Description: The health care authority (HCA) intends to submit SPA 24-0015 to remove the public hospital disproportionate share hospital (PH-DSH) cost settlement process from the certified public expenditure (CPE) process. This process was included in the medicaid state plan before there was a federal requirement for DSH to be audited by outside entities. Now DSH is audited by an external auditor who performs the cost settlement process. Removing this information allows HCA to remain up to date on the most current DSH audit requirements and eliminates duplicate work.

SPA 24-0015 will also remove the exact dollar amount appropriated for small rural DSH. The program is increasing from $3,818,000 to $4,080,000 each year. Removing the dollar amount will allow HCA to be more agile when funding changes. This SPA also removes references to DSH programs that are no longer funded.

SPA 24-0015 is in development. HCA would appreciate any input or concerns regarding this SPA. To request a copy of the SPA 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: Abigail Cole, Hospital Finance, 628 8th Avenue S.E., Olympia, WA 98504, phone 360-725-1835, TRS 711, email abby.cole@hca.wa.gov.