Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 182-513-1100 Definitions related to long-term services and supports (LTSS), 182-513-1215 Community first choice (CFC)—Eligibility, 182-513-1220 Community first choice (CFC)—Spousal impoverishment protections for noninstitutional Washington apple health clients, and 182-513-1660 Medicaid alternative care (MAC) and tailored supports for older adults (TSOA)—Spousal impoverishment; other related rules as appropriate.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Section 5115 of the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, amends Section 2404 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 1396r-5 note) to extend spousal impoverishment protections to September 30, 2027. The agency is amending the rules identified above to replace "September 30, 2023" with "September 30, 2027" to comply with this change in federal law. The agency is also making technical changes to remove or amend references to outdated programs. During this review, the health care authority may identify additional related changes that are required to improve clarity or update policy.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Washington state department of social and health services; United States Department of Health and Human 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, Rule-Making 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 Paige Lewis, Program Questions, P.O. Box 42722, Olympia, WA 98504-2722, phone 360-725-0757, fax 360-586-9727, TRS 711, email paige.lewis@hca.wa.gov, website www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/rulemaking.