Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The agency is amending WAC 182-526-0195 to change subsection (4) to specify that the administrative law judge has discretion to grant or deny an agency request for a prehearing conference. During this review, the health care authority may identify additional related changes that are required to improve clarity or update policy.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Washington state department of social and health services; United States Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

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 Brian Jensen, Rulemaking Questions, P.O. Box 42716, Olympia, WA 98504-2716, phone 360-725-0815, fax 360-586-9727, telecommunication[s] relay service (TRS) 711, email brian.jensen@hca.wa.gov, website www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/rulemaking; or Kerry Breen, Program Questions, P.O. Box 42700, Olympia, WA 98504-2700, phone 360-725-9970, fax 360-586-9727, TRS 711, email kerry.breen@hca.wa.gov, website www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/rulemaking.