WSR 00-15-041

EMERGENCY RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Medical Assistance Administration)

[ Filed July 14, 2000, 3:47 p.m. ]

Date of Adoption: July 14, 2000.

Purpose: To continue the federal income standard increases that took effect with the April 1, 2000, emergency adoption of WSR 00-07-089 until the rule can be permanently adopted. The rule has been proposed for permanent adoption under WSR 00-14-044, but WSR 00-07-089 is due to expire before the public hearing will be held. These amendments change income standards to reflect the new federal poverty level (FPL). These changes will increase the number of people eligible for the medical programs based on the FPL, pregnant women, children and those eligible for Medicare cost sharing programs.

Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 388-478-0075 and 388-478-0085.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.08.090, 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.09.530 and the poverty guidelines updated annually in the Federal Register by the United States Department of Health and Human Services under authority of Section 673(2) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (42 U.S.C. 9902(2)).

Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfare, and that observing the time requirements of notice and opportunity to comment upon adoption of a permanent rule would be contrary to the public interest; and that state or federal law or federal rule or a federal deadline for state receipt of federal funds requires immediate adoption of a rule.

Reasons for this Finding: The increase in FPL went into effect April 1, 2000, and the state must continue to comply with these federal requirements.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 2, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 2, Repealed 0. Effective Date of Rule: Immediately.

July 14, 2000

Marie Myerchin-Redifer, Manager

Rules and Policies Assistance Unit

2710.4
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 99-19-005, filed 9/3/99, effective 10/4/99)

WAC 388-478-0075
Medical programs--Monthly income standards based on the federal poverty level (FPL).

(1) The department bases the income standard upon the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for the following medical programs:

     (a) Children's health program ((is)) up to one hundred percent of FPL;

     (b) Pregnant women's program ((is)) up to one hundred eighty-five percent of FPL;

     (c) Children's categorically needy program ((is)) up to two hundred percent of FPL; and

     (d) The children's health insurance program (CHIP)((, effective January 1, 2000,)) is over two hundred percent of FPL but under two hundred fifty percent of FPL.

     (2) Beginning April 1, ((1999)) 2000, the monthly FPL standards are:


FAMILY

SIZE

 100%

FPL

 185%

FPL

 200%

FPL

 250%

FPL
1 $ ((687))

696

 $((1271)) 1288 $((1374)) 1392 $((1717)) 1740
2 $ ((922))

938

 $((1706)) 1735 $((1844)) 1875 $((2305)) 2344
3 $((1157)) 1180 $((2140)) 2182 $((2314)) 2359 $((2892)) 2948
4 $((1392)) 1421 $((2575)) 2629 $((2784)) 2842 $((3480)) 3553
5 $((1627)) 1663 $((3010)) 3076 $((3254)) 3325 $((4067)) 4157
6 $((1862)) 1905 $((3445)) 3523 $((3724)) 3809 $((4655)) 4761
7 $((2097)) 2146 $((3879)) 3970 $((4194)) 4292 $((5242)) 5365
8 $((2332)) 2388 $((4314)) 4417 $((4664)) 4775 $((5830)) 5969
9 $((2567)) 2630 $((4749)) 4864 $((5134)) 5259 $((6417)) 6573
10 $((2802)) 2871 $((5184)) 5312 $((5604)) 5742 $((7005)) 7178
Add to the ten person standard for each person over ten:
$ ((235)) 242 $ ((435)) 448 $ ((470)) 484 $((588)) 605

     (3) There are no resource limits for the programs under this section.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.09.530 and the poverty guidelines updated annually in the Federal Register by the United States Department of Health and Human Services under authority of Section 673(2) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (42 U.S.C. 9902(2)).      99-19-005, § 388-478-0075, filed 9/3/99, effective 10/4/99.      Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090.      98-16-044, § 388-478-0075, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98. Formerly WAC 388-507-0805, 388-508-0810, 388-509-0910, 388-509-0920, 388-509-0940 and 388-509-0960.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 99-19-005, filed 9/3/99, effective 10/4/99)

WAC 388-478-0085
Medicare cost sharing programs--Monthly income and countable resources standards.

(1) The qualified Medicare beneficiary (QMB) program income standard is up to one hundred percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Beginning April 1, ((1999)) 2000, the QMB program's income standards are:


(a) One person $ ((687)) 696
(b) Two persons $ ((922)) 938

     (2) The special low-income Medicare beneficiary (SLMB) program income standard is over one hundred percent of FPL, but under one hundred twenty percent of FPL. Beginning April 1, ((1999)) 2000, the SLMB program's income standards are:


Minimum Maximum
(a) One person $ ((687.01)) 696.01 $ ((824)) 835
(b) Two persons $ ((922.01)) 938.01 $ ((1106)) 1125

     (3) The expanded special low-income Medicare beneficiary (ESLMB) program income standard is over one hundred twenty percent of FPL, but under one hundred thirty-five percent of FPL. Beginning April 1, ((1999)) 2000, the ESLMB program's income standards are:

Minimum Maximum
(a) One person $ ((824.01)) 835.01 $ ((927)) 940
(b) Two persons $ ((1106.01)) 1125.01 $ ((1245)) 1266

     (4) The qualified disabled working individual (QDWI) program income standard is ((standard is based upon)) up to two hundred percent of FPL. Beginning April 1, ((1999)) 2000, the QDWI program's income standards are:


(a) One person $ ((1374)) 1392
(b) Two persons $ ((1844)) 1875

     (5) The qualified individual (QI) program income standard is over one hundred thirty-five percent of FPL, but under one hundred seventy-five percent of FPL. Beginning April 1, ((1999)) 2000, the QI program's income standards are:


Minimum Maximum
(a) One person $ ((927.01)) 940.01 $ ((1202)) 1218
(b) Two persons $ ((1245.01)) 1266.01 $ ((1613)) 1641

     (6) The resource standard for the Medicare cost sharing programs in this section is:


(a) One person $ 4000
(b) Two persons $ 6000

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.09.530 and the poverty guidelines updated annually in the Federal Register by the United States Department of Health and Human Services under authority of Section 673(2) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (42 U.S.C. 9902(2)).      99-19-005, § 388-478-0085, filed 9/3/99, effective 10/4/99.      Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090.      98-16-044, § 388-478-0085, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98. Formerly WAC 388-517-1715, 388-517-1730, 388-517-1750 and 388-517-1770.]

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