The bill amends RCW 74.09.5225 to establish that payments for services provided by rural hospitals designated as rural emergency hospitals, which are certified by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, will be subject to appropriation. This change ensures that the funding for these services is contingent upon legislative appropriations, thereby introducing a level of financial oversight and accountability. The bill maintains existing provisions regarding payments for services provided by critical access hospitals and outlines the conditions under which rural hospitals can participate in alternative payment methodologies through the Washington rural health access preservation pilot.

Additionally, the bill specifies that payments for recipients eligible for medical assistance programs will be based on allowable costs incurred during the year, regardless of the beneficiary's managed care enrollment status. It also retains the moratorium on additional hospital participation in critical access hospital payments while allowing certain rural hospitals that applied for certification before January 1, 2005, to remain eligible for medical assistance payments. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the sustainability of essential services in rural communities while ensuring that funding aligns with legislative appropriations.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 74.09.5225