Budget Win for Home Care in Washington State

Great news for the home care and home health industries in Washington! The final state operating budget was recently released, and HCAOA’s budget proviso requests were all included. Private duty nursing and home health Medicaid rates both saw increases. See below for more details.

Funding for Private Duty Nursing and Home Health Medicaid Rate Increases (Senate Operating Proposals (wa.gov))

Page 348-(98)(a) $266,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 and $348,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely for rate increases, effective January 1, 2025, for private duty nursing, home health, and the medically intensive children's group home program services. (b) The authority must adopt a payment model that incorporates the following adjustments: (i) A 7.5 percent rate increase for home health and the medically intensive children's group home program services; and (ii) Private duty nursing services shall be $67.89 per hour by a 13 registered nurse and $55.70 per hour by a licensed practical nurse.

Page 260-(rr)(i) $361,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 and $387,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided for rates paid, effective January 1, 2025, to independent contractor nurses and agency-employed nurses providing private duty nursing, skilled nursing, and private duty nursing in adult family homes.  (ii) The department must adopt a payment model that incorporates the following adjustments for independent contractor nurses: (A) Private duty nursing services shall be $56.58 per hour by a registered nurse and $46.49 per hour by a licensed practical nurse. (B) Skilled nursing services shall be $62.93 per day by a registered nurse. (iii) The department must adopt a payment model that incorporates the following adjustments for agency-employed nurses: (A) Private duty nursing services shall be $67.89 per hour by a registered nurse and $55.79 per hour by a licensed practical nurse. (B) Skilled nursing services shall be $75.52 per day by a registered nurse. (iv) Private duty nursing services in an adult family home shall 10 be $898.95 per day.

In-Home Services Roadmap Funding (Senate Operating Proposals (wa.gov))

Page 488-(149) $83,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 is provided solely for the development of an in-home services road map to help individuals assess their in-home services needs and locate providers to serve those needs in their communities. The department must consult with appropriate stakeholders, including but not limited to the Department of Social and Health Services. The department must complete the document and make hard copies available for distribution no later than June 30, 21 2025.

Palliative Care Benefit Workgroup
The SSB 5936 Palliative Care Benefit Workgroup bill passed the legislature unanimously! A bill signing with the Governor will be in the near future!
(22) $228,000 of the insurance commissioner's regulatory account— state appropriation is provided solely for implementation of Substitute Senate Bill No. 5936 (palliative care work group). If the bill is not enacted by June 30, 2024, the amount provided in this subsection shall lapse.

This is a direct result of members contacting local legislators and attending the Washington In-Home Services Day in Olympia!