Federal Register: December 30, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 250)

DOCID: fr30de08-89 FR Doc E8-31019

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

NOTICE: NOTICES

DOCID: fr30de08-89

ACTION: Hearing:

DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice of Hearing.

SUBJECT CATEGORY:

Notice of Hearing: Reconsideration of Disapproval of Washington State Plan Amendment (SPA) 08-002

DOCUMENT SUMMARY:

This notice announces an administrative hearing to be held on February 5, 2009, at the CMS Seattle Regional Office, 2201 Sixth Avenue, MS/RX43, Seattle, Washington 98121 to reconsider CMS' decision to disapprove Washington SPA 08002.

Closing Date: Requests to participate in the hearing as a party must be received by the presiding officer by January 14, 2009.

SUMMARY:

Reconsideration of Disapproval of Washington State Plan Amendment (SPA 08–002),

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

This notice announces an administrative hearing to reconsider CMS' decision to disapprove Washington SPA 08002 which was submitted on January 7, 2007, and disapproved on September 26, 2008. The SPA proposed to add a methodology to the State plan that would be used in the event that a contract with Regional Support Network to provide mental health services under a managed care delivery system to the State of Washington was not continued.

Federal regulations at 42 CFR 430.20 and 447.205, are issued under the authority of general statutory requirements concerning methods of administration at section 1902(a)(4)(A) of the Social Security Act (the Act) and specific requirements at section 1902(a)(30)(A) concerning methods and procedures relating to payments to providers. These regulations require that public notice of changes in statewide methods and standards for setting payment rates be published in either a State register or the newspaper of widest circulation in the State (if there is not a city with a population of at least 50,000). In addition, they specify that the notice must be published before the effective date of the State plan.

Washington did not provide public notice which complied with Federal regulations at 42 CFR 447.205. Although, beginning in December of 2007, the State held meetings with providers to inform them of what would be proposed via SPA 08002, it did not provide the notice required by Federal regulations at 42 CFR 447.205 until February 20, 2008. As a result, the State was informed the effective date of this plan could be no earlier than February 21, 2008. However, Washington failed to make this required change.

Pursuant to Federal regulations at 42 CFR 430.10, which is authorized by section 1902(a)(4) of the Act and implements the general requirements of section 1902(a) of the Act for a State plan, a State plan must provide sufficient information to describe the nature and scope of the State program and to provide a basis for Federal financial participation. And, Federal regulations at 42 CFR 441.252(b), which implement in part provider payment provisions under section 1902(a)(30)(A) of the Act, require that the State plan include a comprehensive description of the methods and standards used to set payment rates. The proposed SPA did not meet these requirements because the payment methodologies were not understandable and auditable. CMS requested further information about the factors Washington used to set its rates, and how the payment methodologies would be administered, but the State failed to provide sufficient responsive information to assure us that providers and auditors could determine whether correct payments had been made. Absent this information, CMS cannot determine that the requirements under section 1902(a) of the Act have been met.

Based on the above, and after consultation with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services as required under Federal regulations at 42 CFR 430.15(c)(2), CMS disapproved Washington SPA 08 002.

The hearing will involve the following issues:

  • Whether the proposed effective date for the SPA was consistent with the limitations authorized under the requirements of sections 1902(a)(4)(A) and 1902(a)(30)(A) of the Act relating to methods of administration generally and methods and procedures for payment rates specifically, and the implementing regulations at 42 CFR 430.20 and 42 CFR 447.205, which require advance public notice of changes in payment rates before a State plan amendment can become effective. The State's proposed effective date for the SPA was earlier than the date of the publication of the public notice that the State submitted in support of the SPA.
  • Whether Washington provided adequate documentation to document the proposed payment rates and to demonstrate that the proposed rates were consistent with efficiency and economy as required by section 1902(a)(30)(A) of the Act. Specifically, the State proposed the use of actuarially developed rates that included a range of rates as opposed to a single dollar amount. The State indicated that the single dollar amount was developed from the above mentioned rate range, however, they were not able to provide either the dollar amount or the documentation regarding the construction of the single rate.

