PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Medical Assistance Administration)
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Recently passed state legislation requires MAA to institute co-payments for clients who go to hospital emergency rooms for treatment of nonemergency medical conditions. WAC 388-502-0160 Billing a client, will be revised, and possibly other related WAC sections.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.055, ESSB 6153 - Washington State Omnibus Operating Budget 2001-2003 (chapter 7, Laws of 2001, Part II).
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: To discourage clients from seeking treatment for nonemergency medical conditions at hospital emergency rooms.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). MAA has requested a federal waiver that allows Washington state to impose a nominal copayment for nonemergency services furnished in a hospital emergency room.
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.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Kevin Sullivan, MAA Rules Coordinator, P.O. Box 45533, Olympia, WA 98504-5533, phone (360) 725-1344, e-mail sullikm@dshs.wa.gov, fax (360) 586-9727, TDD 1-800-848-5429.
December 14, 2001
Brian H. Lindgren, Manager
Rules and Policies Assistance Unit