Commission says WA Cares launch broadly successful as early enrollment and provider gaps emerge

The Long‑Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Trust Commission used its September meeting to review early implementation of WA Cares, with commissioners calling the statewide launch smooth and program staff reporting initial take‑up and service authorizations.

Chair Bea Rector thanked commissioners and staff for implementation work and said the program is on “sound footing” after launch. Morgan Wilson, LTSS Trust Commission manager, summarized the program design, noting that workers contribute 0.58% of payroll and eligible beneficiaries receive a lifetime $36,500 benefit that grows with inflation. “To earn benefits, you automatically contribute 0.58% of your paycheck during working years,” Wilson said.

Program data presented later showed more than 6,700 WA Cares accounts created and 769 contribution‑determination requests. Elena Tortellat, DSHS data program analytics and strategy administrator, said 227 assessments were completed with 220 beneficiaries approved and 122 active preauthorizations for services. She added that the average time between contribution determination and assessment completion is around 12 days, well within the 45‑day statutory target.

At the same time, staff warned of implementation challenges: a 41% denial rate at the contribution‑determination stage (primarily for insufficient qualifying hours) and gaps in the provider network for several service types. “For a majority of service types covered under the program, we believe our provider network coverage is strong,” Tortellat said, but she noted that adult day services, adult family homes, assisted living facilities, nursing homes and certain professional services showed coverage shortfalls in many counties.

The commission adopted the consent agenda by unanimous consent and directed staff to bring additional materials and action items to upcoming meetings, including Milliman/actuarial updates and a focused briefing on family‑caregiver payment options.