WAC 388-96-565   Lives.  (1) Except for new buildings replacement buildings, major remodels and major repair projects as defined in subsection (5) of this section, to compute allowable depreciation, the contractor must use lives reflecting the estimated actual useful life of the assets (e.g., land improvements, buildings, including major remodels and major repair projects, equipment, leasehold improvements, etc.). However the lives used must not be shorter than guidelines lives in the most current edition of Estimated Useful Lives of Depreciable Hospital Assets published by American Hospital Publishing, Inc.

     (2) To compute allowable depreciation for major remodels and major repair projects as defined in subsection (5) of this section that began operating:

     (a) Before July 1, 1997, the contractor must use the shortest lives in the most recently published lives for construction classes as defined and described in the Marshall Valuation Service published by the Marshall Swift Publication Company; or

     (b) After July 1, 1997, the contractor must use the shortest lives of the guideline lives in the most current edition of Estimated Useful Lives of Depreciable Hospital Assets published by American Hospital Publishing, Inc.

     (3) To compute allowable depreciation for new buildings and replacement buildings as defined in subsection (5) of this section that:

     (a) Began operating before July 1, 1997, the contractor must use the construction classes as defined and described in Marshall Valuation Service published by the Marshall Swift Publication Company; provided that, thirty years is the shortest life that may be used;

     (b) Began operating on or after July 1, 1997, the contractor must use the most current edition of Estimated Useful Lives of Depreciable Hospital Assets published by American Hospital Publishing, Inc.; provided that, thirty years is shortest life that may be used; and

     (c) Received certificate of need approval or certificate of need exemptions under chapter 70.38 RCW on or after July 1, 1999, the contractor must use the most current edition of Estimated Useful Lives of Depreciable Assets published by American Hospital Publishing, Inc.; provided that, forty years is the shortest life that may be used.

     (4) To compute allowable depreciation, the contractor must:

     (a) Measure lives from the most recent of either the date on which the assets were first used in the medical care program or the last date of purchase of the asset through an arm's-length acquisition; and

     (b) Extend lives to reflect periods, if any, during which assets were not used in a nursing facility or as a nursing facility.

     (5) New buildings, replacement buildings, major remodels, and major repair projects are those projects that meet or exceed the expenditure minimum established by the department of health pursuant to chapter 70.38 RCW.

     (6) Contractors shall depreciate building improvements other than major remodels and major repairs defined in subsection (5) of this section over the remaining useful life of the building, as modified by the improvement, but not less than fifteen years.

     (7) Improvements to leased property which are the responsibility of the contractor under the terms of the lease shall be depreciated over the useful life of the improvement in accordance with American Hospital Association guidelines.

     (8) A contractor may change the estimate of an asset's useful life to a longer life for purposes of depreciation.

     (9) For new or replacement building construction or for major renovations receiving certificate of need approval or exemption under chapter 70.38 RCW on or after July 1, 1999, the department will depreciate fixed equipment the same number of years as the life of the building to which it is affixed.



[Statutory Authority: Chapter 74.46 RCW, 1999 c 376 § 3 amending c 309 § 207. 99-24-084, § 388-96-565, filed 11/30/99, effective 12/31/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.46.310, [74.46.]320 and[74.46.]330 . 97-17-040, § 388-96-565, filed 8/14/97, effective 9/14/97. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.46.800. 94-12-043 (Order 3737), § 388-96-565, filed 5/26/94, effective 6/26/94. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.09.180 and 74.46.800. 89-01-095 (Order 2742), § 388-96-565, filed 12/21/88. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.46.800. 87-09-058 (Order 2485), § 388-96-565, filed 4/20/87; 86-10-055 (Order 2372), § 388-96-565, filed 5/7/86, effective 7/1/86. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.09.120. 83-19-047 (Order 2025), § 388-96-565, filed 9/16/83; 81-22-081 (Order 1712), § 388-96-565, filed 11/4/81. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.09.120 and 74.46.800. 81-06-024 (Order 1613), § 388-96-565, filed 2/25/81; Order 1262, § 388-96-565, filed 12/30/77.]