HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY

[Filed January 18, 2024, 11:47 a.m.]

Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 23-24-083.

Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 182-550-5700 Hospital reports and audits.

Hearing Location(s): On February 27, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. The health care authority (HCA) holds public hearings virtually without a physical meeting place. To attend the virtual public hearing, you must register in advance https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_oPnu_jscTpmcOi88CFPCRQ. If the link above opens with an error message, please try using a different browser. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the public hearing.

Date of Intended Adoption: February 28, 2024.

Submit Written Comments to: HCA Rules Coordinator, P.O. Box 42716, Olympia, WA 98504-2716, email arc@hca.wa.gov, fax 360-586-9727, by February 27, 2024, by 11:59 p.m.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Johanna Larson, phone 360-725-1349, fax 360-586-9727, telecommunication[s] relay service 711, email Johanna.larson@hca.wa.gov, by February 16, 2024.

Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: HCA is revising this rule to remove subsection (4)(a) and (b) and revise the language to match 42 C.F.R. Part 447, Subpart C, Payment for Inpatient Hospital and Long-Term Care Facility Services, § 447.253(g) Other requirements.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: See purpose.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 41.05.021, 41.05.160.

Statute Being Implemented: 42 C.F.R. Part 447, Subpart C, § 447.253(g).

Rule is necessary because of federal law, 42 C.F.R. Part 447, Subpart C, § 447.253(g).

Name of Proponent: HCA, governmental.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Valerie Freudenstein, P.O. Box 42716, Olympia, WA 98504-2716, 360-725-1344; Implementation and Enforcement: Abby Cole, 626 8th Avenue S.E., Olympia, WA 98504, 360-725-1835.

A school district fiscal impact statement is not required under RCW 28A.305.135.

A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. RCW 34.05.328 does not apply to HCA rules unless requested by the joint administrative rules review committee or applied voluntarily.

This rule proposal, or portions of the proposal, is exempt from requirements of the Regulatory Fairness Act because the proposal:

Is exempt under RCW 19.85.061 because this rule making is being adopted solely to conform and/or comply with federal statute or regulations. Citation of the specific federal statute or regulation and description of the consequences to the state if the rule is not adopted: 42 C.F.R. Part 447, Subpart C, § 447.253(g); if not adopted, HCA rules would continue to be out of alignment with federal law.

Scope of exemption for rule proposal:

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 15-18-065, filed 8/27/15, effective 9/27/15)

WAC 182-550-5700Hospital reports and audits.

(1) In-state and border area hospitals will complete and submit a copy of their annual medicare cost reports (HCFA 2552) to the medicaid agency. These hospital providers will:

(a) Maintain adequate records for audit and review purposes, and assure the accuracy of their cost reports;

(b) Complete their annual medicare HCFA 2552 cost report according to the applicable medicare statutes, regulations, and instructions; and

(i) Within ((one hundred fifty))150 days from the end of the hospital's fiscal year; or

(ii) If the hospital provider's contract is terminated, within ((one hundred fifty))150 days of effective termination date; or

(d) Request up to a ((thirty))30-day extension of the time for submitting the cost report in writing at least ((ten))10 days before the due date of the report. Hospital providers will include in the extension request the completion date of the report, and the circumstances prohibiting compliance with the report due date;

(2) If a hospital provider improperly completes a cost report or the cost report is received after the due date or approved extension date, the agency may withhold all or part of the payments due the hospital until the agency receives the properly completed or late report.

(3) Hospitals will submit other financial information required by the agency to establish rates.

(4) The agency will periodically audit((:

(a) Cost report data used for rate setting;

(b) Hospital billings; and