(1) To receive payment for respiratory care equipment and supplies under this chapter, a provider must:

(a) Meet the general provider requirements in chapter 182-502 WAC;

(b) Obtain prior authorization from the medicaid agency, if required, before delivery to the client and before billing the agency;

(c) Keep initial and subsequent prescriptions according to the requirements within this chapter;

(d) Provide instructions to the client and/or caregiver on the safe and proper use of equipment provided;

(e) Have a licensed health care professional whose scope of practice allows for the provision of respiratory care. The licensed health care professional must also:

(i) Check equipment and ensure equipment settings continue to meet the client's needs; and

(ii) Communicate with the client's authorized prescriber if there are any concerns or recommendations.

(f) Verify that the client has a valid prescription.

(i) To be valid, a prescription must:

(A) Be written, and signed and dated by a physician, advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP), or physician's assistant certified (PAC); and

(B) State the specific items or services requested, including the quantity, frequency, and duration/length of need. Prescriptions that only state "as needed" or "PRN" are not sufficient; and

(C) For an initial prescription, not be older than three months from the date the prescriber signed the prescription; or

(D) For subsequent prescriptions, not be older than one year from the date the prescriber signs the prescription (see WAC 182-552-0800 for exception to this time frame for oxygen).

(ii) If oxygen is prescribed:

(A) The following additional information is required:

(I) Flow rate of oxygen;

(II) Estimated length of need;

(III) Frequency and duration of oxygen use; and

(IV) The client's oxygen saturation level.

(B) For clients who meet:

(I) Group I clinical criteria, recertification is required one year after initial certification.

(II) Group II clinical criteria, recertification is required three months after the initial certification and annually thereafter.

(C) Providers may use the client's oxygen saturation or laboratory values to meet recertification requirements.

(2) The medicaid agency does not pay for respiratory care equipment and/or supplies furnished to the agency's clients when:

(a) The authorized prescriber who provides medical justification to the agency for the item provided to the client is an employee of, has a contract with, or has any financial relationship with the provider of the item; or

(b) The authorized prescriber who performs a client evaluation is an employee of, has a contract with, or has any financial relationship with a provider of respiratory care equipment, supplies, and related items.