Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 182-503-0070 Washington apple health—When coverage begins, 182-504-0005 Washington apple health—Retroactive certification period, 182-504-0020 Certification periods for the noninstitutional medically needy program, 182-504-0025 Medicare savings program certification periods, 182-511-1100 Apple health for workers with disabilities (HWD)—Retroactive coverage, 182-512-0150 SSI-related medical—Medically needy (MN) medical eligibility, and 182-519-0110 Spenddown of excess income for the medically needy program; other related rules as appropriate.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Effective January 1, 2027, federal law (P.L. 119-21, Section 71112) shortens the retroactive coverage period for federally-funded medical assistance. The health care authority (agency) is amending its rules to comply with this change in federal law. 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: 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, Rule-making Questions, P.O. Box 42716, Olympia, WA 98504-2716, phone 360-725-0815, fax 360-586-9727, telecommunication relay services (TRS) 711, email brian.jensen@hca.wa.gov, website www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/rulemaking; or Riva Garza, Program Questions, P.O. Box 42722, Olympia, WA 98504-2722, phone 360-725-1729, fax 360-586-9727, TRS 711, email riva.garza@hca.wa.gov, website www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/rulemaking.