This bill amends RCW 74.09.5225 to establish specific provisions for critical access hospitals in Skagit County, Washington. It allows for payments to be made to critical access hospitals certified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services based on allowable costs incurred during the year, regardless of the beneficiary's managed care enrollment status. Notably, the bill introduces a new provision that a critical access hospital located on an island operating within a public hospital district in Skagit County is eligible for these payments. Additionally, it maintains a moratorium on new hospital participation in critical access hospital payments, with exceptions for rural hospitals that applied for certification before January 1, 2005.

The bill also outlines the Washington rural health access preservation pilot, which aims to develop an alternative service and payment system to sustain essential services in rural communities. It specifies that participation in this pilot is optional and includes various requirements for its implementation, such as establishing goals, providing information to hospitals about exiting the pilot, and ensuring that payments are based on a value-based methodology. The pilot is designed to support small critical access hospitals and will be evaluated through interim and final reports to the legislature. Overall, the bill seeks to enhance the financial sustainability of critical access hospitals in rural areas while ensuring quality care delivery.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 74.09.5225
Substitute bill: 74.09.5225
Bill as passed Legislature: 74.09.5225
Session law: 74.09.5225