Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Appropriations Committee
HB 1851
Brief Description: Implementing the first approach skills training program.
Sponsors: Representatives Callan, Macri, Bergquist and Gregerson.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • The First Approach Skills Training program is added to the funding model for the Partnership Access Line and Psychiatry Consultation Line programs.
Hearing Date: 4/1/23
Staff: Meghan Morris (786-7119).
Background:

Partnership Access Line.
The Partnership Access Line (PAL) is a phone consultation service for primary care providers to consult with a pediatric psychiatrist. Seattle Children's Hospital delivers the PAL consultation services in affiliation with the University of Washington Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (UW) through a contract with the Health Care Authority (HCA). 


Partnership Access Line for Moms and Kids.
The PAL for Moms pilot program provides consultation for health care professionals to assess and treat depression in pregnant women and new mothers. 


Mental Health Referral Service for Children and Teens.
The Mental Health Referral Service for Children and Teens program facilitates referrals to children's mental health services and other resources for parents and guardians. 


Psychiatry Consultation Line.
The HCA, in collaboration with the UW, implements the Psychiatry Consultation Line (PCL) to provide emergency department providers, primary care providers, and county and municipal correctional facility providers with on-demand access to psychiatric and substance use disorder clinical consultation for adult patients.  The clinical consultation may occur via telemedicine. 

 

Data and Reporting.
The UW and participating hospitals are responsible for collecting the following information for the PAL, PCL, and PAL for Moms programs:

  • the number of individuals served;
  • demographic information regarding the individuals served, as available, including the individual's age, gender, and city and county of residence;
  • demographic information regarding the providers placing the calls, including type of practice, and city and county of practice;
  • insurance information, including health plan and carrier, as available;
  • a description of the resources provided; and
  • provider satisfaction.


Partnership Access Line Funding Model.
The funding model for the PAL and PCL programs is as follows:

  • The HCA consults with the UW and Seattle Children's Hospital to determine the annual costs of operating each program, including administrative costs.
  • For each program, the HCA must calculate the proportion of clients that are covered by Medicaid or state medical assistance programs based on data collected by the UW and participating hospitals.  The state must cover the cost for clients covered under Medicaid or state medical assistance programs.
  • The HCA must collect a proportional share of program costs, excluding administrative costs, from each of the following entities that are not for covered lives under contract with the HCA as Medicaid managed care organizations:
    • health carriers;
    • self-funded multiple employer welfare arrangements; and
    • employers or other entities that provide health care in this state, including self-funding entities or employee welfare benefit plans. 


The HCA may contract with a third-party administrator to calculate and administer the assessments, which are deposited into the Telebehavioral Health Access Account to support telebehavioral health programs. 

 

First Approach Skills Training.
The First Approach Skills Training (FAST) programs provide brief, evidence-based behavioral therapy for youth and families with common mental health concerns, in settings such as primary care clinics or schools where longer-term treatment is not typically provided.  For each FAST program, there is a two-page educational handout that can be given out as a first step in care, prior to referral for the clinician-guided intervention.

Summary of Bill:

The FAST program is added to the list of access lines that HCA, in collaboration with UW and Seattle Children's Hospital shall implement.  The UW and participating hospitals are responsible for collecting the following information for FAST programs:

  • the number of individuals served;
  • demographic information regarding the individuals served, as available, including the individual's age, gender, and city and county of residence;
  • demographic information regarding the providers placing the calls, including type of practice, and city and county of practice;
  • insurance information, including health plan and carrier, as available;
  • a description of the resources provided; and
  • provider satisfaction.

 

The FAST program is added to the funding model for the PAL and PCL programs.

Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.