PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Health and Recovery Services Administration)
Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department is amending WAC 388-531-2000 Increased payments for physician-related services for qualified trauma cases.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.500.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: This rule making is intended to clarify, update, and ensure consistent policies for the trauma program. The proposed rule changes will: (1) Make clear that the department determines the appropriate payment enhancement percentage for physician trauma services, and (2) make the deadline for adjusting qualified trauma claims submitted to the health and recovery services administration by physicians and other clinical providers consistent with the deadline for trauma claims submitted by hospitals.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The department of health (DOH) provides trauma grants to designated trauma services centers, rehabilitation facilities, prehospital providers, and trauma medical directors, but not to trauma physicians/clinics. Enhanced payments to physicians for trauma services are available only through the department of social and health services (DSHS) on a per-claim basis. DSHS and DOH have an interagency workgroup to keep each other informed and to coordinate necessary changes to their trauma programs. DSHS solicits DOH's help in informing and educating stakeholders about applicable program rules and policies.
Process for Developing New Rule: The department invites the interested public to review and provide input on the draft language of this rule. Draft material and information about how to participate may be obtained from the department representative listed below. At a later date, the DSHS will file a proposal with the office of the code reviser with a notice of proposed rule making. A copy of the proposal will be sent to everyone on the mailing list and to anyone who requests a copy.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Jonell O. Blatt, P.O. Box 45504, Olympia, WA 98504-5504, phone (360) 725-1571, fax (360) 586-9727, TTY 1-800-848-5429, e-mail blattj@dshs.wa.gov.
December 17, 2007
Stephanie E. Schiller
Rules Coordinator