Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 23-0023 Community First Choice—Tribal Residential Provider Public Notice.

Description: The health care authority (HCA) and the department of social and health services (DSHS) previously filed notice under WSR 23-02-061 of the intent to submit medicaid SPA 23-0001, which would incorporate tribal adult family homes as medicaid providers of the community first choice (CFC) program. Subsequent to that notice, DSHS received feedback from tribes expressing a preference for facilities to be tribally licensed rather than state licensed. Therefore, HCA and DSHS will not submit SPA 23-0001 and instead intend to submit SPA 23-0023 to incorporate tribal residential providers as medicaid providers of the CFC program.

To provide CFC services, tribal residential providers must meet the tribal licensing requirements and be approved as qualified providers by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The federally recognized tribe will perform initial licensing, inspections, routine inspections, and complaint investigations for tribal residential providers. Tribal residential providers will be paid an enhanced rate for providing culturally relevant personal care services.

At this time, HCA and DSHS do not have sufficient data to determine whether SPA 23-0023 will have an effect on annual aggregate payments/expenditures/reimbursements.

SPA 23-0023 is under development. 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).

CONTACT: Anne Moua, Waiver Program Manager, 4450 10th Avenue S.E., Lacey, WA 98503, phone 360-509-3909, TRS 711, email anne.moua@dshs.wa.gov.