(1) This section applies only when agency rules allow review of an agency dispute decision under this section. The director of the health care authority or designee conducts the review.

(2) Providers and former providers may request a review of an agency dispute decision. The request must be in writing and sent to: Health Care Authority, Attn: Appeals Administrator, P.O. Box 45504, Olympia, WA 98504-5504. The agency must receive the written dispute review request within twenty-eight calendar days of the date on the agency's written dispute decision.

(3) When the agency receives a timely dispute review request, the director or designee may schedule a dispute review conference. "Dispute review conference" means an informal conference for the purpose of resolving disagreements between the agency and a provider or former provider who is dissatisfied with an agency decision. The dispute review conference is not governed by the Administrative Procedure Act, chapter 34.05 RCW. If the director or designee chooses to schedule a dispute review conference, the director or designee will conduct the conference within ninety calendar days of the dispute review request unless the director or designee and the party requesting review agree to an extension.

(4) The director or designee will issue a dispute review decision to the provider or former provider requesting review within thirty calendar days of receiving the dispute review request or within thirty calendar days of the dispute review conference, whichever is later, unless both parties agree to an extension.

(5) The director review is the final level of agency review for disputes to which this section applies.