WSR 26-01-188

HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY

[Filed December 23, 2025, 2:27 p.m.]

Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 26-0003 Rural Emergency Hospitals.

Effective Date: January 1, 2026.

Description: The health care authority (HCA) intends to submit SPA 26-0003 to add information regarding rural emergency hospitals (REH). REHs, as defined in 42 C.F.R. 485.502, do not provide inpatient care; they provide emergency department services, observation care, and other outpatient medical and health services and the per patient average length of stay does not exceed 24 hours.

At this time, Washington does not have any hospitals that are federally recognized as REHs. However, HCA is submitting SPA 26-0003, anticipating that one or more hospitals may be designated as REHs in the future.

SPA 26-0003 is expected to have no effect on current annual aggregate expenditures/payments.

HCA is in the process of developing the SPA. HCA would appreciate any input or concerns regarding this SPA. To request a copy of the SPA when it becomes available or submit comments, you may contact the person named below by January 20, 2026 (please note that all comments are subject to public review and disclosure, as are the names of those who comment).

Contact Abby Cole, Hospital Rates, 626 8th Avenue S.E., Olympia, WA 98504, TRS 711, email abby.cole@hca.wa.gov.