Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The health care authority (agency) is amending this section to replace outdated terms such as "residential support network (RSN)" and "mental health designee," to delete references to the department of mental health, and to update language regarding authorization and certification for inpatient psychiatric care consistent with the current managed care and administrative services organization (ASO) structure. The agency is also making changes to align with 2SSB 5103, 68th legislature, 2023 regular session. This legislation requires the agency to provide a hospital payment for apple health clients who meet the criteria for discharge from a hospital stay to certain facilities but who cannot be discharged because placement is unavailable. This revision provides for the payment of medically necessary ancillary services to be billed by and paid to the hospital separately. During the course of this review, the agency may identify additional related changes that are required in order to improve clarity or update policy.

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 Jason Crabbe, Rule-Making Questions, P.O. Box 98504-2716, phone 360-725-9563, fax 360-586-9727, telecommunication[s] relay service (TRS) 711, email jason.crabbe@hca.wa.gov, website www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/rulemaking; or Yvonne Keller, Program Questions, P.O. Box 98504-2730, phone 360-725-9993, fax 360-586-9727, TRS 711, email yvonne.keller@hca.wa.gov, website www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/rulemaking.