This rule clarifies the pathway for clients to address concerns about provider care through the licensing, certification, or survey organization (e.g., Department of Health, Department of Social and Health Services’ Residential Care Services).

The agency is amending the rule to add to the factors an administrative law judge is to consider when determining whether to grant a hearing continuance and to add expectations regarding the timing of the administrative law judge’s initial decision.

The agency is developing new rules for CLIP to align with existing processes and Medicaid requirements.

The agency is proposing to add speech language pathology assistants (SLPAs), physical therapy assistants (PTAs), occupational therapy assistants (OTAs), and rural emergency hospitals (REHs) to the list of eligible providers in WAC 182-502-0002. OTA’s and PTA’s are already listed in WAC 182-545-200, but for consistency, the agency is also adding these providers to the general eligible provider list in WAC 182-502-0002. The agency will also be adding SLPAs to the list of providers who may enroll with the agency under WAC 182-545-200.