Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 182-550-1900 Transplant coverage, 182-550-2100 Requirements—Transplant hospitals, 182-550-2200 Transplant requirements—COE; 182-531-0650 Hospital physician-related services not requiring authorization when provided in agency-approved centers of excellence or hospitals authorized to provide the specific services, 182-531-1750 Transplant coverage for physician-related services, and other related rules as appropriate.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The health care authority (agency) is amending WAC 182-550-1900 and 182-550-2100 to update which transplant procedures are covered and where the transplants can be performed. The agency is also repealing WAC 182-550-2200 Transplant requirements—COE, as this section will no longer be necessary due to the changes being proposed to WAC 182-550-1900 and 182-550-2100. As a result of these changes, the agency is also amending WAC 182-531-0650 and 182-531-1750. During the course of this review, the agency may identify additional related changes that are required in order to improve clarity or update policy.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

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 Valerie Freudenstein, Rule-Making Questions, P.O. Box 42716, Olympia, WA 98504-2716, phone 360-725-1344, fax 360-586-9727, telecommunication relay services (TRS) 711, email valerie.freudenstein@hca.wa.gov, website www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/rulemaking; or Jeff Pecoraro, Program Questions, P.O. Box 42716, Olympia, WA 98504, phone 360-725-5282, fax 360-586-9727, TRS 711, email jeffery.pecoraro@hca.wa.gov, website www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/rulemaking.