WSR 15-19-055

INTERPRETIVE OR POLICY STATEMENT

[Filed September 11, 2015, 1:40 p.m.]

In accordance with RCW 34.05.230(12), following is a list of policy and interpretive statements issued by the department of social and health services.

Document Title: Public Notice.

Subject: Extension of public review and comment period related to Community Options Program Entry System (COPES) and New Freedom waiver amendments noted in August 5, 2015, registry notice.

Effective Date: January 2016.

Document Description: HCS, a division of ALTSA, intends to submit waiver amendments with the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for the following two waivers: COPES waiver (#WA.0049) and New Freedom (#WA.0443).

The amendments will include language regarding implementation of the new payment system for individual providers of personal care and respite services which is called Individual ProviderOne. This system will allow providers to make claims through a secure web-based system and will allow providers to be paid twice a month rather than once a month. ALTSA clients will not experience any changes to their services or providers. The proposed effective [date] is January 2016.

The review and comment period for these amendments (August 17 through 5 p.m. September 18) is being extended until 5 p.m. October 16, 2015. During this time period the amendments can be found at www.dshs.wa.gov/altsa/stakeholders/home-and-community-based-services-rules. Comments may be provided by e-mail or letter to the contact person listed below.

If you would like to receive a paper copy of any of these amendments, please call (360) 725-2531 during the review period and provide your name, phone number and mailing address. Please specify what amendment you would like to receive.

To receive a copy of the interpretive or policy statements, contact Debbie Johnson, Program Manager, HCS, P.O. Box 45600, phone (360) 725-2531, TDD/TTY (360) 438-2637, fax (360) 586-9727, e-mail JohnsDA2@dshs.wa.gov, web site http://www.dshs.wa.gov/altsa.