Subject of Possible Rule Making: New rule making under Title 182 WAC to define and describe telemedicine and audio-only telemedicine; WAC 182-531-0100 Scope of coverage for physician-related and health care professional services—General and administrative, 182-531-1730 Telemedicine, 182-531A-1200 Applied behavior analysis (ABA)—Services provided via telemedicine, 182-537-0100 Purpose, 182-537-0200 Definitions, 182-550-1350 Revenue code categories and subcategories—CPT and HCPCS reporting requirements for outpatient hospitals, 182-550-1500 Covered and noncovered revenue code categories and subcategories for outpatient hospital services, 182-551-2010 Definitions, 182-551-2040 Face-to-face encounter requirements, 182-551-2125 Delivered through telemedicine, and 182-551-2210 Provider requirements; and other related rules as appropriate.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The agency is developing and revising rules to provide for audio-only telemedicine, in alignment with ESSB 1196. During the course of this review, the health care authority may identify additional related changes that are required in order to improve clarity or update policy.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The state department of health and the office of the insurance commissioner.

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 Melinda Froud, Rulemaking Questions, P.O. Box 42716, Olympia, WA 98504-2716, phone 360-725-1408, fax 360-586-9727, telecommunication[s] relay service 711, email melinda.froud@hca.wa.gov, website www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/rulemaking; or Josh Morse, Program Questions, P.O. Box 45502, Olympia, WA 98504-5502, phone 360-725-0839, fax 360-586-9727, TRS 711, email josh.morse@hca.wa.gov, website www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/rulemaking.