WSR 23-08-047
PROPOSED RULES
HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY
[Filed March 30, 2023, 12:38 p.m.]
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 23-05-032.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: 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.
Hearing Location(s): On May 9, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. The health care authority (HCA) holds public hearings virtually without a physical meeting place. To attend the virtual public hearing, you must register in advance https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_hBvwLAwGQNaCbfhRKR7ciw. If the link above opens with an error message, please try using a different browser. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the public hearing.
Date of Intended Adoption: Not sooner than May 10, 2023.
Submit Written Comments to: HCA Rules Coordinator, P.O. Box 42716, Olympia, WA 98504-2716, email arc@hca.wa.gov, fax 360-586-9727, by May 9, 2023, by 11:59 p.m.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Johanna Larson, phone 360-725-1349, fax 360-586-9727, telecommunication[s] relay service 711, email Johanna.larson@hca.wa.gov, by April 28, 2023.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: 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 The agency is also making technical changes to remove or amend references to outdated programs.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: See purpose.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 41.05.021, 41.05.160.
Statute Being Implemented: RCW 41.05.021, 41.05.160; 42 U.S.C. 1396r-5 note.
Rule is necessary because of federal law, Section 2404 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 1396r-5 note).
Agency Comments or Recommendations, if any, as to Statutory Language, Implementation, Enforcement, and Fiscal Matters: None.
Name of Proponent: HCA, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Brian Jensen, P.O. Box 42716, Olympia, WA 98504-2716, 360-725-0815; Implementation and Enforcement: Paige Lewis, P.O. Box 42722, Olympia, WA 98504-2722, 360-725-0757.
A school district fiscal impact statement is not required under RCW 28A.305.135.
A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. RCW 34.05.328 does not apply to HCA rules unless requested by the joint administrative rules review committee or applied voluntarily.
This rule proposal, or portions of the proposal, is exempt from requirements of the Regulatory Fairness Act because the proposal:
Is exempt under RCW 19.85.061 because this rule making is being adopted solely to conform and/or comply with federal statute or regulations. Citation of the specific federal statute or regulation and description of the consequences to the state if the rule is not adopted: Section 2404 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 1396r-5 note). Failure to conform agency medicaid client eligibility rules to federal law jeopardizes the agency's receipt of federal funds.
Is exempt under RCW 19.85.025(4).
Explanation of exemptions: The proposed rule pertains to client program eligibility and does not impose costs on businesses.
Scope of exemption for rule proposal:
Is fully exempt.
March 30, 2023
Wendy Barcus
Rules Coordinator
OTS-4379.2
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 21-10-051, filed 4/29/21, effective 5/30/21)
WAC 182-513-1100Definitions related to long-term services and supports (LTSS).
This section defines the meaning of certain terms used in chapters 182-513 and 182-515 WAC. Within these chapters, institutional, home and community based (HCB) waiver, program of all-inclusive care for the elderly (PACE), and hospice in a medical institution are referred to collectively as long-term care (LTC). Long-term services and supports (LTSS) is a broader definition which includes institutional, HCB waiver, and other services such as medicaid personal care (MPC), community first choice (CFC), PACE, and hospice in the community. See chapter 182-500 WAC for additional definitions.
"Adequate consideration" means that the fair market value (FMV) of the property or services received, in exchange for transferred property, approximates the FMV of the property transferred.
"Administrative costs" or "costs" means necessary costs paid by the guardian including attorney fees.
"Aging and long-term support administration (ALTSA)" means the administration within the Washington state department of social and health services (DSHS).
"Alternate living facility (ALF)" is not an institution under WAC 182-500-0050; it is one of the following community residential facilities:
(a) An adult family home (AFH) licensed under chapter 70.128 RCW.
(b) An adult residential care facility (ARC) licensed under chapter 18.20 RCW.
(c) A behavioral health adult residential treatment facility licensed under chapter 246-337 WAC.
(d) An assisted living facility (AL) licensed under chapter 18.20 RCW.
(e) A developmental disabilities administration (DDA) group home (GH) licensed as an adult family home under chapter 70.128 RCW or an assisted living facility under chapter 18.20 RCW.
(f) An enhanced adult residential care facility (EARC) licensed as an assisted living facility under chapter 18.20 RCW.
(g) An enhanced service facility (ESF) licensed under chapter 70.97 RCW.
