Description: The health care authority (HCA) intends to submit SPA 24-0004 to update the rates and methodology for short term psychiatric per diem rates and updating outdated references and methodologies no longer in use.

SPA 24-0004 is expected to increase the annual aggregate payment for psychiatric per diem rates at community hospitals that provide psychiatric inpatient services by $35,000,000. Providers that have at least 200 psychiatric bed days in their medicare cost report will see an estimated average annual aggregate increase of $1,124,593. Hospitals that currently have a provider specific rate but have less than 200 psychiatric bed days on their medicare cost report will receive the statewide average per diem. This results in an annual aggregate decrease of $64,000. Other hospitals that currently receive a statewide per diem and have less than 200 bed days in their medicare cost report will see an estimated average annual aggregate increase of $21,000.

SPA 24-0004 is under development. HCA would appreciate any input or concerns regarding this SPA. To request a copy of the SPA, 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: Abigail Cole, Hospital Finance and Rates, 626 8th Avenue S.E., P.O. Box 45510, Olympia, WA 99504-5510, phone 360-725-1835, TTY 711, email abigail.cole@hca.wa.gov, website www.hca.wa.gov.