WSR 12-05-043

PERMANENT RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES

[ Filed February 10, 2012, 2:03 p.m. , effective February 25, 2012 ]


     Effective Date of Rule: February 25, 2012.

     Other Findings Required by Other Provisions of Law as Precondition to Adoption or Effectiveness of Rule: New WAC 388-02-0387 was adopted as an emergency rule that expires on February 24, 2012. Earlier adoption will allow the rule to continue in effect. When the rule was adopted, the department made a finding that state or federal law or federal rule or a federal deadline for state receipt of federal funds required immediate adoption of a rule under RCW 34.05.350. RCW 34.05.380 (3)(a).

     Purpose: The amendment to WAC 388-02-0005 directs our customers to a new rule chapter 388-823 WAC, which contains procedural rules for hearings before the health care authority (HCA). It is designed to inform our customers of the scope of our chapter, and the scope of the HCA chapter, so that they will know which department to contact for informal dispute resolution and other services.

     New WAC 388-02-0387 is intended to implement the governor's "no wrong door" policy and allow petitions for review filed with DSHS in matters in which an applicant or recipient of medical services programs set forth in chapter 74.09 RCW seeks review of decisions made by more than one agency to go forward.

     Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 388-02-0005.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.09.741, 34.05.020.

      Adopted under notice filed as WSR 11-23-153 on November 18 [22], 2011.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 1, Amended 1, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 1, Amended 1, Repealed 0.

     Date Adopted: February 7, 2012.

Katherine I. Vasquez

Rules Coordinator

4311.2
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 00-18-059, filed 9/1/00, effective 10/2/00)

WAC 388-02-0005   What is the purpose and scope of this chapter?   This chapter describes the general procedures that apply to the resolution of disputes between you and the various programs within the department of social and health services (DSHS). The rules of this chapter are intended to supplement for DSHS both the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), chapter 34.05 RCW, and the model rules, chapter 10-08 WAC, adopted by the office of administrative hearings (OAH).

     (1) This chapter:

     (a) Establishes rules encouraging informal dispute resolution between DSHS and persons or entities who disagree with its actions;

     (b) Regulates all hearings involving DSHS; and

     (c) Consolidates most DSHS hearing procedural rules into one chapter.

     (2) Nothing in this chapter is intended to affect the constitutional rights of any person or to limit or change additional requirements imposed by statute or other rule. Other laws or rules determine if you have a hearing right, including the APA and DSHS program rules or laws.

     (3) Specific DSHS program hearing rules prevail over the rules in this chapter.

     (4) Rules encouraging informal dispute resolution between the health care authority and persons or entities who disagree with its actions, and regulating hearings for the medical services programs established under chapter 74.09 RCW are governed by chapter 388-526 WAC.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 34.05.020. 00-18-059, § 388-02-0005, filed 9/1/00, effective 10/2/00.]


NEW SECTION
WAC 388-02-0387   How may you request that a hearing be consolidated or severed when multiple agencies are parties to the proceeding?   The following requirements apply only to adjudicative proceedings in which an applicant or recipient of medical services programs set forth in chapter 74.09 RCW seeks review of decisions made by more than one agency.

     (1) When you file a single application for an adjudicative proceeding seeking review of decisions by more than one agency, this review shall be conducted initially in one adjudicative proceeding. The administrative law judge (ALJ) may sever the proceeding into multiple proceedings on the motion of any of the parties, when:

     (a) All parties consent to the severance; or

     (b) Either party requests severance without another party's consent, and the ALJ finds there is good cause for severing the matter and that the proposed severance is not likely to prejudice the rights of an appellant who is a party to any of the severed proceedings.

     (2) If there are multiple adjudicative proceedings involving common issues or parties where there is one appellant and both the health care authority and the department are parties, upon motion of any party or upon his or her own motion, the ALJ may consolidate the proceedings if he or she finds that the consolidation is not likely to prejudice the rights of the appellant who is a party to any of the consolidated proceedings.

     (3) If the ALJ grants the motion to sever the hearing into multiple proceedings or consolidate multiple proceedings into a single proceeding, the ALJ will send out an order and a new notice of hearing to the appropriate parties in accordance with WAC 388-02-0250.

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