(h) A staffed residential facility licensed under chapter 74.15 RCW.
(i) A group care facility for medically complex children licensed under chapter 74.15 RCW.
(j) A facility for children and youth ((twenty))20 years of age and younger where a state-operated living alternative program, as defined under chapter 71A.10 RCW, is operated.
"Assets" means all income and resources of a person and of the person's spouse, including any income or resources which that person or that person's spouse would otherwise currently be entitled to but does not receive because of action:
(a) By that person or that person's spouse;
(b) By another person, including a court or administrative body, with legal authority to act in place of or on behalf of the person or the person's spouse; or
(c) By any other person, including any court or administrative body, acting at the direction or upon the request of the person or the person's spouse.
"Authorization date" means the date payment begins for long-term services and supports (LTSS) under WAC 388-106-0045.
"Clothing and personal incidentals (CPI)" means the cash payment (under WAC 388-478-0090, 388-478-0006, and 388-478-0033) issued by the department for clothing and personal items for people living in an ALF or medical institution.
"Community first choice (CFC)" means a medicaid state plan home and community based service developed under the authority of section 1915(k) of the Social Security Act under chapter 388-106 WAC.
"Community options program entry system (COPES)" means a medicaid HCB waiver program developed under the authority of section 1915(c) of the Social Security Act under chapter 388-106 WAC.
"Community spouse (CS)" means the spouse of an institutionalized spouse.
"Community spouse resource allocation (CSRA)" means the resource amount that may be transferred without penalty from:
(a) The institutionalized spouse (IS) to the community spouse (CS); or
(b) The spousal impoverishment protections institutionalized (SIPI) spouse to the spousal impoverishment protections community (SIPC) spouse.
"Community spouse resource evaluation" means the calculation of the total value of the resources owned by a married couple on the first day of the first month of the institutionalized spouse's most recent continuous period of institutionalization.
"Comprehensive assessment reporting evaluation (CARE) assessment" means the evaluation process defined under chapter 388-106 WAC used by a department designated social services worker or a case manager to determine a person's need for long-term services and supports (LTSS).
"Continuing care contract" means a contract to provide a person, for the duration of that person's life or for a term in excess of one year, shelter along with nursing, medical, health-related, or personal care services, which is conditioned upon the transfer of property, the payment of an entrance fee to the provider of such services, or the payment of periodic charges for the care and services involved.
"Continuing care retirement community" means an entity which provides shelter and services under continuing care contracts with its members and which sponsors or includes a health care facility or a health service.
"Dependent" means a minor child, or one of the following who meets the definition of a tax dependent under WAC 182-500-0105: Adult child, parent, or sibling.
"Developmental disabilities administration (DDA)" means an administration within the Washington state department of social and health services (DSHS).
"Developmental disabilities administration (DDA) home and community based (HCB) waiver" means a medicaid HCB waiver program developed under the authority of section 1915(c) of the Social Security Act under chapter 388-845 WAC authorized by DDA. There are five DDA HCB waivers:
(a) Basic Plus;
(b) Core;
(c) Community protection;
(d) Children's intensive in-home behavioral support (CIIBS); and
(e) Individual and family services (IFS).
"Equity" means the fair market value of real or personal property less any encumbrances (mortgages, liens, or judgments) on the property.
"Fair market value (FMV)" means the price an asset may reasonably be expected to sell for on the open market in an agreement, made by two parties freely and independently of each other, in pursuit of their own self-interest, without pressure or duress, and without some special relationship (arm's length transaction), at the time of transfer or assignment.
"Guardianship fees" or "fees" means necessary fees charged by a guardian for services rendered on behalf of a client.
"Home and community based (HCB) waiver programs authorized by home and community services (HCS)" means medicaid HCB waiver programs developed under the authority of Section 1915(c) of the Social Security Act under chapter 388-106 WAC authorized by HCS. There are three HCS HCB waivers: Community options program entry system (COPES), new freedom consumer directed services (New Freedom), and residential support waiver (RSW).
"Home and community based services (HCBS)" means LTSS provided in the home or a residential setting to persons assessed by the department.
"Institutional services" means services paid for by Washington apple health, and provided:
(a) In a medical institution;
(b) Through an HCB waiver; or
(c) Through programs based on HCB waiver rules for post-eligibility treatment of income under chapter 182-515 WAC.
"Institutionalized individual" means a person who has attained institutional status under WAC 182-513-1320.
