WSR 23-11-149

HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY

[Filed May 24, 2023, 9:34 a.m.]

NOTICE

Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 23-0036 Consumer-Directed Employer Rates.

Effective Date: June 1, 2023.

Description: The health care authority (HCA) and the aging and long-term support administration (ALTSA) of the department of social and health services (DSHS) intend to submit medicaid SPA 23-0036 in order to increase daily rates for consumer-directed employer (CDE) rates. SPA 23-0036 is expected to:


•	Increase the hourly rate for CDE from the current rate of $30.32, excluding COVID add-on, to $31.96 ($31.92 to $33.68, including COVID add-on). This is due to increased funding from the state legislature for individual provider (IP) training for state fiscal year 2023. During the pandemic, Washington state waived training and credentialing requirements for IPs. With the ending of this waiver, IP CDE rate is temporarily increased to pay for increased utilization of provider training hours (wages and taxes) to keep up with the legal requirement to employ only credentialed IPs.

•

Increase the hourly rate for CDE from the current rate of $30.32, excluding COVID add-on, to $31.96 ($31.92 to $33.68, including COVID add-on). This is due to increased funding from the state legislature for individual provider (IP) training for state fiscal year 2023. During the pandemic, Washington state waived training and credentialing requirements for IPs. With the ending of this waiver, IP CDE rate is temporarily increased to pay for increased utilization of provider training hours (wages and taxes) to keep up with the legal requirement to employ only credentialed IPs.

A copy of draft SPA 23-0036 is available on request. HCA and DSHS would appreciate any input or concerns regarding this SPA. To request a copy 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. 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 June 2, 2023. 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.