WAC 182-550-2580. Requirements for becoming an LTAC hospital

(1) To apply to become a medicaid agency-approved long-term acute care (LTAC) hospital, the agency requires a hospital to: (a) Submit a letter of request to: LTAC Program Manager Division of Health Care Services Health and Recovery Services Administration P.O. Box 45506 Olympia WA 98504-5506; and (b) Include in the letter required under (a) of this subsection, documentation that confirms the hospital is: (i) Medicare-certified for LTAC; (ii) Accredited by the joint commission on accreditation of health care organizations (JCAHO); (iii) Licensed as an acute care hospital by the department of health (DOH) under chapter 246-320 WAC (if an in-state hospital), or by the state in which the hospital is located (if an out-of-state hospital); and (iv) Enrolled with the agency as a medicaid participating provider. (2) A hospital qualifies as an agency-approved LTAC hospital when: (a) The hospital meets all the requirements in this section; (b) The agency's clinical staff has conducted an on-site visit and recommended approval of the hospital's request for LTAC designation; and (c) The agency provides written notification to the hospital that it qualifies for payment when providing LTAC services to eligible Washington apple health clients. (3) Agency-approved LTAC hospitals must meet the general requirements in chapter 182-502 WAC. (4) The agency may, in its sole discretion, approve a hospital located in Idaho or Oregon that is not in a designated bordering city as an LTAC hospital if: (a) The hospital meets the requirements of this section; and (b) The hospital provider signs a contract with the agency agreeing to the payment rates established for LTAC services in accordance with WAC 182-550-2595 . (5) The agency does not have any legal obligation to approve any hospital or other entity as an LTAC hospital.