Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 182-550-3830 Adjustments to inpatient rates, 182-550-7500, OPPS (outpatient prospective payment system) rates, and other related rules as appropriate.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 41.05.021, 41.05.160; ESHB 1109, section 211(14), 66th legislature, 2019 regular session.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The agency is amending these rules to align with ESHB 1109, section 211(14), 66th legislature, 2019 regular session. The agency intends to extend the date for payment increases under the sole community hospital program and to allow for updates to inpatient conversion factors and per diem rates through June 30, 2020. 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: None.

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 Melinda Froud (Rule Writer), P.O. Box 42716, Olympia, WA 98504-2716, phone 360-725-1408, fax 360-586-9727, telecommunication relay services (TRS) 711, email melinda.froud@hca.wa.gov, web site www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/rulemaking; or Melissa Craig (Program Questions), P.O. Box 45505, Olympia, WA 98504-5505, phone 360-725-0938, fax 360-586-9727, TRS 711, email melissa.craig@hca.wa.gov, web site www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/rulemaking.