SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 1621

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Health & Long-Term Care, March 26, 2003

Title: An act relating to modification of the mandatory nurse review of medicaid personal care plans.

Brief Description: Modifying medical assistance provisions.

Sponsors: Representatives Morrell, Pflug, Skinner, Cody, Clibborn and Schual-Berke; by request of Department of Social and Health Services.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Health & Long-Term Care: 3/26/03 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Majority Report: Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Deccio, Chair; Winsley, Vice Chair; Brandland, Franklin, Keiser and Parlette.

Staff: Tanya Karwaki (786-7447)

Background: Currently, nurses must review all plans of care for Medicaid clients receiving assistance with personal care tasks. Plans of care are written descriptions of what services a client will receive in order to achieve and maintain his or her best physical, mental, and social well being. Personal care services may be provided in the client's home or in settings outside the home, except for inpatient hospitals, nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded or institutions for mental disease.

Summary of Bill: The requirement that a nurse must review all plans of care is eliminated. Nurse review of plans of care is permitted, but not required.

The Department of Social and Health Services must determine by rule which clients require consultation or review by a registered nurse.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: This change will permit the department to save money by using its personnel resources more efficiently.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: Penny Black, DSHS (pro).