WSR 20-03-071
HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY
[Filed January 10, 2020, 8:58 a.m.]
NOTICE
Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 20-0003.
Effective Date: January 11, 2020.
Description: The health care authority (HCA) intends to submit medicaid SPA 20-0003 in order to implement certain directives in SSB 5779, signed by the governor on May 5, 2017. SSB 5779 directs HCA to promote "bidirectional integration," which means integrating behavioral health services into primary care settings and primary care services into behavioral health settings. SPA 20-0003 will assist bidirectional integration by increasing rates paid for certain medically necessary behavioral health services provided to eligible clients in a primary care setting.
SSB 5779 addresses health and behavior services provided by, but not limited to, the following providers:
•Marriage and family therapists.
•Mental health counselors and mental health counselor associates under the supervision of a licensed clinician.
•Psychiatric advanced registered nurse practitioners.
•Physician assistants working with a supervising psychiatrist.
•Psychiatric nurses.
•Psychiatrists.
•Psychologists.
•Social workers.
•Substance use disorder professionals and trainees.
SPA 20-0003 is expected to increase the annual aggregate expenditures/reimbursement/payment for mental health services in a primary care setting. Specific billing codes, in the process of being determined, will be increased ten percent.
SPA 20-0003 is in the development process; therefore a copy is not yet available for review. HCA would appreciate any input or concerns regarding this SPA. To request a copy when it becomes available or submit comments, please contact the person named below (please note that all comments are subject to public review and disclosure, as are the names of those who comment).
Contact Wendy Steffens, Professional and Pharmacy Rates Unit Manager, 626 8th Avenue S.E., Olympia, WA 98504, phone 360-725-5147, TTY 711, email ProfessionalRates@hca.wa.gov.