Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Health Care & Wellness Committee

HB 1879

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Directing the health care authority to issue a request for proposals for integrated managed health and behavioral health services for foster children.

Sponsors: Representatives Kagi, Walsh, Cody, Harris, Orwall, Tarleton and Ormsby.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Directs the Health Care Authority to seek proposals to establish an integrated managed health and behavioral health plan for foster children enrolled in Medicaid.

Hearing Date: 2/13/15

Staff: Chris Blake (786-7392).

Background:

The Health Care Authority administers the Medicaid program which is a state-federal program that pays for health care for low-income state residents who meet certain eligibility criteria. Persons under 19 years old who are in foster care and are under the legal responsibility of the state or a tribe located within the state are eligible for Medicaid. Persons under 21 years old who are either in foster care or eligible for continued foster care services may also enroll in Medicaid. In addition, persons between 19 and 26 years old may receive Medicaid if they either were in foster care and enrolled in Medicaid on their eighteenth birthday or were older than 18 when their foster care assistance ended.

In 2014 the Legislature directed the Health Care Authority and the Department of Social and Health Services to develop a plan to provide integrated managed health and mental health care for foster children on Medicaid. The plan had to address the development of a service delivery system, benefit design, reimbursement mechanisms, and standards for contracting with health plans. The plan had to include a timeline and funding estimate for full integration. In addition, the plan had to be designed so that the requirement for providing mental health services to children under the T.R. v. Dreyfus and Porter settlement are met.

The plan was recently submitted to the Legislature. The report identifies a timeline for integration of services with January 2018 as the date for executing an integrated contract. The report noted that the primary challenge of full integration would be moving foster children affected by the TR. v. Dreyfus and Porter settlement to a managed care organization while maintaining continuity and quality of care.

Summary of Bill:

The Health Care Authority must seek proposals to provide integrated managed health care and behavioral health care to foster children enrolled in Medicaid. The proposals must address the development of a service delivery system, benefit design, reimbursement mechanisms, and standards for contracting with health plans. In addition, the plan must meet the requirements for mental health services as established under the T.R. v. Dreyfus and Porter settlement. The integrated managed care plan must begin providing services on December 1, 2016.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.