WA SB5124

Requires the Health Care Authority to establish network adequacy standards for postacute care services by January 1, 2027, covering skilled nursing facilities and inpatient rehabilitation facilities serving Medicaid enrollees in Apple Health managed care plans

Network adequacy standards must consider provider availability, timeliness of care based on medical needs, geographic accessibility within regional service areas, and compliance with federal Medicaid regulations

Mandates stakeholder feedback at least three times during standards development, including input from hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, managed care organizations, and their representative associations

Managed care organization contracts effective on or after July 1, 2027 must meet the new postacute care network adequacy requirements, with compliance incorporated into existing monitoring and reporting obligations

Preserves facilities' ability to determine whether they can meet the needs of prospective residents through available staffing and reasonable accommodations