"Institutionalized spouse" means a person who, regardless of legal or physical separation:
(a) Has attained institutional status under WAC 182-513-1320; and
(b) Is legally married to a person who is not in a medical institution.
"Life care community" see continuing care community.
"Likely to reside" means the agency or its designee reasonably expects a person will remain in a medical institution for ((thirty))30 consecutive days. Once made, the determination stands, even if the person does not actually remain in the facility for that length of time.
"Long-term care services" see "Institutional services."
"Long-term services and supports (LTSS)" includes institutional and noninstitutional services authorized by the department.
"Medicaid personal care (MPC)" means a medicaid state plan home and community based service under chapter 388-106 WAC.
"Most recent continuous period of institutionalization (MRCPI)" means the current period an institutionalized spouse has maintained uninterrupted institutional status when the request for a community spouse resource evaluation is made. Institutional status is determined under WAC 182-513-1320.
"Noninstitutional medicaid" means any apple health program not based on HCB waiver rules under chapter 182-515 WAC, or rules based on a person residing in an institution for ((thirty))30 days or more under chapter 182-513 WAC.
"Nursing facility level of care (NFLOC)" is under WAC 388-106-0355.
"Participation" means the amount a person must pay each month toward the cost of long-term care services received each month; it is the amount remaining after the post-eligibility process under WAC 182-513-1380, 182-515-1509, or 182-515-1514. Participation is not room and board.
"Penalty period" or "period of ineligibility" means the period of time during which a person is not eligible to receive services that are subject to transfer of asset penalties.
"Personal needs allowance (PNA)" means an amount set aside from a person's income that is intended for personal needs. The amount a person is allowed to keep as a PNA depends on whether the person lives in a medical institution, ALF, or at home.
"Room and board" means the amount a person must pay each month for food, shelter, and household maintenance requirements when that person resides in an ALF. Room and board is not participation.
"Short stay" means residing in a medical institution for a period of ((twenty-nine))29 days or fewer.
"Special income level (SIL)" means the monthly income standard that is ((three hundred))300 percent of the supplemental security income (SSI) federal benefit rate.
"Spousal impoverishment protections" means the financial provisions within Section 1924 of the Social Security Act that protect income and assets of the community spouse through income and resource allocation. The allocation process is used to discourage the impoverishment of a spouse due to the other spouse's need for LTSS. This includes services provided in a medical institution, HCB waivers authorized under 1915(c) of the Social Security Act, and through September 30, ((2023))2027, services authorized under 1115 and 1915(k) of the Social Security Act.
"Spousal impoverishment protections community (SIPC) spouse" means the spouse of a SIPI spouse.
"Spousal impoverishment protections institutionalized (SIPI) spouse" means a legally married person who qualifies for the noninstitutional categorically needy (CN) Washington apple health SSI-related program only because of the spousal impoverishment protections under WAC 182-513-1220.
"State spousal resource standard" means the minimum CSRA standard for a CS or SIPC spouse.
"Third-party resource (TPR)" means funds paid to or on behalf of a person by a third party, where the purpose of the funds is for payment of activities of daily living, medical services, or personal care. The agency does not pay for these services if there is a third-party resource available.
"Transfer" means, in the context of long-term care eligibility, the changing of ownership or title of an asset, such as income, real property, or personal property, by one of the following:
(a) An intentional act that changes ownership or title; or
(b) A failure to act that results in a change of ownership or title.
"Uncompensated value" means the fair market value (FMV) of an asset on the date of transfer, minus the FMV of the consideration the person receives in exchange for the asset.
"Undue hardship" means a person is not able to meet shelter, food, clothing, or health needs. A person may apply for an undue hardship waiver based on criteria under WAC 182-513-1367.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 23-04-034, filed 1/25/23, effective 2/25/23)
WAC 182-513-1215Community first choice (CFC)Eligibility.
(1) A client who is determined functionally eligible for community first choice (CFC) services under WAC 388-106-0270 through 388-106-0295 is financially eligible to receive CFC services if the client is:
(a) Eligible for a noninstitutional Washington apple health (medicaid) program which provides categorically needy (CN) or alternative benefits plan (ABP) scope of care;
(b) Through September 30, ((2023))2027, a spousal impoverishment protections institutional (SIPI) spouse under WAC 182-513-1220; or
(c) Determined eligible for a home and community based (HCB) waiver program under chapter 182-515 WAC.
