The State Department of Social and Health Services is located in Mount Vernon at 900 E. College Way. Phone 416-7444.

The Federal Register is the federal government's announcement guide. The DSHS Funding Information Center is a good resource for finding available funding. DSHS applies for federal grants by completing a grant application to the possible awarding agency. The agency reviews the application and, if approved, awards the funds.

DSHS has an extensive internal algorithm development and review process involving DSHS and contracted policy and clinical experts. Please see the process flow chart.

The DSHS Medicaid and Social Service payment systems have hundreds of edits that do stop billing errors from being paid. However, no computer system can ever be programmed to prevent all potential billing errors. Once DSHS becomes aware of an error that was paid by the system, DSHS implements a system edit to prevent that error from recurring.

The number of overpayment notices that will be sent depends upon the volume of billing errors identified. The Payment Review Program does not report the names of providers who have received an overpayment notice resulting from Payment Review Program activities to state or federal data banks. While most overpayments identified by the Payment Review Program algorithms generally consist of billing errors, some cases may be referred to the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit for further action.

To keep providers informed about finalized algorithms, the Payment Review Program has posted the algorithm descriptions on the DSHS Internet site at: http://maa.dshs.wa.gov/prp/algos.html.

DSHS and HWT do not interpret billing instructions. DSHS and HWT focus on clear cut billing parameters and uses only established and published billing instructions and rules in performing data analysis. DSHS ensures that HWT uses billing parameters appropriate for the year under review.

Under federal and state law, DSHS is required to perform retrospective claims analysis to ensure that DSHS clients are receiving the services for which DSHS pays. DSHS has a duty to collect identified overpayments regardless of whether or not the billing error was intentional.

When a provider enrolls in the Medicaid program they receive a printed copy of the Washington Medicaid Billing Instructions. These instructions are updated each year and sent to providers. Medicaid Providers can also find copies of DSHS billing instructions and rules at the DSHS Internet site at http://fortress.wa.gov/dshs/maa/index.html. Social Service providers should refer to their contract, provider booklet, invoice instructions or their local authorizing office for questions about billing.

There is a required format for the expenditure statement. If differs for counties, hospital districts, and public hospitals not in a hospital district. The appropriate form for 2007 can be found on Expenditure Forms on this website.

DSHS announces available funding for public health services using the Request for Proposals (RFP) process in the Texas Register. The applicant completes the RFP and submits a budget on what they believe the services will cost to perform. DSHS receives the RFP, reviews and, if approved, enters into an agreement (contract) with the entity that will provide the service. See also Funding Links.

Since the court needs to report the completion of treatment, does that eliminate the treatment agency's need to send a "Blue Form" to DOL?.