Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 182-533-0300 Services under first steps, 182-533-0310 Maternity support services—Purpose, 182-533-0325 Maternity support services—Provider requirements, 182-533-0330 Maternity support services—Covered services, and 182-533-0345 Maternity support services—Payment; and other related rules as appropriate.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: 2E2SSB 5580, chapter 213, Laws of 2024, RCW 74.09.837, 41.05.021, and 41.05.160.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The health care authority (agency) is amending these rules to comply with RCW 74.09.837 and 2E2SSB 5580, section 2, updating the maternity support services program to address perinatal outcomes and increase equity and healthier birth outcomes. Additionally, the agency is amending language to align with gender neutrality, updating screening requirements, adding care coordination with birth doulas, allowing telehealth, and adding an additional payment for a risk factor screening and a postpartum nurse home visit. During this review, the agency may identify additional related changes that 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 Valerie Freudenstein, Rule-making Questions, P.O. Box 42716, Olympia, WA 98504-2716, phone 360-725-1344, fax 360-586-9727, telecommunication relay services (TRS) 711, email valerie.freudenstein@hca.wa.gov, website www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/rulemaking; or Heather Weiher, Program Questions, P.O. Box 42716, Olympia, WA 98504-2716, phone 360-725-1293, fax 360-586-9727, TRS 711, email heather.weiher@hca.wa.gov, website www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/rulemaking.