WSR 25-14-043
HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY
[Filed June 25, 2025, 2:10 p.m.]
NOTICE
Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 25-0022 Nursing Facility (NF) Rates.
Effective Date: July 1, 2025.
Description: The health care authority (HCA) and the home and community living administration of the department of social and health services (DSHS) intends to submit SPA 25-0022 in order to increase the swing bed daily rate, continue the patient driven payment model (PDPM) transition add-on, and implement a daily add-on to account for the medicaid cost of increased bed license fees. SPA 25-0022 is expected to:
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| • | Increase the swing bed rate from $327.04 to $357.36, an increase of nine percent per day. |
| • | Continue the increase implemented in state fiscal year (SFY) 2025 to ease the transition from the minimum data set to PDPM acuity models. This was implemented for SFY 25 and under the current state plan is scheduled to end June 30, 2025. This amendment would extend that to June 30, 2026. |
| • | Implement a daily rate add-on of $1.25 due to increased NF bed license fees. This add-on is calculated to account for medicaid-related cost increases only. Any facility that does not pay a bed license fee will not receive this add-on. |
The SPA is currently under development. You may request a copy and it will be sent as soon as a draft is completed. HCA and DSHS would appreciate any input or concerns regarding this SPA. To request a copy or submit comments, please contact the person named below (please note that all comments are subject to public review and disclosure, as are the names of those who comment).
Interested parties may submit comments and concerns about the rates or the effects the changes may have on beneficiary access to care or continued service access. Please submit comments and concerns to Elizabeth Pashley, regulatory advisor, at Elizabeth.pashley@dshs.wa.gov, with a courtesy copy to Ann Myers, state plan coordinator, at ann.myers@hca.wa.gov by July 28, 2025. Please note that all comments are subject to public review and disclosure, as are the names of those who comment.
Contact Elizabeth Pashley, Office of Rates Management, Aging and Long-Term Support Administration, DSHS, P.O. Box 45600, phone 360-995-2807, TRS 711, fax 360-725-2641, email Elizabeth.Pashley@dshs.wa.gov, website https://www.dshs.wa.gov/altsa/management-services-division/office-rates-management.