    Section 1116 of the Act and Federal regulations at 42 CFR Part 430, establish Department procedures that provide an administrative hearing for reconsideration of a disapproval of a State plan or plan amendment. CMS is required to publish a copy of the notice to a State Medicaid agency that informs the agency of the time and place of the hearing, and the issues to be considered. If we subsequently notify the agency of additional issues that will be considered
    [[Page 79885]]

    at the hearing, we will also publish that notice.

    Any individual or group that wants to participate in the hearing as a party must petition the presiding officer within 15 days after publication of this notice, in accordance with the requirements contained at 42 CFR 430.76(b)(2). Any interested person or organization that wants to participate as amicus curiae must petition the presiding officer before the hearing begins in accordance with the requirements contained at 42 CFR 430.76(c). If the hearing is later rescheduled, the presiding officer will notify all participants.

    The notice to the State of Washington announcing an administrative hearing to reconsider the disapproval of its SPA reads as follows:

    Ms. Robin ArnoldWilliams, Secretary, Department of Social and Health Services, P.O. Box 45010, Olympia, WA 985045010.

    Dear Ms. ArnoldWilliams:

    I am responding to your request for reconsideration of the decision to disapprove the Washington Medicaid State plan amendment (SPA) 08 002, which was submitted on January 7, 2008, and disapproved on September 26, 2008. The SPA proposed to add a methodology to the State plan that would be used in the event that a contract with Regional Support Network to provide mental health services under a managed care delivery system to the State of Washington was not continued.

    The issues to be considered at the hearing are:

  • Whether the proposed effective date for the SPA was consistent with the limitations imposed by applicable appropriations statutes on the availability of funding for SPAs, the requirements of sections 1902(a)(4)(A) and 1902(a)(30)(A) of the Social Security Act (the Act) relating to methods and procedures generally and for payment rates specifically, and the implementing regulations at 42 CFR 430.20 and 42 CFR 447.205which require advance public notice of changes in payment rates. The State's proposed effective date for the SPA was earlier than the date of the publication of the public notice that the State submitted in support of the SPA.
  • Whether Washington provided adequate documentation to document the proposed payment rates and demonstrate that the proposed rates were consistent with efficiency and economy as required by section 1902(a)(30)(A) of the Act. Specifically, the State proposed the use of actuarially developed rates that included a range of rates as opposed to a single dollar amount. The State indicated that the single dollar amount was developed from the above mentioned rate range, however, they were not able to provide either the dollar amount or the documentation regarding the construction of the single rate.

    I am scheduling a hearing on your request for reconsideration to be held on February 5, 2009, at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Seattle Regional Office, 2201 Sixth Avenue, MS/RX43, Seattle, Washington 98121, in order to reconsider the decision to disapprove SPA 08002. If this date is not acceptable, we would be glad to set another date that is mutually agreeable to the parties. The hearing will be governed by the procedures prescribed by Federal regulations at 42 CFR Part 430.

    I am designating Mr. Benjamin Cohen as the presiding officer. If these arrangements present any problems, please contact the presiding officer at (410) 7863169. In order to facilitate any communication which may be necessary between the parties to the hearing, please notify the presiding officer to indicate acceptability of the hearing date that has been scheduled and provide names of the individuals who will represent the State at the hearing.
    Sincerely,
    Kerry Weems,

    Acting Administrator.

    Section 1116 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. section 1316; 42 CFR section 430.18).
    (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance program No. 13.714, Medicaid Assistance Program.)

    Dated: December 22, 2008.
    Kerry Weems,
    Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. [FR Doc. E831019 Filed 122908; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 412001P

    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT

    Benjamin Cohen, Presiding Officer, CMS, 2520 Lord Baltimore Drive, Suite L, Baltimore, Maryland 21244, Telephone: (410) 7863169.

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