PDFWAC 182-550-2590

Agency prior authorization requirements for Level 1 and Level 2 LTAC services.

(1) The medicaid agency requires prior authorization for Level 1 and Level 2 long term acute care (LTAC) inpatient stays. The prior authorization process includes all the following:
(a) For an initial 30-day stay:
(i) The client must:
(A) Be eligible under one of the programs listed in WAC 182-550-2575; and
(B) Require Level 1 or Level 2 LTAC services as defined in WAC 182-550-1050.
(ii) The LTAC provider of services must:
(A) Before admitting the client to the LTAC hospital, submit a request for prior authorization to the agency by fax, electronic mail, or telephone, as published in the agency's LTAC billing instructions;
(B) Include sufficient medical information to justify the requested initial stay;
(C) Obtain prior authorization from the agency's medical director or designee, when accepting the client from the transferring hospital; and
(D) Meet all the requirements in WAC 182-550-2580.
(b) For any extension of stay, the criteria in (a) of this subsection must be met, and the LTAC provider of services must submit a request for the extension of stay to the agency with sufficient medical justification.
(2) The agency authorizes Level 1 or Level 2 LTAC services for initial stays or extensions of stay based on the client's circumstances and the medical justification received.
(3) A client who does not agree with a decision regarding a length of stay has a right to a fair hearing under chapter 182-526 WAC. After receiving a request for a fair hearing, the agency may request additional information from the client and the facility, or both. After the agency reviews the available information, the result may be:
(a) A reversal of the initial agency decision;
(b) Resolution of the client's issue(s); or
(c) A fair hearing conducted according to chapter 182-526 WAC.
(4) The agency may authorize an administrative day rate payment, as well as payment for medically necessary ancillary services as determined by the agency, pharmacy services, and pharmaceuticals, for a client who meets one or more of the following. The client:
(a) Does not meet the requirements for Level 1 or Level 2 LTAC services;
(b) Is waiting for placement in another hospital or other facility; or
(c) If appropriate, is waiting to be discharged to the client's residence.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 41.05.021, 41.05.160, and 74.09.520(13). WSR 23-21-063, § 182-550-2590, filed 10/12/23, effective 1/1/24. Statutory Authority: RCW 41.05.021 and 41.05.160. WSR 19-18-026, § 182-550-2590, filed 8/28/19, effective 9/28/19; WSR 15-18-065, § 182-550-2590, filed 8/27/15, effective 9/27/15. WSR 11-14-075, recodified as § 182-550-2590, filed 6/30/11, effective 7/1/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090 and 74.09.500. WSR 08-21-039, § 388-550-2590, filed 10/8/08, effective 11/8/08; WSR 07-11-129, § 388-550-2590, filed 5/22/07, effective 8/1/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090. WSR 02-14-162, § 388-550-2590, filed 7/3/02, effective 8/3/02.]