet available for review. HCA and DSHS would appreciate any input or concerns regarding this SPA. To request a copy when it becomes available 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, regulatory advisor, at Elizabeth.pashley@dshs.wa.gov, with a courtesy copy to Ann Myers, state plan coordinator, at ann.myers@hca.wa.gov, by July 29, 2022. 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, phone 360-995-2807, TRS 711, fax 360-725-2641, email Elizabeth.Pashley@gmail.com, website https://www.dshs.wa.gov/altsa/management-services-division/office-rates-management.