Bill > SB5124

This bill establishes network adequacy standards for skilled nursing facilities and rehabilitation hospitals within managed care contracts for medical assistance programs, aiming to increase patient access to timely and medically necessary postacute care for Medicaid enrollees. The authority, responsible for administering these programs, must develop and adopt these standards by January 1, 2028, considering factors like provider availability, timeliness of care, and compliance with federal Medicaid regulations, while also incorporating stakeholder feedback from hospitals, nursing homes, and managed care organizations. The bill amends existing law (RCW 74.09.522) to require that managed care organization contracts, effective on or after July 1, 2028, include these new network adequacy requirements for postacute care services, which will be incorporated into existing monitoring and reporting processes.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5124&Year=2025&Initiative=false