LTC Commissioners Update

March 21st, 2022 Update

Developing options for future WA Cares Fund Inquiries

The Washington Legislature sent its budget bill (SB 5693) to the Governor—and it is expected to be signed. 

The Long Term Care Commissions has to submit reports to the appropriate legislative committees by Jan. 1 2023 on the following items (Language is below):

1. Develop options for those that became qualified for LTC and move out of the state to access benefits.
2. Develop a plan for attestation on long term care exemptions.
3. Develop options for those that applied for an exemption to opt back in.

(58) The long-term services and supports trust commission established in RCW 50B.04.030 must submit the results of the following activities, including any legislative recommendations, to the governor and appropriate legislative committees no later than January 1, 2023:

• The commission shall develop options for allowing persons who become qualified individuals and subsequently move outside of Washington to access benefits in another state if they meet the minimum assistance requirements to become an eligible beneficiary. The commission must include consideration of options for conducting eligibility determinations for qualified individuals who subsequently move outside of Washington, alternative forms of benefits for out-o state eligible beneficiaries, methods of cross-state coordination on long-term services and supports providers, and timing implications of extending benefits to out-of-state eligible beneficiaries with respect to short-term program implementation and long-term collaboration with other states establishing similar programs.

(b) The commission shall develop options for requiring the ongoing verification of the maintenance of long-term care insurance coverage by persons who have received an exemption under RCW 39 50B.04.085, including consideration of procedures that minimize administrative burden, minimize negative impact on long-term services  and supports trust account solvency, and incentivize maintenance of coverage.

• The commission shall develop options for providing workers who have received exemptions based on having private long-term care insurance pursuant to RCW 50B.04.085 an opportunity to rescind their exemption and permanently reenter the long-term services and supports trust program.