PDFWAC 182-551-2000

General.

(1) The purpose of the medicaid agency's home health services program is to reduce the costs of health care services by providing equally effective, less restrictive quality care to the client in any setting where normal life activities take place, subject to the restrictions and limitations in subchapter II. See also 42 C.F.R. 440.70.
(2) Home health services include the following services and items:
(a) Nursing services, see WAC 182-551-2100;
(b) Home health aide service, see WAC 182-551-2120;
(c) Medical supplies, equipment, and appliances suitable for use in any setting where normal life activities take place, see chapter 182-543 WAC;
(d) Physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech therapy, see WAC 182-551-2110, and audiology services, see WAC 182-531-0375; and
(e) Medical social services, see WAC 182-551-2115.
(3) A client does not have to be homebound or need nursing or therapy services to receive services under this chapter.
(4) Home health skilled services are acute, intermittent, short-term, and intensive courses of treatment. See chapters 182-514 and 388-71 WAC for programs administered to clients who need chronic, long-term maintenance care.
(5) Home health visits require a written order from an authorized practitioner, unless there is a verbal order that is:
(a) Documented before the visit; and
(b) Signed by the ordering authorized practitioner within 45 calendar days of the order being given.
(6) The medicaid agency evaluates requests for home health services based on medical necessity and other program rules related to medicaid funded services including those found in this chapter, chapters 182-501 and 182-502 WAC.
(7) Home health services, delivered through fee-for-service or managed care, involving an in-home visit by a provider, require the provider to comply with electronic visit verification requirements. See WAC 182-551-2220.
(8) The medicaid agency does not pay for administrative costs billed above the visit rate.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 41.05.021, 41.05.160, and P.L. 114-255. WSR 23-24-026, § 182-551-2000, filed 11/29/23, effective 1/1/24. Statutory Authority: RCW 41.05.021 and 41.05.160. WSR 22-05-048, § 182-551-2000, filed 2/9/22, effective 3/12/22. Statutory Authority: RCW 41.05.021, 41.05.160 and 42 C.F.R. Section 440.70. WSR 18-24-023, § 182-551-2000, filed 11/27/18, effective 1/1/19. Statutory Authority: RCW 41.05.021, 41.05.160. WSR 16-03-035, § 182-551-2000, filed 1/12/16, effective 2/12/16. WSR 11-14-075, recodified as § 182-551-2000, filed 6/30/11, effective 7/1/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, chapter 74.09 RCW, and 2009 c 326. WSR 10-10-087, § 388-551-2000, filed 5/3/10, effective 6/3/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.520, 74.09.530, and 74.09.500. WSR 02-15-082, § 388-551-2000, filed 7/15/02, effective 8/15/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090 and 74.09.530. WSR 99-16-069, § 388-551-2000, filed 8/2/99, effective 9/2/99.]