Title or Subject: Supplemental Notice for Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 24-0035 to Add Certified Behavioral Health Support Specialists as Collaborative Care Providers.

Description: The health care authority (HCA) previously filed notice under WSR 24-18-012 of the intent to submit SPA 24-0035 to remove the requirement for physician assistants to be supervised by a physician when providing such services, add licensed mental health counselor associates, licensed marriage and family therapist associates, licensed advance social worker associates, licensed independent social worker associates, and certified behavioral health support specialists as providers of screening, brief interventions, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) services, simplify the existing list of providers, and update the title "chemical dependency professional" with "substance use disorder professional" in the list of health care professionals who can provide collaborative care services.

SPA 24-0035 is expected to increase annual aggregate expenditures/payments for certified behavioral health support specialists by $619,000, and have no effect for physician assistants, certified behavioral health support specialists, and licensed mental health counselor associates, licensed marriage and family therapist associates, licensed advance social worker associates, and licensed independent social worker associates.

HCA is in the process of developing the SPA. HCA would appreciate any input or concerns regarding this SPA. To request a copy of the SPA when it becomes available or submit comments, you may contact the persons named below (please note that all comments are subject to public review and disclosure, as are the names of those who comment).

CONTACTS: Andrea Allen and Yvonne Keller, CQCT and DBHR, 626 8th Avenue S.E., Olympia, WA 98504, TRS 711, email andrea.allen@hca.wa.gov and yvonne.keller@hca.wa.gov.