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CMS has a Section 1135 waiver for Washington state’s Medicaid program, making the state the second such recipient. The waiver streamlines Washington’s process of provider enrollment, allowing the state to temporarily waive providers’ application and enrollment fees, criminal and background checks, and site visits.

The waiver also allows the state to:

• temporarily waive Pre-Admission Screening and Annual Resident Review (PASSR) level I and level II assessments for 30 days, while providing full reimbursement to facilities that are required to evacuate due to an emergency;
• modify the time frames around state fair-hearing requests and decisions; and
• waive public notice requirements for changes to Medicaid that provide or increase beneficiaries’ access to services related to COVID19, such as cost sharing waivers, payment rate increases, or adding COVID-related benefits to Medicaid coverage