To establish reasonable reimbursement rates for vocational rehabilitation services while providing informed choice and access, DVR establishes fixed fees for VR contract services as follows:

1. (1) Every six years, or on an interval as announced, and with input received from the service providers, DVR will conduct a fee study to establish community rehabilitation program/independent living and preemployment transition services/transition rates for the services outlined in WAC 388-891A-0527, 388-891A-0705, 388-891A-0715, 388-891A-0725 through 388-891A-0732, 388-891A-0760 through 388-891A-0769.

2. (2) As needed, DVR will establish and publish a schedule of fixed payment fees for each contracted VR service, which may include an increase, if the budget allows, based on the following:

   1. (a) The percentage increase of the Consumer Price Index (CPI), CPI-U, U.S. city average, not seasonally adjusted, or successor index, as calculated by the U.S. department of labor or successor agency for the 12 months preceding the previous May 1; or
   2. (b) Five percent, whichever is smaller, but in no event shall the fees or maximums be decreased.
3. (3) DVR will publish a schedule of the new fixed payment fee for each contracted VR service.
4. (4) All VR service contractors are paid the fixed payment fee for each contracted VR service.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20A.310(2), 74.29.020(3), and 74.29.080(8). WSR 25-14-079, s 388-892-0500, filed 6/30/25, effective 7/31/25; WSR 03-19-075, § 388-892-0500, filed 9/12/03, effective 10/13/03.]