Description
HCA is revising WAC 182-502-0030 to clarify its authority to terminate a provider’s enrollment with HCA and to clarify the impacts of terminations for cause to include any associated providers according to 42 CFR Part 455. HCA is revising WAC 182-502-0040 to clarify that termination for convenience is the final agency action.

Agency contacts

Rulemaking contact

Jason Crabbe

Program contact

Pooji Tran

Rulemaking status history

Preproposal (CR101)

How do strikes affect school employee benefits?

If a school employee strikes and does not start work on the first day of school, it could affect their benefits in the following ways:

  • If the new school employee does not start on the first day of school, the school employee would get benefits the first day of the month following when they start working (WAC 182-31-040(7)). If a school employee were to strike long enough they may no longer be anticipated to work 630 hours in the school year and would not get benefits.
  • A school employee returning to the same SEBB Organization who is anticipated to work at least 630 hours in the coming school year, and who was receiving the employer contribution in August of the prior school year, will receive uninterrupted coverage from one school year to the next (WAC 182-30-080(6)). The previous school year’s benefits would end on August 31 and the current school year’s benefits would begin on September 1. View the chart under Enrollment Requirements to determine the number of days an employee could miss before they would risk not being anticipated to work 630 hours.

If a school employee strikes after the first day of school, it could affect their benefits in the following way:

  • A school employee who was determined to be eligible for the employer contribution toward SEBB benefits will remain eligible for the rest of the school year unless they lose eligibility for the employer contribution as described in WAC 182-31-050. For example, this could happen if the employment relationship is terminated or the school employee has a change in their work pattern that would cause them to no longer be anticipated to be eligible. View the chart under Enrollment Requirements to determine the number of days an employee could miss before they would risk not being anticipated to work 630 hours.
00446: ProviderOne outage planned for Saturday, September 13, 2025, through Sunday, September 14, 2025
Discovery log number
00446
Discovery description

To all ProviderOne users

ProviderOne outage planned for Saturday, September 13, 2025, through Sunday, September 14, 2025

The ProviderOne system will be unavailable from 5:30 a.m. Saturday, September 13 until 8 a.m. Sunday, September 14 (26.5 hours) due to scheduled maintenance.

This outage does not affect the Pharmacy POS

Pharmacies will still be able to submit claims for processing and faxes can be sent during the outage. Faxes will be processed after the outage is complete.

Please report any issues to:  mmishelp@hca.wa.gov.

Thank you.

Date reported
ETA
Provider impact
All Providers
Workaround
Please report any issues to: mmishelp@hca.wa.gov
Description
The Health Care Authority is tasked with developing and adopting rules for implementing the responsibilities outlined in RCW 50B.04.020(2) for the WA Cares program.

Agency contacts

Rulemaking contact

Wendy Barcus

Program contact

Paige Lewis

Rulemaking status history

Preproposal (CR101)

Withdrawal (CR101)

Preproposal (CR101)

Services for older adults

Find state and local resources that are available in Washington for older adults (55+), their caregivers, and families. You may need to meet eligibility requirements for some services.

On this page

You are not alone. Local services for older adults are available across Washington.

Find services in your county.

Many services for older adults are available through the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA), the Health Care Authority (HCA), or other local resources.

Health care

Apple Health

Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) offers free or low-cost medical, dental, and vision care to eligible Washington residents.

See if you are eligible:

Health care programs, services, and resources

Apple Health for Workers with Disabilities (HWD)

HWD provides health care coverage for individuals with blindness or a disability who are working. There is no resource or income limit. 

Learn more and see if you are eligible for HWD.

Apple Health Medicare Connect

If you have both Medicare and Apple Health (Medicaid) coverage, you may be eligible for Apple Health Medicare Connect is a special kind of Medicare Advantage plan for dual-eligible individuals that assists with care coordination between both coverages.

Learn more and see if you are eligible for Apple Health Medicare Connect.

Dementia and Alzheimer’s care

What is dementia?

Dementia is not a typical part of aging, but the risk of dementia does increase with age. Dementia is not a disease itself, but a set of symptoms caused by a variety of conditions that damage the brain. These changes result in decline of memory and thinking abilities that interfere with daily life.

What is Alzheimer’s?

Alzheimer’s disease is a specific brain disease and is the most common cause of dementia.

Dementia Action Collaborative (DAC)

DAC is a group of public-private partners committed to preparing Washington state for the increasing number of people living with dementia. It focuses on seven areas including raising public awareness, early diagnosis, long-term services and supports, and supporting family caregivers. Explore DAC resources.

Specialized Dementia Care Program (SDCP)

SDCP is a DSHS-administered program for people with dementia who can no longer live at home and need state-funding to help pay for long-term care services. Learn more and see if you are eligible for SDCP.

End of life care
  • Palliative care: Find out about palliative care and where to go to for services.
  • Hospice: Learn what hospice is and what it can help with.
  • End of life care: Understand advanced directives what to do to ensure your wishes are known and followed.
Health Home program

If you have a chronic condition, Health Home offers a set of free services including the support of a care coordinator to provide care management and coordination of care. Learn more and see if you are eligible for Health Home services.

In-home and long-term care

HCLA helps you begin the process of finding long-term care services and supports. For an overview about eligibility, visit HCA’s Long-term care and hospice page.

HCLA's Services that help an adult remain at home webpage includes information on home care agencies, skilled nursing care, and community resources such as adult day centers, senior centers, and home delivered meals.

WA Cares Fund: A public long-term care insurance program that guarantees coverage for all Washington workers, regardless of preexisting conditions.

Medicaid Alternative Care (MAC) and Tailored Supports for Older Adults (TSOA)

MAC and TSOA serve and support older adults and family caregivers by expanding care options and providing assistance to unpaid family caregivers. Learn more about what MAC and TSOA have to offer.

Medicare benefits

Get free help with your Medicare benefits by talking to a Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisor (SHIBA). Find a SHIBA representative in your area.

Medicare Savings Programs

For eligible individuals with limited income, the Medicaid Savings Programs helps you cover the cost of Medicare premiums, copayments, and deductibles.

Community resources

  • 211 Washington: A community resource that connects you with a variety of local services including food, housing, and utility assistance, elder care, and crisis intervention.
  • HCLA Agencies That Help webpage: An overview of agencies and services in Washington that assist older adults.
  • Community Living Connections: Helps you find the right housing and community-based supports and services in your area.

Disability services

For additional information on health care-related disability services, see Health care.

Employment

Financial assistance

Find help with:

  • Cash assistance: Depending on your situation, you may be eligible for DSHS Aged, Blind or Disabled Cash Program which includes a cash benefit and helps with housing opportunities and Social Security benefits.
  • Prescription drugs: The ArrayX Discount Card provides prescription drug discounts you do not access to coverage or certain drugs or vaccines. It’s available to all Washington State residents.
  • Utility bills: Visit 211.org to find utility assistance or utility discounts in your area.

Housing

Support for caregivers

HCLA's Caregiver resources and Community Living Connection's Support for Family Caregivers help you find programs that support caregivers as well as handbooks, free training, and self-care.

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