Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 182-551-1860 Concurrent care for hospice clients age twenty and younger; and other related rules as appropriate.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 41.05.021, 41.06.160; 42 C.F.R. Sec. 441, Subpart B.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The agency is amending WAC 182-551-1860 Concurrent care for hospice clients age twenty and younger, to remove language related to exception to rule and allow for medical necessity review of noncovered services. These changes comply with early and periodic screening, diagnostic and treatment (EPSDT) program rules under 42 C.F.R. Sec. 441, Subpart B, and WAC 182-534-0100 EPSDT. During the course of this review, the agency may identify additional changes that are required in order to improve clarity or update policy.

Process for Developing New Rule: The agency welcomes the public to take part in developing this rule. If interested, contact the person identified below to receive an early rule draft to review. After the early review, the agency will send a notice of proposed rule making (CR-102) to everyone receiving this notice and anyone who requests a copy.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Katie Pounds, P.O. Box 42716, Olympia, WA 98504-2716, phone 360-725-1346, fax 360-586-9727, telecommunication relay system (TRS) 711, email katherine.pounds@hca.wa.gov, web site www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/rulemaking.