Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 182-531-1400 Psychiatric physician-related services and other professional mental health services, 182-531-1710 Alcohol and substance misuse counseling, 182-538D-0200 Behavioral health services—Definitions, and other related rules as appropriate.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 41.05.021, 41.05.160, 18.227.100 (SSB 5189, chapter 270, Laws of 2023).

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The health care authority (agency) is revising these sections to add behavioral support specialists as an eligible provider type and add behavioral health support specialist definition to align with the state plan definition. During the course of this review, the agency 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 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 Jason Crabbe, Rule-Making Questions, P.O. Box 42716, Olympia, WA 98504-2716, phone 360-725-9563, fax 360-586-9727, telecommunication relay services (TRS) 711, email Jason.crabbe@hca.wa.gov, website www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/rulemaking; or Yvonne Keller, Program Questions, P.O. Box 42716, Olympia, WA 98504-2716, phone 360-725-9993, fax 360-586-9727, TRS 711, email Yvonne.keller@hca.wa.gov, website www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/rulemaking.