(2) A client whose only coverage is through one of the following programs is not eligible for CFC:
(a) Medically needy program under WAC 182-519-0100;
(b) Premium-based children's program under WAC 182-505-0215;
(c) Medicare savings programs under WAC 182-517-0300;
(d) Family planning program under WAC 182-505-0115;
(e) ((Take charge program under WAC 182-532-0720))Family planning only under chapter 182-532 WAC;
(f) Medical care services program under WAC 182-508-0005;
(g) Pregnant minor program under WAC 182-505-0117;
(h) Alien emergency medical program under WAC 182-507-0110 through 182-507-0120;
(i) State-funded long-term care (LTC) for noncitizens program under WAC 182-507-0125; or
(j) Kidney disease program under chapter 182-540 WAC.
(3) Transfer of asset penalties under WAC 182-513-1363 do not apply to CFC applicants, unless the client is applying for long-term services and supports (LTSS) that are available only through one of the HCB waivers under chapter 182-515 WAC.
(4) Home equity limits under WAC 182-513-1350 do apply.
(5) Post-eligibility treatment of income rules do not apply if the client is eligible under subsection (1)(a) or (b) of this section.
(6) Clients eligible under subsection (1)(a) or (b) of this section, who reside in an alternate living facility (ALF):
(a) Keep a personal needs allowance (PNA) under WAC 182-513-1105; and
(b) Pay up to the room and board standard under WAC 182-513-1105 except when CN eligibility is based on the rules under WAC 182-513-1205.
(7) A client who receives CFC services under the health care for workers with disabilities (HWD) program under chapter 182-511 WAC must pay the HWD premium in addition to room and board under WAC 182-513-1105, if residing in an ALF.
(8) Post-eligibility treatment of income rules do apply if a client is eligible under subsection (1)(c) of this section.
(9) A client may have to pay third-party resources as defined under WAC 182-513-1100 in addition to the room and board and participation.
(10) PNA, MNIL, and room and board standards are found at www.hca.wa.gov/free-or-low-cost-health-care/i-help-others-apply-and-access-apple-health/program-standard-income-and-resources.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 23-04-034, filed 1/25/23, effective 2/25/23)
WAC 182-513-1220Community first choice (CFC)Spousal impoverishment protections for noninstitutional Washington apple health clients.
(1) This section is effective through September 30, ((2023))2027.
(2) The agency or its designee determines eligibility for community first choice (CFC) using spousal impoverishment protections under this section, when an applicant:
(a) Is married to, or marries, a person not in a medical institution;
(b) Meets institutional level of care and eligibility for CFC services under WAC 388-106-0270 through 388-106-0295;
(c) Is ineligible for a noninstitutional categorically needy (CN) SSI-related program:
(i) Due to spousal deeming rules under WAC 182-512-0920, or due to exceeding the resource limit in WAC 182-512-0010, or both; or
(ii) In an ALF due to combined spousal resources exceeding the resource limit in WAC 182-512-0010; and
(d) Meets the aged, blindness, or disability criteria under WAC 182-512-0050.
(3) The agency or its designee determines countable income using the SSI-related income rules under chapter 182-512 WAC but uses only the applicant's or recipient's separate income and not the income of the applicant's or recipient's spouse.
(4) The agency or its designee determines countable resources using the SSI-related resource rules under chapter 182-512 WAC, except pension funds owned by the spousal impoverishment protections community (SIPC) spouse are not excluded as described under WAC 182-512-0550:
(a) For the applicant or recipient, the resource standard is $2000.
(b) Before determining countable resources used to establish eligibility for the applicant, the agency allocates the state spousal resource standard to the SIPC spouse.
(c) The resources of the SIPC spouse are unavailable to the spousal impoverishment protections institutionalized (SIPI) spouse the month after eligibility for CFC services is established ((unless subsection (9) of this section applies)).
(5) The SIPI spouse has until the end of the month of the first regularly scheduled eligibility review to transfer countable resources in excess of $2000 to the SIPC spouse.
(6) A redetermination of the couple's resources under subsection (4) of this section is required if:
(a) The SIPI spouse has a break in CFC services of at least 30 consecutive days;
(b) The SIPI spouse's countable resources exceed the standard under subsection (4)(a) of this section; or
(c) The SIPI spouse does not transfer the amount under subsection (5) of this section to the SIPC spouse by the end of the month of the first regularly scheduled eligibility review.
