WSR 98-01-167

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF

SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES

(Medical Assistance Administration)

[Filed December 22, 1997, 4:15 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 388-86-030 Vision care, and other related sections. The Department of Social and Health Services intends to expand coverage for replacing (within a twenty-four month period) broken, lost or stolen eyeglasses to all clients with prior authorization by the department. Services for clients under the age of twenty-one and developmentally disabled clients would not require authorization.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.510, and 74.09.520.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Provides necessary services for clients with broken, lost, or stolen glasses.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

Process for Developing New Rule: The department invites the interested public to review and provide input on the draft language of this WAC. Draft material and information about how to participate are available by contacting the Department of Social and Health Services representative identified below.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Allen Richards, Program Assistance and Support Services, Medical Assistance Administration, Olympia, Washington 98504-5530, phone (360) 586-1008, FAX (360) 753-7315, TTY 1-800-848-5429, e-mail richaa@dshs.wa.gov.

December 22, 1997

Edith M. Rice, Chief

for Merry A. Kogut, Manager