EMERGENCY RULES
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Aging and Disability Services Administration)
Purpose: The Division of Developmental Disabilities has received approval from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to implement four home and community based service (HCBS) waivers, which replace the current community alternatives program (CAP) waiver.
These rules will clarify eligibility, service array, utilization, provider qualifications, client appeal rights and access to services. This filing includes new WAC 388-825-125 through 388-825-165; 388-825-300 through 388-825-400; and new chapter 388-845 WAC.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 388-825-170, 388-825-180, 388-825-190, 388-825-260, 388-825-262, 388-825-264, 388-825-266, 388-825-268, 388-825-270, 388-825-272, 388-825-276, 388-825-278, 388-825-280, 388-825-282 and 388-825-294; and amending WAC 388-825-120.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 71A.12.030, 71A.12.120.
Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfare, and that observing the time requirements of notice and opportunity to comment upon adoption of a permanent rule would be contrary to the public interest; and that state or federal law or federal rule or a federal deadline for state receipt of federal funds requires immediate adoption of a rule.
Reasons for this Finding: The approval of the HCBS waivers by CMS requires the department to implement new rules by April 1, 2004, to protect the health and welfare of eligible clients by ensuring no interruption in services to current participants in the CAP waiver occurs, and to ensure a continuation of federal matching funds under 42 C.F.R. 441, Subpart G -- Home and Community Based Services -- Waiver Requirements.
These rules were originally filed on an emergency basis as WSR 04-08-020. The department has filed a notice of intent to adopt permanent rules as WSR 03-20-103. Ongoing negotiations with CMS and the need to obtain extensive feed back from stakeholders have delayed the filing of proposed rules for adoption on a permanent basis until the negotiations are completed and the feed back is obtained.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 135, Amended 1, Repealed 15; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 135, Amended 1, Repealed 15.
Date Adopted: July 20, 2004.
Brian H. Lindgren, Manager
Rules and Policies Assistance Unit
Reviser's note: The material contained in this filing exceeded the page-count limitations of WAC 1-21-040 for appearance in this issue of the Register. It will appear in the 04-18 issue of the Register.