(7) If the applicant lives at home and the applicant's separate countable income is at or below the SSI categorically needy income level (CNIL) and the applicant is resource eligible, the applicant is a SIPI spouse and is financially eligible for noninstitutional CN coverage and CFC services.
(8) If the applicant lives in an ALF, has separate countable income at or below the standard under WAC 182-513-1205(2), and is resource eligible, the applicant is a SIPI spouse and is financially eligible for noninstitutional CN coverage and CFC services.
(9) ((If the applicant is employed and has separate countable income at or below the standard under WAC 182-511-1060, the applicant is a SIPI spouse and is financially eligible for noninstitutional CN coverage and CFC services.
(10))) Once a person no longer receives CFC services for 30 consecutive days, the agency redetermines eligibility without using spousal impoverishment protection, under WAC 182-504-0125.
(((11)))(10) If the applicant's separate countable income is above the standards under subsections (7)((, (8), and (9)))and (8) of this section, the applicant is not eligible for CFC services under this section.
(((12)))(11) The spousal impoverishment protections under this section expire on September 30, ((2023))2027.
(((13)))(12) Standards are found at www.hca.wa.gov/free-or-low-cost-health-care/i-help-others-apply-and-access-apple-health/program-standard-income-and-resources.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 23-04-034, filed 1/25/23, effective 2/25/23)
WAC 182-513-1660Medicaid alternative care (MAC) and tailored supports for older adults (TSOA)Spousal impoverishment.
(1) The medicaid agency or the agency's designee determines financial eligibility for medicaid alternative care (MAC) or tailored supports for older adults (TSOA) using spousal impoverishment protections under this section, when an applicant or recipient:
(a) Is married to, or marries, a person who is not in a medical institution; and
(b) Is ineligible for a noninstitutional categorically needy (CN) SSI-related program or the TSOA program due to:
(i) Spousal deeming rules under WAC 182-512-0920 for MAC;
(ii) Exceeding the resource limit in WAC 182-512-0010 for MAC, or the limit under WAC 182-513-1640 for TSOA; or
(iii) Both (b)(i) and (ii) of this subsection.
(2) When a resource test applies, the agency or the agency's designee determines countable resources using the SSI-related resource rules under chapter 182-512 WAC, except pension funds owned by the spousal impoverishment protections community (SIPC) spouse are not excluded as described under WAC 182-512-0550:
(a) Resource standards:
(i) For MAC, the resource standard is $2,000; or
(ii) For TSOA, the resource standard is $53,100.
(b) Before determining countable resources used to establish eligibility for the applicant, the agency or the agency's designee allocates the state spousal resource standard to the SIPC spouse.
(c) The resources of the SIPC spouse are unavailable to the spousal impoverishment protections institutionalized (SIPI) spouse the month after eligibility for MAC or TSOA services is established.
(3) The SIPI spouse has until the end of the month of the first regularly scheduled eligibility review to transfer countable resources in excess of $2,000 (for MAC) or $53,100 (for TSOA) to the SIPC spouse.
(4) Income eligibility:
(a) For MAC:
(i) The agency or the agency's designee determines countable income using the SSI-related income rules under chapter 182-512 WAC, but uses only the applicant or recipient's income;
(ii) If the applicant's or recipient's countable income is at or below the SSI categorically needy income level (CNIL), the applicant or recipient is considered a SIPI spouse and is income eligible for noninstitutional CN coverage and MAC services((;
(iii) If the applicant is employed and the applicant's countable income is at or below the standard under WAC 182-511-1060, the applicant is considered a SIPI spouse and is income eligible for noninstitutional CN coverage under the health care for workers with disabilities (HWD) program and MAC services)).
(b) For TSOA, see WAC 182-513-1635.
(5) Once a person no longer receives MAC services, eligibility is redetermined without using spousal impoverishment protections under WAC 182-504-0125.
(6) If the applicant's separate countable income is above the standards described in subsection (4) of this section, the applicant is not income eligible for MAC or TSOA services.
(7) The spousal impoverishment protections described in this section are time-limited and expire on September 30, ((2023))2027.
(8) Standards described in this chapter are located at www.hca.wa.gov/free-or-low-cost-health-care/i-help-others-apply-and-access-apple-health/program-standard-income-and-resources.