June 2024 Monthly Newsletter

Webinars:

Join us from 11- noon on July 17 for our WA Cares Basics: What Employers Need to Know webinar. Hear the latest updates on the state’s long-term care insurance program and learn more about employer responsibilities. We’ll cover who contributes to the fund, who can get an exemption, how workers will meet contribution requirements and what kinds of benefits will be available. Get your questions answered and find out where to go for more resources for businesses and workers. Register today.

ICYMI: Watch the replay of our WA Cares Conversations: Caregiving and Brain Health webinar. Find recordings of more past webinars and learn more about upcoming webinars on our website.

Fund Fact: Help is available for people and families struggling with a brain condition like dementia or a traumatic brain injury.

In the future, Washingtonians who experience cognitive decline or a brain injury will be able to access benefits through the WA Cares Fund. If you or a loved one need help now, check out this month’s news article for a roundup of brain health resources or watch the replay of our June webinar, WA Cares Conversations: Caregiving and Brain Health.

Monthly FAQ: Can I contribute extra to WA Cares to get additional benefits?

WA Cares is a social insurance program like Social Security, not a savings account. Everyone who meets contribution requirements and has a care need gets access to the same lifetime benefit amount. The benefit amount starts at $36,500 and will grow over time with inflation. (Near-retirees born before 1968 can also earn a pro-rated benefit amount for each year they contribute if they don’t qualify for the full benefit amount.)

For those who want more coverage, the Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Trust Commission has developed a framework for a supplemental private long-term care insurance market. These policies would allow people who want more coverage to use their WA Cares benefit as the deductible for their private policy. To create a supplemental insurance market, the legislature will need to take action on the Commission’s recommendations on supplemental private policies.

Rulemaking:

The WA Cares team at the Department of Social and Health Services is currently working to implement a new chapter of Washington Administrative Code that will include the provider application process, registration requirements, and more.  

Register for our upcoming rulemaking sessions to learn more and provide input:

• Join us from 2-4 p.m. on July 17, we will be wrapping up our last scheduled session with a brief discussion on chapter governance and a recap of covered topics. Register now.

Find recordings of past meetings and learn more about rulemaking. If you are interested in receiving notifications for rulemaking activities or joining rulemaking stakeholder meetings, please update your e-mail preferences.

LTSS Trust Commission: 

The Long-Term Services and Supports Trust Commission, which works on behalf of Washington employees and long-term care stakeholders to improve, monitor, and implement WA Cares, will hold its next meeting from 1-4 p.m. on July 10.

The Commission is also holding a Provider Payment Maximums Open Forum regarding Group 3 services on July 15. We will cover transportation, adult day services, eligible relative care and respite for family caregivers. These stakeholder open forums are open to the public.

Sign up for a stakeholder open forum, find meeting details and materials or learn more about the Commission.